UK Piano Page Piano Forum

For a child with any natural talent and enthusiasm for music, GET A TEACHER NOW!! I am not just saying this because I teach the Piano, but also as a parent. Trying to teach your own children an instrument never really works that well - I know, I've been there! They will always make the effort to con...

Has anyone heard "the saying" for the flats? It goes......

"B E A do good continental flights"

Now that really does show my age!

I have been using the London College of Music Exams for my pre-grade 1 pupils. I find the preparatory, Step 1 and Step 2 exams excellent, and have had some good results from them. ABRSM only seem to do the pre-prep exam before Grade 1, and it only provides a report which children seem to find disapp...

I have been both an accompanist and a Conductor for a number of Choirs and Opera Groups, so can speak with experience from "both sides of the fence" so to speak! The main thing any Conductor is looking for from an accompanist is someone who can follow a beat! I have had some fantastic pian...

Whether you are just playing for fun or are more serious about playing the piano, I would really recommend that you find a teacher to help you. I have had many adult pupils who have started learning the piano from tutors on their own, and some have done really well with learning the basics. However,...

Thanks for all your useful comments. I have two pupils entered for the Spring LCM Step Exams, (one adult and a 7 year old). Both seemed to have enjoyed the preparation, so am hopeful they will do well and get something from the experience. I like the exam format very much, and like the variety of ma...

I know exactly how you feel. I have only been teaching on and off for about 5 years, but already find that after I have seen the last pupil out of the door, the last thing I want to do is start practicing myself! (Funnily enough, even more so after lessons with beginners that although musically are ...

I think you sound as if you are already on the right track with these children - it is just a case of encouragement and reward for every little nuance that eventually will appear. I agree with Markymark - involve the parents. I currently have a six year old boy having lessons with me, and like you, ...

Learning to play the Piano in your retirement is a great thing to do - although not sure as a Piano Teacher I could in all honesty say that the learning process will be as easy as driving an automatic car!! If this were the case, without all the blood sweat and tears, and very little effort and dedi...

Gill the Piano is right - there is no substitute for a Teacher - even if you are only learning for fun! It is so easy to get into really bad habits at the start that will prevent you from progressing to the kind of music you eventually would like to be able to play. As a Teacher I have had several s...

Just wondered if there were any Forum Members who had entered pupils for the London College of Music Preparatory or Steps Exams? I have always been involved with the Associated Board exams, but I have some youngsters who are not quite ready for Grade 1 yet, but are keen to do an exam. I know the AB ...

It is important to get a Teacher if you want to take exams to cover the other elements of the exam besides the pieces. You may think that you are able to play the pieces to a reasonable standard to get you through the exam, but believe me the other exam tests (scales, aural, sight reading ) will giv...

Many thanks Gill the Piano for your very helpful suggestions! Yes, I do have my piano tuned regularly (at least three times a year), and have already used a tuner in the area. I shall certainly pass on my details to him as you suggest. As you say, I just need a few "victims" to get going! ...

Hi I have recently moved to a new area and would like to start teaching the Piano again. I have registered my details on this site, but can anyone recommend any other sites that I should register with, or does anyone have any good ideas about how to start getting new pupils in a new area? (Good plac...