Teaching

The conventional approach

Imagine you wanted to learn French. You go to a teacher and in the first lesson they teach you how to pronounce the letters. In the second lesson they give you a French nursery rhyme to read out, and eventually you can recite poems by Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Rimbaud, etc. without knowing how to ask the way to the nearest train station.

That is how music is usually taught.

You're taught how to read music first, and then are then given progressively more difficult pieces to learn without knowing why they sound the way they do. The result is that you might be able to play a few party pieces but if someone sings you a simple melody you can't play it back to them.

My approach

Music is a language. Jazz musicians are fluent in music. A good jazz pianist listens to what his saxophonist is playing, works out what the notes are, composes a response in his head, and then plays it in real time. That's what it means to speak music, but it isn't limited to jazz.

So, here's how my lessons work: you email me a list of the 15 or more songs/tracks/pieces you're most crazy about and I'll tailor a course for you that teaches you how to play them. You won't need to buy the sheet music for them as I'll transcribe them by ear and arrange them according to your ability (beginners very welcome!).

After each lesson I'll record videos showing you what to practice and email you lesson notes containing links to the videos on YouTube. In time I'll introduce sight reading, music theory, playing by ear and transposing, but always using music you love so that you develop the sound you want.

Please remember that research suggests that to get to a professional level of piano playing takes about 10,000 hours of practice, so even if you practice for 1 hour a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year - which would be pretty good going - it would still take you 10,000 ÷ (5 x 50) = 40 years. So it will take you several years of hard work just to get to a good amateur level - anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you in order to get your money.

However, the teaching techniques I've developed will help you progress faster than via the conventional route, and so long as you're enjoying each step of the way time won't be an issue.

Booking lessons

I teach at my flat in Notting Hill, 2 minutes' walk from Ladbroke Grove tube station, but also do home visits at extra cost.

My rates are £30 per hour lesson, which includes preparation time plus recording videos and writing up lesson notes afterwards.

Before booking you in you will need to:

• Email me your list of the 15 or more songs/tracks/pieces you would most like to learn
• Own or have regular access to a keyboard or piano
• Confirm that you have read and agree to my cancellation policy

Feel free to read my testimonials, and before asking a question please check to see if it's answered in the FAQ's.

I look forward to meeting you!