Lesson Feesfrom $35.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
Erica Bramham is a crtically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist (voice, guitar, double bass, mandolin), songwriter and composer from Melbourne, Australia. Poetic, inventive and uniquely personal, her work crosses the boundaries between jazz, folk and experimental art music, showcasing her finesse as a lyricist and a captivating performance style that blends song with spoken word and extended vocal technique.
Erica has recorded two albums to date, Twelve Moons (2016) and Songs From A Midnight Room (2018). Both albums were released to four star reviews, with Twelve Moons named alongside David Bowie and Vijay Iyer as one of the top ten releases of 2016 on All About Jazz by British jazz critic Phil Barnes.
A prolific composer and songwriter, Bramham spent 2017 challenging herself to write a song a day as part of The Song-Chain Project. The project produced an impressive 180 songs, soundscapes, free improvisations, musical poems, nonsense, noise and other pieces of musical art. Since completing the project she has continued her explorations into creativity, regularly documenting her creative processes and sharing her thoughts and ideas through freelance writing.
Erica holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from Melbourne’s Victorian College of the Arts, where she majored in improvised voice, and performs professionally as a vocalist, guitarist and double bassist alongside her teaching practice.
"Working in a musical world where a fine mist obscures any lines between jazz, folk, improvisation and rock, [Bramham] writes songs that often feel like settings for poetry rather than lyrics" — John Shand, The Age / Sydney Morning Herald
"A daring songstress who takes no prisoners, as she sets to explore the (sometimes daunting, always confronting) nature of songwriting itself, completely baring her soul, flesh and bones in the process." — Nikos Fotakis, australianjazz.net
"Bramham and her band have made a fine record of forward looking modern vocal jazz that shows a way to make interesting, lyrically inventive improvised music—let’s just hope that the world is listening." — Phil Barnes, All About Jazz
Erica has been teaching music professionally since 2014, specialising in singing, guitar, ukulele, songwriting, lyric writing, music theory and improvisation. She loves teaching students of all levels and ages, and particularly enjoys working with students on their own original material. Many of her students come for beginner guitar or singing lessons and leave writing and performing their own songs.
Erica is particularly skilled at working with singers on music theory, songwriting and accompaniment skills in addition to vocal technique, as well as helping instrumentalists explore the art of lyric writing. Her lessons are guided by the student's level, interests and goals, and include a balanced mix of technique, theory, composition and performance skills.
Erica is also highly experienced at teaching children aged 5+, and takes a fun and creative approach that combines age-appropriate material with their favourite songs. She takes into account their learning style when designing lessons, with some children thriving on challenges such as working their way through lesson books, while other children prefer to learn the fundamentals of instrumental technique, reading music and music theory by learning to play their favourite songs.
Bachelor of Music (Jazz & Improvisation) Degree with Honours - The University of Melbourne, Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts | Current Australian Working with Children Check: 0535026A-01
Singing lessons cover vocal technique, performance skills, aural training, music theory, songwriting and improvisation appropriate to the student's level and interests. Erica takes a holistic approach to vocal technique that focuses on developing a healthy, natural and unique voice in her students.
Guitar/ukulele lessons cover a range of musical styles and are tailored to the student's musical interests and level, with a focus on good technique and a solid understanding of music theory. Students can learn for fun or work toward goals such as performances, exams and auditions or composing their own music.
Songwriting/composition lessons include music theory, lyric writing exercises, strategies for finding inspiration and overcoming writer's block, and preparing and arranging original music for recording or performance. Erica encourages all students to have a go at writing their own songs, regardless of their skill as a singer or instrumentalist, and welcomes absolute beginners as well as experienced songwriters.
Music theory lessons are taught in a practical way that is always related to the music students are working on. Erica combines practical exercises such as song analysis, composition and improvisation games with clear notes and theory quizzes, and can include sight reading and sight singing for students who are interested.
Singing, guitar, ukulele, songwriting and music theory can be taught standalone, or a custom lesson plan that combines two or more elements developed for the student.
Music lessons for children are fun and practical, taught through a mix of child-friendly learning materials and their favourite pop music. Children can specialise in an instrument such as guitar, ukulele or singing, or explore several at a time. Many of my young students are having fun learning about music by exploring a range of instruments, and are developing a great grounding for when they have decided what they would like to focus on.
Students will be required to purchase sheet music, text books, apps and other learning aids as recommended.