PIANO TEACHER

My piano lessons fall into three sections. We start with warm ups, preferably scales and arpeggios to develop appropriate technique and control. We then focus on our pieces. If we are looking at ABRSM pieces we will usually look at two at a time. All pieces are broken down by taking small sections hands separately and then we try slow joins the following lesson. Sight-reading is very important for any musician and a small exercise will be included in every lesson. I also touch on improvisation and duetting depending on the student and their wishes.

I do try to encourage ABRSM exams, but am happy to just assist with the love of playing and working towards non exam goals. I have high expectations and expect regular practice. I have managed to get pupils from beginner through to grade 6 in four years. I have also managed to do a grade a term with one pupil, but this is more rare. It is far more important to enjoy playing and lessons and develop proper technique and musicality than to rush ahead.

I have a lot of piano music - everything from Bach and Chopin to the Real Books and Gershwin. I also play in lessons to model material and often record my self performing and an arial film of my hands to help students with practice at home. I run concerts for all of my pupils and hire a venue in Norwich. Most pupils like to perform and show off their talents to friends and family and I do encourage it. Lessons are informal but I do try to push a lot into lessons and often go over time to make sure students achieve their full potential.