Music Courses & Classes in London and Online
We offer a wide range of piano, singing and instrumental workshops from complete beginners to advanced standard, daytime, evening or weekend. We also offer music theory, music tech, history, choirs, orchestra and jazz ensembles.
Choosing your course
Based in the heart of Covent Garden, we have two Model D Steinway pianos, Yamaha acoustic pianos and two suites of digital pianos. Music students have access to practice rooms for the duration of their course and we use the latest versions of Sibelius, Logic and Max/MSP for our music technology courses.
Some of our courses are delivered online. For more information about our live online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
Expert tutors
Our classes are taught by professional performers and practitioners, many of whom also teach at leading London universities and music conservatoires. We also offer advanced piano masterclasses with visiting performers and professors each year. Please refer to individual course outlines for individual staff biographies.
Studying at City Lit
City Lit students have a proud history of learning an instrument or singing from scratch as well as studying more advanced courses such as music theory exams, and preparing for advanced piano diplomas. Many of our jazz students form ensembles together and we frequently organise concerts and recitals in and around Central London.
Find a course
Browse our range of music courses in London and online below to choose your perfect option: both complete beginners and returning students are equally welcome at City Lit.
- Great works: Byrd's Quomodo cantabimusCourse start date: Wed 24 Aug 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Edward BreenExplore the eight-voice motet Quomodo cantabimus (How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land) by William Byrd and learn how it may be interpreted as a reaction to the newly-protestant England in which he lived.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Piano/keyboards 2ACourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jonathan WilsonThis third year of our piano programme begins with repertoire of a grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00 - Piano/keyboards 1B
Course start date: Fri 23 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jonathan WilsonA near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00 - Musicianship: aural training with solfa ACourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayThese online practical sessions will focus on sight-singing and aural perception to develop your general musicianship. Gain a deeper understanding of different tonalities, develop your ability to pick out notes in chords, write down melodies that you hear, and improve your rhythmic accuracy. Based on the famous Kodály method. Leads to part B next term. break week: 24 Oct 2022.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Keyboard harmony and improvisationCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Simon AtkinsDevelop your analytical, melodic and harmonic understanding with the help of improvisation, covering a wide variety of styles. You'll become a more confident player as a result. It is possible to join a later module if you have appropriate skills. For players at Grade 5 and above.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00 - Piano/keyboards 4ACourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Simon AtkinsFor pianists with around three years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 - Music theory: grade 7Course start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Karl LutchmayerLearn more complex elements of music: figured bass, melodic and harmonic decoration, writing for instrument or voice with given accompaniment, and score analysis of harmonic and phrase structure, style, performance and directions. Course schedule: 19 Sep - 17 Oct, 31 Oct - 28 Nov 2022, 16 Jan - 13 Feb 2023.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £194.00 - Music theory: diploma topics 1Course start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Karl LutchmayerExplore the music theory topics equivalent in standard to the first year of an undergraduate degree. The topics in this module are selected from the Trinity Associate (AMusTCL) syllabus. You may use this course as part of your preparation for this exam, or just to develop your knowledge. This term: Musical skills. This course has a scheduled break week: 24 Oct 2022.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £142.00 - Musicianship: aural training with solfa CCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayThis practical course focuses on sight-singing, putting the musical experience at the heart of learning. Gain a better understanding of musical concepts and develop your musicianship. Based on the famous Kodály method. Break week 24 Oct 2022.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Piano/keyboards 5ACourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Simon AtkinsFor pianists with around four years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00 - Songwriting workshop 1Course start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Polly HewettDiscover creative techniques to help structure your ideas into memorable melodies and catchy lyrics. Collaborate with other musicians, singers and songwriters to inspire you to compose new songs, and finish half completed songs.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Music theory: counterpoint 1Course start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayExplore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly
engaging musical texture. Over the year you will learn contrapuntal technique from Renaissance to Twentieth Century styles, through score analysis and practical exercises. The course is split into three terms, focusing on Renaissance style in term 1. Break week: 25 Oct 2022.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £142.00 - World music: an introductionCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sarha MooreExplore a range of musical traditions from around the world: Indian raga and Bollywood; Ghanaian and South African grooves; Ottoman makam and Klezmer; Samba and Salsa. Listen for characteristic features and learn about the cultural settings in which they are produced. break week: 25 October 2022.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £142.00 - Piano/keyboards 3ACourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesThis fourth year of our piano programme begins with repertoire of a grade 2 standard. Improve your hand co-ordination, musical phrasing, reading and finger technique, and improve your confidence.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 - Classical guitar: advancedCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Tony RowdenFor experienced classical guitar players, this online class will work on scales and arpeggios at grades 7 & 8, and fingerstyle versions of Baroque, Latin and popular music. This class will have occasional meetings in person at Keeley Street. The first will be on 25th October.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list