Face to face teaching returning!

I've been singing the praises of remote teaching on here - I have found this method to be surprisingly effective. But it's exciting to be able to announce that I'm gradually phasing face to face lessons back in! I've missed the particular energy of this kind of teaching. Following government guidelines, for the time being this can only be for children, in support of their general education. But do please get in touch if you’d like face to face lessons - all being well, in April the restrictions are likely to be lifted further, so let me know if you'd like to be on my waiting list for this. At the moment I have a limited number of post-school slots available for children, and more availability earlier in the day, for adults. Some evening slots are possible too. Alternating between remote and face to face lessons is also a very good option!

Technique and teaching

My approach to piano technique is based on some widely agreed principles: I believe that playing the piano should feel good, and that when it feels good it sounds good as well! Practise is often about making challenging passages and pieces feel comfortable, and involves developing a posture which enables effective and fluent transfer of weight, making sure of good alignment, starting from the back, through the shoulders, which should be relaxed, stable points, and making use of the full flexibility of the arms and wrists while keeping hands and fingers carefully aligned. The physical movements involved in playing also need to be appropriate to the character of the music at that particular point: when they are they just feel ‘right’!

I have developed a technique which is designed to build physical relaxation and alignment into the playing of pieces, in the process of practising them. This is based on the principles of Alexander Technique and consists in stopping and analyzing small or large movements and making sure these are executed so as to get quickly and efficiently to where you want to go without building up excessive tension, while at the same time practising creating the tone colour you want when you get there.

At early stages the groundwork for this can be put in place, especially good posture and hand position, and alignment of the wrist and hand. On the other hand, in young pupils I tend not to be too prescriptive about any of this, since usually children move in quite a natural way and therefore in a way which involves good, natural transfer of weight. It’s usually only when we start worrying about playing that we introduce unnatural ways of moving that introduce tensions and can create problems later on. I know this myself only too well! The eye is usually a good guide in these matters, and it’s often only when I see a gesture that jars on the eye that I think physical movement needs to be addressed in a ‘corrective’ way. It is, however, often necessary to encourage a full range of flexibility in the arms and wrists, and for this certain exercises can be particularly useful, as well as for evenness, flexibility and strength in the fingers.

Thinking of the broader picture of what piano teaching involves beyond ‘technique’, I like what Paul Harris describes as ‘simultaneous learning’: In focussing on one particular passage or aspect of a piece one can combine technical elements, aural training, an appreciation for the style, sound and structure of the music, elements of rhythmic training, and even develop compositional or improvisation exercises. This is a highly efficient and effective way to develop all of these aspects of music. As I continue to develop my teaching I aim to integrate more and more in the way of improvisation and elements of composition: features all too often sadly neglected in instrumental music teaching. Incorporating such elements also helps to open up potential bridges to other musical traditions and styles, such as jazz, pop and other non-Western folk and classical traditions.

Teaching - space for new students

I’ve currently got, unusually, a few spare slots in my schedule in post-school times. I'm mostly taking on pupils who can come to me in Hollingdean for lessons, but I'm able to travel to some extent, particularly if it's not too far from me - I teach a number of pupils in the Lewes Road/Hanover area so may be able to tie others in. I also very much enjoy teaching adults, and have more flexibility/availability for this! And I have extensive experience in teaching all levels, from beginner to post-grade 8. I can provide excellent testimonials!

If you can think of anyone you know who might like lessons do put them in touch with me directly (contact details below). More about me here of course: http://www.joewardpianist.com/teaching

Chopin videos

This is the first time I’ve ever uploaded a video to Youtube! Thanks to William Ranieri for doing a great job with videoing some of the Chopin pieces I’ve been working on recently. I’m quite pleased with getting a single take of the Etude that was reasonable accurate - not perfect of course, I guarantee a few fluffed notes in every performance I give! - and I think conveys quite a lot of what I wanted to get into the piece. More to follow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZI2DhZfzzw

Chopin performances coming up

Two chances to hear a little set of Chopin pieces I’ve been putting together - they’ve been a good challenge! Both at Brighton Unitarian Church, this Saturday (18th) 7.30pm and Friday 24th 12.30pm. My idea was a little suite of pieces based around the key of A flat major, as follows (not sure I’ll include the mazurka):

Frederick Chopin - Prelude in A flat, op. 28 no. 7, Etude in A flat, op. 25 no. 1, Nocturne in C minor, op. 48 no. 1, Mazurka in A flat, op. 59 no. 2, 'Heroic' Polonaise in A flat, op. 53

They’re both concerts involving some really great music from other performers so do come along! See these links for more details:

https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/an-evening-with-the-sussex-musicians-club-133778/

http://www.brightonunitarian.org.uk/friday-lunchtime-concerts.html