Students at the basic and intermediate level get one lesson a week in music theory and ear training. Students at the advanced level get one hour in tonal harmony, ear training and music history. We recommend that students start music theory as they’re starting 5th grade in grade school.
Music Theory: At the basic level the focus is on traditional music theory based on the books Ópus I-III and Hlustun og greining – frá klassík til popps. At the intermediate level they use Ópus IV-V, assignments by Aagot, Robert Starer rhythmic training and Hlustun og greining – klassík, djass, rokk og heimstónlist.
Tonal Harmony: Students get to know tonal harmony for beginners. The course takes place over two years. It takes place with lectures and assignments that for the most part take place during the lesson. Exams take place in the spring.
Music History: This will cover music history from the medieval times to today. The course takes place with lectures from the teacher and some from the students. There will also be a listening part. Exams take place in the spring.
Rakel Axelsdóttir, basic level – Music Theory 1-3
Gunnar Karel Másson, intermediate and advanced level
Lesson times:
| Music Theory 1 | Thursdays at 15:00-15:55 |
| Music theory 2 | Thursdays at 16:00-16:55 |
| Music Theory 3 | Thursdays at 17:00-17:55 |
| Music Theory 4 | Wednesdays at 16:20-17:15 |
| Music Theory 5 and advanced | Wednesdays at 17:20-18:15 |
Þorgrímur has a broad musical background rooted both in jazz guitar playing and a Bachelor degree in Creative Music Communications from the Iceland University of the Arts. Þorgrímur went on to complete further studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen and graduated from the RDAM Tonmeister department in 2020. In recent years, Þorgrímur has worked independently as a Tonmeister and sound engineer, alongside teaching guitar and sound production.
Gunnar Karel was born in Reykjavík in 1984. He began his music studies at a young age and has played many different instruments. As a composer, Gunnar focuses mainly on chamber music as he finds that his music gets the attention it deserves in smaller setups. Besides composing, he has been making his mark as a concert producer. He founded the Sonic Festival in Copenhagen with Filip C. de Melo in 2012. He is also one of the curators for the Peripheriberry Group and the artistic director of Dark Music Days in Reykjavík. Gunnar is a member of the Danish Composers Society, the theatre group 16 elskendur and the Icelandic Composers Collective S.L.Á.T.U.R.
