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What
do I
need to bring to lessons?
A notebook (3B1), a clear file and music. Flute and recorder
students bring their own instrument.
Where
do I
get music?
Any music can be bought from me. I hold a small amount of likely
purchases, but most is ordered specifically for the student. I seek out
the best value sources that can supply by the time the music is
needed.
What
will I
need at home?
Piano students will need a piano but, if electronic, with weighted
keys.
Flute and recorder students will need a
music stand. A metronome is useful, but only when beyond the
introductory grades. Is practice important?
Yes,
it is essential for good progress. To encourage regular practice, stars
are awarded each week. Prizes are given each term for the most
consistent practice.
How should I practice?
Set
aside the same time each day for careful accurate practice.
Mistakes practised are very hard to undo! Practice is not just
playing through a piece once. Tricky bars should be played over 3 to 5
times and the whole piece needs to be repeated at least three
times. The only short cuts to learning new pieces are to be able
to play scales and arpeggios well so always start your practice with
these. Being able to read the music is also important and
learning lots of new pieces helps this.
How much practice should be done?
A
minimum guideline is a beginning student should be playing for 5 to 10
minutes a day increasing to 15 minutes after 2 to 3 terms. For each
Grade, add another 5 min, eg Grade 1 - 20 min, Grade 2 - 25 min, Grade
3 - 30 min, Grade 4 - 35 min, Grade 5 - 40 min, Grade 6 - 45 min
etc. Try to play every day rather than one or two marathon
efforts per week. Obviously with more playing, progress will be
more rapid. Professional musicians will have accumulated 10,000 hours of practice.
How
long are
the lessons?
Lessons are usually 30 minutes long, once a week. Students at an advanced level have lessons
extending to as long as an hour.
Can
parents
stay through lessons?
Parents are encouraged to attend the first lesson. After that, they may
stay if they wish.
Do
parents
get a written report on progress?
Reports on the progress of school age students are issued at the end of
Term 1 and Term 3.
Do
students
play in concerts?
Yes, there are concerts, divided into Junior and Senior Concerts. At
the end of terms 1, 2 and 4, students play to each other at my home.
Parents and friends are invited by the students to the Annual Recitals
at the end of Term 3.
Do
students
have to sit exams?
No, but all students should have clearly defined goals to work towards.
I provide Achievement Certificates as an alternative to external exams.
They give a clear idea of where a student is in relation to Royal
Schools Grades.
When
can I
sit an exam?
Once a student is up to Grade 1 level, and they are prepared to work
consistently in preparation, they can be entered for an exam.
When
is
payment due?
Accounts are issued at the first lesson, and payment for the whole term
is required by lesson 3.
What
if I
miss a lesson?
Lessons missed with reasonable notice will be made up later that week
if a time is available.  How did the piano get into the studio?
Five large men and they did the top and legs separately.
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