A recent TV programme posed the now-familiar question: Will AI take my job? As a musician and teacher, I watched with interest. After all, if an algorithm can teach scales, demonstrate pieces, and respond instantly to questions, where does that leave the humble piano lesson? But perhaps that’s the wrong way to look at it. […]
It’s a month until Christmas Eve, and already some of my pupils have Christmas music in mind! This is always a good time time to bring fresh excitement into children’s piano lessons. Christmas music is familiar, joyful, and naturally motivating, which provides a good opportunity for me to sneak in some work on building essential
I teach using a structured framework for progress without any requirement to take exams. However, some students find exams motivating, others want formal recognition of their playing standard, and in some cases they are an option within GCSE and A-level music. I frequently help students prepare for exams, and all have passed with good marks,
I’m writing this during my annual visit to the Chetham’s International Piano Summer School in Manchester. It’s one of the highlights of my musical calendar, and this year has been no exception. Chetham’s is always a special place for pianists in August. The school is buzzing with music from morning until late at night. With
The summer holidays are here, and for many of us music lessons become less frequent or take a short pause. I somertimes used to take a portable keyboard away with me, and I’ve even chosen holiday cottages equipped with their own piano — but in truth, they rarely got used. Realistically it may be that
I’m often asked about the best frequency for piano lessons: weekly, fortnightly, or ad-hoc. Naturally, the answer depends on each student’s circumstances, motivation, experience, and stage of learning. For example, some advanced students only need occasional lessons as they have already developed core skills, built up an effective practice regime, and acquired a level of
Benefits of Learning with a Teacher Sometimes it can be daunting to start learning the piano. Some people start by copying or rote-learning using resources available on line, but this doesn’t help develop the “super-skills” needed to become an accomplished and self-sufficient musician. A good teacher will help to get their students improvising and playing
Introduction How should I practise the piano? For how long? How often? How much time on scales and exercises? These are just some of the questions which have generated years of research, many volumes of literature and a huge variety of opinions based on actual experience. Music practice is a complex subject in common with