Melanie Smith-Langridge Piano/keyboard Lessons in Romiley, Stockport

Melanie Smith-Langridge BA

Piano/Keyboard Lessons

for learners of all ages

YEAR 2008/09 PROSPECTUS

Philosophy

My philosophy is that playing the piano or keyboard should be fun, but that the playing of music requires a sound theoretical underpinning. Pupils must want to learn, not feel forced to. Weekly attendance is normally expected, although pupils may take short breaks, e.g. during school holidays, without problem. I normally set aside some time each lesson to go through some music theory unless the necessary theoretical knowledge is already in place.

Aims

These are my aims for piano/keyboard lessons:

To provide focused, weekly one-to-one tuition in a relaxed learning atmosphere. I do not run a ‘school’ and I’m known to all my pupils by my first name.
To teach pupils how to read music. Some pupils begin with knowledge of Treble Clef notes learnt through playing another instrument, but playing the piano requires a knowledge of the Bass Clef.
To ensure that pupils have a sound basic knowledge of the theory of music, e.g. note values, time and key signatures.
To help pupils enjoy making music and to encourage any inclination towards composition (i.e. making up their own tunes) and ‘picking out’ tunes heard in everyday life.
To enable pupils to achieve their potential at their own individual learning pace, recognising that everyone is different.
To keep parents informed of their children’s progress.
To complement the pupils’ experience of music within the school curriculum

Attendance

I teach piano or keyboard at my house in Romiley (near Stockport , Greater Manchester). See below for addresses and contact numbers.

Weekly attendance is normally expected during school term-time at a mutually agreed time and lessons can continue through holiday periods by arrangement

Adequate advance notice (24 hours+) should be given of the cancellation of any lesson. Absence of notice without a valid reason (e.g. illness) will result in fees being charged for the cancelled lesson (half lesson fee if 24+ hours notice given, otherwise full fee payable). Family holidays during school term-time are not a valid reason. Due to the extent of my teaching commitments, it is unlikely that a missed lesson could be rescheduled within the same week, but I will try to accommodate changes where I can.

Practice

The dreaded ‘P’ word! I believe in ‘little but often’ practice and try not to nag pupils. Hopefully they practice because they want to not because they should, as what they get out of lessons depends on what they put into the practice. Pupils should have regular access to a piano or keyboard, preferably one with full-size keys.

Materials

This is an outline of the materials I use to teach pupils:

A good tutor book. There are several series I use. After a few lessons I can decide which scheme is best suited to individual pupils. I can usually obtain the books for the pupils but require reimbursement for the cost (about £8). One tutor book will normally last a pupil between one term and a year.
A notebook, provided by the pupil, in which I write what work has been covered and what work is expected for the next lesson. I recommend Chester 's Music Practice Book (about £1.50).
A starchart. My younger pupils earn silver and gold stars for their effort and learning attitudes. I very much believe in praise and encouragement as essential learning tools.
Music manuscript paper, i.e. a pad of musical staves for completing homework, composition etc. (Available from about £1.)
Pupils’ own music. I am quite happy to focus on pieces of music suggested or provided by my pupils.

Exams

I do enter some pupils for Associated Board or Trinity piano, keyboard or theory examinations, but only if they wish to take them and not until I consider them ready. These exams can be quite daunting to some pupils, but they can provide a goal at which to aim and a great deal of satisfaction at success, not to mention a nice certificate to keep in perpetuity. My pupils’ pass rate is over 90%. Sitting theory exams intermittently is particularly important for those pupils with ambitions towards and beyond AB Grad 6 Practical exam, as this can be attempted only after passing Grade 5 Theory. Be aware that exams do cost money to take. For example the entry fee for Associated Board Grade 1 Practical Exam in 2008 is £28.20 and Grade 1 Theory is £18.50.

Pupils taking piano exams should ideally have a piano rather than a keyboard.

Tuition Fees

Fees are normally collected weekly, £9.00 per half-hour lesson from September 2008.

About Me

I am an experienced musician and teacher.

As a musician I have performed in many different musical ensembles, including a symphony orchestra, windband, chamber orchestra, string quintet and theatre orchestra. I have also represented Stockport in concerts in Germany , France and Belgium . I have played the piano for over 30 years and hold a University of Leeds degree in Music and English.

As a music teacher I have nearly 30 years experience, specialising in piano, theory and recorder. I have taught children and adults, including individuals with learning difficulties.

I’ve worked with groups of children as part of my previous voluntary youth work and presented educational sessions in my previous employment at Stockport Museum and the Air Raid Shelters.

Contact Numbers

If you want to contact me, you may do so at the following addresses/numbers:

Where I live/teach:

22 Sunfield, Romiley, Stockport (not sure where that is? look at the map HERE)

Telephone (0161) 494 5044

Mobile 07952038428

Email me HERE

(I do get email enquiries from far and wide, including the USA where I would love to give lessons, but unfortunately it is a little too far to commute ;-). Please note that whilst I endeavour to answer most music-related questions, I may be unable to respond to all enquiries.)

Gift Vouchers

Need an idea for a special birthday or Christmas present that could last a lifetime? I can offer a gift voucher for an introductory course of four piano or keyboard lessons for a special price of £34.

Useful Web Links

· The UK Piano Page: For all your Piano Tuning, History, Makers, Movers and Piano Teachers in the UK

· The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

· Music Teach

· yahoo group: adult piano chat

· Surfing the Net with Kids: Piano Lessons

· Free KEYBOARD and MUSIC THEORY Lessons

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Smith-Langridge family homepage (very old!)

This is an updated version of my previous web page at http://www.geocities.com/smithlangridge/piano.html