Expectations | Slough Piano Teacher

Expectations and Learning

I am extremely disciplined regarding lessons and expect my pupils and their parents to be the same at all times. I am not like any other Private Music Teacher as I really have a passion for my pupils to learn and be the best at what they can achieve. If you do not study you will be warned and I will terminate your lessons. I do not wish to take on bad apples. Making mistakes is fine.

Many times my lessons are motivational rather than pure music. Not everyone will achieve Distinction and that is ok - As long as YOU know that YOU have put 100% into learning with me.

You will be expected to already own a keyboard or piano before you commence lessons.

Non-Graded Music Study; 45 mins per day. (Younger children 6-7 yrs 30 mins per day)

Grade 1: 45 mins - 1 hr study per day. (Younger Children 45 mins per day)

Grade 2: 1hr - 1hr 15.mins study per day

Grade 3: 1 hr 15 mins - 1 hr 30 mins per day

Grade 4: 1 hr 30 mins - 1 hr 45 mins per day

Grade 5: 1 hr 30 mins - 2 hrs per day

Graded Exams and Expectations

I have a well-thought-out testing method of teaching Graded Music Exams and will discuss this with you.Each student will be rigorously tested 4-6 times before their examinations. They will be expected to achieve 125-130 in my tests. Students who fall into the pass category will NOT be put forward for any examination.This is to protect the integrity of my teaching and that of my business. It will also allow the parents to see how far their child has developed and to allow me to make a decision to book or not to book exams.

Standard Teaching Protocol - based on Months - average 6- 9 months per exam. This is standard practice although some students can take up to 12 months. Each student is different so please be aware some students just won't learn if they are pushed too hard.

ABRSM Exam structure has changed as well as the Graded Scale Books.

Trinity Exams: All students will be given the option to move to Trinity Exams.

Grades - there are 8 Grades in Music - for all instruments.

Many people stop learning at either Grade 3 or Grade 5. There are many reasons for this and mostly it is due to schoolwork or they just do not wish to take on the workload associated with learning Grade 5 Theory.

Personally, I would be delighted if all my students achieved Grade 5 and I'm happy to say most of them do.I have only had minimal dropout levels and that was due to school exams or going to University. I do try and push my students to complete Grade 5 as a minimum. Those wishing to pursue past Grade 5 will have to put in a lot of hard work.

Learning for Fun

Many parents have the wrong idea about learning the piano or any musical instrument. The examination grades are only there to give you, your child/learner an idea as to how you have developed by taking an examination.

There are plenty of people around the world that are fantastic musicians that have never undertaken a musical examination.( In the USA this is very common). So if you are looking to learn in a fun way without the exams then PLEASE do let me know as this will be a fantastic journey for you. You will still need to learn the basics but you will skip the Grades and learn so many different pieces such as Pop, Film, Classical, Light Jazz.

You can always learn Graded Music at any time.

For classical graded students you will only start this Fun part after Grade 3. As after Grade 3 I put a hold on examinations so that you WILL learn other fun music or it will all have been a waste of time and money.

ADHD/ADD - Music Therapy

Children and adults that have ADHD/ADD may have an advantage in music or find that it can help then focus on study. Not all Children/Adults are the same and many children that have ADD may not be able to concentrate long enough on lessons. This will depend on the degree of ADD.

1) Level 1 High Function Autism - Needs support

2) Level 2 Autism - Repetitive behaviour - Needs substantial support/ lacks concentration

3) Level 3 Severe Autism - Needs Very substantial support/ repetitive behaviours/ serious lack of concentration

School Exams

When my pupils are studying for their school exams I have to take on board that they are very important. I will discuss how we can work through this period and normally during this time we will work on stress-free pieces. This means that you will continue to practice but not on a daily basis or reduced practice and not under exam pressure. So please relax. We can still work exam pieces or non-exam but one thing - DO NOT STOP LESSONS as there is a very good chance that within 6 weeks you will probably NOT be able to play anywhere as good as you thought you could.

