Piano and electronic keyboard lessons
Piano and electronic keyboard lessons that help you read music, keep time and practise on your own.
Learn with Hashini
Music Theory Lessons for Understanding and Exam Preparation
Theory lessons help students understand how music works instead of collecting answers to memorise for a paper.
Learn to read music and understand rhythm, scales and keys. Explore intervals (distances between notes), chords, harmony (how notes work together), cadences (phrase endings) and form (how a piece is organised). Use these ideas in music you play, sing or write.
Prefer in-person learning? See the Kandy teaching location, class formats and directions.
Learning from home? Explore online lessons, setup and personal feedback.
100% Distinction - LCM Theory of Music, Winter 2025. Students achieved Distinction and Merit results in the Summer 2026 Theory of Music examinations, with no failures. Individual results vary. View student results · Explore exam preparation
Ask About Lessons on WhatsAppQuick details
- Available
- Online or in person in Kandy, with suitable times confirmed on enquiry
- Teacher
- Hashini Herath
- Learning route
- Theory support can be aligned with ABRSM, LCM, Trinity College London and school requirements where relevant.
Lesson policy acknowledgement
By booking or participating in lessons, you acknowledge and agree to the Parent Information & Lesson Policy.
Fee guidance
Eligible group lessons: Ask for the current group fee
Eligible in-person group lessons in Kandy include four 2-hour sessions each month. See the current Kandy group fee in the fee guidance. One-to-one lessons are LKR 24,000/month for four 2-hour private lessons. Online lesson fees are confirmed separately. The suitable format is confirmed after reviewing the student's age, level, goals and schedule.
Lesson availability
Confirmed lesson times
Two-hour in-person group sessions in Kandy. These are general group-class times; enquire to confirm the programme, age or level requirements and a suitable place before enrolling.
Sri Lanka time · Asia/Colombo (UTC+05:30)
Tuesday
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
3:00 pm–5:00 pm
Thursday
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
3:00 pm–5:00 pm
Saturday
11:00 am–1:00 pm
4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Sunday
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
3:00 pm–5:00 pm
4:00 pm–6:00 pm
In person in Kandy · Enquire about places · Last verified:
Music theory
What is included
Understand the sound and reasoning behind notation, then apply it to music and exam questions.
Included in booked lessons
- Clear explanations and worked examples of the topics the student needs
- Guided exercises in notation, rhythm, scales, keys, intervals and harmony at an appropriate level
- Manageable practice tasks with feedback during lessons
Provided when relevant
- School-topic support or ABRSM, LCM and Trinity theory preparation where relevant
Practice guidance means clear tasks based on the work covered in lessons, with progress reviewed during booked teaching time.
You can message Hashini to clarify assigned work or discuss lesson arrangements. Teaching and practice review take place during booked lessons, with replies fitted around her teaching schedule. Messaging does not include unlimited support, additional private teaching or a guaranteed reply time.
Supporting materials are chosen for the student's current needs. Not every lesson or programme includes every type of resource. External examination fees and any separately charged materials are discussed separately.
How group lessons work
4 lessons each month, with a 2-hour group session each time.
Your own starting point and pace
Students begin at their current level and work at their own pace. Hashini gives individual guidance and feedback on the work they are practising during the group session.
A session can include teacher explanations or demonstrations, followed by suitable reading, rhythm, theory or practical tasks. The work depends on the subject and each student's current needs.
Group time and personal feedback
The two-hour booking is the full group session. Individual teacher attention is shared across the group; it is not two hours of private instruction for each student.
Regular practice between lessons is essential. Follow the tasks agreed with Hashini and bring the books or materials needed for your current work.
See how Hashini explains a musical idea
A public teaching lesson from Hashini's YouTube channel. Watch the explanation and try the idea in your own practice.
A lesson taught by Hashini
2024 O/L Western Music: Paper 1, Questions 3–5
Watch Hashini work through questions 3–5 from the 2024 O/L Western Music Paper 1 and explain how to eliminate incorrect answers.
Sinhala auto-generated captions are available in the YouTube player. YouTube loads when you choose Play.
Who these lessons are for
- School students
- Exam candidates
- Students who want to understand music basics
Skills students can develop
- Read notation more fluently
- Understand scales, keys, intervals and chords
- Use theory in performance and composition
- Prepare graded theory papers with clearer thinking
Progress depends on starting level, regular attendance and practice. These are learning aims, not guaranteed results.
Where we can help
If any of these difficulties feel familiar, share them when you enquire.
- Memorising key signatures without understanding
- Confusing rhythm values and time signatures
- Treating harmony as formulas only
- Separating theory from real music
The Foundation-First Method
Read → Understand → Play → Create
Theory is taught through Read -> Understand -> Play -> Create, so students learn the reason behind the rule and the sound behind the symbol.
1
Read
Read a rhythm, key signature or short passage of notation.
2
Understand
Explain what the symbols mean and why the musical rule applies.
