Music History Lessons (Music genres, Composers' lives, historical background) - All levels and profiles

From 46.45 £ /h

Would you like to have a better understanding of the music you listen to or study? Do you want to know more about the artistic background of a certain composer? Or would you just like to know more about Music History? Understanding the historical context behind the musical creation gives a broader knowledge of the repertoire.
I offer online and offline Music History lessons to everyone:
Conservatory students (support for exams, essays and lessons), musicians (classical and non classical) and any music lovers.
I adapt my teaching method to each student's needs.

Extra information

I will provide the study material for the lessons in advance. No need to purchase any books.

Location

Use Ctrl + wheel to zoom!

At teacher's location :

1067 MZ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Online from Netherlands

About Me

Spanish cellist Maximiliano moved to Amsterdam in 2008 to study with Maarten Mostert and Dmitry Ferschtman. From 2010 started his studies in early music and baroque cello with Viola de Hoog while at the same time he met the cellist Anner Bijlsma. The relationship with Bijlsma involved not only lessons and advices through a period of nine years but also brought him an unforgettable mark. In 2016 he was awarded, together with other cellists, the Anner Bijlsma Award, a prize given at the Cello Biënnale Amsterdam for his research about the origins of the violoncello in Italy.

Education

Master degree in Early music, Conservatorium van Amsterdam (AHK) 2014
Bachelor in violoncello, Conservatorium van Amsterdam (AHK) 2012
Superior degree of music, Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga, 2007

Experience / Qualifications

Anner Bijlsma Award, 2014, Cello Biënnale Amsterdam
Cello teacher at DUMS (De Utrechtse Muziek School) from 2021
Cello teacher at het Leerorkest project from 2016
Cello teacher at de Vioolschool Haarlem from 2018

Age

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

30 minutes

45 minutes

60 minutes

90 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Dutch

Spanish

Skills

Music composition

Music history

Music theory

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

At teacher's location and via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Cello lessons in Amsterdam (Classical, baroque, music theory and music history lessons)

51.8 £ /h

Did you always want to learn cello from zero and never had the opportunity to start, or do you want to improve your already learned skills? Then I can definitely help you! I am a Spanish cellist based in Amsterdam since 2008 with more than 10 years experience of teaching.

I offer lessons for all ages and levels, in English, Dutch and Spanish.

Here is a small resume of the lessons I offer:

1. Cello and/or baroque cello lessons: All levels.
The lessons will be focused on two basic elements: Technic of the instrument and developing musical skills.

2. Music theory: Beginners.
Basics of music, such as reading notes, rules and analysis. This field is as important as learning the instrument for it complements the process in music performance.

3. Music History: All levels
The lessons will give a full understanding of the historical development of music, with a complete historical context of the arts, politics and society. These lessons are a key point to students of conservatories and musicians to complement their music knowledge.

Rita

5.0

(15)

Bass guitar lessons with a holistic, "all-round" character.

We will practice the lessons together and we will use your best songs for this. I believe that if you have deep emotional contact with a piece of music, the learning process will also become faster, cozier and smoother!

Our main themes:

- technique and overview of the bass (where?)
- general music theory, ear training (why?)
- creative improvisation and composition (what?)
- rhythm, tempo, phrasing and feeling (how?)

For adults and teenagers, lessons last 1 hour. For all levels from absolute beginner to conservatory level.

Pedro

5.0

(15)

I am a brazilian musician graduated in classical guitar, with experience in jazz and brazilian music. Everything from bossa nova, samba, choro and latin music in general is my speciality. Have been teaching for 15 years now, i developed a way of teaching music based on what the student needs to develop his/her potential. It can be more practical and playfull, or theoretical and methodical.

Natalia

5.0

(15)

I have been a Piano teacher for many years, both to kids and adults. This is something I am very passionate about and truly enjoy.
My goal is to combine the students' interests with a program that I as a teacher find necessary to improve and develop technique and skills. I have also taught Piano to my kids, so I understand how important it is that Piano lessons are interesting and exciting.
I studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and give the lessons at my studio at grand piano in Amsterdam Zuid.

