The Pro Music Performance Guitar course is aimed at creating a versatile performer. This course will familiarise you with a wide range of technique exercises aimed at developing a strong command over the instrument, essential harmonic and rhythmic concepts, sight reading skills, improvisation and the art of solo as well as band performance.
Successful completion of the course will also enable you to perform genres like jazz, blues, rock, R&B, soul and funk confidently. Our curriculum is designed by experienced educators and professional performers. The pro courses are primarily taught during the weekdays and are meant for those who are determined to pursue a career in music.
This course takes in students at more basic levels and helps them progress on to more advanced concepts and techniques over three distinct levels of learning. To teach our internationally authored curriculum, we source faculty from the most famous music schools and conservatories from around the world including the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam, HKU School of Media – Amsterdam, BIMM Institute, etc.
Successful completion of the course will also enable you to perform genres like jazz, blues, rock, R&B, soul, and funk confidently. Our curriculum is curated by experienced educators and professional performers. The pro programme is primarily taught during the weekdays and is meant for those who are determined to pursue a career in music.
We also have Hobby classes which are 1.5 hrs. per week, and taught on weekday evenings. We also have Online classes for students who cannot attend classes at our school.
The Pro Performance courses are certified by the Media and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), India and provides you with the option to earn an M.A in Popular Music Practice from BIMM Institute, London.
Study@Home
True School’s Study@Home allows you to enrol in the first year courses of True School’s acclaimed 3 year Pro music programmes, and study them from wherever you are. The courses taught within the Study@Home music programmes mirror the ones taught on-campus, and let you earn the same number of course credits that you can transfer easily to the on-campus music programmes if and when you decide to continue into the second year.
1.1 – Guitar Techniques (Credits: 4)
In this module, you will be introduced to the fundamental techniques of the guitar by learning the basics of physical technique, instrument familiarity and basic performance practices. You will be able to demonstrate the foundational understanding of the guitar fretboard both in a practical and theoretical way. The basic tonalities of simple major and minor triads and parent scales will be looked at from a foundational perspective in order to enable you to play them using basic rhythmic subdivisions. Additionally, you will acquire the introductory skill of reading simple sheet music as it relates to the guitar.
1.2 – Guitar Techniques (Credits: 4)
In this module, you will expand the basic foundations of minor and major concepts. Playing all major and minor triad inversions, all across the fretboard, with its accompanying parent scale in all 12 keys. You will play eighth note triplets and sixteenth note subdivisions, and demonstrate arpeggios across the fretboard of any major or minor triad. You will also learn to perform the major and minor pentatonics in all positions.
1.3 – Guitar Techniques (Credits: 4)
In this module, you will focus on harmony as it relates to the diminished and augmented triads as well as the primary 4 note chords. You will gain an understanding of the functions of the diminished and augmented chords and perform in all 12 keys, with accompanying arpeggios. You will study the performance techniques of major, minor and dominant 6th and 7th chords.
1.4 – Guitar Techniques (Credits: 5)
In this module, you will focus on modes and various scale types. You will perform all 7 of the diatonic modes and become able to improvise in any key. Learning different songs of various genres will increase your ability to read music and play in different styles. You will gain an understanding and ability to improvise using each mode, acquire the ability to compose melodies and develop a basic ability to write original music. At the end of this module, you will be assessed by a live performance exam and a final practical showcase performance in front of an audience.
Faculty
Odysseas Toumazou
Odysseas Toumazou
Odysseas Toumazou is a multifaceted guitarist, prolific composer and experienced educator, originally from Nicosia, Cyprus. He began his guitar studies at the age of six, and developed a strong musical conception and sensitivity from his early years, learning the instrument by ear. Shortly afterwards, began to perform for audiences. He studied with renowned musicians both in Cyprus and abroad, before completing his musical studies in 2015 at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. During his time in Amsterdam he attended masterclasses and was given private lessons from innovative players such as Scott Henderson, Lage Lund, Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman and Brad Mehldau and toured in Europe with many different bands. He then moved to Mumbai, India where he collaborated with outstanding artists and appeared on world-class stages as Goa and the Utsav jazz festivals. He subsequently taught at the True School of Music as head of the guitar Department. Overall, Odysseas has contributed to more than 10 records as a sideman and performed in a number of different countries. His move back to Cyprus in 2018 motivated him to create his own projects and with his Trio recorded his debut album “Ensticto”. Its release obtained favourable reviews, ranging from “truly authentic and strong”, to an emphasis on the “personal sound” that is endorsed within the guitar trio genre. The Trio toured the album extensively by performing at all the major music festivals on the island. He is currently composing music for his 2nd personal Album and writing a guitar method.
