Piano Lessons in Birmingham

We have had two trips to local care homes this spring, one in March and one in late April. On the appointed Saturday afternoons, children accompanied by parents came to play in mini concerts, we were welcomed at both Homes with open arms.

The pupils played favourite tunes such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Bach’s Prelude in C and the Match of the Day theme tune. The latter was played at least 3 times on the request of one lovely resident who was a football enthusiast. Residents often sang or hummed along when the tune was recognisable.

The concerts were rounded off beautifully with drinks and goodies. It was lovely to see children amongst the residents and a big thank you to children and parents alike. Big thanks also to the Homes and the very helpful professionals who welcomed us so enthusiastically.

It would be lovely to organise more of these rewarding concerts next year.

Details will follow………………….

We had two small concerts here in the house, on the 25th November and December 2nd. Around ten pupils played in each concert. The piano was moved into our living room so that we could make room for performers and an audience. We managed to squeeze around 30 people in at one point, plus a few dogs and cats.

The range of experience was lovely in that there were some children aged 5/6 who had only been playing for a few months and then a full range of experience all the way to  those who had been learning for five years plus. It is really encouraging that so many are happy to play to an audience and give pleasure through their playing.

Both Adults and children played and the performances included lovely beginner ‘one handed’ tunes from the first teaching books, duets for adults, the theme from Match of the Day, Schumann’s Wild Horseman and Bach’s Prelude in C major to name just a few.

It was a short and delightful event with a good smattering of snacks as a reward afterwards and a general free for all on the piano to finish.

I look forward to similar concerts next Autumn term 🙂

The July concert was lovely as always, with trios, duets and solo piano pieces. It is always a high point of the year and it is rewarding  to hear the efforts of a term or so of practising. It is always good to have the target of playing in front of peers and families. It definitely adds focus to the term’s  work.

We also had the privilege of hearing a singer who sang to us whilst also playing the guitar.

The Concert programme covers were gorgeous. The theme was “animals and birds beginning with the letter P” . There were excellent peacocks, penguins, pelicans etc and some of my favourite……..puffins. I currently have 3 very different Puffin ornaments on top of the piano.

The practising of this Christmas term will be showcased for those wishing to play  in one or two smaller, soiree concerts in our house. All pupils are welcome to play in the concerts, adults and children. These will be over a couple of weekends at the end of November and beginning of December. We are now picking pieces that can be showcased in these concerts.

This new era of piano lessons……..for the pleasure of playing the piano………..will as always cater for adults and children (4yrs onwards) of all ages. Pupils can tailor their lesson schedules to their own journey.

There can be normal 1/2 hour lessons or the ever popular 1/4 hour length. Adults might want to spread their lessons out fortnightly, little pupils might want to have a couple of small lessons a week.

Progress and enjoyment to the satisfaction of all concerned is the most of important outcome, the structure of lessons should aid this progression.

Practising is very important, to build on the study undertaken in the lesson…….again it whatever format suits the pupil, but little and often is good place to start, so that a good routine of practising is set up.

This year’s concert will take place in the afternoon of Saturday July 1st 2017. It will be held in the ever lovely St Augustine’s church.

The pupils and I always look forward to the summer concert. All pupils who wish to play in the concert will perform one or two of their favourite pieces. I do encourage pupils to play whether they have just started learning or they have been learning for a number of years. We usually have both children and adults playing.

As well as the playing of lots of lovely piano pieces, highlights of the concert also include the lovely food provided by the pupils and the programme covers designed by pupils. Last years’ theme for design was Star Wars! I have not quite decided on the theme for this year yet.

For those starting an exciting musical journey on the piano, lessons will follow the normal tried,  tested and enjoyed course that I have always taught.

Beginners learn through the various series of excellent Pauline Hall piano tutor books and the “A Dozen A Day” exercise books.

Beginner piano players will be learning for 9 months to a number of years before they have the necessary skills and knowledge to take a first exam. When pupils reach this stage they have the choice of continuing to learn with me or transferring to another teacher to start an exam course.

If pupils decide to carry on learning with me, we will continue to learn through excellent materials and the sheer enjoyment of learning to play beautiful pieces on the piano.

The length of the lessons are fitted to the requirements of the pupil, and these can range through 15, 30 or 45 minutes.

For those who wish to take an exam at a future date, and who do not wish to go through the exam system cumulatively, we will keep an eye on where the pupil sits in relation  to the exam system. We will keep up to date their relevant exam skills so that they can transfer to an exam course at a later date.

After many years of teaching the piano I have decided to take a new approach to teaching you the piano.

These new and exciting times involve teaching the piano simply for the sheer joy of learning to play the piano and if desired, performing favourite pieces in a variety of concert environments.

This means that I will not be following exam courses with pupils, the aim of my teaching will be  for pupils to have a repertoire of beautiful pieces that they love playing. These pieces will increase in difficulty as time progresses and musical knowledge is accumulated.

The early months and years for beginners will be following the tried, tested and enjoyed course I have always taught. After the initial beginner stage, we will be using a variety of methods including some excellent exam materials to further progress. These methods include some scales, finger exercises, music theory, sightreading, aural, rhythm work and the lovely pieces themselves.

There will be a number of concert events during the year, which will be held in both a small setting such as here at my house and in our local lovely church.

For those pupils who are interested, we will always be aware of where a pupil is on the music grading system and since the grades are not cumulative, a pupil can always move to another teacher to prepare for an exam.

I believe that excellent learning can happen with great enjoyment when fun, inspiration and discipline are part of the teaching process.

The Concert date has now been set as July 12th at the unusual time of 3pm. The Church had a clash with an organ recital in the traditional 6pm slot, so we are trying the afternoon…………………which gives us a legitimate excuse for afternoon tea and cakes in the interval. The location is the lovely St Augustine’s Church is Edgbaston, located on a grassy island just off the Hagley Road.

We usually have about 30 adults and children playing, and all seem to thoroughly enjoy playing in a lovely church, to a very receptive audience and with the promise of good food during the interval.

The Summer theory exams will take place on June 14th and I am hoping the Piano exams will be during the week beginning July 14th, which also means that the Concert will be a good dress rehearsal for the exams themselves. There are up to 10 pupils doing exams this term, let’s hope that all preparation is completed in good time!

Finally, Good Luck to all those that are now going on study leave for their GCSE and A Level exams.

Teaching is fully up and running now, to such an extent that this week the exam entries go in for

AB Theory and Piano exams. There are 6 pupils doing exams this term.

Just thinking about the Concert date for the Summer, will probably go with June 28th or July 12th, the in between weekend this

year features the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire, which I wouldn’t miss for the world.

I do have a few slots at the beginning of this year, a couple on a Monday, one on a Thursday and a 15 minute

slot on Tuesday……….

Here’s looking forward to an exciting New Year full of music making!!