TORONTO’S PREMIER
MUSIC LESSONS AT
HOME OR IN STUDIO

All of our music programs provide a great deal of motivation, stimulation, gratification, recognition, and fun. In order to participate in any of theNeighbour Note music programs you must be at least seven years of age. Students will be placed into groups of similar age, ability, and musical preference. All Neighbour Note music programs run for nine months of the year.

All experience levels are welcome, you may come with your own songs to be worked on or start fresh at the beginning of the program. This program is once a week for an hour in length.

This is a five day camp that runs from 9am – 4pm. Cost is $275 for half day and $375 for full day per participant. Early drop-off and late pick-up can be arranged; call to discuss the details.

This camp is being taught by Will Patterson.

2019 Camp Dates

July TBD

August TBD

Location: Vocal Studio in North Toronto

“We want to help you realize your potential as an artist by developing your skill-set, building a solid portfolio and empowering you with the tools and strategies needed to succeed. This is a very specialized service package that we build personally for you, so that you can develop as quickly and thoroughly as possible.” Eli Jacob

The total cost for these 60 minute lessons is $120.

Our recording and production lessons focus on the science and physics of sound in audio engineering. It’s a non-musical way of learning about audio; learning about “the other side of the glass” in a recording session (so to speak). Students are introduced to the wide world of digital audio by way of exploration of common equipment used in a modern home recording studio, such as monitors and mixers; microphone technologies, placement, and techniques; digital audio workstation (DAW) software; processors such as compression, EQ, panning, reverb, delay, and other effects; and mixing, what it is and how to do it.

All students will have the opportunity to record and mix a project of their own including original material.

Our private composition lessons situate the ideas and interests of the budding composer at their core. As teachers, it is our role to give the student resources and skills to support his/her artistic vision, yet also to provide challenges to help them deepen their understanding of music (their own, and that of others). This balance is achieved by including carefully-selected exercises which are tailored to the student’s needs, listening—exposing them to the work of other musicians (in various genres of music), but also devoting a significant amount of lesson-time to feedback on their own personal compositional works.

Recommended for the budding bedroom producer, the aspiring soundtrack composer, emerging electronic alchemist and novice symphonist, composition lessons are an excellent complement to traditional training for any creative-minded student.

Working creatively writing and producing music, is something which liberates musicians, getting them away from only listening to, performing, and reading about other great works, and into their own imagination to create their own. It’s both an empowering and challenging activity, and with guidance and encouragement from an experienced instructor it can grow into a disciplined full-fledged artistic practice, even a fruitful career path.

Students will learn how to write chord progressions, by way of example. In other words, harmonic analysis of songs and compositions in multiple musical genres, is absolutely fundamental when learning to write chord progressions. What better way to learn then studying songs from the masters?

Students will also learn how to write melodies and lyrics, and how to set the two together in a song. Learning how to construct lyrics that communicate to the listener effectively and poetically can be extremely rewarding.

In terms of song structure, students will learn how different parts of a song function as a whole. They will also learn how to combine these parts, in hopes of creating a piece of art that moves people physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

One of the most important elements of song writing is continuity; the ability to create a cohesive song that the listener can follow, without getting lost, as it changes. One of the main goals of our songwriting program is to help all our students achieve some sort of continuity with their songwriting. All students will learn how to create continuity through the development of their musical ideas by way of guided discovery.

Although the tuba is usually found in ragtime and big band, as well as gracing the streets of New Orleans, there are many jazz and pop songs that have adopted this hard-hitting instrument. In orchestras, you will usually find only one tuba, so you will be the star of the brass section!

We offer private in-home lessons for students who prefer to practice in the comfort of their home where there is no added pressure. Students are also free to have their lessons at Neighbour Note’s studio if they want a preview of how it’ll feel when you play with the entire band and in front of a large audience!

Learning the tuba is a big responsibility, and it’s also a heavy instrument to play—weighing 13.6 kilograms, it gives off a deep ship-like horn with its wide conical bore. The tuba is a powerful instrument not meant to be taken lightly, so when you sign up for our professional tuba music lessons in Toronto, be prepared to make some noise!

Through our private in-home and studio classes, you will learn the fundamental differences between these instruments and which one is best suited to you. While both instruments look very similar, they have their own purpose.

Contrary to its name, the baritone plays a lighter tone and fits into a four-part harmony of a band in the role of tenor. The euphonium is more conical and thus produces a fuller sound compared to the baritone. The euphonium doesn’t fit into a four-part harmony; it is its own fifth part because it plays elements of the other parts. When students take private in-home and studio classes with Neighbour Note, we allow them the freedom to learn tunes that they’re drawn to, whether it’s film and video game scores or classic rock. Our goal is to team them an eclectic assortment of ways to delight the ear with powerful music!

Loreena McKennitt, Jon Anderson, Carlos Salzedo, and Joanna Newsom are just some of the renowned harpists that have exemplified what the harp can achieve musically. Neighbour Note offers professional harp lessons in the comfort of your Toronto home or at one of our teacher’s studios. Our harp teacher Dr. Angela Schwarzkopf is the president of the Toronto Chapter of the American Harp Society.

The Viola has often been called the Cinderella of the orchestra and has often been made fun of. Thanks to writers such as William Primrose and Lionel Tetris, the Viola has become more popular and more music is being written for it. Neighbour Note offers fun Viola lessons and we will come to your home to share our love of this instrument with you and your family. It truly is a great instrument to learn!

Although we specialize in Classical cello lessons we make sure to also allow the students to learn popular music such as Film and Video Game scores and even Heavy Metal! Bands such as Apocalyptica have made the cello cool! They are really showing how versatile the cello can be.

