Lessons
"In the beginning was the ear!" or so it is said, and indeed the ear is the first sensory organ with which an unborn baby senses the world outside.
From the beginning, in teaching the playing of instruments, we encourage playing by ear as well as from scores and we embrace not only the classical repertoire but also a wide range of styles and methods of improvisation. The ability to combine various approaches to making music is the essence of all-round teaching as understood by Andreas F. Staffel and his colleagues.
In the course of lessons we teach the basics of music theory and their use in practice; a basic knowledge of harmony enables learners to choose chords to go with melodies and thus to create cadenzas and enables them to choose chords as a basis for improvisation; physical exercises help them to make music without tensing the body and thus to become one with their instruments; playing with other musicians increases concentration, since a musician then has to listen to not only his own playing but also that of others; and regular performances in public offer a chance of presenting what has been learned. Naturally the results are recorded on CD or video.
Learning in Ohrpheo is possible for music-lovers of all ages and backgrounds, be they raw beginners or highly gifted pupils keen to enter conservatories and wanting preparation. We also accept grown up amateurs and pensioners and we design lessons according to their aims.
Since buying a musical instrument calls for some knowledge, we are pleased to offer advice, and students without pianos may practice in our studio for a small fee.
Monthly concerts, readings and exhibitions offer many chances of getting in touch with notable artists from Germany and elsewhere as well as with other music-lovers.
Taking lessons in Music Studio Ohrpheo is something rarely regretted. Listening to and learning to play music in a relaxing atmosphere is a privilege in the original sense of the word and one which we are happy to offer anyone keen to join us, whatever his or her background.