Gwendoline

5.0

(15)

I am 21 years old and I am currently a flute student at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. I finished my studies in conservatories in France and obtained a license in music and musicology at the Sorbonne (Paris IV).
I offer personalized lessons meeting the desires and ambitions of everyone, from the simple beginner to the confirmed musician.
For the flute lessons, I offer exercises for sound, technique, adapted pieces. During music theory lessons, I can give tips for learning to read keys, rhythms, and offer dictations. Studying the theory allows you to learn to recognize chords, to calculate a score, to analyze the structure of a piece, to recognize the style from musical elements.
It is possible to combine several lessons, for example half an hour of flute then a quarter of an hour of music theory.

David

5.0

(15)

If you’re interested in learning the flute and/ or gaining a new understanding of music through harmony, this lesson will provide that for you.

If you choose to, we’ll cover technique, improvisation, reading music, tone control and expression. We’ll also go over the fundamentals of harmony to give you the tools that will help with any other instrument. Your listening skills will also be developed. All entirely up to you, of course, we’ll only go as far as you wish.

Yuv

5.0

(15)

The lessons will delve into both the technical and musical aspects of piano playing, theory, reading music, harmony, ear training, technique, pedagogy and more. My aim is to equip students to understand different music styles, build confidence, discover their unique voice and continue their musical journey independently. As Thelonious Monk said, the piano ain’t got no wrong notes.

I'm passionate about traversing genres since I have studied both jazz and classical to a high level, making this class perfect for creative pianists and composers who want to go beyond reading music off a piece of paper. Trinity/ABRSM curriculum upto Grade 8, can also be optionally included. Teaching effective practice methods is a priority, ensuring students progress confidently and without leaning on me. Please note, I only teach in person to maintain high standards of guidance in technique. This is not possible via video conferencing. Since everyone asks: yes, I did study at Berklee College of Music as an undergraduate for some time, and I do help students out with their audition preparation for various music colleges!

Currently, my students are between 14 and 74 years old— I believe that it’s never too late or too early to begin your musical journey. I look forward to your requests and have two vacant spots remaining in my roster for Winter 2025. Book now!

Jim

5.0

(15)

Hi, my name is Jim. I'm an electronic music producer with a Master’s degree in Music from the Fontys Academy of Arts (Rockacademie) in Tilburg, Netherlands. Music has always been my way of exploring the world — through raw field recordings, synthesis, and emotional storytelling. Over the past 12 years, I’ve developed a complete, self-sufficient creative process: from concept to composition, sound design to vocal production, mixing, mastering, and live performance. I’m passionate about helping others gain those same end-to-end technical skills — so they can bring their own musical vision fully to life.

As Malvae, I’ve written, sung, recorded, produced, mixed, mastered, and performed all of my work. My music reached #17 in the Spotify Viral 50 charts in the USA, gathered millions of streams, and featured in international film productions including King of the Streets and Netflix’s Terrace House Japan. One of the most formative moments in my career was my Amazonas album project, where I traveled into the Amazon rainforest to record and manipulate natural sounds. 90% of that album was created entirely from these field recordings, reshaped through granular synthesis and advanced sound design into a cohesive sonic journey. That experience deeply shaped how I approach my music and how I teach sound design and composition.

I’ve headlined shows at iconic venues like Melkweg Amsterdam with immersive, self-built audiovisual live sets using Ableton Live, modular gear, sequencers, and Resolume for live integrated visuals. I curated my own events and performed at venues like A’dam Tower, OT301. I also teach at studios such as Wisseloord in Hilversum, guiding students through the technical and creative intersections of sound and performance.

Selected Works & Collaborations:

My EP Like Bees to a Hive began as a soundscape for fashion brand Lobomar’s collection Final Orders, Please, presented at the Amsterdam World Museum. I collaborated with South African poet Julia-Beth Harris, integrating her spoken word into a seamless, atmospheric release. From sequential Prophet 6 textures to ADX1 drum machine layers and detailed field recordings, I handled every layer, from concept through multitrack production to the final live performance in London.

My Chrysalis EP, released as a limited-edition heavyweight red vinyl, pushed that even further, combining ethereal vocals, analog grit, and unique textures to craft an emotionally rich release. I personally led every part of the project’s technical and creative execution, from arrangement and vocal production to final mixing, mastering and vinyl press preparation.

