The Hoffman Method

We teach students of any age how to truly understand and appreciate music—creating confident musicians for life!

A Fun Way to Learn Music

The Hoffman Method is a rigorous and comprehensive music curriculum. The aim of the Hoffman Method is to create well-rounded musicians who not only play, but who truly comprehend music. Students who use the Hoffman Method develop a broad array of musical skills and a sense of empowerment in knowing they can express themselves creatively and meaningfully through the language of music. To achieve this, the Hoffman Method emphasizes the eight areas of learning: music theory, ear training, improvisation, sight reading, technique, solfege, composition and rhythm.

Solfège

Rhythm

Sight Reading

Improvisation

Ear Training

Music Theory

Composition

Technique

Components of The Hoffman Method

Solfège

Solfège is a music education method used to teach pitch and sight singing. The study of solfège enables the musician to audiate, or mentally hear, the pitches of a piece of music which he or she is seeing for the first time and then to sing them aloud. Solfège study also improves recognition of musical intervals (perfect fifths, minor sixths, etc.), and strengthens the understanding of music theory.

Components of The Hoffman Method

Rhythm

The foundation of music is rhythm. That’s why from the beginning Mr. Hoffman teaches the relationship between beat and rhythm as he guides students to recognize, identify, and write down the rhythmic patterns of the songs they learn. As they progress, students will learn to read, write, and even compose their own rhythms.

Components of The Hoffman Method

Sight Reading

With the Hoffman Method, students become well versed in both playing by ear and by sight. In a carefully sequenced, step-by-step progression, students learn all the intricacies of written music, including clefs, time signature, rhythmic notation, pitch notation, key signature, dynamics, articulations, and how to apply them, so that in time, the students will be able to sit down, open up any piece of music, and start jamming!

Components of The Hoffman Method

Improvisation

Learning to play other people’s music is great, but it’s only half the fun. Mr. Hoffman believes that musicians are not truly fluent in the language of music until they feel comfortable and confident creating their own music. Relax–it’s not as hard as it seems. It just takes a little practice and the assurance that when improvising there are no right or wrong notes. Just like a conversation, you play whatever you want to express!

Components of The Hoffman Method

Ear Training

Great musicians are great listeners. From the very first lesson, the Hoffman Method trains students to hear a melody, to identify its unique patterns (using a system called solfège), and finally to recreate it as music on the piano. Learning to play “by ear” develops the musical memory and improves the student’s appreciation and enjoyment of music. And, best of all, if students hear a song they love, they know they can play that song, any song, for themselves!

Components of The Hoffman Method

Music Theory

The Hoffman Method equips students to be able to understand music at a deep level. Music theory concepts, such as chords and meter, are taught in clear and creative ways throughout the method, and these same concepts are reinforced in the activity and learning pages found in the Complete Materials, which are available for instant download from our store. Mr. Hoffman is helping to change the old notion that music theory is boring as students realize what fun it can be when taught the right way.

Components of The Hoffman Method

Composition

Speaking and writing go hand in hand, which is why the Hoffman Method gives students the tools to compose their own music from the earliest levels. Students are empowered to create their own pieces after breaking down the building blocks of a piece: rhythm, melody, and harmony. Through writing their own music, every student enjoys a fun and creative way to reinforce important musical concepts such as music theory, reading, and dictation. Hoffman Academy aims to inspire each student to compose, no matter what stage of development they are at.

Components of The Hoffman Method

Technique

From the very beginning, students of the Hoffman Method learn the importance of good posture and hand position. They’re taught how to position the piano bench at the right height and distance from the keyboard, how to hold their body, arms, and hands, and how to shape their fingers and use their wrists for the most effective playing. Exercises to strengthen hands and fingers help students feel more comfortable at the keys now and prepare them for more challenging performance in the future.

What Our Students Say

“A well rounded program that helps students grow in so many ways. Our experience has played a big role in our child's continuing love for music, both creating, playing and performing music.”

Charlotte S.Parent of a Hoffman Academy Student

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