My Guiding Principles

At the core of my teaching is a set of Guiding Principles that I have developed over the years

1. Making music is at the heart of all lessons

2  Learning is placed within a structured and progressive framework

3  The development of pianistic skills is separated from the teaching of musical concepts

4  Every pupil is treated as unique and is given an individual and tailormade approach

5  A sense of exploration and discovery in pupils is developed

6  Lessons engage the imagination, energy and creativity of pupils and the teacher

7  I teach with honesty, commitment, integrity, professionalism and passion

8  I am committed to a process of ongoing professional development and personal music-making

(c) The Curious Piano Teachers 2015

Lessons that lead to learning

Piano lessons contain a whole mixture of things that need to be learnt.

For example, musical concepts such as rhythm, dynamics, structure, then there are pianistic skills including technique, use of the pedal, making the piano sing and so on.

There is a lot to learn which is why all pupils are encouraged to think about how they are learning, as much as what they are learning.

First Lessons

What first lessons sound like and look like

Lessons for beginners are full of songs, games and activities, many of these taking place away from the piano.

At the early stages of musical engagement it is important for concepts such as pulse, rhythm and pitch to be developed through holistic, bodily responses rather than the detailed and specific activities needed at the piano. For these reasons the piano is initially used as a musical resource rather than as the central experience.

As musical confidence grows the young learner explores how to create music at the keyboard, and will be able to discover the joy and wonder of connecting with the sound of the piano. 

This Beginner's stage can take some time, depending on the pupil, but whether it takes 12 months or 24 months when s/he is ready to move on to the Elementary stage it will be in full confidence that all the essential elements are in place.
   

Motivation comes as standard

Did you know that many young piano pupils stop lessons within a couple of years?

With the right repertoire and a well thought out approach to learning notation this is far less likely to happen.

Week-by-week motivation is supported by regular informal workshops, challenges and piano parties.

Messy Piano

Messy Piano' arose out of the awareness that the most effective learning is quite often unstructured and seldom proceeds in a straight line.

I have created (and continue to create) a series of  resources that are built around specific musical concepts and pianistic techniques.

These encourage a creative and imaginative approach to lessons and provide support for the exploration of new, engaging ways to teach and learn the piano. Ideas for playing by ear, improvising, choosing appropriate repertoire and inventive practice are included for every concept.