Instrumental Programme
Instrumental Overview
Instrumental study at Leeson Park builds on the strong musical foundations developed in our early years and pre-instrumental classes. Lessons are designed to nurture each student’s musical ability step by step, combining solid technical training with creativity, musicianship, and a deep love of music.
We offer individual lessons in piano, violin, cello, flute, and classical guitar, with most students beginning between the ages of 6 and 8. All instrumental students also attend weekly musicianship classes to support their development.
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Our Approach
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Child-centred and holistic: We teach using Kodály-inspired methods that develop inner hearing, aural awareness, and musical understanding alongside instrumental technique.
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Building strong foundations: Emphasis is placed on posture, tone, rhythm, and reading from the very beginning, setting students up for confident and expressive playing.
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Integrated musicianship: Theory, aural skills, and ensemble work are woven into lessons so students understand the music they are playing — not just how to play it.
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Performance and creativity: Students are encouraged to share their music through informal concerts and ensemble playing, and to explore creativity through improvisation and composition.
Syllabus Outline
Our instrumental curriculum progresses in carefully structured stages. Students move forward at their own pace, guided by their teacher.
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Introduction to the Instrument
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Correct posture, hand position, and instrument care
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Producing a beautiful tone
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Playing simple pieces by ear and from notation
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Developing Musical Skills
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Expanding range and technique
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Reading fluently from staff notation
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Understanding rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and phrasing
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Playing short solo pieces and simple duets
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Intermediate Study
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Mastery of scales, arpeggios, and technical patterns
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Introduction to stylistic playing across periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.)
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Playing with expression and musicality
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Chamber music and ensemble participation
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Advanced Development
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Building a personal repertoire and preparing longer works
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Refining tone, articulation, and interpretative skills
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Opportunities for public performance and examinations (optional)
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Continuing creative work through improvisation and composition
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Outcomes & Goals
By the time students complete their instrumental studies at Leeson Park, they will:
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Play their instrument with confidence, musicality, and technical control
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Understand music deeply — reading, listening, and interpreting with ease
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Be able to perform both solo and collaboratively
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Have a lifelong appreciation for music and the tools to continue their musical journey beyond the school
Musicianship
Musicianship training is a core element of the instrumental programme and for this reason is compulsory for the first seven years of instrumental study.
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Advanced Musicianship training (post Year 7) is optional but is strongly recommended for students who are taking higher level external examinations or who may be considering studying music at third level.
LPSM Musicianship Syllabi for each year of study ensure that students receive a well rounded training and provide goals and targets which must be attained by the end of year assessments.
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Students in Years 1 to 7 use the LPSM Musicianship Workbooks which will be given to your child at their first class of the year. Students will need to bring their workbook to class each week.
Additional Lessons outside of LPSM
As Colourstrings Instrumental training uses specialised methods of teaching and a very specific language (especially during the early stages of learning) such as Solfa, Rhythm names, one and two lined stave etc, we strongly advise those beginner instrumentalists and those in the early stages of the Colourstrings approach, should not take up the study of another instrument outside of the school. The study of another instrument using a different approach to teaching the language of music will only confuse the young child and will slow down progress on their instrument at LPSM.
In all cases, we strongly advise parents not to arrange additional lessons with a teacher outside of LPSM on the instrument the child is studying at our school. In our experience, this is always counterproductive as it is too intense for the young child, puts too much pressure on them and leads to confusion and lack of progress through either approach. It also frequently results in the child discontinuing
all lessons.
Taking up an additional instrument
A child should have completed at least three years of study on their main instrument before taking up the study of a second one. If your child is keen to take up a second instrument at LPSM please discuss this with your instrumental teacher as the school has specific policies regarding this.