All lessons are taken once a week at a fixed pre-arranged time.

If the student does want to make good progress, there should be enough time during the piano lesson to cover both the theory and all the components of learning to play the piano.

A young piano beginner (up to 5 years of age) will need a 45 minutes lesson per week. Slightly older beginners and all other pupils up to piano grade 4 level will need a one hour lesson per week. From piano grade 5 level the lessons are usually an hour and 15 minutes per week. From piano grade 6 standard onwards, the lessons are an hour and a half per week.

During the piano lesson, I cover practical piano with all its component parts (pieces, technical development work, sight reading, aural training and scales) so that all these areas constantly progress at the same pace. It is important to study theory at the same pace as the practical playing of the piano progresses, not only to understand the music that is being played, but also to ensure that Grade 5 theory, which is a pre-requisite for entry to Grade 6, 7 and 8 piano exams, is done as a matter of course and well in time.

Adult beginners have one-hour lessons from the beginning as more work is covered during each lesson. Adult beginners also do theory as part of their lessons from the start so that they get a good understanding of the music they learn to play. Adults may decide to do exams or just play for the enjoyment of it. Whatever the goal, learning to play an instrument is a wonderful hobby and keeps those brain synapses working. You’re never too old to learn to play an instrument.

The music school does not follow the academic school terms. The music school remains open and lessons continue as normal throughout the year except for a few short breaks around some public holidays which students are advised about well in advance.
If pupils cancel a lesson during the academic school term time for whatever reason, they will still have to pay for the missed lesson. However, if I get at least one week’s notice of a cancellation I try and arrange a catch-up lesson, although this is not always possible. If a lesson is cancelled during the academic school holidays, the missed lesson does not have to be paid for on condition that I have been given at least one week’s notice that the lesson will be missed. If I’m not given prior warning that the lesson will be missed I will be keeping that slot available for the pupil and I won’t be able to use it for another pupil instead. So please be sure to inform me of planned holidays so that paying for lessons not received can be avoided and catch-up lessons can be arranged. If the music school cancels a lesson no fee will be charged.

To maintain constant progress, a break in lessons of more than 4 weeks should ideally be avoided. Students of the Music School For All are encouraged to aim to miss as few lessons as possible.