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In a quiet room, an inspired musician closes their eyes, dreaming of symphonies yet unwritten. Across the world, a seasoned maestro prepares to share a lifetime of knowledge, igniting sparks of inspiration through the digital air. Together, they embark on a transformative journey of sound and soul, where distance fades, leaving ever-evolving music and its endless possibilities.

Online Music Courses, Music Masterclasses & Accredited Improvisation Exams

Transform Your Musicianship with World-Class Musicians & Online Music Courses

We ensure that you or your students progress quickly, to a high standard.

We are the finest holistic music education online college for developing excellent musicianship.

Our teaching approach unlocks full potential, putting skills, music improvisation & creativity at the core.

Self-Study Courses with Musicianship at the Core

Unique curriculum: beginner to intermediate level courses.
Kodaly, solfege & Gordon techniques included.
Songs & topics to suit all

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Amazing self-study online masterclass courses.

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Pop Piano Exams for Modern Musicians

Play the pieces you love, how you want to.

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What others think

Why do Musicians Worldwide Choose The Maestro Online?

Student & Pro Musician Reviews

of our music learning categories

piano lessons online for beginners to
professional classical piano masterclasses,
pop, jazz and gospel piano,
pipe organ courses,
performance anxiety,
guitar,
drums,
singing,
ukulele,
blues harmonica,
choral conducting,
composition and orchestration,
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation),
Aural/Ear Training with Solfege and Kodaly for Adults
and many more music masterclasses.

Don’t just take our word for it, see what other musical learners have to say.

This is a very unique website, there is nothing else like it. It teaches pop and classical improvisation, with the focus on classical, although there are also some jazz lessons as well. There are some amazing teachers on there who are top in their field. In addition, they also teach ear training via Solfege which is really great. Also Robin the owner is always on hand should you have any questions, he is lovely and friendly, and always responds to emails straight away. What are you waiting for?!

“I love the graphics and the videos are awesome! There’s so much in it. All relevant, educational and really helpful. It’s like having 3 months of lessons in one course. I love it!”

“Robin’s online music tutorials are fantastic for both myself and my children. I would highly recommend these to anyone. Great value for money considering the brilliant content and expertise of Robin.”

This online platform is the complete polar opposite to my own learning experiences of learning to play the piano in the 90s. I was made to learn the 4 pieces and only the 4 pieces for grading purposes. I disliked the piano and certainly am unable to recall nor play anything pleasant 20 years later. However, this is very inspiring and with the availability of such resources, I am picking up learning to play the piano again using these materials, at my own pace (and convenience) without the need to travel.

Writing music is very isolating, especially if you obsessed with it. I often stop and reflect if what I am doing is any good, and if any one else shares the same struggles that I think every creative person puts themselves through. I always enjoy listening to those who've inspired me in my composing journey, and I found it with Patrick Cassidy's Course with the Maestro Online. I will continue to always fall back on the fundamentals. It was a complete joy to feel like I was part of Robin and Patrick's Conversation. I really liked the way each course asked if your composition achieved certain goals... It really helps you face your composition to see if it the music was true.

The Online Maestro provides a huge amount of not only educational, but very interesting videos made by/with very renowned musicians in the industry! Robin is also always on hand to lend a helping hand himself if there’s ever anything you get stuck with. As a music teacher myself, having little insights to some fabulous minds has been for sure my favourite part about this site!

“I feel like he makes it easy to learn because you keep doing new things, he shows you how in a way that's unique to both him and you because if that's how you learn best then that's how you're going to learn. There's no, 'This is how you do it, now repeat a million times' it just flows naturally and you learn how you want to.”

We have recently been introduced to his widely accredited 'Pop Piano Examination' syllabus alongside with its online toolkit. This is not only a breath of fresh air to learning to play the piano but also a way to achieve accreditation milestones. The pieces are very different compared to the established syllabus, and most importantly, we can relate to them, rather than a lot of classical pieces.

It's amazing how you explain improvisation which I thought is unlearnable. 🙂 Thank you!

“I can highly recommend these courses for all kinds of advancements in your musicianship and aural skills.”

Absolutely first-class. Very rarely have I found music tuition in theory and aural work to be so professionally executed, however the personal bond which is built between teacher and student is immense with The Maestro Online, something which is even rarer in music tuition. I would 100% recommend him to anyone who needs help with music theory or aural work, you absolutely will not regret it. Very well done to The Maestro Online!

