Piano Teaching
Discover a world of great music...
With so many piano composers and styles to choose from, students are encouraged to explore the repertoire as widely but always to select music that interests them. This approach helps sustain each student's musical interest but inspires the development of new skills and techniques along the way leading to great musical accomplishment.
Working with such a wide range of students at different ages and levels is both rewarding and invaluable: to appreciate how students learn and develop across a much wider plane and the challenges faced at advanced levels provides perspective and understanding, and help shape the learning programmes of those just starting out.
Establishing the basics
Taking your first steps as a beginner may be daunting but with a carefully-selected programme of attractive and enticing pieces, and supportive exercises to develop your technique, you will soon have the basis of a musical foundation on which to build.
We will start by learning how to sit at the piano and the importance of adopting a good hand position. After a few simple warm-up exercises to get some mobility in the fingers, we will learn our first piece together. This will be shown to you without the music, initially, to help you develop a better aural sense of the music and to make your first piece more accessible.
You will, of course, still be taught how to read music: a vital skill that gives pupils the confidence to discover new music independently; however, approaching a new piece without the music helps new students actually play something meaningful at their first lesson without being overwhelmed with reading and playing simultaneously.
To develop rhythmic awareness and listening skills further, a number of duets intended for beginners will be introduced. But, please don't worry about this: many beginners find the playing of duets really enjoyable and are surprised by just how good the ensemble sounds! Having worked with many beginners, rest assured, we will find the one that is right for you.
Piano Accompaniment
Completing the ensemble...
IMJMusic
piano | theory | accompaniment
Est. 2000
Piano Accompaniment
Completing the ensemble
A musically responsive and friendly accompanist will help capture the spirit of the music and support the soloist every step of the way. With subtle attention to the detail and by working hard to achieve a good balance, an accompanist is more than just somebody who plays in the background: they can really make or break the whole performance.
If you're looking for an accompanist or, perhaps, you're looking to develop your own skills as an accompanist, get in touch to see how I can help.
Supporting the soloist
Alongside my teaching activities I also work as an accompanist and enjoy helping soloists perfect their performances for a concert or examination. Through a series of rehearsals, each soloist will develop confidence by working through their programme and to tackle any problems methodically with their accompanist. Spending sufficient time working with any soloist is essential to their success: understanding how they play or sing and what they want to do stylistically are important aspects that simply cannot be left to the performance day.
Having accompanied many grade and diploma candidates I find it particularly rewarding exploring the wider repertoire and crafting a performance towards an important occasion. With a diploma in piano accompaniment, should you need an accompanist please contact me to discuss the items you would like to perform and we can discuss a convenient time to meet.
Learn to become an effective accompanist
Accompanying at the piano is a very different skill to performing solo and will challenge a much wider range of musicianship skills. Learn to become an effective accompanist and accompany your own students at their exams.
If you're looking to develop your accompaniment skills - perhaps the piano is your second instrument - and want some professional advice on how to achieve this, lessons can be arrange to work with your soloist in my teaching studio.
You may be thinking about working towards a qualification at grade or diploma level in piano accompaniment. These useful qualifications will enhance your musicality and give you confidence. Full details regarding the range of options available on request.
“Ian has a great gift and is completely in touch with how to support the singer. He is a joy and I would thoroughly recommend him. Ian will complement you brilliantly.”
Jemma Barnes
Director
The Invitation Theatre Company