What you learn
In our online and in-person piano lessons, you learn - Classical, Theory, Aural, Jazz, Improvising, ABRSM Exams ( 100% success rate ) and more. I teach using a wide ranging approach, aiming to inspire and bring out the best musician in you! There are different genres and style of music we can cover in lessons, taught in easy steps. Reading / writing or playing music by ear. Most students do a mix of all these.
Here is a selection of my own methods I have devised to make learning piano little easier for my students!
Mystified by music notation?
Beginners.
Crystal clear basic essential Classical training to get you started. Unique methods to demystify music. From zero to playing tunes hands together and more. Also useful for more experienced players with gaps in their knowledge. The sky is the limit from here!Still making the same mistakes?
Efficient Practice
Are you wasting practice time trying to get a piece to sound good, but continue to go round in circles never improving? Learn productive practice using my revolutionary step by step method developed over many years that makes practicing efficient and easy. One of the most important skills you need to play piano well.Clumsy weak fingers?
Good technique
Poor technique limits how and what you can play. It puts a ceiling on how far you can progress. Learn specific exercises written by me to get your fingers, hands and wrists in shape. The more you develop strength, speed, agility and crisp rhythms, the more control you gain to improve your playing ability.Can’t get the Rhythm?
3-Way –Count
How to count correctly and read rhythm from easy to complex beats; Involves quick mind and body co-ordination. Well worth the effort to learn this unique method as music has no life force or structure without accurate rhythms.Connecting the theory dots..
Useful theory
Simplified yet in depth work on scales – construction and type. Intervals. Keys- stages of understanding the cycle of 5ths. Music theory can be complex and hard to find succinct instruction. This boils down often confusing theory into simple steps which can be related to playing piano too.Your own creation
Improvisation and Jazz
Straight forward ways to start learning how to improvise and feel your way into easy jazz by ear. Simple bass lines. 12 Bar Blues. Learn chord theory and rhythmic patterns to play song accompaniments. We can add simple song writing into the mix too. Let’s get creative. It’s easy once you know the right steps to take.ABRSM Exams
If you choose to do them, exams can be very useful for motivation, achievement and will re-vitalize your musicianship. I have a 100% ABRSM exam success rate over my 30 years of teaching. This has given me laser sharp insights into what the ABRSM examiners are looking for so I can help boost your playing level, interpretation ability and all round exam performance.
Exam timing is important. Working out when to take your ABRSM exam is essential. Too little time to practice and the exam may not go well. Too much and there could be a danger of giving a stale performance. We aim for enough time to feel comfortable in the run up to your exam, rather than being stressed. Rather like an Olympic athlete, aiming for peak performance!
Understanding the finer details of performing your pieces is great fun. Your playing becomes more animated and exciting to listen to and play.
The sweet smell of success
My student Steph who is in her 60’s and felt she was not very musical said ‘I never imagined I could achieve ABRSM grade 1 with a distinction!” She has now passed her grade 4 piano and still going strong!!
Get CREATIVE!
I would have loved to learn improvisation when I was taught Classical piano as a child. It was like watching magic when I saw someone play without music and I couldn’t understand how they did it! This memory made me very keen to balance out the – still very essential – Classical foundations with teaching my students easy ways to improvise. Even my most hesitant students have ended up loving trying out new things at the piano. Your creativity may surprise you!
