Elgin St Studio - Frequently Asked Questions

Fees for 2002
Casual rates $50 per hour/ $25 per half hour.
Rates per 10 week Term for Primary students $180: Secondary students $200: Adults $220.
These prices do not include teaching materials . These could include syllabus material or method books, a manuscript book, display folder, cassette tape etc. I will provide these at cost price as required.

Cancellation of lessons at late notice
If you cancel your lesson at late notice (on the same day your lesson is due) you are expected to pay for that lesson. If a convenient make up time is available I will give you that option.

Refunds?
If you discontinue with lessons in credit there will be no refund. You will have 6 months to complete any outstanding lessons.

How long are lessons ?
Most students are suited to a weekly 30 min lesson. Young children are often better suited to 20 min lessons. A longer lesson every two weeks may seem like a good idea, however it rarely works in practice, momentum is easily lost. Its also difficult to timetable.

Group Lessons ?
Group lessons (2 to 4 students) can work well. Family groups or siblings can find this a cost effective solution. As well as gaining performance experience students can benefit from shared solutions to common problems.

Teaching Method ?
There are many ways to play the piano. There are also many method books and the latest is not necessarily the best. In my opinion establishing an easy physical approach to the keyboard is essential, it can be easy ! I encourage students to make musical sounds and enjoy their practice. It doesn't matter how short the practice session is as long as something is learnt that can be built on at the next session. I aim to retain interest by presenting new music on a regular basis, while at the same time stressing the importance of finishing what has been started.
We are all equipped with different physical capabilities, different levels of aural and visual perception, and different tastes in music. Its my aim to devise a program that is fun, suits you capabilities and the amount of time you are able to practice.

Piano or Keyboard?
For learning tone production, the acoustic Piano is best. Digital pianos are a good alternative ( especially if you live in a flat and or need to practice quietly ) but not necessarily a cheaper one, acoustic instruments retain more resale value The small 5 octave electronic keyboards can be a starting place ( providing they have full size keys and are touch sensitive ) however Itﾕs been my experience that children find the array of buttons and sounds on these keyboards an irresistible distraction to actually making music.

Reading Music?
Itﾕs not necessary to read music in order to play the Piano. Children learn to make sounds and communicate before they read or write. Why do we expect young students to learn both at once ? Its enough for most beginners to learn how to control the fingers and co ordinate the hands without the additional burden of learning music notation. Of course a study of classical music is impossible without some reading skills, in Blues Piano its not important at all.

How much Practice time?
Regular practice is best. The key is to find a regular time (20 to 60 min a day 5 days a week is ideal for most students) and to conscientiously improve some aspect of your playing every time you practice. This of course is easier said than done, one has to learn how to practice. This means quality rather than quantity time. The learning curve is never straight and everyone experiences times of frustration and lack of progress.

Can I play Blues/Jazz Piano styles ? Can you teach me to improvise ?
I get many enquiries from students of all ages on this subject. In my opinion Blues/Jazz Piano styles can not be learnt out of a book. As a teenager I listened to lots of Blues/Jazz music without any idea I would ever be able to play, it fascinated me but seemed totally beyond me . However this listening unknowingly primed my ear and when I began to improvise (as a 19 year old ! ) I discovered I already knew something. Many times I've heard a student say they cannot improvise or play by ear yet the reality is they haven't absorbed the style by listening. There has to be a solid basis or framework for improvisation, both rhythmic and harmonic. Blues Piano in its many styles is an excellent starting place.

At what age should my child learn Piano?
The simple answer is when they are ready. Many parents feel pressure to give their children a head start in education whether its reading, arithmetic, sport or music. In my experience ( I have two young children ) they learn when they are ready. As a general observation I would say that girls are often more mature than boys at a young age and do have longer attention spans . In my opinion 7 is a good age to learn Piano.

Adult beginner?
The main difficulty adult beginners have is finding the time to practice regularly. Adults can have unrealistic expectations of what they can achieve, especially if they have already been successful in their profession. Older hands are less supple than young hands and this can be a problem, however determination and patience can overcome most difficulties.