“Just achieved more in a 30 minute organ lesson with Robin than I’ve achieved in the last 5 years of trying to teach myself. Why did I leave it so long to find a teacher?”

Dr Robin Harrison's passion to teach music has been very inspiring and his innovations to inspire learning are second to none! I cannot recommend him highly enough!

My daughter is working on pop piano exams currently and she enjoys using the online toolkit. The content, layout and the quality of the materials on the online portal are well thought of and it was very easily navigated, even by an 8 year old. The online toolkit provides the opportunity, inspiration and motivation to independent learning. She absolutely loves it and we noticed an improvement in the attitude towards learning. This is certainly a game changer for learning to play the piano, and we certainly hope that this will continue.

Three things make Robin an exception teacher who has taken me beyond 'playing the right notes in the right order: (1) He carefully observes my playing and gives detailed guidance on how I can improve. This results in even the simplest of pieces sounding beautiful. (2) He is incredibly knowledgeable, bringing the music and the composer to life with background details about the instruments of that period, the performing style, and the character of the composer. (3), Possibly most important of all, he is sympathetic.

When my playing has been rigid and tense, he has advice on how to relax; and when I'm feeling fed-up or disheartened, he's happy to divert to playing music which is light-hearted and fun. An inspirational teacher, whether you're preparing for major exams and performances, or you're an absolute beginner.

The lessons I had with The Maestro Online were brilliant! An experienced musician and amazing pedagogue, Robin was extremely helpful as I prepared for my organ and written exams. His methods are extensive and varied, and always helpful. I believe my work improved significantly under his teaching. The library courses I did with The Maestro Online were also extremely helpful. They were easy to navigate, easy to understand, and offered advice which was practical and able to be replicated. I would recommend The Maestro Online courses to musicians of all experience and abilities.

Robin came to give an organ recital for us this evening, it was brilliant, very much appreciated, and we are very grateful for his efforts! He’s an excellent musician with vision and drive that we could all use! He’s also taught our last two organ scholars at church, who have both gone on to cathedral scholarships! Well done, maestro!

Robin is an exceptional tutor and has really engaged my daughter in her piano playing. His tone and nature is really calm and kind and his patient approach really benefits her. He lets us record a weekly video to rehearse at home and is always at the end of an email if needed. Thank you!

I am very satisfied to have Robin as my organ keyboard teacher. I am a 77 year old and I have struggled to learn to play the organ on my own. I have learnt a lot in the last three weeks with Robin as my teacher. He quickly figured out my limited skill level and patiently start advancing my knowledge and skill. I am really blessed to have him as my teacher.

I have benefited significantly from Robin's teaching and from the course materials on "The Maestro Online" website. I have been preparing for various Diploma examinations and his support and guidance have been extremely valuable.

Robin has a wealth of knowledge and takes a holistic approach to his teaching, focusing on acting through song (Musical Theatre) and performance mindset, as well as technique. Highly recommend!

Wonderful teacher. Helping a student through (almost) two diploma level exams is no easy task, especially cross-continent, is no easy task but Robin has done it really well. Highly recommend.

I couldn’t recommend Robin at The Maestro Online any more highly! I booked a one-off singing lesson with Robin, as I needed some pointers on a specific song. I was a little dubious, as I was booking online, without any recommendation from any of my singer friends. Soon after booking, I received an email from Robin asking what I wanted to cover. I explained and sent the score to him. It became clear in our session that Robin had read the score and listened to the song that I wanted advice on for our session. Robin quickly put me at ease and understood what I was looking for from our session. Robin is clearly incredibly knowledgeable and very experienced in every aspect of musical performance.

A really passionate, knowledgable and amazing organ teacher. I thoroughly enjoy my organ lessons with him and I would recommend him to anybody! 🙂

I have had years of vocal training over the years, yet Robin was able to offer me advice, and techniques, that were new to me. Robin understood my voice, understood what I needed to do and explained it to me in a way that made perfect sense. I’d have no doubt to book future sessions with Robin. Quite frankly, with Robin’s expertise and experience, I can confidently say that his offerings are excellent value for money – I would happily pay more for Robin’s level of experience. Thank you!

For everyone’s information, the man behind The Maestro has been my harmony/improv/performance psychology mentor during challenging times in my career, and has brought me through sailing. If you want to experience self-assurance and joy in your musical life, he’s your go to. Thank you so much.

