Who can learn? 

 

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In short - anybody. ( as long as you can devote some regular time in each week to practice )

 

I believe in two main aspects for success.   The first is a happy, humorous and fun / relaxed environment full of motivational material, and the second is mastering the absolute fundamentals and skillsets for being a great pianist.

 

A nice positive atmosphere helps to relax you and this allows you to get the most out of the lesson.    Your brain learns and works so much better when it isn't in a stressed state, and is relaxed.  

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*  Please Note - I usually take students from the age of 7 years and older.  *

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My Philosophy / Teaching Strategy 

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Fun, Humour, Laughter, Relaxed, Methodical, Thorough and Highly Dedicated.

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Despite me trying everything I could as a child to cheat it to get quick results, believe me there are no shortcuts that pay off in any way in the long term!  I've learnt this the hard way so you don't have to.

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The tuition you receive will be fully tailored and personal to you. As a student,  you are making a substantial financial and time investment, and putting your trust in my teaching.  I do not take that lightly.    Unlike a lot of video tutorials or apps (and also a lot of inexperienced teachers out there )   I am proud to be able to use my highly advanced training, qualifications and 35+ years worth of experience to give you all the tools and skills you need to progress.  This is done in a sequential and progressive method so that there are no gaps in knowledge or technique, or bad habits that have to be reworked in the future ( which can be extremely challenging and frustrating and no one wants to be faced with this )  Reassuringly, I have numerous practice and learning techniques that will help to prevent this. 

 

Over the 20 years of teaching,  I have had many people come to me after hitting a plateau / brick wall with either self taught methods, apps or other teachers that lack the knowledge and teaching experience to help them.  They very often say 'I have practiced this bit for ages but it hasn't got any better'....This immediately sparks off my  attention (and passion) to focus on how  they are practicing rather than how long for, etc ...   Many teachers teach what is correct / incorrect and instruct what to work on but not everyone actually teaches how  to practice it efficiently and overcome musical and technical challenges to make great progress.  Often students say they have a 'light bulb' moment or feel 'elated' after my lessons, and that they finally have the techniques and stepping stones shown to them so that they can see that they will achieve what they have been unable to achieve up until now.   That said,  very often there are no quick / easy fixes for any musical instrument practice, particularly the piano,   but the techniques I teach, when done daily and consistently will provide amazing results in end.   

 

You will learn the pieces you want to learn too, as part of your musical journey in addition to the fantastic  'skill builder' pieces that I set. I can extract technically difficult sections of any style of music, and use them creatively as exercises to improve in that area.  

 

I will provide you with a firm grasp of the musical language whilst having lots of humour and laugher and fun along the way.   You will have the option to take graded exams and also learn extensive music theory if you wish.  

 

Below are a few highlights of what I can offer you.....

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Classical Style Tuition 

Graded Examinations (ABRSM or Trinity) 

Music Theory

Tonal Colour

Phrasing / Shaping / Musicality

Rhythm and Counting Training

Musical Interpretation

Performance Skills / Performance Anxiety 

Sight Reading / Note recognition Skills

Technical competence

Improvisation

Orchestrating, layering and texturizing / enhancing modern music and songs,  ( making the piano sound like a full orchestra rather than just a few basic chords )

Accompaniment

Following a conductor/Working in ensembles

Conducting or Musical Direction

Practise techniques and the philosophy of piano, music, how to practice etc

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In addition to classical piano I also teach other styles of music, such as Musical Theatre, Pop, Ragtime, Rhythm & Blues / Rock 'n Roll solo's and more.

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​Qualifications / Experience

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I have been playing since the age of 4, ( formal lessons started around 5 years old ) and a professional theatre and choir accompanist when I was around the age of 13.  I have been teaching for over 20 years and have a variety of experience in different areas of the music industry.  It equates to roughly over 20,000 hours of playing.

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I am a member of the Incorporated Society for Musicians and I am one of their registered private piano teachers on their database.  It is a powerful union  that is set up to look after musicians, teachers but also students and parents so you can have total peace of mind. If you want more information about it, please visit their website www.ism.org    I also have the annually updated CRB / DBS too. 

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In addition to this I have all ABRSM practical exam grades including Grade 8 Distinction, and also Triple Distinction in BTEC National Diploma in Music.  I have gained the specialist piano teaching qualification; the Associated Board Diploma in Instrumental Teaching (DipABRSM).  I also graduated in 2014 with a BMus (Hons) Degree from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. 

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Lessons can be arranged to suit your financial and time needs, weekly, fortnightly or even monthly if you want.  

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There are videos of my students and myself on my YouTube channel.   

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BOOK YOUR FREE INTRO HERE

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Photos of my teaching venue are below

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