Piano & Music Theory Tuition
I have over a decade of professional experience as a piano tutor, both as a private tutor and teaching small groups and individuals at the popular Keech School of Music in Hull.
Students can choose from a range of subject-specialisms as listed below. You can change your subject-specialism at any point, or you may wish to alternate between different styles for variety. Regardless of the path you choose, all beginners will recieve a balanced, well-rounded programme covering all the essentials, after which point you can choose the route that best suits your needs.
Subject Specialisms
- Beginners Programme
- ABRSM Piano Syllabus
- ABRSM Piano Diploma Syllabus
- ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus
- Jazz Piano
- Popular Piano & Accompaniment Styles
- ABRSM Music Theory Syllabus
- Specialist Services
All lessons are offered at the hourly rate of £22*. More detailed description of each specialism below...
Beginners Programme
All beginner students benefit from a varied programme focussing on a range of essential skills. When you reach the end of the programme you can choose your own route for further study from the options shown on this page. Some of the basic skills covered include:
- Keyboard geography (finding your way around the keyboard)
- The elements of Music (pitch, beats, rhythm and basic theory)
- An introduction to staff notation (learning how to read music)
- Performing with both hands (hand co-ordination and independence)
- Scales, arpeggios and chords (the building blocks of music theory)
- Expressive performance (how to develop creativity in performance)
ABRSM Piano Syllabus (grades 1-8)
Highly recommended, both for its content (a wide-ranging syllabus that covers a range of skills including set-pieces, aural skills, sight reading and scales), design and reputation. The ABRSM is perhaps the best known international exam board and even offers students the chance to gain UCAS points.
ABRSM Piano Diploma Syllabus
For advanced pianists, those studying at degree level or above, or simply those wishing to take their skills to the next level, the various dimploma-level exams provided by the Associated Board enable students to choose from a large and diverse repertoire covering the masterpieces of piano literature. For the cost of a single exam you can recieve letters after your name!
ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus (grades 1-5)
This is a fantastic syllabus and highly recommended. It is designed to introduce students to the basics of jazz piano who have little or no experience of improvisation or jazz theory. Similar in design to the regular ABRSM practical exams, this ensures that a variety of skills are covered, from jazz scales to aural tests and quick-study pieces to improve and test your 'on-the-spot' improvisational ability. As an added bonus, the grade 5 jazz piano exam can now be taken as an alternative to grade 5 theory in order to progress to grade 6 in the practical exams.
Jazz Piano
For those who would like to study jazz piano without being tied down to an exam syllabus, this programme is the perfect choice. Lessons cover all the basic skills from scales, chords and the basics of improvisation through to advanced skills such as reharmonisation, chord extensions and structuring a solo. Pupils put their newly-honed skills to the test with some of the world's most treasured jazz standards.
Popular Piano and Accompaniment Styles
This is a tailor-made programme designed for students who are perhaps not looking to take exams, but who express an interest in one or more of the following areas:
- learning to play by ear
- improvising in popular styles
- reading from chord charts
- creating professional accompaniments for singers
- performing popular songs / songs from the shows
ABRSM Theory Syllabus
The theory syllabus provides students with the essential theoretical knowledge needed to reinforce and complement the practical skills gained through studying performance, aural and technical studies. Highly recommended as an addition to any of the subject-specialisms outlined above. Theory classes can be taken as seperate lessons, where pupils benefit from one-to-one tuition dedicated entirely to theory topics, or alternatively as part of regular lessons, where 10 or 15 minutes of theory time can be incorporated into the lesson format. Grade 5 theory (or equivalent) is essential in order to progress to grade 6 and above in the practical exams.
Specialist Services
In addition, for those pupils who would like to brush up on specific skills, either in relation to an exam syllabus, a college or university course or other subject area, I can offer a variety of further specialisms, a sample of which is shown below:
- aural skills
- sight reading
- scales, arpeggios & studies
- harmony & chords
- the art of practicing the piano
- technique
- advanced interpretation
- improvisation
- music analysis
- performance analysis
- advanced music theory
- proof-reading (for essays or projects)
- creating a repertoire
- piano accompaniment
- writing programme notes
Charter
To the best of my ability I will aim to:
- provide a high standard of professional tuition that addresses the needs, interests and learning styles of the individual, embracing equality, diversity and variety of content
- provide pupils with the knowledge and skills required to practice successfully at home
- treat all pupils respectfully and courteously
- provide or identify suitable resources in order to facilitate learning
- identify key-areas for weekly practice
- provide regular and honest appraisal of progress
- enter students for exams (where requested) after suitable progress is made and to ensure that all aspects of the syllabus are covered
- encourage students to participate in local festivals and informal concerts whenever possible
*prices correct at time of writing 01/11/10