1.1 – Ensemble (Credits: 2)
This module will equip you with the fundamental concepts and skills required to perform with a band in a variety of live and studio scenarios. You will learn professional roles and functions of band members, familiarise with live sound equipment, and develop a clear proficiency with regards to performing live music and preparing for a performance. You will also learn to interpret technical and creative guidelines and to prepare technical riders. You will be assessed on weekly progress, on the outcome of a live performance, and through a written exam aimed at developing critical thinking.
1.2 – Ensemble (Credits: 2)
This module will equip you with the fundamental concepts and skills required to perform with a band in a variety of live and studio scenarios. You will learn professional roles and functions of band members, familiarise with live sound equipment, and develop a clear proficiency with regards to performing live music and preparing for a performance. You will also learn to interpret technical and creative guidelines and to prepare technical riders. You will be assessed on weekly progress, on the outcome of a live performance, and through a written exam aimed at developing critical thinking.
1.3 – Ensemble (Credits: 2)
This module will equip you with the fundamental concepts and skills required to perform with a band in a variety of live and studio scenarios. You will learn professional roles and functions of band members, familiarise with live sound equipment, and develop a clear proficiency with regards to performing live music and preparing for a performance. You will also learn to interpret technical and creative guidelines and to prepare technical riders. You will be assessed on weekly progress, on the outcome of a live performance, and through a written exam aimed at developing critical thinking.
1.4 – Ensemble (Credits: 2)
This module will equip you with the fundamental concepts and skills required to perform with a band in a variety of live and studio scenarios. You will learn professional roles and functions of band members, familiarise with live sound equipment, and develop a clear proficiency with regards to performing live music and preparing for a performance. You will also learn to interpret technical and creative guidelines and to prepare technical riders. You will be assessed on weekly progress, on the outcome of a live performance, and through a written exam aimed at developing critical thinking.
Faculty
Marios Menelaou
Marios Menelaou
Marios Menelaou was born and raised in a tiny Mediterranean island, Cyprus. Laying in the crossroads of three continents, Africa, Asia and Europe, he has been influenced since young age to a variety of musical traditions.
At the age of 13, he was introduced to guitar and later on, at age 16, fell in love with the bass guitar. He started studying intensively with famous Giannos Savvides as well as following jazz workshops and private classed from New York musicians Ari Roland and Chris Byars.
In 2010, Marios moved to the Netherlands and studied Bass guitar in the Conservatory of Amsterdam. There, he learnt new techniques with professors Charty Angenois, Theo de Jong, David de Marez Oyens and Lene te Voorwis . Beyond jazz bass guitar, Marios also studied four years Karnatic techniques on improvisation and composition. In his years in Amsterdam, Marios was influenced and fused music from jazz, middle eastern music and african music. In 2015, he was awarded a scholarship at ISI Despensar University in Bali Indonesia where he studied Balinese Gamelan and became a gamelan player.
On his musical journey, Marios met a plethora of genres and musicians and he performed in many festivals such as the Afro Vibes Festival in the Netherlands, Aglagazz, Feggaros in Cyprus and many others in Europe.
In the Netherlands, he has been the founding member of Astrophunk and back in homeland Cyprus, he co-founded the jazz trio Lp3 where their first album “The underdog” was released in November 2017.
Teaching has been an integral part of this journey : he has been providing private lesson in bass guitar, music theory, harmony and ensembles. Has has also been a teacher in the National Conservatory of Cyprus.
1.1 – Introduction to Music Theory 1 (Credits: 3)
In this module you will learn to read music on the treble and bass clefs individually followed by the grand staff. You will be introduced to all note values starting with whole notes/rests, subdivided upto 16th notes/rests, and you will be taught to identify all intervals within the octave, starting from any note. You will also learn to memorise 12 major and relative minor key signatures with the help of the circle of 5ths.
