Please also read ‘Music Theory Lessons’

Jazz piano theory, although primarily an advanced level subject is very well documented and a choice which is easily achievable to apply to your own piano playing when approached correctly.

All basic and many advanced structures are available as printed music hence why being able to read is vitally important before tackling the deeper complexities of jazz piano.

Whether it is blues, boogie woogie, ragtime, stride, swing, bebop, fusion or many other styles derived from jazz harmony, the history of jazz piano is a rich, alive and very powerful force in sustaining the development of 21st century pianists.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

Knowing the mechanics of any subject can only help when analysing something special which someone else has created.

Having a working knowledge of music theory will ensure that you are always creatively engaged with the subject.

Playing written music, whilst being a challenge on its own, will only provide half of picture when seeking creative fulfilment as a musician.

Knowing what you are playing is as exciting as actually playing it because the musician is then able to borrow, compose, recreate and then inovate music in their own way.

Whilst the subject of music theory becomes very scientific at a certain level, there is much to be gained by exploring the standard structures found in most popular music for the purposes of group playing, playing in bands, jamming wit friends and simply expanding a working knowledge for the purposes of exploring your own instrument or voice with a view to learning improvisation.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

Please also read ‘Aged 4 Piano’ Page.

My theory is that 5 year old children rule the world, they are intelligent, brilliantly communicative, fearless, unable to be reckoned with and more than capable of learning a musical instrument albeit with strong guidance from a determined parent and music teacher.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

Over 20 years of speaking to parents, booking new students,teaching thousands of people and putting hundreds of students of all ages through their piano grades I have learnt never to disregard the potential of any student.

I have also learnt what the average student is prepared to do in order to achieve success and where the less obvious pitfalls might be on the road to success in learning to play an instrument.

Any determined parent can take on the challenge of educating their own child in music beyond the life skills which are enough of a challenge in parenting.

Four year old children are all mentally capable of learning a musical instrument and the piano is an obvious choice due to the readily available technology, beautifully sounding keyboards, digital pianos and wealth of educational support on the internet and through interactive apps on all smartphones.

As an educator, is a joy to know of how much support is now available to new musicians seeking information about learning instruments and more importantly about reading music.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

Gospel Piano could be explained as a phenomenon in the last 100 years.

Originating from spiritual singing on slave plantations in America and now a core element in the development of jazz.

As a result of being combined with the development of blues music, gospel singing and the perfection of instrumentalists involved in playing piano, church organ and later ‘Hammond Organ’ have secured contemporary gospel as a leading style in modern R&B, Soul, Funk & Jazz.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

Celebrated church musicians have defined classical history.

The church has been functional in the development of the piano,

it could be argued that religion itself is responsible for the development of counterpoint as well as the brilliant minds of the composers themselves, Bach’s livelihood was sustained as a composer of church music.

The modern application of counterpoint is often likely to be experienced in the context of a string, brass or woodwind section in live performances but is still of course fundamental in score writing for orchestral performances and in the creation film soundtracks.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

The connoisseur’s choice, music for musicians and a beautiful opportunity to explore the worlds most explosive art form in the last 100 years.

Jazz is like marmite, you know why. So many different ways in, so many examples of why it is not understood by everybody and blatantly disregarded by others.

Traditional Jazz or ‘Trad’ as it is known is sometimes the only example known to many whereas Modern Jazz is a tremendous collaboration with every other living musical genre.

If you don’t like jazz, you need more of it and jazz piano is a great way to explore the harmony which shaped the 20th Century.

Jazz Piano can be easily approached if you already have some classical playing experience.

Jazz piano can also be considered by beginners who are also prepared to study traditional note reading and scales as in classical tuition.

The piano, with it’s advanced tuning and key system, rich historical reputation and extensive reptoire created by the minds of geniuses over the last 500 years is a subject to be mastered alone regardless of personal taste and style.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

Pop piano, keyboard & synth playing is great fun and can add interest to social gatherings and performances by encouraging group singing.

Having a musician with a digital keyboard or synthesiser for a performance can help lower audience inhibitions by providing the spacious atmosphere needed for escapism.

When you begin to explore the huge choice of cool sounds which can be found in modern keyboards you will quickly find yourself lost in soundscapes, synthesiser pads, baselines and drum patches.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368

Deriving from the western harmony system, rock piano incorporates rhythmic choices which define its unique style.

The rhythms in rock piano music clearly accentuate sometimes the most obvious choices but because of the flamboyant style are made popular by their outright simplicity.

Studying rock piano is a really fun way to express yourself in public performances and, if you can also sing, can enhance your performances when combining your chosen rock instrument like a personal style symbol which you will quickly be recognised for.

If you are thinking of booking lessons or would like more information, you may call the Bellingham Music Centre on 020 8185 7368