Piano and Violin lessons
I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. Albert Einstein
Piano and violin lessons. Please see Contact me page
30min lesson £19.50 45 min lesson £29.25
I can teach two students at the same time, playing piano or violin. Please note 30 min lesson will cost £9.75 for each student.
I have a DBS Enhanced certificate.
My statement
I believe music is for everyone regardless of ability , needs or objectives whether that is learning to play Happy Birthday for your Grand Mother’s special Birthday or achieving grade 8 in piano; or fulfilling a long- time dream of playing the violin but feeling never quite ready to take the first step; I will help you achieve those goals.
Reading music
Can’t read music? Don’t worry, many of my students regardless of age come to me with this concern. It really is not as difficult as it first seems. In violin music, you will learn to read music using treble clef. In piano music, there will be treble and bass clef. You will be amazed how quickly you will learn to read these!. You will also learn to play ‘by ear’, without using musical notation!
Music materials
I often write music for my students, as well as encourage them to compose their own. I am often preparing my own innovative materials for teaching, using a unique method of my own, where students learn fast and maximise their potential. My Musical Practice Diary is available to purchase. I have created a Violin Tutor book for the younger students.
My method
My teaching is based on a creative and individual approach to learning. I strive to make musical lessons fun and enjoyable while developing ‘deep’ learning, where students want to understand the knowledge given. I include a variety of methods in my teaching, including international techniques and methods.
Younger students
I teach children by playing musical and rhythmic games, including singing songs and rhymes while playing. I teach them to play ‘by ear’ and finding out how to play the tunes using their ‘musical ears’. All my pupils come up with their own music! My objective is for my students to enjoy the delights that music has to offer, to enjoy the journey of learning in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Adults
Did you always want to play a piano or violin but never had the time? This time is the right time; just do it. We will focus on learning what you would like to know and as much as possible in every lesson. You can learn to play for your own enjoyment or work towards passing exams. I can advise on the books you need or you can bring your own. We will be using ABRSM books for your exam preparation.
How music playing helps to develop our brain
I support new research which suggests that regularly playing an instrument such as piano or violin changes the shape and power of the brain and improves cognitive skills. Scientists tell us that there is growing evidence that musicians have structurally and functionally different brains compared with non-musicians - in particular, the areas of the brain used in processing and playing music. These parts of the brain that control motor skills, hearing, storing audio information and memory become larger and more active when a person learns how to play an instrument and can apparently improve day to day actions such as being alert, planning and emotional perception.
People who do activities that mentally stimulate the brain build up something called cognitive reserve. which is like a buffer against cognitive decline later on in life. While a lot of cognitive reserve is built during childhood and early adulthood, there are many ways (and music learning is one of them) people can bolster it now. Music playing is something that challenges our brain over the long run and it is something we really enjoy doing. It also allows us to be sociable- one of the key contributors to cognitive reserve.
Getting to grips with a challenging skill also improves our memory. Scientists have found that people who have learned a challenging skill were still showing benefits three years later!. (a study by University of Texas, Dallas) This is one more reason we should consider to play an instrument. Reading musical notation (as well as reading books) is a form of mentally challenging the brain. Therefore it can be said that music learning not only builds a cognitive reserve but supports the quality of life and helps one to become more confident and successful. It is never late to start!.