Useful Piano Practice Tips

 

Just like all my students, I find that I am often working on many pieces at the same time. It is quite easy to fall into the trap of “I want to learn that, and that….and that” and before you know it, your music is full of music sheets and you are spreading yourself too thinly in terms of practise. The most important thing to remember is that you need to organise your practising so you are being most effective in your progress. Try to avoid the scatter gun approach by approaching little bits of lots of different pieces at once. It would be much better if you try and focus in on one piece for at least half and hour so you can begin to feel to some serious progress. As much as I encourage my pupils to explore different repertoire- it is important that this does not become confusing. I think it is always a good idea to start practising with a warm exercise - these can be standard warm ups outlines in tutor books or things like Hanon. This can then be followed with a run through of the scales and chords that relate to the piece that you are playing. For example, if you are learning a piece in E Major, it would be a good idea to run that scale, and it’s relative minor - C sharp minor. Then go the all the primary chords in that key (chord I, IV and V) as you know it is highly likely you will come across these chords in the piece. Next comes the repertoire study- each piece you will be learning will probably be at different levels of completion, so it might be useful to start up a practise diary to mark your progress. Your piano teacher will be able to write tasks for you to complete in the diary as well. Practise each hand of the piece slowly, then put hands together and attempt to bring up the tempo. Next, try to memorise a few bars here and there - not necessarily the whole piece, but elements of the piece. If there are notes that you are repeatedly getting wrong, there is nothing wrong in marking in notes on the score with a pencil. It is also worthwhile listening to recordings of the piece that you are studying. Not only will it help with the notes and rhythms, you will learn a lot listening to various interpretations of the piece. 

 

If you live in Cardiff and are trying to find a great piano teacher contact Matthew Clayton today

 

Matthew teaches from home under the name of Piano Teacher Cardiff. He has been offering piano lessons in Cardiff for over ten years. His students have enjoyed progressing through a variety of pieces and many have successfully made their way through the graded piano exam system. Some of Matthew’s students have gone on to study music at University. Others have enjoyed learning the piano as an extra curricular activity from school. Matthew also teaches adult learners who have come to the piano later in life. Whatever your goal is, Matthew is a fantastic piano teacher based in Cardiff that will help you and coach you along your musical journey.

 

If you would like to make an enquiry with Matthew please contact him on mattdaveclayton@gmail.com or call or text on 07967 836011 and arrange your first piano lesson today!

 

 

 

How to easily learn the 12 Major scales on the piano

 

All piano students need to come to the realisation that there is only one major scale pattern to learn. If you look at the distance between the notes in any major scale, you will see that they are the same. The best way to think about your major scales is to try and memorise the key signatures in your head. First of all start with G major - that has an F sharp. Then go up five keys and that takes you to D major which has two sharps - F sharp and C sharp. Then go up five notes again taking you to A Major - which includes F, C and G sharp. Up five again takes you to E Major- this has for sharps that include F, C, G, and D sharp. Go up five again to B Major - this has five sharps- F, C, G, D and A sharp. Finally the last Major sharp key is F Sharp major which has six sharps - F, C, G, D, A and E sharp. Once you have learnt all those you can begin working on the major keys that include flats. The first key to look at is F major that has one B flat. Then B flat major has two flats which are B and E flat. Go up for notes from B flat which takes you to E flat. E flat has three flats- B, E and A flat. Then A flat has four flats which are B, E, A and D flat. Then go up four notes which takes you to D flat major that has five flats that are B, E, A, D and G flat. Then the next key is G flat which is the enharmonic equivalent (which means then same as the F sharp Major). Scale practise is very important. Anyone who has taken the piano seriously and can now tackle interesting pieces say on reflection the thing that got them to become good musicians was the fact they regularly practised their scales. Even if you are not going to sit down every day and play every major scale, it is important that you at least play the scales that are related to the keys of the pieces that you are currently practising.

 

Would you like to start Piano Lessons in Cardiff?

 

If you are thinking about starting to learn the piano, and are currently living in Cardiff you should consider taking up piano lessons with Matthew Clayton. He is an experienced and qualified teacher. If you would like to find out more about Matthew, please click in the “About” section in the top of this website for further information. If you click on the homepage you will also be able to read testimonials that have been written by Matthew’s previous students. Matthew proudly holds a 100% success rate with all his pupils that have sat the piano graded exams with the ARBSM. Some of Matthew’s pupils however, just want to learn the piano for fun and have no interest in sitting exams. That is completely fine too - everyone wants to start up music for different reasons. The important thing is music is a passion that should be enjoyed. Matthew puts nervous piano students at ease right from the first lessons. He is very patient and is passionate about helping his pupils progress at the instrument. He understands that is can be a frustrating thing to learns, but is aware that with the right approach, and good teaching, anyone can make serious leaps of progression and become good at the piano very quickly.

