Darcy Sweeney | Musician & Teacher

01 / About

Darcy Sweeney
Multi-Instrumentalist / Teacher

Highly active in Melbourne's vibrant music scene- I contribute to various bands/ensembles, facilitate improvised music spaces and jams, and have taught hundreds of students over the last decade. My work largely explores the intersection of composed structure and spontaneous interaction.

Start Lessons

02 / Work

Live & Studio

Upcoming Dates

Live

No upcoming dates scheduled. Check back soon.

Casual Interplay Jam Nights

Improv / 2025

a new wave of jam night where we welcome all musicians and non-musicians to participate and join us in the creation of the night’s music.

03 / Tuition

Guitar, Bass, Mandolin & Theory.

With over 10 years of experience, I offer personalized guitar, bass, and mandolin lessons to students of all ages and levels, from absolute beginners to advanced musicians. I also provide comprehensive music theory lessons applicable to any instrument, including piano, horns, and voice.

Beginner lessons focus on foundational techniques, learning songs and musical literacy. For experienced players, instruction may include technique refinement, exploration of improvisation and composition, recital/assessment prep, developing your ability to work with other musicians, you name it! My teaching approach emphasizes a balance of technical and creative skills.

Fundamentals

Playing Songs!
Technique & Theory
Sight Reading

Creative

Improvisation
Arrangement
Composition

FAQ

What styles of music do you teach?

I have experience teaching essentially every style of music, from pop, folk, rock, jazz, anything! For Mandolin specifically I teach Bluegrass, Irish/Celtic and Classical. I play and listen to a wide array of music, and I'm more than happy to cater to the specific genres that interest you most.

Where are lessons held?

I offer lessons at either my home in Pascoe Vale, online via Zoom or I can potentially come to you, depending on availability and distance.

How often should I take lessons?

Most students tend to benefit from weekly lessons, which provides consistent progress and regular feedback. However, we can discuss alternative schedules based on your availability and goals.

What will I learn in a "music theory lesson"?

In music theory lessons, we'll cover topics like scales, chords, harmony, rhythm, melody, form, and analysis. Understanding music theory will deepen your understanding of music, improve your playing and improvisational skills, help you learn songs faster, and even empower you to write your own music.