I wanted to express my deepest appreciation for the innovative pop piano song grading and exam system you have introduced. My daughter has embraced this new approach, and it has reignited her passion for playing the piano. Unlike traditional classical music, which she struggled to connect with, the pop songs are motivational and enjoyable for her. Your method has transformed her learning experience into something she genuinely looks forward to. It's been inspiring to see her enthusiasm grow as she explores music that resonates with her.

Before discovering this system, my daughter often felt frustrated with classical pieces. However, since you introduced the pop piano grading, her interest in playing has soared. She now practices with joy and determination, all thanks to your pioneering approach. Your website's toolkits have been incredibly helpful, providing modern resources for learning beats and scales. These tools are a refreshing change from the traditional metronome and scale playing methods, making her practice sessions both fun and effective. Thank you for your dedication to creating such a fantastic and inspiring program and website. You have made a significant impact on my daughter's musical journey, and we are grateful for your innovation and support.

The Maestro Online’s Pop Piano Examination is a truly exceptional accredited program. My child had done this recently and the experience was very much more enjoyable compared to her previous examination/grading with another established music board. I reckon that the expected standards at the different grades for both exam boards are pretty similar. One of the biggest advantages of this exam for my child is that pop songs are very much relevant and relatable compared to classical and traditional folk songs. She really enjoyed playing and singing the songs when preparing for the examination. There was less stress on her part and I could see her passion coming through. We subscribed the toolkit and that certainly helped her preparations and provided her with inspiration to come up with improvisations.

A Life in a Year #14 The Maestro Online Today I had my first lesson of 2022 with The Maestro Online (aka the excellent Robin Harrison). I've been having aural skills lessons via Zoom for a few months now. In that time, using an approach based on solfege, my singing, my musical knowledge and my appreciation of the organ repertoire I am working on have come on in leaps and bounds, and my confidence has increased tremendously.

the finest music learning resources on the web

What's in the Music Masterclasses Library?

Over 200 Celebrity Music Masterclasses
with World‑Class Performers

What’s the Best Way to Become an Excellent Musician?

Learn from:

Royal-awarded musicians (BEM, MBE, OBE),
Classical Conservatoire professors
Leading world-class performers
Musicians who’ve extensively toured with A-Listers such as Madonna, The Jacksons, Whitney Houston, James Morrison, Sammy Davis Jr and many more.

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Excellent, holistic pedagogy At the Core

What do we mean by "Music Pedagogy"?

Step-by-Step Pro Music Teaching Methods, Research Informed

Track progress, international expertise, ear training, pedagogy, improvisation & gamification.

Learn from experienced educators & performers.

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A Skills-Based Teaching Method by Global Pros

Masterclass clips

Course Dashboard

Track Progress, Incentives & Rewards

Monitoring progress

Click to play our interactive piano

Technology that adds Depth to Learning

Interactive score

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Piano Exams with You At the Core

What are our Pop Piano Exams all about?

EQF & Ofqual Accredited Qualifications Enabling you to Play Piano the Way You Want!

The Maestro Online is an accredited online music exam board specialising in improvisation-based assessment.

Classical equivalents (also including pop, gospel, boogie-woogie and commercial music now launched: Creativity Grades for Music Lovers

Pop Piano Exams

Pop, Jazz, Gospel, Boogie-Woogie and More

Creativity Grades for Music Lovers

Organ, Harpischord & Piano Exams including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Pop, Gospel, Jazz, Commercial Music

All Research Informed

Piano Exam Students

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Piano Exam Performance – Grade Debut Piano | The Maestro Online | Marry You Cover Debut

Supporting all music students, offering the best

How Do We Support Universities & Schools?

With Our Expert Resource Rich Music Educational Library

Educational Partnerships

Curriculum Integration & Creation

for Universities, Conservatoires, Hubs, Colleges & Schools

For:

Bulk enrollment,
Integration into curriculum
As a library resource for self-study or 1-1 learners
Partnership masterclass requests.

Allowing all students to access the highest quality international musicians.

Sharing excellence in education, enhancing self-study & class curriculum.

No clones: no two learners will sound the same. All learners will gain enhanced musicianship & polish.

Get Musical!

Time for a Creative Music Education

Make a Difference

Going to Continue as You Are? ✘

✘ Ongoing Music Course Disappointment? Not yet flourishing?

