Instrumental Lessons | Saturday Music Classes | St Mary's Music School | music lessons for beginners in Edinburgh

Saturday Music Classes

Instrumental Lessons

We offer a wide range of options for instrumental learning.


Group Instrumental Lessons and Theory Classes

By the age of 7, children can start instrumental lessons and theory classes. Taster sessions are available to allow children to meet the teacher and try and instrument.

We highly recommend that children attend a year of Kodály Music classes prior to starting an instrument. More developed coordination and physical size are important too and, while most instruments are best suited to children in P4 and above, violin, recorder, accordion and clarineo can be suitable for younger children.

We currently offer group instrumental lessons in violin, viola, cello, guitar, clarsach, accordion, clarinet (or clarineo), saxophone, and flute. Group instrumental lessons are offered for up to three years of tuition, usually starting as beginners and we ask that pupils provide their own instruments – we’re more than happy to offer advice on hiring or buying. 

Theory forms the basis for reading music and is taught in small classes – ‘Beginners’ introduces Grade 1, ‘Intermediate’ encompasses Grades 2 and 3, and ‘Advanced’ deals with Grades 4 and 5, but classes can be taught at multi-level so that each child learns at their own pace. Pupils should provide their own books (, Music Theory in Practice by Eric Taylor, appropriate grade, and Theory is Fun by Maureen Cox, appropriate grade, both from ABRSM publishing).


Individual Instrumental Lessons

For children who have completed three years of group instrumental lessons.

Individual lessons half-hour lessons can be arranged for those interested in continuing their musical journey.

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