Discover the joy of making music with City Lit’s beginner-friendly music courses. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument, understand music theory, or find your singing voice, our courses offer the perfect starting point—no previous experience required.
Led by passionate and experienced tutors, you’ll explore the basics of musicality, rhythm, technique, and expression in a supportive and relaxed environment. From piano and guitar to singing, theory, and more, there's something for everyone—whatever your musical goals.
These courses are ideal for adults of all ages who want to explore their creativity, build confidence, and enjoy learning something new.
Explore our music courses for beginners and take your first step into the world of music.
- Choir at lunchtime
Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonCome and spend your lunchtime singing a range of music, in interesting choral arrangements. It's good for the mind, body and spirit. Sing music from across all genres, have fun and leave with a spring in your step. There's no better pick-me-up at lunchtime! Break weeks 5th & 26th May 2025.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Clarinet 1ACourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: George SleightholmeLearn the basics of playing clarinet in a friendly environment, using a range of fun music. Suitable for complete beginners. Break week 27th October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Exploring the music of Richard StraussCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFrom the heady waltzes of Der Rosenkavalier to the awe-inspiring opening of Also sprach Zarathrustra, come and delve into the life and works of the brilliant – and controversial – composer and conductor, Richard Strauss.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Sing with confidenceCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katherine StrohmaierIf you are nervous of singing in public, scared to open your mouth or just want to know how your voice works, this course is for you. Classes are fun and cover a wide range of musical styles, so there is something for everyone.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Listening to the 20th century 1Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonUsing Alex Ross’s 'The Rest is Noise' as a guide, we'll investigate art music in the first half of the 20th century. This module covers Mahler’s last symphonies, fin de siècle Paris and the Ballet Russes, and Expressionism and the Second Viennese School. Break week: 28 October 2025.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Musicianship 1: listening and reading, pitch and rhythmCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cerys HoggLearn to name and recognise what you hear, to organise music notation, write it and read it. These practical and academic sessions are suitable for absolute beginners, which may include students who play by ear and do not read yet. Break week: 28th October.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Classical guitar 1ACourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony RowdenEnjoy learning to play guitar in the classical/Spanish style, and read notation, in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. This study requires you to play a nylon strung guitar.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Lieder: music and poetryCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFrom the late-eighteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries, the German Lied developed and blossomed as a musical genre for amateurs, professionals, homes and concert halls. We trace its history through some of its most important composers.
This course has a scheduled break week on 29 Oct 2025. - Cello 1ACourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Learn the basics of playing this warm and mellow instrument in a friendly environment, using a range of fun music. For complete beginners. Continues to Cello 1B next term. Break week 29th of October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Flute 1ACourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pamela Pecko SmithBeginners can enjoy learning to play the flute in a supportive, friendly atmosphere. Develop embouchure, instrumental sound, listening skills and music reading. Continues to Flute 1B next term. Break week 30th October 2025. - Singing 1 (contemporary)Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Colette MeuryStart singing and explore your voice in this confidence-building course. These live group sessions online will teach you about healthy use of your singing voice and musicianship through a selection of songs in pop, rock and jazz styles. Attention is given to vocal technique and breathing technique. - Harmonica: Blues, pop and countryCourse start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jake RodriguesLearn essential harmonica riffs and techniques on this lively course. Build musical skills and confidence in playing and improvising on popular music. This course is for players who have begun to learn the instrument, not for absolute beginners.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Drumming 1A Course start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul ChiversCome and learn the practical skills you need to play drumkit in contemporary music: stick technique, four-way coordination, listening and music reading. You will play acoustic and practice kits in class. Please bring your own sticks.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £259.00 - Folk and pop guitar 1ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony RowdenLearn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Saxophone 1ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarha MooreIdeal if you are a beginner or have recently begun to study the saxophone. Any other musical experience will be of advantage and you will need a tenor or alto saxophone for class. You will learn to play and to read music. Repertoire will comprise popular sounds, jazz and world music.
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