Friendly patient Grade 8 pianist teaching beginners and improvers.

Every student is different, so I start by getting to know you. In our first lesson, I’ll ask about your goals, the music you enjoy and how much time you have to practise, then hear you play or try a few simple exercises. This lets me plan lessons around you rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Each lesson has a clear but flexible structure. We begin with a short warm-up of scales or finger exercises to build control and good habits, then spend most of the lesson on your pieces, working in small, manageable sections. We finish with the skills that hold everything together: reading music, rhythm, listening and a little theory. For beginners, the focus is on strong foundations: posture, hand position and recognising notes on the page and keyboard. I introduce rhythm through clapping, counting and simple duets, and I want beginners playing music they recognise from the first weeks, because that sense of achievement keeps people motivated. For students with a year or two of experience, we take the next step through more challenging pieces, refined technique, sight-reading and more expressive playing. Having worked through every Trinity grade from 1 to 8 myself, I know where students tend to get stuck and how to help them through it. If exams are a goal, I’ll guide you through pieces, scales, aural tests and sight-reading so you feel ready on the day. If you play for pleasure, we can focus entirely on the music you enjoy. Each week you’ll get a short, realistic practice plan, and I’ll adjust it as you progress. I’m patient, encouraging and honest, and I adapt my explanations to each learner, using games for younger students and more detail on technique with adults. Mistakes are a normal part of learning, and I want every student to feel comfortable trying things out. I teach online or in person. For online lessons, I’ll help you set up a laptop or tablet so I can see your hands and the keyboard. My aim is for every student to leave each lesson more confident than when they arrived.