Teaching

I teach from a purpose built private studio in the rear garden at Trevor House in Leamingon Spa.

Piano Lessons in Leamington Spa from a highly experienced piano teacher

Lessons are on my Bechstein grand, fully restored and refurbished by Marcus Roberts in 2021. A fantastic instrument, arguably one of the best pianos of its size ever produced – with a deep rich tone and concert performance down-weight, it is a rewarding experience to play for all abilities.

What people want from music lessons is multi-faceted and diverse.  My methods are tried and tested, but the specific approaches are always informed by the individual.  So each student’s experience is tailored to suit their unique requirements both in terms of the music we explore, and the way we explore it, while following the principles of classical technique.  The aim is always to learn and broaden musical understanding within the context of technical development.

There is a large amount of technique to assimilate in order to play piano well – this can only happen with a clear “student-teacher team” focus on the short-term tasks in hand, and the longer term goals … so there’s hard work involved and I expect my students to practise regularly between lessons – that is where a student’s development really happens and understanding solidifies. I try to make sure we have a lot of fun exploring the rich tapestry of piano language along the way.

There’s more to playing the piano than just piano.  Music theory, musical appreciation and creativity are important strands to getting the most enjoyment and fulfilment out of one’s own experience.  My students become well-rounded musicians, with an understanding of the theory behind the notes.  Many gain the confidence to compose their own music.  Indeed two of my younger students won first prizes in recent international composition competitions (both now published globally).  See link below:

https://www.trinitycollege.com/news/viewarticle/young-composers-competition-piano-syllabus-2021-2023

“Michael has been a wonderful and encouraging teacher for our children. He is extremely knowledgable, positive and has a knack for getting the best out of young students.”

Martha P

Rapport

It is key to establish that strong student-teacher rapport early on, whether working with adults or children.  Early lessons are built around discovering and exploring together … that rapport becomes our platform for undertaking a musical journey together, hopefully inspiring imagination and firing ambition (and the desire to practise effectively) along the way.  By expanding my students’  musical horizons and understanding, ultimately I hope they will forge a lasting relationship with music-making and enjoy all the benefits and pleasures that it can bring to their wider lives.

“To his powerfully impressive pianistic skills and depth of musical understanding Michael brings a love of the piano and an enthusiasm which is infectious …”
 
Jan K

How young is too young?

I tend to recommend starting children off at around age 7 (unless they are particularly precocious – of course, it depends on the child). There are many good reasons to familiarise children younger than 7 with the piano, but they may not get the most out of a 30 minute lesson environment with me.  I have relationships with other teachers who are perhaps better placed to help with the youngest beginners, so if that is your child, do get in touch and I may be able to point you in the right direction.  Please note I am not currentl in a position to take on new beginner students.

 

What styles?

I teach all sorts of piano styles.  You or your children might be interested in a traditional approach to learning Classical piano, or how to improvise or play Jazz standards. Perhaps you’d like to be able to play and sing pop songs, or you might want to understand more about harmony and patterns in music, so you can write some of your own material (a very rewarding activity). Maybe you would like to work on passing some ABRSM graded exams.

Most students like a mix of some or all of those components.  Together we figure out a programme that gets the desired results, while discovering some new things along the way.  We’ll have a lot of fun doing it, and you’ll be surprised just how quickly you make progress.  There is a huge amount involved in learning to play well though, so be prepared for technical challenges along the way – and there will be some occasional frustration as you progress, and discover the relationship between your unconscious mind and your fingertips.

I provide a good depth of resources specific to each student to help them engage with strong practise routines and embed good practise habits.  In addition it will be necessary on occasion to buy some printed music or theory resources.

 

How much do music lessons cost?

Currently I charge £28.00 for a 30 minute lesson or £56.00 for 60 minutes.  These fees are due to increase from April 2026.  Please contact me to find out more.