Am I too old to learn to play the piano?

Absolutely not! Age is not a barrier to learning the piano. In fact, adults possess some advantages over children in learning to play a musical instrument: discipline, intellect, and sticking to it are a few of these advantages.

Am I too young to learn to play the piano?

Apparently Mozart was playing the keyboard at the age of three. Lang Lang started playing at the age of two! I have taught pupils as young as five.

Will I need to learn how to read music?

Yes, but don’t worry - I’ll help you! If you learn to read music, you’ll be able to play anything written by anyone. The ability to read music will make you a formidable musician.

Can I learn how to play by ear?

Yes, but you’ll need to learn basic note-reading first. I learned to play by ear as a teenager, so can definitely help you. There’s no better feeling than sitting down at a piano and impressing your friends by playing a song that’s just played on the radio (or whatever’s streaming from your smart speaker!).

Will I need a piano, or at least regular access to one?

Yes. You won’t improve unless you practice. Electronic keyboards can be used as a substitute, but they should have what is called “weighted touch”, i.e. the ability to play loud or soft depending on how hard the key is depressed.

What types of music do you teach? Will I be forced to learn classical music?

I can teach you to play whatever music you want (except jazz improvisation). I was classically trained, so that is always going to feature in my teaching, but only insofar as it helps you to play the music that you want to play.

Will I need to learn technical exercises, such as scales and arpeggios?

Only if you want to get better… Think of technical exercises as a sportperson going to the gym to train a specific muscle grouping.

Must I take graded music exams?

Not at all. But if you do want to take them, I have a specialist programme to help you. I’ve “been there, done that, and got the t-shirt” as far as exams are concerned. I know what’s required, and I’d be delighted to help you!

What about music festivals? Can you help me enter for these?

Of course, if playing in public is what you’d like to do. I love festivals, having been brought up playing in festivals as a child. I prefer the festival format to exams, because I think they allow pupils to access what I think of as the highest calling of a musician: to perform wonderful music in front of an audience.