Our Curriculum

Structured Progression

Every instrument at Manly Music follows a clear, level-based pathway. Students build strong foundations before progressing to more advanced skills, ensuring steady and confident development.

Skill Development

We focus on technique, music reading, rhythm, creativity and performance skills. Each level develops specific learning outcomes that prepare students for the next stage of their musical journey.

Personalised Learning

While we follow structured method books, lessons are tailored to each student. Alongside curriculum repertoire, students learn songs they enjoy to stay motivated and inspired.

Performance & Assessment

Each level concludes with measurable assessments and performance opportunities. Students gain confidence through recitals, evaluations and milestone achievements as they progress.

Piano Curriculum

Our Piano Curriculum is carefully structured to guide students from foundational skills through to advanced performance levels. Each stage builds technical fluency, musical understanding and performance confidence through recognised method books and structured progression.

Clear learning outcomes and end-of-level assessments ensure students develop consistently and advance with confidence.

Program Overview
Students begin with John Thompson’s Easiest Piano Course - Part 1, developing fluency in note reading within a limited five-finger range around Middle C. Emphasis is placed on posture, finger numbers and steady rhythm through short, structured pieces.
Learning Outcomes
• Read notes in Middle C position
• Maintain steady basic rhythm
• Demonstrate correct hand shape
• Perform short beginner pieces
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Perform two prepared Level 1 pieces
✔ Demonstrate correct hand position
✔ Read and play a short beginner exercise
Program Overview
Students expand their reading range and begin coordinating both hands more consistently. Rhythms become more varied and musical expression is introduced.
Learning Outcomes
• Play hands together confidently
• Read expanded note range
• Maintain steady rhythm with rests
• Perform longer beginner pieces
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Perform two hands-together pieces
✔ Demonstrate improved coordination
✔ Read beyond Middle C position
Program Overview
Students strengthen reading fluency and hand coordination while introducing simple dynamic contrast and smoother transitions between positions.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate stronger hand independence
• Read notes across a wider keyboard range
• Control soft and loud playing
• Perform multi-section pieces
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Confident hands-together performance
✔ Accurate reading across expanded range
✔ Controlled dynamics
Program Overview
Students move into more structured repertoire and develop greater finger strength and rhythm control. Musical phrasing begins to develop.
Learning Outcomes
• Perform longer structured pieces
• Demonstrate smoother hand transitions
• Maintain consistent tempo
• Interpret simple phrasing
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Perform two contrasting pieces
✔ Demonstrate hand independence
✔ Maintain rhythmic accuracy
Program Overview
Students refine coordination and expand note reading while strengthening rhythm control and articulation.
Learning Outcomes
• Read confidently across wider note range
• Execute simple articulation markings
• Demonstrate improved technique
• Perform structured repertoire
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Confident performance with articulation
✔ Accurate note reading
✔ Steady tempo throughout
Program Overview
Students begin preparing for transition into more formal graded repertoire, building endurance and expressive control.
Learning Outcomes
• Play extended pieces confidently
• Demonstrate improved finger strength
• Control dynamics and phrasing
• Maintain consistent tempo
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Perform extended repertoire piece
✔ Demonstrate dynamic control
✔ Show confident reading fluency
Program Overview
Students strengthen technical consistency and prepare for more advanced classical studies.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate fluent hands-together playing
• Interpret expressive markings
• Execute controlled dynamic changes
• Maintain performance accuracy
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Confident performance of two pieces
✔ Technical consistency
✔ Expressive interpretation
Program Overview
Students complete the Easiest Course and prepare to transition into the Modern Course with stronger reading fluency and technique.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate confident intermediate reading
• Perform extended structured pieces
• Control articulation and phrasing
• Show independent practice habits
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Performance of two late-elementary works
✔ Accurate reading across keyboard range
✔ Controlled dynamics and expression
Program Overview
Students enter the Modern Course, focusing on structured classical repertoire and technical studies.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate scale foundations
• Perform structured classical pieces
• Maintain rhythmic precision
• Show increased finger independence
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Confident classical performance
✔ Accurate scale execution
✔ Consistent technical control
Program Overview
Repertoire becomes more complex with greater rhythmic variation and hand coordination.
Learning Outcomes
• Execute expanded scales
• Perform multi-section classical works
• Demonstrate articulation control
• Maintain expressive phrasing
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Two contrasting Grade 2 works
✔ Technical fluency in scales
✔ Dynamic and articulation accuracy
Program Overview
Students enter early intermediate repertoire with more demanding technical passages.
Learning Outcomes
• Play advanced coordinated passages
• Interpret stylistic differences
• Maintain performance stamina
• Execute controlled dynamics
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Confident intermediate performance
✔ Technical passage accuracy
✔ Musical interpretation
Program Overview
Students refine technique and expression, preparing for higher intermediate repertoire.
Learning Outcomes
• Execute advanced scale patterns
• Perform stylistically varied works
• Demonstrate phrasing maturity
• Maintain rhythmic complexity
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Two Grade 4 classical works
✔ Technical precision
✔ Expressive maturity
Program Overview
The highest level of the Modern Course, preparing students for advanced classical repertoire and formal examination pathways.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate strong technical fluency
• Perform extended advanced repertoire
• Execute scales and arpeggios accurately
• Show confident stage presence
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Two advanced Grade 5 works
✔ Technical fluency in scale studies
✔ Confident recital-level performance
Program Overview
Students prepare for formal AMEB, Trinity or ABRSM examinations, refining technique and performance skills.
Learning Outcomes
• Master exam repertoire requirements
• Execute required technical exercises
• Develop structured practice discipline
• Demonstrate performance confidence
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Formal mock examination
✔ Complete technical requirements
✔ Performance of full exam program
Program Overview
Students focus on high-level repertoire, performance refinement and artistic development.
Learning Outcomes
• Interpret advanced repertoire independently
• Demonstrate professional stage presence
• Execute advanced technical passages
• Show musical maturity
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Public recital performance
✔ Technical and expressive mastery
✔ Independent repertoire preparation

