The brand-spanking Music Institute (04 390 0786) in Knowledge Village offers one-on-one or group lessons in piano, guitar, violin, drums, flute and saxophone for Dhs130 an hour for individual lessons and Dhs80 an hour for group classes. There’s also a registration fee of Dhs50 and a rehearsal fee of Dhs30 per hour. Certificates are available with examinations taken through London’s Trinity and Royal Colleges.

Another college with ties to Trinity is the Karama-based Dubai Music School (04 396 4834). Headed by pop star Glen Perry, DMS offers a wide range of courses in a number of instruments. Students pay a registration fee of Dhs50 – which allows unlimited use of the school’s instruments and access to the library – plus monthly tuition fees of Dhs800 (piano), Dhs400 (drums, bass, violin), Dhs300 (jazz, rock guitar) or Dhs200 (organ) for two one-hour classes per week. The school also has its own recording studio and Glen himself will step behind the desk to produce his protégés’ demos.

Finally, if you want to sing like an angel but can’t carry a tune in a bucket, the super-nice Janet Hildebrand-Hassounah and her Dubai Vocal Studio (050 698 0773) may just be able to help. Offering one-on-one lessons at every level from professional to pathetic, Janet can whip your larynx into shape for Dhs200 per hour.