In addition to my own projects, I’ve worked as a vocal producer and mixing engineer, including on Esther Veen’s EP Before I Go, where I handled recording, complex vocal layering, creative processing, production, multivocal arrangement and final mixing to deliver a polished, high-impact sound.

About the lessons:

My sessions are fully customised to your experience level, goals and grounded in real-world music production. Whether you’re just getting started or want to deepen your technical ability, you’ll learn how to develop professional workflows and the creative independence to finish what you start.

We can explore:

- Building advanced music production workflows and creative strategies
- Recording, Composition, arrangement, and storytelling through sound
- Full-stack mixing and mastering — from bedroom setups to pro-level delivery
- Synthesis and sampling — from sound shaping basics to high-level manipulation
- Multi vocal production, vocal recording, editing, layering, FX, and creative processing techniques
- Translating your music into a compelling live set with Ableton Live
- Applying music theory practically in electronic, cinematic, and contemporary music

Lessons are available online or in-person at my studio in Amsterdam. For online students, I use high-quality real-time tools that allow us to collaborate with full-resolution audio directly from your DAW — no screen sharing limitations, just real work in real time.

My own musical path often started by blending the sounds I encountered in the world, whether from distant rainforests or my own voice , into something personal and expressive.
I found my sound that way, and I’d love to help you find yours.

(And don’t worry — we won’t have to go to the ends of the earth to do it. I’ll show you how to turn the sounds you already have into something truly your own.)

Whether you're just starting out or ready to go deeper, I look forward to helping you grow through structured, creative, and technically grounded electronic music education.

Fabien

5.0

(15)

!!LOOKING FOR NEW GUITAR HEROES!!!
"As one of the most popular and accessible instruments in today's musical landscape, the guitar spans a wide range of genres and its incredible sonic possibilities have made it a key instrument over the past 60 years. ." Eh?! What?!! Let's stop the blabla... Guitar is killing! Everyone loves it (that's probably why you're here) and I'm guessing you're like "How can I learn some of this crazy guitar stuff without selling one of my kidneys to some creepy guy on Youtube".

Well... I'm not offering you the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, sprinkled with angel dust and full of groupies languidly waiting for you backstage, but I can at least offer you an organized guitar lesson based on a comprehensive approach to the instrument, targeted to your musical aspirations... In other words: what YOU like! I sincerely believe that the most effective way to learn music is to delve into what you love and explore it with passion and dedication. We will always start from the songs you like, step by step, following your workflow. My goal is simply to give you the best tips and tricks so that you can enjoy playing the songs you love or, if you wish, organize your guitar practice in the most efficient way.

MOST IMPORTANT: I love to jam so be prepare to play some music :-).

Together we will tackle various topics, we can also focus on:
- Learn a song and be able to do it by yourself later.
- Explore different musical styles: Pop, Rock, Blues, Funk, Jazz...
- Guitar techniques using scales, triads and arpeggios.
- Understand harmony and how to build chords.
- Use your ear as a tool to find new ideas.
- Being able to provide a nice and steady groove by studying rhythmic figures.
- Immerse yourself in the beautiful world of improvisation.
- Develop your intuition and your creativity as an improviser and apply it to the material you already know.

!!!Only for the brave: we could also do a little music theory -> If you want!!!

For more than 10 years now, I have been teaching students of different ages and levels, all very satisfied with the lessons. We could also do it online if that is more convenient for you.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Daniel

5.0

(15)

Hi I'm Daniel, an enthusiastic and dedicated guitar teacher who loves meeting his students' own goals. By combining my 6 years of experience in teaching guitar with my students' own interests, I help my students make progress in the most engaging way possible.

I provide my students with a grounding in the basics of technique and theory to make sure they develop good habits, enabling them to make use of the near-infinite resources online when they want to play and learn more in their free time and later in life. I believe a good teacher is one who makes their students able to go on independently and with joy and passion for their instrument.

Learn your favourite songs, demystify music theory, learn how songs are written (and get help writing your own), learn to play songs by ear, explore a range of genres... I look forward to helping you with your own musical journey!

