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
Explore
Discover the possibilities...
IMJMusic has helped realise the musical potential of hundreds of piano students across Swindon and beyond for over twenty years. From those just starting to find their musical feet to those perfecting their skills at diploma level, teaching here embraces a wide spectrum of ages, levels, and personalities, which keeps the work I do stimulating and rewarding.
But what is it that makes piano lessons here so enjoyable and rewarding for many students? I asked that very question to a range of students to discover what it was that they liked about their piano lessons. Here's what I discovered...
Quality grand piano in an air-conditioned studio
Teaching students on a quality German grand piano is just one aspect that distinguishes lessons here. With its rich and distinct sound, you will soon appreciate the fine materials and German craftsmanship that makes the Wilh. Steinberg IQ99 so good to play, inspiring students of every level to play to their very best.
The grand piano, housed in a 22ft air-conditioned studio, is an inviting place to perform thanks to its spacious setting and great acoustics. Two large Velux windows channel natural light into the room by day, and crisp-LED lighting by night makes for a pleasant environment to learn and play - whatever the time of day.
Effective teaching set-up
Alongside the main instrument is a Yamaha N1 Hybrid grand piano - perfect for demonstration and supporting students as they play. Having two pianos in the studio significantly improves the efficiency and effectiveness of learning which makes lessons more enjoyable.
To further connect the learning process, a live video link is available which allows the student and teacher to see each other's piano keys on a separate monitor positioned right next to them. This facility has helped improve teaching and allows the student to really appreciate how a different approach might transform their playing.
Encouraging and supportive at all levels
With over twenty years of teaching experience, and qualifications in performance, theory, and accompaniment, students can follow their musical aspirations with confidence, knowing that they are being guided by a professional, friendly, and supportive tutor.
From novice players taking their first steps to those working towards diplomas in performance and teaching, IMJMusic prides itself on offering tuition to a wide range of students; some of which are now practising teachers in the town and further afield.
Student workshops to develop confidence
Learning the piano can be quite a solitary activity, so finding opportunities to bring adult students together to meet and hear each other can prove particularly rewarding for pupil and teacher alike
Throughout the year, a series of informal workshops is arranged in the IMJMusic studio to help adults develop musicality and confidence in performance. Open to all, this provides a much-valued insight into piano playing and the wider repertoire. Many adults find this brings a new dimension to their learning.
Accredited exams here in the studio
Knowing how an instrument will sound and perform really does make all the difference when it comes to piano exams. And with so many students here at IMJMusic, regulated and accredited qualifications with London College of Music are held in the studio three times a year, and assessed by an independent visiting examiner.
From the very first grade through to professional diplomas in performance and teaching, IMJMusic students are able to take recognised exams in the comfort and familiar environment of the studio. Being able to use the same piano for their exam as they do their weekly lesson greatly improves confidence as students feel more relaxed and "at home" on exam day.
Exclusive listening area
Discover new pieces that will really motive and inspire practising in the exclusive listening area. From elegant Classical tunes to modern compositions, all carefully selected from over twenty years of teaching and performed by Ian M J Pickett MA BA LNCM ATCL DipLCM FISM
This library of over 400 recordings provides students with the opportunity to discover and listen to new pieces from the comfort of their home - way more than is ever possible to demonstrate in a lesson. And with a further 800 pieces listed on the IMJMusic Repertoire List, students will have plenty to explore and enjoy.
[Access limited to fee-paying students only]