 

If you would like to make an enquiry with Matthew, please contact him on 07967 836011 for further information. 

 

 

Learn how to improvise at the piano

 

One of the great joys when learning how to play the piano is knowing how to improvise. Sitting at the piano and knowing how to come with ideas on the spot and noodle around is great fun. This is something that is too often neglected by some music teachers who only focus on the traditional form of music education such as notes, fingering and rhythms. While all those things are important, it is equally good to expand your knowledge by learning jazz licks and techniques that will ensure you keep a fresh connection with you and the piano. Classical music will also offer you a good foundation when learning any instrument. But it is very important to mix that with other styles such as pop, folk, gospel, rock and roll and blues styles. You will find a lot of help on the internet particularly youtube that will give you a good start in improvising. You should follow that up with finding a good piano teacher who will be able to give your more professional guidance. If you learn how to improvise at the piano, you will learn all the skills you will need to “jam” with other musicians and come up with things on the spot. Playing with other musicians while learning an instrument is great and will significantly help with your time keeping. Too often, students who only learn classical music feel out of their depth when you ask them to play popular styles with guitarists and drummers. That should not be the case - music teachers should equip their pupils with a broad music education beyond classical music. Through improvisation, piano students will learn how to “play be ear” and will be able to pick out melodies they hear on records and replicate it. This will improve their overall general musicianship, and will also help their working knowledge of key signatures, chords and what harmonies work. Students should not feel afraid to experiment with different chords and sounds in their practice.

 

Start Piano Lessons in Cardiff with Matthew today!

 

If you are looking for first class piano lessons in Cardiff you have come to the right place. Matthew Clayton is a brilliant piano teacher that offers professional piano tuition from his home in Cardiff. If you are thinking about taking up piano lessons for you or your child, you should send an enquiry into Matthew using this email address- mattdaveclayton@gmail.com

 

Normally lessons given by Matthew on a weekly basis and are either half an hour or a full hour long - depending on the students age and ability. Matthew currently has some availability on certain days. He is a popular piano teacher that offers lessons to those living in Rhiwbina, Cyncoed, Llanishen, Pentwyn and Heath areas of Cardiff. His lessons are reasonably priced, so please get in touch with him today and arrange your first piano lesson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28. How does learning the piano help your brain function?

 

Scientists have long established the fact there are significant benefits by learning an instrument on your brain function and general well being. This is why lots of people learn the piano in retirement because they don’t want to become couched potatoes, but want to make sure that they keep the brain working actively. It is also why learning the piano is encouraged for young children as it helps their brain development. There are unique aspects in learning the piano, when compared to other instruments. For example, when you learn piano, you are operating two hands and reading two lines of music - one for the left hand and the other for the right hand. This massively improves cognitive skills while multitasking. Other instruments such as the guitar or violin do not have equal demands on each hand. The other thing to point out with the piano is that you play a vast amount of notes at the same time. There are 88 notes on the piano and it has often been described as an “orchestra at your finger tips”. The brain therefore reacts and adapts to piano playing in a different way to other activities. Piano playing involves serious focus and attention because of the intense multitasking required to “let the music sing”. Scientists have long held the belief that this is all positive as our brains love working. It creates connections in our nerves. By piano playing it will help these nerves communicate better with each other. The changes in our brain from piano playing therefore are good and beneficial for the young and the old. 

 

Would you like to start piano lessons with Piano Tuition Cardiff?

 

If you live in Cyncoed, Lakeside, Birchgrove, Whitchurch, Thornhill, Pontprennau or Lisvane areas of Cardiff and are looking for engaging and fun piano lessons you should definitely consider Piano Tuition Cardiff. Matthew Clayton has taught from home in Cyncoed for over ten years and has built up one of the most popular piano teaching studios in Cardiff. He has put through over one hundred people through their piano exams and has built up a great reputation as good and friendly piano teacher for pupils of all ages and abilities. Matthew teaches all styles of music such as classical, popular, jazz, folk and blues music. He encourages his pupils to learn how to play be ear, while also giving the more formal training developing their knowledge of notes, rhythms and hand positions. There is so much fun to be had by taking piano lessons. Taking up a new hobby is something that should be welcomed in anyones life, however old or young. 

 

Matthew currently charges £13.50 per half hour lesson which is very reasonable for the going rate for private music lessons in Cardiff. You will see that there are places you can go to in Cardiff offering group piano lessons. While there are certain aspects of those that can be beneficial - you will not beat the speed of progress that you will make with Matthew during one to one private piano lessons. 

 

So if you would like to start lessons please call or text Matthew on 07967 837011 

 

 

How to practice playing the piano using dynamics? 