Facts about pausing or stopping Piano. For students Graded 1-3

4 week paused/ Stopped - your understanding and capacity to play pieces could drop by 25% - 30%

6 week paused/ Stopped - your capacity to understand and play will have diminished by up to 40%

2 months - Paused/ Stopped - your capacity to play music will have dropped to between 40% - 50%

3months - Paused /Stopped - your understanding of how to read and play will have dropped by 60%

6 month - Pause/ Stopped - non-playing pieces - Capacity to play previous pieces dropped to 80% - 95% - This affects all Grades.

For students that take a 2 month stop to study school exams the chances of them restarting music is dropped by at least 50%.

So if you have invested in 2- 3 yrs of payments towards a teacher you will not only have lost the investment of your child's studies but your time and money. So wise word - Don't give up learning piano as continuing to study whist school exams are on has proven that music can actually help with stress and concentration.

If you do decide to stop - your current time slot will be offered to another pupil. Sadly I can't keep spaces open for students that wish to stop on a temporary basis. I run a business and many people are looking for slots.

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Please also note, one does not need to complete music exams to become a Pianist. You can still have lessons if you just wish to learn for fun only.

I will also cover Theory Exams but only after Grade 3 practical examinations or if you wish earlier please let me know.

Those that do not study will be given a Strike. 3 strikes and then I have to inform the student/parent that lessons will be terminated. Some of my best students have been given strikes and although they don't like it they understand why. I really do want them to be good musicians and it is in place for their benefit.

I wish to keep my reputation as a Music Teacher to the highest standards and do not wish to have any rotten eggs in my basket. There are plenty of teachers happy to have the rotten eggs - it is an easy payment for them.

Those students unwilling to learn or take advice will have their lessons terminated and there will be no refund as per Terms and Conditions.

There are many teachers available to teach and will do so mostly for money rather than for education. Make no mistake my reputation is worth more to me than payment from a lazy student. It is also the responsibility of the parents to make sure that their child is learning at home.

Remember it should also be fun and I offer singing lessons to complement your Piano/Keyboard.

Learn for the right reason and think of how many friends you can make just by being able to play the piano.

Singing Lessons for Musical Theatre Exam

SINGING LESSONS

Fortunately, the world is heavily saturated with excellent voice teachers to guide your child’s musical education; however, with so many options, it becomes more difficult to decipher which of these teachers will fit the best. While much of the teacher/ student relationship’s success relies on communication and compatibility, I would begin the search by inquiring about the potential teacher’s specific goals for each of his or her singing students. Below, to help direct your teacher inquiry, I’ve listed a few of the long-term goals that any potential student should expect to achieve when enrolling in singing lessons for kids:

Healthy, comfortable singing posture
An understanding of breath control
A healthy, sustainable singing technique, including:
- A thorough understanding of both the low and high vocal registers (chest and head voice)
An understanding of solfege syllables (or their numerical equivalent)
Proper diction with an emphasis on vowel pronunciation
An ability to read music
Basic ear training skills, such as the ability to aurally identify basic musical intervals and rhythms
Exposure to multiple genres and styles of vocal music
Practice in memorization and song preparation for performance
Performance experience (such as recitals, showcases, talent shows, etc.)

One last note before beginning your search for your child’s next voice teacher—singing lessons will undeniably benefit any potential student in several unexpected, wonderful ways. These lessons should be treated, first and foremost, as a source of joy and nourishment for the imagination, not as training to become the next singing sensation. Singing lessons for kids doesn’t just offer an education in music; these lessons will help the singer access his or her own vulnerability beyond any other standard educational platform, empowering the singer to create on a regular basis and build a sense of confidence that will add value to all aspects of his or her life.

Book Your Session

Lessons will last between 30 mins and 45 min sessions. Once the student has managed to understand the basics of breathing and voice control the lesson time can be extended to 1 hr.

Charges for Singing lessons are as follows:

30 Minute Session - £20.00

45 Minute Session - £30.00

1 Hour Session - £35.00

You will learn correct breathing exercises and relaxation methods.

Scales Vocal Training

Scales Piano Training

Microphone

Mouth Muscle

Relaxation - Older students

Creativity of own Songs

Reading notes

Musical Theatre Exams - Grades 1-3