Guitar Curriculum

Our Guitar Curriculum follows a structured, level-based pathway designed to build strong technical foundations, confident reading skills and musical versatility.

Students progress through recognised method books while also learning engaging songs across rock, pop and contemporary styles. Each level focuses on clear learning outcomes and measurable assessment milestones to ensure steady development.

Program Overview
Students begin with Book 1 of the Progressive Guitar Method for Young Beginners, focusing on correct posture, basic fretting and picking technique, simple rhythms, and reading basic tablature. This level lays the foundational skills needed for confident beginner playing.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate correct posture and left/right hand position
• Read basic tablature and simple rhythm notation
• Perform first complete guitar songs with steady timing
• Play basic open string and simple melodic patterns
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Perform two prepared beginner songs with steady rhythm
✔ Demonstrate correct posture and picking/fretting technique
✔ Correctly read and play simple basic tablature patterns
Program Overview
Students continue with Book 2, expanding on chord fundamentals and rhythmic coordination. New fretting hand skills and slightly more complex rhythmic values are introduced, alongside continued development of tablature reading.
Learning Outcomes
• Play a broader range of simple chord shapes
• Transition between chords with improved smoothness
• Demonstrate consistent rhythm on common strumming patterns
• Read basic patterns and simple riffs independently
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Confident performance of two Book 2 pieces
✔ Smooth chord changes throughout a song
✔ Accurate rhythm on strummed sections
Program Overview
In Book 3, students further develop fretting hand fluency, string crossing control and rhythmic variety. Playing repertoire becomes longer and slightly more expressive, reinforcing accuracy and musicality.
Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate improved chord transition speed
• Play longer repertoire with dynamic awareness
• Execute picking and basic strumming patterns confidently
• Read and play more varied tablature phrases
End-of-Level Assessment
✔ Performance of two Level 3 pieces with reliable timing
✔ Demonstrate accurate chord changes and rhythmic variation
✔ Independent reading of moderately varied tablature
Program Overview
At Level 4, students transition from beginner material into more intermediate technique and repertoire. Using the Hal Leonard Guitar Method, they consolidate chord voicings, scale patterns and reading skills while developing greater independence between hands. This level strengthens musicality and prepares players for more stylistically varied music.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Level 4, students will:
• Execute major and minor scale patterns with fluency
• Play a broader range of chord shapes (including 7ths and barre basics)
• Demonstrate consistent rhythm and expressive control
• Read and interpret simple standard notation and tablature
• Perform pieces requiring increased fretboard navigation
End-of-Level Assessment
To complete Level 4, students will demonstrate:
✔ Confident performance of two prepared intermediate pieces
✔ Accurate scale technique and tempo control
✔ Smooth chord transitions with expanded voicings
✔ Competent reading of notation + tablature in performance
Program Overview
Level 5 builds on the foundation of Level 4 and introduces increased rhythmic complexity, extended chord vocabulary, stylistic diversity and deeper fretboard understanding. Students work through more challenging studies in the Hal Leonard Guitar Method and curated repertoire that reinforces musical expression, improvisational feel and technical flexibility.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Level 5, students will:
• Demonstrate expanded chord voicings including movable shapes
• Perform melodic parts confidently across the neck
• Read more complex notation and tablature passages
• Maintain rhythmic precision in syncopated and varied styles
• Interpret expressive elements like dynamics and phrasing
End-of-Level Assessment
To complete Level 5, students will demonstrate:
✔ Two intermediate-level performances with stylistic contrast
✔ Accurate reading and execution of complex passages
✔ Demonstrated dynamic expression and musical phrasing
✔ Confident fretboard navigation and technical control