1.2 – Introduction to Music Theory 2 (Credits: 3)
In this module, you will be taught to derive and notate the diatonic triads from all 12 major and minor keys, including the melodic and harmonic minor scales. You will also learn to build, read and notate individual major, minor, diminished, augmented, sus2 and sus4 triads from any given root, in any inversion. You will be taught to construct and notate closed voicings in any inversions, as well as open voicings in any inversion. You will also learn to voice-lead progressions using closed and open triads.
1.3 – Fundamentals of Harmony 1 (Credits: 3)
In this module you will learn to compose appropriate harmonic progressions to given major and minor key melodies. You will learn the harmonic functions of the diatonic triads in major and minor keys, and how to use functional substitutes. You will learn to apply the passing and auxiliary diminished chords to progressions. You will also be introduced to voice-leading harmonic progressions with triads in 4 parts, in chorale style.
1.4 – Fundamentals of Harmony 2 (Credits: 3)
In this module you will harmonise short melodies upto 4-bars long, in 4-part chorale style. You will learn to analyse 4-part chorales in the style of JS Bach. You will be introduced to the modes of the major scale and their characteristic notes and cadences. You will then compose a (minimum) 16-bar modal composition with a melody, harmonic progression and bass line using a mode of your choice, and notate the piece on a master score.
Faculty
Gianluca Liberatore
Gianluca Liberatore
Gianluca Liberatore was born in Palermo, Sicily. The Italian island is the major in the Mediterranean sea and it has always been hosting an astonishing mix of cultures. The search for diversity became for Gianluca an important feature in his musical experience.
He started playing the guitar at the age of 12 and the bass guitar at 14. Discovering the music of Bill Evans brought him in contact with jazz music and, consecutively, with double bass playing.
Gianluca studied in Italy at the Brass Group and the Open Jazz School of Mimmo Cafiero, attending masterclasses and having lessons with Harvie S, Reuben Rogers, Eric Revis, Eddie Gomez, Clark Cables, Gregory Hutchinson and others.
In 2010 he moved to the Netherlands, where he studied at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under the guide of Frans van der Hoeven. In the four years of Bachelor program he got in touch with a variety of genres and musicians. Results of these years of studies and collaborations are performances in a number of festivals in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland.
Has performed alongside Ronal Douglas, Deborah Carter, Bob Stoloff during the summer jazz workshop at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. In 2013 he released a record with the Australian leader, composer and saxophone player Gemma Farrell.
As an educator Gianluca has been teaching bass guitar, double bass, music theory, songwriting, ensembles, and pedagogic subjects.
Odysseas Toumazou
Odysseas Toumazou
Odysseas Toumazou is a multifaceted guitarist, prolific composer and experienced educator, originally from Nicosia, Cyprus. He began his guitar studies at the age of six, and developed a strong musical conception and sensitivity from his early years, learning the instrument by ear. Shortly afterwards, began to perform for audiences. He studied with renowned musicians both in Cyprus and abroad, before completing his musical studies in 2015 at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. During his time in Amsterdam he attended masterclasses and was given private lessons from innovative players such as Scott Henderson, Lage Lund, Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman and Brad Mehldau and toured in Europe with many different bands. He then moved to Mumbai, India where he collaborated with outstanding artists and appeared on world-class stages as Goa and the Utsav jazz festivals. He subsequently taught at the True School of Music as head of the guitar Department. Overall, Odysseas has contributed to more than 10 records as a sideman and performed in a number of different countries. His move back to Cyprus in 2018 motivated him to create his own projects and with his Trio recorded his debut album “Ensticto”. Its release obtained favourable reviews, ranging from “truly authentic and strong”, to an emphasis on the “personal sound” that is endorsed within the guitar trio genre. The Trio toured the album extensively by performing at all the major music festivals on the island. He is currently composing music for his 2nd personal Album and writing a guitar method.
1.1 – Ear Training (Credits: 2)
In this module, you will learn to sing the major and minor scales ascending, descending and in 3rds, and learn to find and sing all the intervals of the major and minor scales starting on any note, along with other specific singing exercises. You will learn to aurally recognise the major and minor scales, and all 12 intervals played melodically. You will also learn to read rhythms consisting of whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and rests fluently, and sing major and minor key melodies with these note values. You will also transcribe rhythms up to 4 bars long consisting of whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and rests.
