Michael Fish
Creative Performance Tutor
Michael Fish - Creative Performance Tutor
Music Theory & Composition Lessons in Banbury
One-to-one tuition in music theory and composition, tailored to the student’s level and goals.
Music theory lessons develop a practical understanding of notation, harmony, rhythm and musical structure, whilst composition tuition offers more individual, in-depth guidance for students developing original music and their own creative voice.
Two Ways to Study
Composition
Composition tuition offers more individual, in-depth guidance for students developing original music. Lessons can explore musical ideas, harmony, structure, notation, instrumentation and the process of shaping an initial idea into a finished piece, with the work tailored to the student’s own aims and creative voice.
Music Theory
Music theory lessons develop a practical understanding of how music is built, including notation, rhythm, scales, keys, harmony and musical structure. The work is tailored to the student’s existing level, whether they are learning alongside an instrument, preparing for an exam or simply wanting to understand music more deeply.
Understanding Music from Within
Theory and composition are closely connected: one develops an understanding of the structures and relationships within music, whilst the other takes that understanding and puts it into creative practice.
The aim is not simply to learn the rules, but to develop a deeper musical awareness which can support both interpretation and original thought.
What We Work On
Notation & Rhythm
Developing fluency in reading and understanding notation, rhythm, metre and the written language of music.
Musical Form & Structure
Exploring how musical ideas are organised and developed, including phrase structure, repetition, contrast, larger forms and the shaping of musical direction over time.
Score Reading & Analysis
Developing the ability to examine a score and recognise how rhythm, harmony, texture, form and other musical elements work together.
Harmony & Tonality
Exploring scales, keys, intervals, chords and harmonic relationships, and how they shape the character and direction of music.
Developing Musical Ideas
Exploring how an initial musical idea can be extended, varied and transformed, developing material with greater coherence, contrast and expressive purpose.
Instrumentation & Orchestration
Exploring the individual qualities, ranges and combinations of instruments, and how instrumental colour can be used to support musical ideas, texture and structure.
Who These Lessons Are For
These lessons are suited to students who wish to understand music more deeply, whether alongside instrumental study, in preparation for an exam, or through the development of their own compositions.
Instrumental Students
For students learning an instrument who want to strengthen their theoretical understanding and connect what they play with the wider language, structure and harmony of music.
Exam & Academic Students
For students preparing for music theory examinations, GCSE, A level or related academic study who want clear, structured support with the principles and terminology of music.
Aspiring Composers
For students developing original music who want guidance with musical ideas, harmony, structure, notation, instrumentation and the process of shaping a piece from its first conception to a more complete form.
