Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum age to be able to start learning piano?

The minimum age I will teach is 5/6 years old, depending on how large their hands are. If the child can place all separate fingers on one hand on five consecutive notes on the piano, we’re in business! Usually children start around 7 years old when they have better self-awareness and concentration.

We don’t have a keyboard instrument at home, is it worth trying lessons before we commit to buying an instrument?

No, it is not. A child will quickly become discouraged and disheartened since they won’t make any progress and will not be able to do the tasks set. It would be similar to learning how to drive, but without a car.

I refuse to take on students who do not have a decent instrument at home. An instrument is not a toy, it is a means to express oneself, which is an art to be respected.

Your instrument needs to be accessible in your home at all times to encourage frequent practice. Music making can often be spontaneous!

Acoustic piano or electric? Is there a difference?

Without going into too much depth (I could write a book on the subject!) there is a colossal difference between playing an acoustic upright or grand piano, and an electrical keyboard or digital piano. True musical sensitivity and expression of playing will only be attained by practising on an acoustic instrument.

I always recommend buying an acoustic piano. If you are concerned about noise – find a piano with a ‘practice pedal’ that muffles the hammer hitting the strings, so a very quiet and muted sound is heard.

If you are considering buying an electric keyboard, having the standard 88 keys and touch sensitivity are the bare minimum requirements for a beginner. The keyboard should be placed on a stand with an adjustable piano stool to sit on. If a child is the beginner, the stool can be altered in height as the child grows. A firm chair without armrests is acceptable, as long as it is neither too high nor too low.

There are more advanced digital pianos that attempt to imitate acoustic pianos, but these are much more expensive. The only real advantage to such pianos is volume control and the option of headphones.

I want to help my child learn the notes – is putting stickers on the keys a good idea?

My advice is to not use stickers. It inhibits the learning and identification of the keyboard patterns.

How much should I/my child practise between lessons?

Ideally a little every day – little and often is the best approach to begin with. Even only 10 minutes a day can make a large difference. Cramming just before a lesson does not aid true progress and development.

Do you teach grades?

Yes. I enter students who wish to take ABRSM or Trinity Board Grades. I have a pass rate of 100%, with 95% achieving Merit or Distinction.

However, I discourage taking consecutive grades or working exclusively towards grades because exam preparation is extremely time consuming. I believe this time is better spent on learning more repertoire, improvising, and improving technique, not just playing three pieces and a handful of scales to pass an exam.

How long does it take get to Grade 1 exam standard?

Every student is different and works at their own pace, but usually between 2 to 4 years.

Do you have to take grades to learn piano well?

No. I teach all necessary skills of technique, playing repertoire, improvisation, theory and how to sight read regardless of the student’s wish to take grades or not. In fact grades miss out some of these skills!

How often do lessons take place?

Lessons take place on a weekly basis and follow the academic calendar with half terms, summer holidays and winter breaks factored in. Weekly lessons is the minimum for beginner to upper-intermediate students. Only advanced levels might have lessons fortnightly or as a one-off masterclass.

When I learned abroad lessons were twice a week!