Today, Pakistan is experiencing a serious dearth of original music, with most budding youngsters engaged in cover songs. It is only with a strong, in depth and detailed base and understanding of the Art of Music that compositional awareness can come to the fore.

In a bid to contributing to the revival of original Pakistani music, Ajoka Institute presents the first half of its “Art of Music” Certification Course by pioneering classes solely focused on Western Classical.

Over the course of 3 months, students will be taught according to international syllabus’s used and endorsed by International examination board ABRSM and Trinity College London, with teachers including one of the best Pakistani western classical violinists; Mr. Muhammad Aslam, talented pianist Mr. Shehbaz Abdullah, who recently performed in the prestigious “Nine Magical Notes” event in Beijjing and western vocalist Mr. Sameer Abbas, who has fronted with the likes of Bohemia, Noori and Rafaqat Ali khan.

Musical elements to be covered will include/lead to:  

Rudiments 
Standard staff notation including dynamic, tempo and expression markings, simple ornaments and articulation signs, treble, bass and alto clefs, key signatures up to 4 sharps and 4 flats in major and minor keys, time signatures, major, minor and perfect intervals.

Melody and rhythm 
Major, minor, chromatic, whole-tone and pentatonic scales. Blue notes. Melodic movement (ascending or descending by step or leap). Phrasing. Call and response. Duple, triple or irregular metre.

Harmony 
Primary chords: I, IV, and V(7); secondary chords: II and VI. Perfect, imperfect and interrupted cadences. Modulations to related keys (sub-dominant, dominant, relative minor, relative major)

Compositional devices 
Repetition, imitation, sequence, canon, ostinato, drone, Alberti bass, pedal (tonic and dominant), contrary motion.

Genre 
Opera, oratorio (including recitative, aria and chorus), musical, symphony, concerto, string quartet, sonata, march, waltz, minuet and trio.

Classes:
Guitar      (Saturday & Sunday)
Keyboard (Friday & Saturday)

A limited number of students will be admitted, with a public concert as the final exam and 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions to be awarded along with certifications. Those wishing to continue their learning will be given the chance to do so.