1.2 – Ear Training (Credits: 2)
In this module you will learn to sing major, minor and diminished triads in any inversion. You will learn to aurally recognise the major, natural, melodic and harmonic minor scales, and all 12 intervals played harmonically. You will also learn to aurally recognise major, minor and diminished triads in any inversion, and augmented, sus2 and sus 4 triads in root position. You will also learn to read rhythms consisting of whole, half, quarter, eighth, triplet eighth & 16th notes and rests fluently and will sing major and minor key melodies with these note values. You will also transcribe rhythms up to 4 bars long consisting of whole, half, quarter, eighth, triplet eighth & 16th notes and rests.
1.3 – Ear Training (Credits: 2)
In this module you will learn to sing major, minor and diminished triads in any inversion. You will learn to aurally recognise the major, natural, melodic and harmonic minor scales, and all 12 intervals played harmonically. You will also learn to aurally recognise major, minor and diminished triads in any inversion, and augmented, sus2 and sus 4 triads in root position. You will also learn to read rhythms consisting of whole, half, quarter, eighth, triplet eighth & 16th notes and rests fluently and will sing major and minor key melodies with these note values. You will also transcribe rhythms up to 4 bars long consisting of whole, half, quarter, eighth, triplet eighth & 16th notes and rests.
1.4 – Ear Training (Credits: 2)
In this module you will learn to sing all the modes of the major scale. You will sing major, minor and diminished triads in any inversion and augmented, sus2 and sus4 triads in root position. You will learn to aurally recognise the major, natural, melodic and harmonic minor scales, all the modes of the major scale and all 12 intervals played harmonically. You will also learn to aurally recognise major, minor and diminished triads in any inversion, and augmented, sus2 and sus 4 triads in root position. You will learn to read rhythms consisting of whole, half, quarter, eighth, triplet eighth & 16th notes and rests fluently and sing major and minor key melodies with these note values. You will also transcribe major key melodies up to 4 bars consisting of whole, half, quarter, eighth & 16th notes and rests.
Faculty
Gianluca Liberatore
Gianluca Liberatore
Gianluca Liberatore was born in Palermo, Sicily. The Italian island is the major in the Mediterranean sea and it has always been hosting an astonishing mix of cultures. The search for diversity became for Gianluca an important feature in his musical experience.
He started playing the guitar at the age of 12 and the bass guitar at 14. Discovering the music of Bill Evans brought him in contact with jazz music and, consecutively, with double bass playing.
Gianluca studied in Italy at the Brass Group and the Open Jazz School of Mimmo Cafiero, attending masterclasses and having lessons with Harvie S, Reuben Rogers, Eric Revis, Eddie Gomez, Clark Cables, Gregory Hutchinson and others.
In 2010 he moved to the Netherlands, where he studied at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under the guide of Frans van der Hoeven. In the four years of Bachelor program he got in touch with a variety of genres and musicians. Results of these years of studies and collaborations are performances in a number of festivals in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland.
Has performed alongside Ronal Douglas, Deborah Carter, Bob Stoloff during the summer jazz workshop at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. In 2013 he released a record with the Australian leader, composer and saxophone player Gemma Farrell.
As an educator Gianluca has been teaching bass guitar, double bass, music theory, songwriting, ensembles, and pedagogic subjects.
Odysseas Toumazou
Odysseas Toumazou
Odysseas Toumazou is a multifaceted guitarist, prolific composer and experienced educator, originally from Nicosia, Cyprus. He began his guitar studies at the age of six, and developed a strong musical conception and sensitivity from his early years, learning the instrument by ear. Shortly afterwards, began to perform for audiences. He studied with renowned musicians both in Cyprus and abroad, before completing his musical studies in 2015 at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. During his time in Amsterdam he attended masterclasses and was given private lessons from innovative players such as Scott Henderson, Lage Lund, Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman and Brad Mehldau and toured in Europe with many different bands. He then moved to Mumbai, India where he collaborated with outstanding artists and appeared on world-class stages as Goa and the Utsav jazz festivals. He subsequently taught at the True School of Music as head of the guitar Department. Overall, Odysseas has contributed to more than 10 records as a sideman and performed in a number of different countries. His move back to Cyprus in 2018 motivated him to create his own projects and with his Trio recorded his debut album “Ensticto”. Its release obtained favourable reviews, ranging from “truly authentic and strong”, to an emphasis on the “personal sound” that is endorsed within the guitar trio genre. The Trio toured the album extensively by performing at all the major music festivals on the island. He is currently composing music for his 2nd personal Album and writing a guitar method.
