Music Tuition, Music Classes, Music Lessons, Musical Instrument Tuition, Music Teacher, Buderim, Sunshine Coast.

Music Classes & Tuition

Christensen's Music & Learning - Buderim

(Established 15 years)

Christensen's offer classes and tuition on most musical instruments for both children and adults. The teacher is Rod Christensen who is a multi-instrumentalist with a musical background that spans over 30 years. Rod's lessons encompass creativity and playing by ear on a musical instrument, reading of music, understanding music theory and instrument playing technique.

Our teaching studio is centrally located at Buderim and we have students coming to us from all over the Sunshine Coast. Keryn Christensen assists with the production of learning material and with student scheduling, bookings and payments. Both Rod and Keryn are Blue Card holders for working with children.

Most lessons are booked on a terms commitment or remainder of a term. However casual lessons can be arranged in certain circumstances.

Please scroll down the page for full information on all classes & tuition !

Young Children's Introductory Musical Instrument Classes

Until children reach the age of 7 to 8 years, they usually don't have the focus and commitment necessary to learn the skills of playing a specific musical instrument. Also most younger children don't receive sufficient preparation before learning an instrument, which can often result in a child struggling, loosing confidence and eventually giving it away altogether !

There is so much young children can learn about musical instruments and music appreciation, before learning a specific instrument. There's no rush ! Let your children discover and explore different musical instruments and experience music in a fun and creative way first. Your children will then gain much more confidence with music and make distinctions about numerous aspects of music which won't be acheived if they are plunged into learning an instrument too young. Sometimes a young child (under 7 years) will say they want to learn a particular instrument, but this is usually because they have seen somebody else playing an instrument and say they want to do it too. But this doesn't mean it's in their best interest to learn that instrument at that time.

Rod Christensen is a multi-instrumentalist and therefore able to offer these popular and highly successful introductory classes for children from 4 to 7 years. The classes give young children the opportunity to play and experience a whole range of different instruments, and learn and understand so much about the basic elements of music. Children become much better prepared for learning an instrument later.

'Discovering Musical Instruments' - 4 to 6 years

4 children max. per class for 30 minute lessons. $25 per lesson x wks in the term + $3 per/lesson for activity sheets and folders.

Children are taught basic playing skills on Keyboard, Guitar, Violin, Recorder, Glockenspiel, Percussion and Drums. Rod also demonstrates and explains other instruments including Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone and Cello. Children also learn about the basics of music and common music symbols, through fun games and activities. At each lesson they are given home activity sheets with quizzes, tracing and drawing activities to help consolidate what they have learnt.

If there are no vacancies in classes, private 20 minute lessons can be arranged at the same cost, until a class time becomes available. A commitment for the term or remainder of term is necessary. Keen children may continue with this class for two or more terms until they are ready for the 'Mixed-Instrument' class.

'Mixed-Instrument' - 6 to 7 years

4 children max. per class for 30 minute lessons. $25 per lesson x wks in the term + $3 per/lesson for activity sheets and folders.

The 'Mixed-Instrument' classes take children a step further with both the playing skills on instruments and their understanding of music. For example .. children will learn basic songs and melodies on the Keyboard, chords and rhythms on the Guitar, easy playing techniques on the Violin, blowing and achieving notes on Wind Instruments (strict hygiene practices are applied), and playing basic beats and rhythms on Drums and Percussion. Each lesson offers a new and exciting challenge for children. At some lessons they even play together like a band on simple song material that Christensen's have specially prepared for this class. Ear development, creativity on musical instruments, feel & expression and the basics of reading music are all covered. The objective of these classes is to build the children's confidence with music, prepare them with essential skills and understanding of music, and give them experience at playing musical instruments in a fun and creative way !

The 'Mixed-Instrument' classes are on going and children can continue for as many terms as they like until they are ready to learn a specific instrument. If there are no vacancies in classes, private 20 minute lessons can be arranged at the same cost, until a class time becomes available. A terms commitment is necessary but children can also join during a term for the remainder of that term.

Musical Instrument Classes & Tuition

Individual lessons: Children & Adults

20 minute lessons: $28 per lesson x wks in term (+ books) Recommended for younger children only.

30 minute lessons: $33 per lesson x wks in the term (+ books)

Class lessons: 3 children max. for 30 minute lessons. $25 per lesson x wks in the term (+ books)

Keyboard/Piano

Children learn from 7 years of age in small classes of 3 maximum for half hour lessons. If a suitable class is unavailable, they can start with private lessons until we can accommodate them in a class. Older children and adults have private lessons. Christensen's have developed simplified learning material so that students can easily relate to the keyboard and gain a sense of accomplishment even from an early age. For children, music theory and reading music is taught through fun games, quizzes and activities to make it easy for students to grasp. Rod teaches reading for left hand from both bass clef and chord symbols to enhance overall keyboard skills. Playing by ear and creativity on the keys are given considerable emphasis as these are very important aspects of playing a Keyboard.

Guitar - Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitar

Children are taught guitar from 7 years of age and usually in small group classes of 3 maximum for half hour lessons. If a suitable class is unavailable, young children can start with private lessons until we can accommodate them in a class. Older children and adults have private lessons. Our material is simplified so that beginners of all ages gain a sense of accomplishment from their very first guitar lesson. Students are taught a solid foundation from material produced by Christensens which has proven very successful. At the lessons Rod covers chords and rhythm, lead playing, finger-picking, power chords, music and fretboard theory and reading from guitar tablature and a music staff. Students are also taught songs and styles relevant to their age bracket.

Wind & Brass Instruments - Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone

Rod teaches children Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute from 8 years of age depending on their physical size, and Trombone from around 10 years of age. Private lessons are available for both children and adults. With beginners Rod initially concentrates his lessons on playing by ear and learning fun techniques for being creative and expressive on their instrument. Students will be playing basic melodies and gaining a sense of accomplishment within their first few lessons. For children, music theory and reading music is taught through fun games, quizzes and activities to make it easy for them to grasp. Christensen's use their own simplified material for all beginners, which has proven very successful.

String Instruments - Violin, Cello

Children learn Violin from 7 years of age, and Cello from around 10 years of age. Private lessons are available for both children and adults. Ear development is critical in learning a string instrument, as this is how a player knows whether their fingers are placed in the correct note positions. Subsequently initial lessons focus more on playing by ear and later students are taken onto the reading of music. Students will be playing basic tunes and gaining a sense of accomplishment within their first few lessons. For children, fun games, quizzes and activities are used to make it easy for them to grasp the basics of music and music theory. Rod also teaches students how to be creative and expressive on their instrument and takes string instruments into the realm of fun and creativity.