Samuel

5.0

(15)

Hello

I'm a professional bass player living in Amsterdam. I have a passion for teaching and passing on some of the knowledge that I have acquired during my studies at several schools and heard from the musicians I look up to. I've done my bachelor degree at The Royal Academy of Music in Denmark, and I finished my Masters at Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2024.

I teach double bass, electric bass and composition.

Musically I try to be as open as I can. For me it doesn't matter if it's free jazz, traditional jazz, pop or metal as long as it feels good.

I'm a leader of my own group where we combine jazz and indie rock. we will release our debut album this fall.

I'm also a sideman in several groups.

As for composition I have experience with composing for regular jazz groups, big band, string quartet and irregular constellations such as my band with three guitars and three horns.

Some thoughts about teaching:

I believe that the most important thing when teaching is having a good relation to one another and generally just having a good time. If we don't enjoy the process we don't learn.
You should feel comfortable saying how you feel and what you want to learn/don't want to learn. With that transparency I will be able to customize the teaching and balance the curriculum so that I meet your needs while pushing you into unknown territory.

If you're reading this I'm happy that you took your time to read through it all, and hopefully we'll get to meet and talk about music!

Liliana

5.0

(15)

Learn to play the flute—your way!

Every student is unique, and your lessons should be too! I create personalized courses tailored to your goals, whether you're a beginner, a returning player, or preparing for exams and auditions.

✨ New to the flute? We'll start from the very beginning with clear, gentle guidance.
🎵 Returning after years away? Pick up where you left off—whether it's been 5, 10, or 20 years, I'll help you rediscover your love for playing.
🏆 Preparing for exams or auditions? With 32 years of teaching experience and a background as an adjudicator, I can help you perform at your best.

I love what I do and would love to help you on your musical journey!

Eva

5.0

(15)

I teach violin to children and adults, beginners and advanced.

Every student is unique. Besides developing good technique, I also enjoy meeting each student's musical wishes and dreams. Learning to play the violin is a collaborative process!

From the very first lesson, I pay a lot of attention to playing together, because making music together is the most fun there is!

In addition to individual lessons, I support my students' playing in orchestras, ensembles, and bands. There are also several opportunities to perform with the accompaniment of a professional pianist. Once a year, I organize a video recording day with several students for competitions and contests. My students have won awards, both in the Netherlands and internationally.

In addition to individual lessons, I offer a "MY LITTLE VIOLIN" STROLL COURSE for children aged 3-5. This course consists of 10 lessons for young children, introducing them to music and the violin. I also offer this course to English- and German-speaking children.

I teach violin in four different languages: Dutch, German, English and Italian.

Violin lessons at home are also possible.

About Me:
I'm a violinist with the Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam. I've worked with numerous orchestras both in the Netherlands and abroad. I also perform chamber music and Brazilian choro (Duo Chorinho, with Alvaro Rovira Ruiz on guitar). I received international training at the conservatories of Hamburg, Rome, and Amsterdam.

I have been working as a violin teacher for over 30 years, including internationally, including a masterclass for Brazilian violin students at the University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Gerrit

5.0

(15)

My name is Gerrit, and I offer music and guitar lessons to beginners and intermediate players.
I've been playing guitar for 15 years, two of which were at the conservatory. I'm currently studying musicology at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). My primary focus is playing the guitar, but I can also gain knowledge in music theory, music production, and composition. Above all, enjoying making music is my priority.
I also make my own music, so anyone who can already play a bit of guitar and wants to expand their skills to write their own songs is welcome! We can eventually record this on the computer and create our own music.

Cecilia

5.0

(15)

To learn how to sing, you will need to learn two aspects: the technical aspect related to body awareness and the purely musical aspect of language. My teaching method is based 50% on technique and 50% on practice:
the first part of the lesson will be dedicated to exploring vocal techniques and body awareness
the second half will be spent singing your favourite songs, gradually putting into practice what we have done previously.
Every student is different, and singing is the most subjective instrument there is, as it is composed of flesh and bones, so the lessons will be tailored to your needs.

Noah

5.0

(15)

*Tutoring in English only!*

Hello! My name is Noah, and I'm a musician. I'm providing this course in music theory to help you understand fundamental concepts necessary for understanding, performing, composing, learning new instruments, etc.

I will tailor these lessons around your personal goals! This is about growth through exploration and practice, and also having fun!