1.1 – History & Context of Global Commercial Music (Credits: 2)
This module traces the origins and development of Jazz and Blues music to their current forms. You will learn the impact of sociopolitical and other historic events such as slavery, World Wars and technological evolution on these genres. You will also familiarise with the popular artists and repertoire of these genres of music.
1.2 – History & Context of Global Commercial Music (Credits: 2)
This module traces the origins and development of Rock n Roll, Crooners and Divas, Gospel and Country music to their current forms. You will learn the impact of sociopolitical and other historic events such as slavery, World Wars and technology on these genres. You will also familiarise with the popular artists and repertoire of these genres of music.
1.3 – History & Context of Global Commercial Music (Credits: 2)
This module traces the origins and development of British Invasion, Soul and American Folk music. You will learn the impact of sociopolitical and other historic events, as well as technological innovations on these genres. You will also familiarise with the popular artists and repertoire of these genres of music.
1.4 – History & Context of Global Commercial Music (Credits: 2)
This module traces the origins and development of Heavy Metal, Funk and Progressive Rock music. You will learn the impact of sociopolitical and other historic events as well as technological innovations on these genres. You will also familiarise with the popular artists and repertoire of these genres of music.
Faculty
Vehrnon Ibrahim
Vehrnon Ibrahim
Vehrnon has had many long term rolls in his career including Vice President of various National FM Radio Networks, a House Music DJ, Frontman of Indian Heavy Metal band Millennium, an Event Director, an Audio Engineer both live and in studios, a Music Producer and Song Writer, a Stage and Lighting Designer, the Creative Director of an Interactive Television Company and a regular Commentator on Music, Culture and Creativity…
Today, Vehrnon continues to work in Live Music Events, Radio and other Media and is also an Independent Music Artist Advisor with “FreeWillMusic” a system designed to help them make and keep more money…
1.1 – Study Skills (Credits: 3)
The study skills module prepares you for college level learning, and develops planning, learning organisation and time management skills. You will learn to make effective lecture notes, improve your reading and research skills, and develop communication skills to present your thoughts, opinions and arguments clearly and accurately using various means (written, verbal, presentations, reflective journals, etc.).
Learning Outcomes:
Use calendars, prioritisation and time blocking to effectively manage time
Make effective lecture notes using various digital tools
Apply active reading and research techniques
Use reflective journaling and critiquing for self improvement
Develop communications skills to present thoughts, opinions and arguments clearly and accurately
Faculty
Nilesh Thomas
Nilesh Thomas
After gaining a first class degree in Electronics and a diploma in Sound Recording & Engineering, Nilesh started his career as a recording engineer adding numerous songs, commercials and soundtracks to his credit before stepping into academia. He spent 15 years in Malaysia, where he led curriculum design, delivery and quality assurance of undergraduate music courses in partnership with UK universities and Berklee College of Music. During this time he furthered his education to earn a Master of Music Technology (MMusTech) degree with distinction from University of Newcastle, Australia. Nilesh is also an Avid Certified Instructor for ProTools and an Apple Distinguished Educator recognised for the application of technology and innovation in music education. During his academic career in Malaysia, Nilesh remained active in the professional industry and mixed Front of House (FOH) sound and produced a number of live concerts. His professional and academic interests include live sound engineering, acoustics, digital audio, blended learning, learning technologies, and outcome and challenge based learning. Nilesh leads curriculum development, digital learning initiatives, institutional partnerships and academic quality assurance at True School, and teaches live sound engineering courses.
101 SESSIONS
101 sessions are additional learning opportunities outside of your core curriculum that cover a number of relevant topics associated with professional music. You may choose up to two 101 sessions of your interest in each term from the available list.
Eligibility
A prospective student entering at level 1 needs to show the desire and ability to improve as a player. They need to have a basic knowledge of their instrument or show an aptitude to grasp the fundamentals of music.
To prepare for the audition a prospective student will have to prepare a set of pieces, preferably in different styles. From this, we will be able to assess their skill level on their instrument so the student can be placed accordingly.
Prospective students shall also be assessed on their knowledge of music theory; at level 1 little to no theory knowledge is required, as we will teach you from the very basics
