My Ethos
One size doesn’t fit all.
Everyone has different learning types, abilities, interests and goals; I believe in teaching each individual in respect of these factors. I have experience in teaching students with Autism and ADHD, and use a range of learning/teaching methods such as games, drawing music on whiteboards and singing, to help students thoroughly understand and engage with various topics. I’m very patient, and don’t shout or become angry.
My aim is to ensure my students feel connected with what they’re learning and playing. I have a very broad and eclectic taste in Music, and welcome all musical tastes and aims – whether you’re into Classical, 90’s Dance, Justin Bieber or Death Metal, you won’t find me turn my nose up to anything – bring it on! I love helping my students connect on a deeper level with the music they love, and enjoy creating Piano arrangements for them.
Rounded Musicianship
So my students aren’t linear in their skills and musical knowledge, I believe in incorporating other approaches, styles, theory and technical skills fairly early on. As well as teaching student’s how to read music, I feel it’s important to introduce other approaches, such as learning how to understand/interpret chord symbols and to develop listening skills (eg; learning a piece of music by ear).
I encourage my students to compose songs, to get creative and put into practise what they’ve learnt. Being a Composer myself, I’m very much in my element and know the rewarding feeling of creating something that’s yours. Composing is heavily based around improvisation, which comes from a sound theory knowledge, comfortable finger dexterity and coordination.
Other elements I develop is performing student/teacher duets, and group performances (where possible).
Graded exams are a great way to show progression, but aren’t essential in becoming an established musician – grades aren’t for everyone! One size doesn’t fit all.
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The Piano is a great first instrument to learn, and gives a solid basis of knowledge in music, if in the future you wanted to learn others; I’m also a competent guitarist, bassist and a composer.
Other advantages to learning an instrument;
Music stimulates parts of the brain that are directly related to reading, maths and emotional development. Numerous studies show a clear correlation between higher academic achievement with those who are introduced to music tuition from a young age.
By stimulating different patterns of brain development, participation in music can improve ones learning ability, memory and coordination.
Patience and discipline; learning to play an instrument is not easy. As a result, learning how to deal with frustration is essential, along with the rewards of being patient and the joy of working hard to achieve goals.
With anything that challenges us, persistence, discipline and practise is key. It has to be made clear that there is no secret to becoming an accomplished musician, just determination and hard work. If you want to progress, you must be willing to dedicate time into practising. Just attending a lesson each week is simply not enough, a large portion of your progress comes from you.
Don’t have a Piano or Keyboard?
Like many of my beginner students do, it’s often wise to decide whether or not to invest in a Piano or Keyboard after a few lessons, when you are certain of your enthusiasm for learning how to play one.I can assist with picking a suitable Piano or Keyboard to meet the needs of a beginner, and can advise on various brands, models, specifications and where to purchase. Please see the links below to budget-range electric Pianos I recommend for beginners: