Are my lessons one to one?
Yes. To ensure your lessons are tailored exactly to your requirements, we only conduct lessons on a one to one basis. This ensures that you have optimal time with your tutor and an ability to ask specific questions, receive personalised feedback and progress at a rate conducive to your needs.
Can parents observe the lesson?
Yes. We have a small seating area in all of our studio rooms for parents/guardians to sit and observe the lesson.
Are all of your tutors DBS checked?
Yes. All of our tutors have an up-to-date DBS, which we can provide on request.
Do you conduct lessons over video conferencing software?
Yes. For students who want the flexibility of learning from home, we have introduced a video service over a software called “Zoom”. You can read more and view a demonstration of how this works here.
How do I pay for lessons?
All online students can opt to pay weekly or monthly via BACS. The below refers to in-house students only.
Weekly
You are able to pay weekly by cash or cheque and this is the only platform we are able to facilitate for weekly payments. We are currently unable to take card payments in house.
Monthly
We also offer the option of paying by BACS. If this is preferable, we request students to prepay by direct debit in monthly blocks, totalling twelve payments per year.
What if I need to cancel my lesson?
While we appreciate that most students cancel at short notice due to circumstances beyond their control, we unfortunately have to adopt the following policies regarding the cancellation of lessons in all circumstances:
Weekly
We regrettably have to retain half of the lesson fee to cover the expenses of the facilities, tutor and missed lesson space for cancellations within 24 hours of your agreed lesson time. This helps us to run as efficiently as possible and, given enough notice, potentially open cancelled lessons to other students. This is payable at your next scheduled lesson with your tutor.
Notice given outside of the 24 hour window will not incur a cancellation fee.
Monthly
Due to the nature of holding larger payments at one time and with the increasing number of enrolling students and subsequent cancellations, we can’t guarantee that we will be able to reschedule any lessons that are missed within the present payment session.
In the event that you need to miss or cancel your lesson, we will attempt to reschedule the lesson wherever possible. If this isn’t practicable, we cannot refund or credit lessons to the following payment session and any missed lessons will be forfeited by the student.
Where are you based?
Please see how to find us
Can I learn the keyboard, or do you only tutor piano?
While most of our students are learning piano, we do have a number of students who are learning to play the keyboard.
Piano and keyboard technique are virtually synonymous, especially if you are a complete beginner. The most obvious difference is the type of repertoire you would be aiming towards and the exploration of different sounds. Usually our keyboard students are more interested in learning pop music, with some leaning towards Jazz.
Lesson lengths and prices remain the same for both piano and keyboard lessons.
Please contact us if you have any further enquiries.
Do you offer lessons in music theory?
Yes. While we provide our students with an understanding of the theoretical aspects of music in their practical lessons, we find that students sometimes prefer to opt for extra lessons in music theory as a supplement.
We also aid students who only want to study theory with us, or students preparing to take their ABRSM theory exams.
Do you do home visits?
While the majority of our students visit us, there are a few students who, for various reasons, prefer to be taught at their own home.
We do provide home visits, but please be aware that travelling time reduces the amount of students we can see during the day, so there will be an additional charge for this depending on how far away you live.
If you would like an exact quote, please contact us with your postcode.
Do I have to have experience before I to come to you?
Absolutely not! We have a range of tutors who are fully equipped to teach beginners through to degree-level students.
How old does my child have to be to start learning?
Since children develop at different rates, this can be a difficult question. As a general rule, we say that it’s probably best to wait until they are at least 6 years old, but we have had some children enjoy learning to play even earlier.
We would suggest waiting until a time when your child can concentrate for up to 20 minutes and do simple arithmetic, like 2 plus 2, or 4 minus 1.
Is it too late to start learning as an adult?
Absolutely not. Music is a passion that grips people at different times, under different circumstances. We have many adult students who have come to music fresh in retirement, picking it back up from their childhood, or to complete a certain life goal. Whatever your reason, it’s never too late to start learning something new!