Starting lessons:
To begin with we will arrange one initial lesson.  This gives us an opportunity to meet each other, discuss your musical aims and interests, and to see whether I can be of help to you.  If you can already play the piano, it's a good idea to bring along some music to play that you feel comfortable playing.  If you are a beginner, I will provide all the material you will need at the first lesson.  

Following the initial lesson you may choose to continue with lessons, and choose to either book a regular weekly lesson time or flexible lessons. 

Regular weekly lessons
If you choose a regular weekly lesson time then the next 4 lessons will be a ‘trial’ period, which gives us both an opportunity to see how the lessons go before making a longer-term commitment. If you would like to continue with a regular weekly lesson time after this period, I will retain this time for you each week and you will need to agree to book and pay for 36 lessons over the course of a calendar year.

Flexible lessons
If you choose flexible lessons then we will arrange the next lesson date and time at the end of each lesson.  This is the best option for students who think they would like fewer than 36 lessons per year, or whose lifestyle works better without a piano lesson at the same time each week.  Longer lessons are usually helpful for students who want to work in this way.

Attending lessons
Please arrive on time for your lesson so that all students can have their full scheduled lesson time without being distracted or interrupted. 

How you can get the most out of your lessons
You are welcome to bring a notebook if you want me to write down any notes to help you remember what/how to practise.

Listen to any many different recordings as possible, of your piece, and of great pianists.  Members of Manchester Public Libraries can listen to music and create personal playlists for free online via the Naxos Music Library.  Click here to login to the Naxos website with your library card details. Type MAN, followed by your library card number to login.

Record yourself occasionally when practising.  You are your own best teacher!

Keep your fingernails short and consider your posture.  Make sure that you are seated comfortably at the piano.  The Healthy Posture page shows you how important the height and position of the stool is.  I'm very keen on ensuing my students use good movement, essentially it makes your playing feel easier and sound better. 

Make time to practise regularly.  This is your time to consolidate what we do in the lessons.  It's best if the piano is in a room away from noisy distractions.  Research shows that the optimum amount of time between practice sessions is 24 hours.

Be patient with yourself.  Give yourself the time to learn things and don't get too frustrated if these skills aren't learnt as fast as a 7 year old child; that expectation is unrealistic. Your advantage is the maturity to focus well on the task at hand and really to understand the musical language of the piece you are playing. Hence, chances are you will enjoy it more, even if your technique is slower to develop.