Piano

The desire to create music is a natural urge and for many the piano is an obvious choice of instrument. Capable of producing beautiful sounds, it fits across virtually all genres.

Producing delicate, single-note melody lines or rich, polyphonic textures, it can be enjoyed alone as a solo instrument, or socially in a group.

Playing the piano also develops good posture and manual dexterity - and combined with the theraputic, stress-relieving effects of producing music, this can lead to a general feeling of well-being.

Some researchers believe that children who learn piano excel generally in academic performance. And, certainly, for more advanced students, ABSRM grades 6, 7 and 8 can contribute to UCAS points.

MY TEACHING APPROACH
I typically teach children a half hour lesson each week and adults an hour lesson once a fortnight. Experience has shown that this provides a good balance of time during lessons to review progress and learn new material/techniques - and time between lessons for the student to practise!

For all ages, I like to keep lessons dynamic by introducing a few new things each lesson while maintaining a pace the student is comfortable with. I can and am happy to tailor lessons to each individual.

Where a student has a specific interest - eg popular classics, or music from films or musicals - I encourage them to bring their own books. Alternatively I can recommend material which I have found to develop good and thorough technique.

Often a combination of 'technique' books and more recreational repertoire proves most popular.

I teach on a Yamaha digital stage piano which, to even the most experienced player, feels and sounds virtually identical to an acoustic piano. There's no additional 'learning curve' for the student who wishes to perform on an acoustic piano.

In fact, many students have a digital instrument of their own and enjoy its benefits (never needs tuning, portability, 'silent' practise through headphones to name a few). I have excellent knowledge of digital instruments and can happily guide the novice to making a suitable purchase.