Music Theory Classes for Adults
Fill in the gaps in your musical knowledge
For adults who are learning to sing or play a musical instrument. Learn new skills or refresh old ones. Discover the secrets of music, and how to apply them.
- One-session workshops or longer courses
- Learn in small friendly groups of adults
- Held at Susan’s studio in Leichhardt
Not sure what you’re looking for? Start here
One-Session Workshops
These are short workshops, exploring specific topics about music theory. They usually run for 2-3 hours, either a morning or an afternoon.
Music Theory: A Taster (3 hours)
A broad overview of how music works, designed as an opportunity to dip your toe into the water of music theory. A great way to get started.Saturday 28 February 2026
How Chords Work (3 hours)
Explore the theory and function of chords in music: how chords work, how they are derived from scales, and what various chord symbols mean.Saturday 21 March 2026
Rhythm Rehab (3 hours)
Explore the basics of how rhythm works in music, how it is notated in musical scores, and how to read it.
How to Read Music - sort of (3 hours)
An introduction to how music notation works: how notes, rhythms and musical expression are written on the page. No prior musical knowledge necessary.
The Circle of Fifths - Demystified (2.5 hours)
How the Circle of Fifths works: why it’s so useful, and how it explains key signatures, chords, key changes, and other musical concepts.
Music Reading for singers: A Beginner’s Guide (4 x 1.5 hours)
Music notation is much more visual than most people realise. Discover how singers can learn to read and interpret music, by learning the basic principles of music notation.Courses through the grades of Musicianship
These intensive music theory courses will take you through the grades of AMEB Musicianship, an internationally-recognised music theory syllabus. Extra material shows you how the theory applies to both classical and contemporary music.
Grades 1-2
2 hours a week for 8 weeksThis course integrates the material from Grades 1 and 2 into a logical progression, with revision each week of concepts learnt.
Grade 1
2 and a half Saturdays or SundaysGrade 1 introduces many of the basics of scales, keys, rhythm, and notation, and begins the process of learning composition.
Grade 2
2 and a half Saturdays or SundaysGrade 2 introduces more about rhythm, keys, chords, and composition.
Grade 3
2 hours a week for 8 weeksGrade 3 covers such new material as composing melodies, cadences, four-part harmony, and modes.
Grade 4
2.5 hours a week for 8 weeksGrade 4 covers aural training, interrupted cadences, the Baroque period, melody-writing and four-part harmony.
Grade 5
2.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (2 terms)Grade 5 introduces melody writing in two parts, non-chord tones, secondary chords, and introductions to the symphony orchestra, chamber music, and lieder.
Grade 6
2.5 hours a week for 24 weeks (3 terms)Grade 6 continues to develop melody-writing and four-part harmony, and explores Romantic piano music and chamber music for strings, piano and woodwind.
“Susan is an engaging and dedicated teacher who is capable of working with people of different levels of prior knowledge. She has broad knowledge of music and music history which she shares in an easily understood and entertaining manner. Add to this her lovely sense of humour and it makes for a class that is both highly enjoyable and very informative” - Bonita
More information
FAQs: General information about music theory classes
Information about the venue, transport, parking, course materials and prerequisites
Private lessons
One-to-one lessons, tailored to your needs, in person or via Zoom
What people say
Read more testimonials about Susan’s music theory courses“I found it very interesting and informative. Susan’s easy teaching style along with a comprehensive workbook and supported by many aural examples made it easy to grasp and cement the musical concepts in this course. I particularly liked the use of the many contemporary music examples Susan incorporated”
“This has been most beneficial - putting everything into context”
“I am so grateful to have done Musicianship 1-4 and got so much pleasure from the courses. You are a first rate teacher for whom I have the greatest admiration and appreciation. Coming back to music has been the best thing that I’ve done in retirement and it is hard to describe the pleasure I’ve experienced”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the course”