“At Vocal Studio, we provide more than just vocal lessons. We’re building confidence, encouraging passion, and helping our students become complete artists. The classes are fun, yet challenging; engaging, but immersive. Expert coaches will guide you through every genre or vocal style including pop, jazz, rock/blues, classical, R&B, hip-hop, dance, and more.” Eli Jacob

The total cost for these 60 min. lessons is $120

Beginner, intermediate, and advanced voice lessons are available for all ages. We teach vocal technique based on healthy, properly supported singing with foundations in bel canto style technique. A strong grounding in classical technique improves range, tuning, stamina, flexibility, tone quality and control and can easily be applied to any preferred genre and style of singing.

Instead of only focusing on the major style periods for teaching standard classical guitar repertoire we also create our own arrangements of popular songs or use fun modern arrangements of video game sound tracks, film scores, rock, pop, folk country and blues songs. All students learn to play in multiple positions with multiple voicing, while learning fundamental guitar techniques, exercises, repertoire, and studies, spanning all major style periods with a large variety of musical genres.

Preparation for all RCM classical guitar examinations is optional.

The Classical Guitar faculty at Neighbour Note is absolutely stellar. One of our Classical guitar teachers has taught Classical guitar at Acadia University in Nova Scotia and two of our Classical guitar teachers are currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto.

Neighbour Note is where you go for enjoyable and fun guitar lessons. Dive into the worlds of John Lee Hooker, Eddie Van Halen, Kaki King, and Nita Straus—among others—as you learn how to pluck and shred. Our highly talented teachers demonstrate techniques used by the masters; with their guidance, you will be playing like a pro!  As students progress, the lessons become more genre-specific based on each student’s choices and preferences. Develop your skills and find your musical taste with Neighbour Note Guitar Lessons. Contact us today!

Our guitar curriculum is simply customized for beginners and advanced musicians, whether children are picking up their first guitar or adults are getting back into the groove. The love and passion our dedicated teachers have for music are passed on as care and encouragement for their students’ musical advancement. We’re renowned for providing in-home lessons and programs that captivate the soul.

Inspire a lifelong passion in your child by teaching them how to play guitar. At Neighbour Note, guitar lessons aren’t like attending regular classes in school; our guitar lessons provide an encouraging, supportive space where students can develop their skills and meet new, like-minded individuals. Our students are like family, and our experienced guitar teachers know what it takes to create confident, dedicated young musicians.

Neighbour Note offers guitar classes in these neighbourhouds near you:

• Etobicoke: the Kingsway, Sunnylea.
• West End: Bloor West Village, High Park, the Junction, Roncesvalles, Swansea, West Bend.
• York-Crosstown: Baby Point, Lambton Mills, Old Mill, Runnymede.
• North York: Glen Park.
• York: Belgravia, Briar Hill, Oakwood Village.
• East York: Leaside.
• Uptown: Allenby, Davisville Village.
• Midtown: Humewood, Rosedale, Casa Loma, Forest Hill, Regal Heights, Wychwood, Moore Park, Deer Park, Summerhill, Bracondale Hill.
• North Toronto: Lawrence Park.
• Downtown: Yorkville, the Annex, Little Italy, Trinity Bellwoods, Dufferin Grove, Cabbage Town, St. James Town. East End: Danforth Village, Playter Estates, Riverdale, Leslieville, the Beaches.

At Neighbour Note, our goal is to provide you and/or your child with the most nurturing and encouraging environment possible. Start with a free guitar lesson today!

At Neighbour Note we provide all of our students with extremely talented, versatile piano specialists who make piano lessons fun, challenging, and engaging. Our piano faculty consists of many of the highest educated teachers in Toronto including Dr. Kristin Force, Dr. Nina Soyfer, Dr. Vivia Kay Kieswetter, Dr. Angela Schwarzkopf, Dr. Gillian Turnbull, and Dr. Pavel Markelov. Two of our piano instructors currently teach at Ryerson University, and one teaches at York University.

Neighbour Note piano lessons cover a broad range of musical styles. Our goal is to allow students to learn and experiment with as many different types of music as possible so they can make their own decisions as to which style or genre they wish to specialize in. We offer specialized piano lessons in Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, and R & B.

With piano lessons from Neighbour Note, you or your child will never be bored. Our students are treated like family, and our piano lessons designed to be nurturing, encouraging, and supportive. Learning how to play the piano shouldn’t be a chore—it should be something to look forward to. At Neighbour Note, our piano teachers are some of the most experienced and talented in the industry. You or your child will walk away from this experience with enthusiasm and a brand new passion.

We currently offer piano lessons in these Toronto districts/neighbourhoods: North York, Bloor West Village, Swansea, Runnymede, High Park, the Junction, West Bend, Roncesvalles, Etobicoke, the Kingsway, Sunnylea, Lambton Mills, Old Mill, Baby Point, Rosedale, Summerhill, Casa Loma, Wychwood, Bracondale Hill, Regal Heights, Moore Park, Deer Park, Forest Hill, Humewood, York, Oakwood Village, Midtown, Davisville, Leaside, Belgravia, Briar Hill, Glen Park, Allenby, North Toronto, Lawrence Park, Willowdale, Bayview Village, York Mills, Newtonbrook, Westminster, Branson, Bathurst Manor, Wilson Heights, the Annex, Dufferin Grove, Little Italy, Trinity Belwoods, Downtown, Yorkville, St. James Town, Cabbage Town, East York, Danforth, Playter Estates, Riverdale, Lesliville, the Beaches.

Award yourself or your child the gift of music with piano lessons from Neighbour Note. Start today with a free piano lesson!