FAQ

• Lessons happen in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. Some weekday mornings may be available.
• Music lessons are for 30mins or 60mins or 90 mins. If you would like more eg 3 x 30mins pw, simply ask me and we will endeavour to find time for you.  Extra lessons can be highly beneficial to ‘supervise’ practise and progress so much more quickly.
• Your specific time is allocated for you only.
• If you are unable to attend at this time, let me know as soon as possible and I will accommodate you if there is space in my calendar

• My students learn how to play the piano in a way where they use it to express themselves and improve the quality of their life, as well as to play with accurate technique. Playing the piano is a great medium for expressing feelings and over time this can become a worthy part of your personal support system. Music reaches where no words can! Given that the majority of people learning the piano dont want to become a Concert pianist or soloist, my approach is to encourage a practical heartfelt soulful method of self-expression. The piano can be a retreat from the world (including corporate or business life), coming home to your senses, a personal meditative spiritual practice, or even a way to bring listening pleasure to loved ones. It is a truly special gift to be able to reach deeply inside someones heart and give the joy of music, your music!
• Creativity Training is part of the work. Instead of teaching music theory in a rather dry manner, I give you projects to complete where the theory is inherently learned. The processes and strategies learned and the mental-emotional spiritual effect along the way are valuable for your working life. This is different from how you learn in school
• I specialise in and pride myself in weekly Individual Undivided Attention of the highest quality

• Your practise routine is something you gradually build. Over time it can become your anchor and your hot air balloon!
• Amount of practise needed is determined by a number of things
• Practise in small focussed amounts often. Allow your brain & body to assimilate. It’s the repetition that is the most powerful
• Each time you practise you are creating and maintaining or strengthening neural pathways
• Be aware of what is moving your practise forward, or is it embedding mistakes?
• As your skill grows, mostly the amount of practise needed to maintain it does too
• Practise regularly, your feeling of self-esteem & confidence will grow as well as your skill at your instrument
• I recommend you prepare for your lessons to maximise your time with me
• There is a difference between a healthy parental guidance attitude to overseeing practise and an unhealthy purgatory of the practise room. If I can see the student really doesn’t want to be playing music, I will speak about it with you. Development of their character and their ability to stick with things is part of the benefit of learning to play an instrument. We all need to learn for ourselves, the difference between the tedium that sets in on a long sometimes difficult project learning to play an instrument IS a marathon run and when we really don’t want to be doing something and it’s time to move on.  As adults, we know the IMMENSE satisfaction when we achieve something that’s been hard. Children are learning that.
• You may be interested to read my short 6 Part blog series on practise. How To Achieve Your Musical Dream
• Making musical friends is a great way to foster your child’s musical growth. It also offers them healthy social interaction and self-esteem is a potential kind of insurance policy for their teenage years.,as well as being a lot of fun. Some of my most truly enjoyable life experiences have been while playing duets or musical ‘conversations’ in small groups here in Australia or overseas in Vienna for example.  There is something good that happens (that is hard to define) along the lines of togetherness, sound wave conversation and spiritual harmony.

Your music learning program is tailored to what you need.

Before a decision is made, we have one or two lessons to explore how we work together. This is your first music lesson. If we agree then we proceed.

When we commence lessons, the balance of the term fee is paid by invoice, then quarterly after that.
Ongoing students are invoiced for payment by end of Term for the next Term.
When this is paid, your preferred day and time are held for you.

Your specific lesson time is allocated for you only.
If you are unable to attend the lesson, let me know as soon as possible.
The lesson can be via Zoom instead, or if I have room in my calendar it may be rescheduled.

Sheet Music and books and equipment for your learning are sourced by me for you, then invoiced or paid via eftpos in Studio.
It saves you a significant amount of time and hassle and energy and potentially confusion and keeps the learning moving forward.
If you are wanting help to find a piano, just let me know. I am happy to help

Building your repertoire is motivating. It can be a treasure chest of joy and good medicine!
New music regularly helps to maintain motivation.

Your piano needs to be tuned annually (generally) or when it is moved.
Wait for about a month after your piano is placed in your home.
It needs to acclimatise, then it is time to bring in the piano tuner.

I am happy to answer your questions, so simply ask!

If you are wanting to complete AMEB Music Exams, it is a good idea to have a discussion with me about what is involved.  There is rigorous practise required, and focus on that particular goal and specific music for months, or for however long it takes to complete the exam. This is potentially one or two years. Completing AMEB music exams can have many benefits for the student if their temperament is suited to it, and they have the time and mental / emotional space and willingness to harness themselves towards musical mastery at their level.

An alternative to achieving a music exam, that may be right for you, is to play for someone you love, here inStudio on my vintage Steinway Grand piano. Each year I offer two Student Recitals inStudio during your lesson time or another mutually beneficial time. These are delightful supportive events that generative a warm magical feeling for the student and their family or friends.

Another way of saying it is, if my student would love to give a Recital or simply play for family and friends, they are given the opportunity to do so in my studio on my piano. Doing this can be powerfully motivating, and give meaning and value to your solid practise habit.

As you gain confidence, you are given various opportunities.  Some possibilities are to perform with a musical friend or to perform a musical work you have written.

Twice throughout the year, family and friends are invited into the students music lesson to give a recital, if the student wishes to.

Students are encouraged to share their growing musical skill in family Concerts and Soirees and Parties.

Playing for family and friends may be beneficial for you musically, and in other areas of your life.