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I offer keyboard tuition at all levels to students of all ages. I require
three things of all my pupils: a love of music, regular attendance at lessons
and above all a willingness to spend time at the keyboard developing their
musical potential. I believe that musicianship is the skill that complements
all others and know from experience that those who invest in its perfection
gain immense dividends in all other areas of their lives.
I can attest just how enriching musical activity can be.
The requisite skills of the successful pianist are such that, once acquired, they
translate in to so many other areas of endeavour. I felt a huge benefits in my
academic life as a student of Modern Languages, not to mention the additional
bonus in my awareness of stylistic trends in art history. In later life, I know
that I enjoy an enthusiasm and confidence in business affairs that I have
learned in concert experience. Above all, my musicianship has
been a constant source of satisfaction and happiness. It has brought me many wonderful friends and a wife too!
If I
have any single ambition with my students, it is simply that they learn to
enjoy musicianship as I have done. That means plenty of hard work - as all
committed musicians, I have given many hours to my discipline - but this hard
work should always be welcome. Indeed, I can think of no greater achievement as
a teacher than to give a student such enthusiasm for playing the piano that
practice ceases to be that half hour of hassle that gets in the way of the
telly and instead becomes an essential part of daily life.
I am proud to have been taught by some of the finest musicians of my
generation and it is my responsibility to try to pass on their great wisdom to my
pupils. On the one hand, I am strict and will not tolerate sloppiness of
technique or preparation; on the other, I am quite happy to experiment with new
repertoire or the development of associated musical skills. I have had many
pupils who have wanted to explore composition, ensemble musicianship or even just
musical appreciation as a listener. Whilst I believe solemnly that a student
has the most to learn from the great composers such as Bach, Mozart, Haydn,
Beethoven, Debussy, Chopin etc, I am always willing to explore a student's own
musical tastes however different they may appear to be. Great lessons can be
drawn from the most unlikely pieces - all that matters is that the music is
studied and performed with a serious respect.
I work within or without the constraints of the Graded Examinations of the
Associated Board. I believe that they offer an excellent structure for musical
development provided they are approached with pragmatism. Ultimately all that
matters is that a pianist has a technical mastery of the instrument and a
musical assurance with its repertoire. Whether this is demonstrated in an
examination is beside the point. You can expect me to work on all areas of musical discipline: full keyboard repertoire, technical exercise, sight-reading, aural perception, theory and anaylsis.
Come to me for lessons if you love music and if you want to be challenged
and encouraged to achieve more with your enthusiasm. Don't please come to me if
you think that playing the piano is something that stops for homework,
holidays, going to the pub, watching the television etc. (For the record - I
have been on lots of great holidays, I did just fine at school and university,
never missed out on the pub and adore the television, cinema, computer
games...BUT I always found time for music.) |
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