✘ Using an app, soared initially, then plateaued.

✘ Practising is a chore.

✘ You don’t quite have the ‘edge’.

✘ Everything is dry and theoretical.

✘ Mindless copying leads to robotic performances.

✘ Unsatisfying tutorial pieces not real songs, destroy motivation.

✘ You perform on your instrument and you can’t make it sparkle.

✘ Current exams don’t satisfy your emotional need.

✘ The dots that you see don’t connect with a sound in your mind.

✘ Sight-singing exams and no enjoyable, successful step-by-step course.

✘ Pop Vocalist finding runs, improv and embellishments difficult to achieve.

✘ No creativity, sparkle, personal interpretation, improvisation or embellishment.

✘ No skills development, so insignificant final polish or ‘buzz’ to your performances.

✘ Taking a Music Diploma but no structured aural training and musicianship courses.

Make Quality Music

Ready for
Musical Excellence?

✓ Become Your Best Musical Performer

You too could be playing alongside massive musical stars if you join these music classes online – learn in your home at a time to suit you!

Use Self‑Study Music Courses with Musicianship & Improvisation at the core.

Music Course FAQs

1. How is The Maestro Online different from other music learning apps?

Unlike “copy-cat” apps that rely on robotic templates, we focus on holistic musicianship, creativity, and improvisation. You don’t just learn to read sheet music; you learn to play by ear, understand harmony, and develop your own unique musical voice through expert-led pedagogy.

2. Is this only for beginners, or do you offer advanced training?

We cover the entire spectrum. While we have excellent paths for beginners, we are one of the few platforms that offers “polishing” at the highest level. Through our celebrity masterclasses and advanced musicianship training, we help experienced musicians and professionals refine their technique, improvisation, and artistry—skills that standard music apps simply don’t have the expertise to teach.

3. What instruments and skills can I learn?

Our extensive library includes comprehensive courses for piano, organ, singing, guitar, ukulele, harmonica and drums. Beyond instruments, we offer high-level masterclasses in song-writing, orchestration, conducting, transposition, improvisation and specialized pop piano exams, all focused on developing your creative edge.

4. Do you offer accredited music exams?

Yes! We provide fully accredited pop piano exams recognized by UK and European bodies. These exams focus on contemporary skills, improvisation, and performance, giving you a formal qualification that reflects modern, professional musicianship.

We have new holistic classical and EDI improvisation exams coming very soon.

5. Who teaches the masterclasses?

Our masterclasses feature world-class celebrity educators and international musicians who have worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. You get direct access to their professional “polishing” techniques and industry secrets right in your living room.

6. Can I use these courses to prepare for professional diplomas?

Yes. Our pedagogy is used by educators globally and is even published by Routledge. We provide the deep, technical, and creative training required for high-level diplomas and professional development. We don’t just teach you to play songs or pieces; we teach you the high-level musicianship needed for a professional standard.

Why Do Pro Musicians Trust The Maestro Online?

📚 ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP

Founded by Dr Robin Harrison (PhD, FRSA, NPQLTD)
Royal Northern College of Music alumnus
30+ years teaching experience

🎓 ACCREDITATION
Ofqual Accredited Improvisation Exams
RQF/EQF Levels 1-3
UCAS Points (Grades 6-8)
Pedagogy published by Routledge

⭐ FACULTY EXCELLENCE
31 pro & celebrity musicians including:
– Marcus Brown (Madonna, James Morrison, Tina Turner,,,)
– Mark Walker (The Jacksons, West Life, Will Young…)
– Bazil Meade MBE (LCGC Founder)
– Suzi Digby OBE (Choral Conductor)
– Richard Michael BEM (BBC Scotland, Jazz)
– Dr Ralph Allwood MBE (Eton, 26 years)
– János Pálúr (Liszt Ferenc Academy)
– Dr Jason Roberts (2008 AGO Winner)

🏆 RECOGNITION
Tees Tech 2023 Award Winner
4.9/5 Trustpilot Rating
UK Music Education Blog Award
Featured on the UK Music Education Blogs Top 100

🌍 SPECIALIST FOCUS
The UK’s only Ofqual-comparable
specialist improvisation exam pathway

💰 ACCESSIBLE PRICING
£29.99/month full library access
£29-£85 exam fees (45-55% cheaper than ABRSM/Trinity)
7-day £0 trial (cancel anytime)

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