Hello! My name is David (Albert above is my first name but I use my second name David!) and have been very interested in piano and keyboards and music for as long as I can remember. I can remember playing by ear at an early age on our very out of tune upright piano and being shown odd bits and pieces by my father. I played at my junior school leavers concert and then went on to take music more seriously at secondary school when I started taking proper piano lessons at age 11. I later went on to accompany both school orchestras (we had a training and senior orchestra), and eventually studied music at A level in the sixth form where I achieved a grade C at A level Music and a distinction at grade 6 piano in 1989.

My teaching experience started in November 1988...whilst I was still studying music in the sixth form at school. It was basically a pocket money job! A pocket money job that gradually grew by word of mouth and a little advertising. To that end I never went on to college to study teaching, as I was happy doing what I was doing and learning by experience. Hence I am not qualified as a piano teacher with letters after my name...but have racked up a few years experience now! Have met some lovely people down through the years and have enjoyed doing this work and feel very blessed in being a small part of their musical journeys in life.

My main approach is to teach the reading of music to people who want to learn mainly for pleasure, and at their own rate. I am fairly traditional in approach I guess, so teach scales etc and sight reading and generally work from course books as part of the process. I can take you from an absolute beginner or if you have played in the past and want to come back to piano, I am more than happy to do that too. I will teach for piano examinations up to about grade 6, 7 (although for 6 and 7 you need grade 5 theory...and I have a colleague who can get you through that) but exams is not everyone's cup of tea so I leave this up to you. I believe learning is best achieved in a relaxed and happy atmosphere so strive to aim for this in lessons...I also believe very much in patience, not just on my part as your teacher, but also for yourself in learning. There is no quick fix for learning piano properly...it takes years...and you never stop. You do not need hours of practise a day either, but regular careful, thoughtful practise of about 20 min a day or at least every other day to start with and you can then build up a little more as you get more serious. It's a bumpy ride too, so I aim to travel it with you, showing you how and what to practise, and mentoring you on your journey. Please ask questions...if you understand what you are doing you will remember it. It is my hope you enjoy the journey of learning the piano as well as the results that come in due course. Your first Introductory lesson is FREE with NO OBLIGATION to continue. This is so we can meet in person, discuss what you are aiming at and see if I am the right sort of teacher for you, and you are happy with my approach and policies before committing further. If you have any questions, please get in touch.