3
Play
Hear, sing or play a suitable example to connect the written idea with its sound.
4
Create
Write a short rhythm, melody or chord example using the idea you have studied.
Teaching, guidance and review
Your first month: a clear start and a review
A clear plan for what Hashini provides, with the work chosen for your starting point.
1
Review your starting point
In early lessons, Hashini looks at your experience, current work and learning needs so the teaching starts at a suitable level.
2
Choose a manageable focus
Hashini chooses suitable foundation work and a learning focus that fits your starting point and goals.
3
Know what to practise
You receive clear practice tasks based on the work covered in each lesson. Previous work is revisited during lessons, with feedback to guide the next task.
4
Review after four lessons
After four lessons, Hashini reviews the work with you during booked teaching time and explains what to continue, revisit or work on next.
Guidance and the four-lesson review take place within booked lessons. The work and pace depend on the student; four lessons do not promise a particular musical standard, exam readiness or an examination result.
Work chosen for music theory
Identify the student's current understanding and the school or exam topics they need help with.
Revisit priority foundations through explanations and worked examples, rather than starting at a grade label alone.
Students receive clear explanations, worked examples and manageable practice tasks rather than rushed exam cramming.
Know what to practise at home
Practice guidance means clear tasks based on the work covered in lessons, with progress reviewed during booked teaching time.
A parent can ask the student to show the task, help make time for practice and encourage a careful attempt. You do not need to read music or correct the playing yourself.
Illustrative beginner practice task: clap a steady rhythm
For a beginner who has covered crotchets (one-beat notes) and minims (two-beat notes) in a lesson:
- Count four steady beats aloud: 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Clap one crotchet on beat 1, one on beat 2, then a minim on beat 3. Keep counting through beat 4 while the minim lasts.
- Try the pattern again at a comfortable, steady pace. Note where the counting becomes difficult so you can revisit it in the next lesson.
This is an example, not an assignment for every student. Actual tasks, repetitions and practice duration depend on age, subject, starting point and the work covered in lessons.
Supporting materials are chosen for the student's current needs. Not every lesson or programme includes every type of resource. External examination fees and any separately charged materials are discussed separately.
You can message Hashini to clarify assigned work or discuss lesson arrangements. Teaching and practice review take place during booked lessons, with replies fitted around her teaching schedule. Messaging does not include unlimited support, additional private teaching or a guaranteed reply time.
More help with home practice
Lesson formats
- In-person music theory classes in Kandy
- Online theory lessons with guided exercises
- School Western Music and term-test support
- ABRSM, LCM and Trinity preparation where relevant
Personal guidance
Because Hashini teaches performance, singing, composition and production, theory is grounded in how musicians actually use notation, harmony and structure.
How lessons work
How to Join Our Classes
Tell us your level, goals and available times. Hashini will help you choose a suitable class.
- 1
Tell Hashini your subject, current level and preferred times by form or WhatsApp.
- 2
Discuss a suitable class, learning mode and the current schedule. Confirm the fee and lesson policy.
- 3
Agree your starting point and begin lessons. You can enquire directly without taking an assessment.
Your first month: a clear start and a review
During early lessons, Hashini reviews the student's starting point, chooses suitable foundation work and a manageable learning focus, and gives clear practice tasks based on each lesson. After four lessons, she reviews the work with you and explains the next steps.
Guidance and the four-lesson review take place within booked lessons. The work and pace depend on the student; four lessons do not promise a particular musical standard, exam readiness or an examination result.
An optional starting point
Find your next theory practice focus
Answer 8 quick questions to see which sampled theory topics may need attention. You can enquire about lessons directly, or explore the planned Decode Music product family.
Related lessons and resources
Use these links to continue exploring the most relevant next step.
School Western Music support
Get help with School Western Music topics, including reading notes, rhythm and theory. Prepare for term tests and work on the areas you find difficult.
Music composition lessons
Learn to write melodies, choose chords and organise your ideas into a piece of music. Start with small ideas and build from there.
FAQ
How does the group lesson fee lock work?
Can theory lessons support school term tests?
Yes. Current school topics can be addressed when needed while the broader foundation continues.
Can theory help piano and singing?
Yes. Rhythm, melody, harmony and form help performers make better musical decisions.
Do theory lessons guarantee exam results?
No. Hashini provides preparation support, but results depend on readiness, practice and the external exam process.
What happens during the first four lessons?
During early lessons, Hashini reviews the student's starting point, chooses suitable foundation work and a manageable learning focus, and gives clear practice tasks based on each lesson. After four lessons, she reviews the work with you and explains the next steps.
What if Hashini cancels a paid lesson?
If Hashini cancels a paid lesson, you receive a replacement lesson at a mutually suitable time or a credit for the cancelled lesson.
Ready to ask about lessons?
Share the student's age, current level, preferred format and the lesson type you are considering. Hashini will respond with the most suitable next step.
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