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As well as teaching at the NZSM (New Zealand School of Music) and Pinehurst School, I offer individual lessons to students who wish to develop their skills as a pianist and/or improvising musician. I am constantly searching for new ways to teach my subject, and after 7 years experience it’s hardly surprising to discover that both learning time and method varies significantly from person to person. I cater my lessons to the individual and adapt the subject matter to suit.
Jazz improvisation is as demanding, and requires just as much discipline as any other forms of music. I am experienced in helping highly competent pianists to “cross over” to the world of improvised music.
I use video tutorials and jazz backing tracks as teaching aids. Music is as important as any academic subject which is why I have really developed my teaching methods. Backing tracks are particularly useful to help develop the students listening skills, these skills are an essential part of playing jazz.
With regards to children, I encourage positive reinforcement, helping younger students overcome obstacles themselves. From early on I teach composition, chords and inversions, playing simple lead sheets, theory and of course, note reading. I try to keep my lessons fun, after all music is fun, and I don’t want to contribute to the number of people who recite piano teacher ‘horror’ stories!
