Musical instruments
The following instruments are taught at Kuula-opisto:
String instruments
Violin och viola
The violin is a beautiful instrument with an enchanting sound. It has a wide tonal range to suit many different styles of music. The violin is an excellent solo instrument, but it is also good when playing with others in an orchestra. A suitable age to start playing the violin is 6 years or older
Cello
The cello is a string instrument larger than the violin and the viola, which is played while seated. The cello has a wide register, so it can be played both high and low. The cello is also an important orchestral instrument. You can start playing the cello at the age of 6 or older.
Double bas
The double bass is the largest of the string instrumentss and plays the lowest notes in the orchestra. The double bass is also great in jazz bands. A suitable starting age for starting to play the double bass is 9 years or later.
Woodwind instruments
Flute
The flute is a popular wind instrument. The classical repertoire of the flute is extensive due to its long history, but it is also played in folk songs, pop and jazz. You also get the opportunity to play with other wind players or with a friend playing the piano or guitar. You can start playing the flute at the age of 6 or later.
Oboe
The oboe is a woodwind instrument that resembles the clarinet in many ways. The mouthpiece of the oboe is a double reed. Blowing causes the reed to vibrate and form a sound. The oboe has his own important place in both a wind ensemble and a symphony orchestra. A suitable age to start playing the oboe is 9 years or later.
Clarinet
The clarinet is a woodwind instrument with a warm soft tone that is suitable for beautiful melodies. The clarinet has a rich tonal range, allowing it to play extremely high and low tones, loudly and very softly. The clarinet is a nice orchestral instrument. A suitable age to start playing the clarinet is at the age of 6.
Saxophone
The saxophone is a beautiful gold-coloured wind instrument that comes in many different shapes and sizes. The smallest saxophone has a straight tube, but most are elegantly curved. The sound of the instrument is loud, but it can also play very soft and atmospheric music. The saxophone can be well combined with clarinet playing, as the blowing technique is the same for both instruments. A suitable age to start playing the saxophone at the age of 6.
Brass instruments
French horn
The French horn is an exciting brass instrument with a wide range of sounds. It can play both very high and very low tones. The horn has a long tube that is wound in a roll. The horn is an important orchestral instrument. A suitable age to start playing the French horn is at about 7 years of age.
Trumpet
The trumpet is a brass instrument, which has a clear and fine tone that lends itself well to both solo and ensemble instruments. There are several different types of trumpet. You can start playing the trumpet at about the age of 7 with a cornet or a pocket trumpet.
Trombone
The trombone is a fun brass instrument that is used in all genres of music. The instrument has a retractable slide to adjust the pitch of the sound, which is why the trombone is also called the slide trombone. The trombone is used for both solo and ensemble playing. The trombone plays an important role in brass bands, symphony orchestras and various other ensembles. You can start playing the trombone at around the age of 7.
Baritone horn
The baritone horn has a beautiful sound, which is both rich and soft. The baritone horn belongs to the brass band where it has a central role. It is also suitable for other ensembles and as a solo instrument. You can start playing the baritone horn when you are about 7 years old.
Tuba
The tuba is the largest of the brass instruments and has a wide deep sound. There are many sizes of tuba. The tuba is an important instrument in orchestras as it provides the base for the sound. You can start playing the tuba at around the age of 7.
Other instruments
Piano
The piano is a versatile instrument that fits all genres of music. With the piano, you can play solo songs for yourself or play in a band with others. The piano is also suitable for accompanying other instruments or singing. As the piano has a large keyboard and is capable of large volume variations, it is almost the same as the whole orchestra. You can start playing the piano at around the age of 8. The student must have a piano for practice.
Guitar
The guitar family includes a variety of guitars. Nowadays the most common are the acoustic guitar and the electric guitar. The acoustic guitar is used for playing solos in different styles. You can also play with other guitarists or other musicians. The teaching includes both classical music and pop and rock songs suitable for the acoustic guitar. The electric guitar is included in most bands and is one of the most popular instruments of our time. With the electric guitar you can either accompany or play solos. Its sound offers incredible variation. The electric guitar is used in most popular genres and is fun to play. You can start playing the acoustic guitar at the age of 7 and the electric guitar a couple of years later.
Accordion
The accordion is a delightful instrument that fits most types of music. Not only is it an excellent solo instrument, but it is also a good accompaniment for a variety of ensembles. You can start playing the accordion at about the age of 7.
Rhythm instruments
Electric bass
The role of the electric bass is to create a solid foundation for the music you play. By playing simple songs, the beginner can also get up to speed quickly with the bass. The electric bass is a much more versatile instrument than is commonly thought and offers interesting challenges to its player. The starting age for playing the electric bass at the Kuula-opisto is 9 years.
Electric guitar
The electric guitar is included in most bands and is one of the most popular instruments of our time. With the electric guitar you can either accompany or play solos. Its sound offers incredible variation. The electric guitar is used in most popular genres and is fun to play. You can start playing the electric guitar at the Kuula-opisto when you are about 9 years old.
Keyboard/Piano
With the piano, you can play solo songs for yourself or play in a band with others. The piano is also suitable for accompanying other instruments or singing. You can start playing the piano at around the age of 9. The student must have a piano for practice.
Drums and other percussion instruments
The drum kit is commonly used in most bands. Playing drums is fun and flexible: you can learn to play countless different drum kits and genres. In the band, the main task of the drums is to accompany the music and maintain the tempo, thus creating a strong foundation on which the entire musical performance is built. The drums are also an excellent solo instrument. At Kuula-opisto you can also study classical percussion instruments such as the marimba, xylophone and timpani. You can start playing percussion at about 9 years of age
Vocal studies
Solo Singing (over 13-year-olds)
You can choose between classical and rhythm singing. Among other areas, rhythm singing includes rock, pop and jazz. We develop the voice and familiarise ourselves with different styles and eras. Classical singing includes songs from ancient to modern times. We sing in several different languages.