What You'll Learn

Early Music Improvisation: Galliard

This Early Music Improvisation Course is for…

Organists, pianists and harpsichordists who want some fun improvisation with simple harmonies.
Improvisers who want to show off and sound amazing, yet really it’s not that difficult (shhhh!).
Grade 5/6 through to diploma can learn and develop much from this improvisation course.
Composers, school music students (GCSE, A Level IBAC, and BTEC),
Undergraduate musicians and organ diploma students (CRCO, ARCO, AGO, RCCO, RCO).
Excellent for piano teachers looking to teach theory through fun, practical means.

What You Will Learn in this Early Music Improvisation Course?

You’ll learn from composers & sources such as William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, John Dowland, John White, The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, The Mulliner Book, and other significant Early Music sources such as diminutions suggested by Beven:

By the end, you’ll improvise in a show-off, exciting Renaissance, Early Music style with ease.

Your Maestro Teacher

Who is Magnus Williamson?

In this interview Magnus tells you all about his improvisation journey and love of Early Music.

Magnus Williamson began as an award winning organist and improviser and then became a leading academic and musician in the world of Early Music. He has been described to The Maestro Online by one of the greatest improvisers of our generation as “William Byrd reincarnated”. He is an award winning improviser known for his research, performance, and work as a keyboardist and improviser. His expertise covers music from the 14th to 17th centuries, particularly English church music from the Tudor period.

Magnus read music at Magdalen College, Oxford, gained is DPhil thesis and then become lecturer in music at Somerville College, Oxford. He is now Professor of Early Music at Newcastle University. He is an authority on music of late-medieval and early modern Europe, especially in the sources and contexts of early-Tudor polyphony. He has served as General Editor of the prestigious British Academy series, Early English Church Music and is now its Chairman. His 2010 facsimile edition of the Eton Choirbook earned the Claude Palisca Prize from the American Musicological Society. His expertise on the Eton Choirbook was crucial in its 2018 inscription on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. He has contributed to and advised on several recordings featuring early English church music. Through lectures, workshops, and concerts, he has worked to increase public understanding of Renaissance music.

What are Our Music Masterclasses Like?

Our music masterclass courses are self-study digital courses embedded with information, interactive music software (scores), exercises, objectives, tasks, teaching pedagogy and videos of celebrities and international level musicians explaining and demonstrating key skills. Certificates are awarded at the end of each course.

Our Platform: How do we teach and you learn?

🎵 Why Choose Our Music Learning Platform?

Unlock a rich, flexible, and inspiring music education experience designed for musicians of all levels. Whichever area of musical learning inspires you, our world-class performers offer it all.

A Quick Look at a Typical Masterclass Course

Sample Interactive Score

Course Dashboard with Progress and Points

Thorough Musicianship
Creativity, improvisation, and ear training are seamlessly integrated with popular, gospel, classical and jazz melodies to help you achieve true musical freedom.

Unique Learning Journey
Our tailored methodology emphasises improvisation and aural skills first, with notation used to support—not restrict—your creativity.

Certification
Courses include clear objectives, tasks, and fun quizzes that lead to downloadable certificates—perfect for motivation and recognition.

Gamification
Track your progress and climb the league tables by earning certificate points and logging in regularly.

️ Interactive Software
Our custom music software links visual notation with sound to enhance your creativity and understanding.

Celebrity Masterclasses
Learn from internationally acclaimed musicians and award-winning performers through high-quality video lessons and real-world demonstrations.

Expert Pedagogy
Each self-study course is structured with professional teaching principles, goal-setting, progress tracking, and step-by-step tasks.

Flexible Learning
Study from home, at your own pace. Affordable monthly fees and no need to travel—music learning that fits your lifestyle.

Human Touch
Get personalised support from our expert team and request custom courses tailored to your goals.

Personalised Experience
Receive bespoke course recommendations and guided learning plans based on your interests and skill level.

For All Levels
A wide range of self-study courses, celebrity masterclasses, and optional 1-1 lessons designed for adult and teenage musicians, university/conservatoire students, home schoolers, and music therapists.