Many of us will remember learning an instrument as a child, bashing out scales on the piano or entertaining' our parents with our virtuoso renditions of Three Blind Mice on the recorder.

Traditionally music lessons are quite formal sessions, often geared towards taking exams, but one Barnet-based organisation, the Da Capa Foundation takes a different approach. Encouraging children to learn the basics of what it calls musicianship' and playing for fun, and not just exam results.

"Our organisation was born out of frustration really," explains Jane Cutler, joint founder and the musical director of the school. "At the time, I had no particular expertise in this area but I did know that what we had wasn't good enough it was a gut instinct."

When Jane and co-founder Michelle Groves started Da Capo 17 years ago, it was intended to be a Saturday school to teach children a more integrated method of learning music. Since then, the programme has grown, so, as well as their Saturday workshops, they are increasingly working in partnership with schools, encouraging children to learn the basics of music in a fun, relaxed environment before starting to play instruments.

On of the most interesting aspects of their work is the fact that they teach all ages, from babies to teenagers, adapting the material to suit the age and ability of the groups.

The Early Years classes for young children teach rhythm and tempo using special flash cards, getting them to understand time signatures by saying animal names sheep, lamb, lamb, sheep', for example.

The smaller children also use specially produced song books which use pictures and simple songs to introduce melody. Jane says: "All the songs have a small note range so the children can sing them in tune. They all have great subjects like burping, woodlice or pigs with fluffy slippers, which seem to be particularly popular with the parents. There is never any pressure and the kids learn it quite effortlessly."

Much of Da Capo's work focuses on encouraging the children to take responsibility for their own learning. There is no pressure to take exams and, although there is a concert every Saturday, children only have to take part if they feel comfortable. Jane says that, almost as a by-product, children end up learning useful life skills such as teamwork and listening skills as well as gaining in self confidence through their music.

This year, the Da Capo Foundation will be holding their first summer school where children will get the opportunity to try out lots of different instruments, play musical games and put together a concert at the end of the week. Jane says that many children have a natural tendency towards certain types of instruments so, by the end of the week the children have the best experience of learning music. "Although it isn't wrong to teach music the traditional way, Da Capo finds that children engage better and learn more skills from learning in a less results-driven environment. It's all about having fun and enjoying music.

For more information call Da Capo on 020 8450 1134