I’m currently in the process of changing my approach to teaching but thought it might be interesting to leave some of the information up here to show how I used to approach it and show how my process is evolving.
Now offering Zoom lessons!!
Lessons take place on zoom or at my address in Barton Hill
Read the information below to find out what to expect and what I expect from students.
Always admired those swinging jazz musicians? Always wanted to play those cool chords and those hip jazz lines?
Get in touch and we can discuss what you would like to learn and what music you are interested in exploring. I am an experienced musician (playing the violin and singing growing up) now specialising in Jazz Piano. I have a philosophy degree from The University of Sheffield and a Jazz Piano Music Degree from the Prins Claus Conservatoire in The Netherlands. I am an experienced piano teacher and I love to help each student develop what they are enthused about and open up new possibilities for exploring music.
What I teach at Piano Lessons Bristol
– Jazz Piano
Jazz repertoire – common jazz repertoire, discuss the best approaches for performing, work out suitable keys and tempos, basics of counting in, intros, outros and song forms.
Jazz rhythms and phrasing – swing, groove, articulation, syncopation, sub divisions, developing a strong internal sense of rhythm
Melody – melodic intervals, chord tones and scales, transcriptions, improvising using set rhythms.
Harmony and theory – functional harmony, voice leading and the Berklee Method.
Ear training – see Melody^ + chord recognition, intervals in chords, chord tensions
Advanced rhythmic exercises – odd metres, cross rhythms, groupings of sub divisions, advanced syncopation exercises.
Reharmonisation, some basic tricks and strategies + encouragement to explore one’s own creative solutions.
Composition – Basics of melodic construction, harmonic considerations, form and aesthetic considerations.
Piano technique – scales and arpeggios, jazz exercises, posture and considerations of efficient movement.
– Jazz Theory
– Technique
– Posture
What I expect
I also have demand from advanced students who take one off or infrequent lessons. This can work well for me as my weekly schedule is quite variable but it’s only possible at the full price. Please let me know in advance if this is what you’re looking for.
I really enjoy teaching a wide variety of abilities but for beginners and intermediate students, I ask that you make sure you will be able to commit to learning the piano. I generally advise that 10-15 minutes, 5 or 6 days a week is the minimum time you will need to devote to learning to play the piano. Hopefully you will enjoy practising for longer periods as well but 15 minutes most days is a good start and a necessary commitment.
My approach
Generally I like to start with what interests the particular student who I’m working with. I think people learn more quickly and more intensely when they’re really enjoying the music and engaged with what they’re studying. On the other hand I also like to give students lots of material so that they never run out of things to practise and don’t get bored with one piece or one approach.
Music as an artform
I’m also interested in what lies above and beyond the music. In other words, what’s the human or emotional story behind the music or what is the other artistic merit of the music. And what is the context for the composer or artist who makes the work. I’m interested in trying to connect the dots between aesthetics, philosophy, art, science and music to give a broader picture of why we play music and make art. How is it relevant, beneficial, or enjoyable in our lives. I think it’s important to explore these issues as an instrumental teacher when appropriate.
Equally I’m well trained in the basics and fundamentals of jazz piano and technique and like to teach these also. Ideally I like to teach about both the creative side of music making and from the perspective of developing one’s artistic craft in the same way that I continue to develop my own skills.
Here’s a post I wrote about practice. Practice is absolutely fundamental to becoming a better musician and is what most musicians spend the majority of their time doing. So it’s crucial that you build the right foundation and the right relationship with music. Hopefully this will point you in the right direction.
https://timmyfunnell.com/2019/10/04/golden-rules-or-strong-suggestions-for-practising/