Pianist, Accompanist and Piano Teacher


Frequently Asked Questions


  • Tuition
    Can anybody learn to play the piano?

    Yes, absolutely! I teach pupils of all ages and abilities from absolute beginners to advanced post-grade 8 pupils.

    Do I need a piano at home?

    Yes, otherwise you will not be able to make any meaningful progress.

    Will you travel to my house to teach?

    Yes, but you must have a reasonable instrument and there will be an additional cost to the tuition fee.

    Are you CRB cleared?

    Yes and I also teach within local schools.

    How do you set your fees?

    Fees are calculated based on a pupil receiving 36 lessons per year and take into account the lesson, lesson preparation time, resources, professional development, piano maintenance and tuning , and other business overheads.

    How do I pay for lessons?

    Lessons are either paid for on a direct debit scheme or are invoiced in half-term blocks and I accept payment by cash, credit / debit card, cheque or bank transfer.

    What if I or my child is unwell?

    I am not able to cover the costs of sickness so unfortunately that lesson will have to be missed. Please do not send a child for a lesson if they are unwell and off school due to illness.

    What if my child has injured their hand and cannot play?

    We will focus on other aspects of their musical education; music theory, practical musicianship, aural skills, music history etc. until they have recovered.

    Can a lesson be re-arranged if I am not able to keep to my lesson time?

    If significant notice (a minimum of 2 weeks) is given then I may be able to re-arrange the lesson. This is entirely discretionary on my part and will rely in part on your flexibility and ability to attend at short notice if I receive a cancellation.

    What if your term dates differ from my child's school?

    Notify me at the start of the term and we will work around it and the invoice altered accordingly.

    Is the cost of music included in the tuition fee?

    No, I usually source music for each child as this is more convenient for the parents and then invoice separately for it. You can source your own music if you prefer.

    Is the cost of exams included in the tuition fee?

    No, I will enter you for the exam as I am registered as the applicant but you will be invoiced for the cost of the exam. Exam fees are set by ABRSM and can be found here.

    Which is exam board do you use?

    I enter all exams through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

    Why don't you use other exam boards?

    Working with multiple exam boards increases the costs which would in turn have to be reflected in the tuition fee. ABRSM is internationally recognized, the certificates are released quickly and, in my experience the examination experience and exam marking is very consistent.

    Do you have insurance?

    Yes, as a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians I have cover liability and 3rd party damage cover up to £10million.

  • Accompaniment
    Can you provide accompaniment to any standard?

    Yes, Grade 1 to even the most difficult accompaniments like Rachmaninoff's cello sonata.

    I don't know the date of my exam, what should I do?

    Contact me as soon as you know you will need an accompanist and we will arrange a provisional booking. Confirm with me when the exam entry has been submitted and let me know of the "preferred week" on the application. (Your teacher will know this). Notify as soon as the exam date is available, this is usually at least 3 weeks prior to the exam.

    How do I pay?

    I will require a 25% non-returnable deposit at the time of booking, the balance will be due on the day of the performance. Payment is accepted via cash, cheque or bank-transfer.

    Will you accompany for festival classes?

    Yes.

  • Performance
    What type of piano is required?

    For public recitals, arts society recitals and concertos the instrument must be a grand piano of acceptable quality.

    For private functions any well-maintained and regularly tuned instrument will be acceptable. N. B. some works are not always possible on upright and electric pianos but I would discuss that with you at the time of the booking.

    Do you take requests on the day?

    It depends what it is! If I know it then yes, but "la campanella" requires a lot of preparation!

    I have a favourite piece I would like to hear, can you play it?

    With enough notice I can learn anything, however if you are looking for a work of extreme virtuosity at a wedding or function then this will be reflected in the fee.

    All of the performances on your website are classical, do you play other styles?

    Yes, I enjoy Jazz and also play my own arrangements of popular music. If I recorded them though it would be likely that I would need to pay for the rights to perform and record them as they are under copyright. Hence all videos on the website are of music where the composer has been deceased for over 70 years.

    What's the deal with copyright?

    Music becomes public domain 70 years after a composer's death. Until then fees are usually due to obtain the rights to perform or record the music. Some venues take care of that for us but sometimes we have to notify the Performing Rights Society ourselves and this must be done prior to the performance.

    Will you allow your performances to be recorded?

    Only if I am notified at the time of the booking and given full details of the purpose of the recording and how it will be shared.

    Can you record the performance for me?

    I can, I have good quality Rode NT5 microphones with NT45-O capsules that are excellent to capture a quality recording. Let me know early on in our conversations if this is something that you would like.


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