 

As a piano teacher based in Cardiff, my pupils will be very familiar with my phrase that dynamics “bring the piece of music to life”. Some piano learners don’t consider putting in any dynamic variation into their playing, and the result can be dull and lack any feeling. As much as it is really important for you to get to grips with the rhythmic and notational elements of the score, it is equally important to “put your own stamp on the music”. Playing with dynamics allow the performer to put passion and emotion into their playing which helps them communicate with the listener. Dynamics are more than just how loud or how quiet we play. There are varying degrees of this for example fortissimo is for when the music is to be played very loudly, whereas forte is just to played loud. This is also true of pianissimo is for the when the music needs to be played very softly, whereas piano is just to be played softly. There are other dynamic performance instructions such as the use of the word “mezzo” - that can be placed in front of forte of piano be mean moderately loud or moderately quiet. Other dynamic performing instructions include the crescendo which instructs the player to gradually get louder or diminuendo which means gradually get quieter. Dynamics allow the music to make sense and players should do everything they can in their playing to observe these directions. The listener will be able to connect with music on an emotional level as well as on an intellectual level. You will need a piano keyboard that has touch response in order to carry out these dynamic changes in music effectively. It is important to realise that some entry level keyboards do not have the ability for the performer to play loudly or softly. 

 

Start Piano Lessons with Piano Tuition Cardiff

 

Welcome to the website that is offering piano lessons in Cardiff. Matthew Clayton is a piano teacher who gives piano lessons to those of all ages and abilities. Matthew teaches from home on a brand new Kawai piano. Matthew helps his pupils to sight read piano music, improvise and play the pieces that they have always wanted to learn. He will help you improve your rhythm and give you musical ear training to help you understand the music you are playing. You will always improve in your knowledge of music theory during lessons with Matthew. Many of Matthew’s students sit music theory exams which carry UCAS points that help with university applications, even for non-music related degree courses. Some of Matthew’s pupils are adults who want to take the piano up as a new past time and don’t want to take such a formal music education route. Instead, they bring pieces that they want to learn how to play along to lessons and work through adult piano courses, playing tunes that they are already familiar with. 

 

If you would like to book a piano lesson with Matthew in Cardiff then please send an email to mattdaveclayton@gmail.com or text on 07967 836011. Please state if you are a complete beginner or what level you have already reached in the message, and also what day would suit you best to have your piano lessons for you or your child and Matthew will do his best to accommodate.

 

Learning the piano through your kindle or iPad

 

With recent developments in technology, it is becoming increasingly possible for you to learn a new instrument through distant learning via the internet. First of all, it is possible for you to download sheet music and tutor books on to your electronic devices such as your kindle or ipad. You can download Alfred’s piano course or John Thomson’s “Teaching Little Fingers To Play”. Other popular downloads include the Suzuki piano method or the “Dozen a day” exercises book. You can combine your reading of these books together with you tube demonstration videos and lessons. You can progress with this way up to a point, but this method will never outweigh the benefits you would get from one to one face to face with a professional piano teacher. It is very easy if you are learning on your own terms to pick up bad habits early on that may be difficult to correct in the future. Yes, these online books will often come with a CD or a link to online MP3’s that will enable you to listen to how the piece should go, and yes, listening is highly important. But the great thing about have real piano lessons in person is great because the teacher will be able to tailor they teaching to your individual needs and help you improve on your unique weaknesses. It is also true to say that you have to have an incredible amount of motivation and enthusiasm to work through the online books on your own. If you take proper lessons, it will help to encourage you to practise with the goal of showing what you have been working on to your teacher at the next lesson. If you are working on your own terms through youtube demonstration video, you won’t always have the feeling of “I must practise”. 

 

Are you looking for a piano teacher in Cardiff?

 

It is important when you are learning an instrument that you get along with your piano teacher and you work well together so you progress and actually look forward to your piano lessons. Matthew Clayton is a friendly, relaxed piano teacher who teaches from his home in Cardiff. Matthew like to create a stress-free environment whether he is teaching a teach or an adult. In Matthew’s ten year experience of teaching, he has found that pupils excel to their potential when they are having fun during lessons and are motivated when leaving the lesson to go home an practise everything that they have learnt during the lesson. Matthew unlocks his students’ minds and broadens their musical horizons introducing them to music they may have never heard before from classical, jazz and folk music. He is also not snobbish, and is just as comfortable teaching his pupils the latest Rita Ora or Adele songs to his pupils. Matthew recognises that younger pupils like to play music that they are familiar with and have heard on the radio. There is something to be learnt in all styles of music. Matthew encourages his pupils to take graded piano exams through the ABRSM system. 

 

For more information about Matthew and his piano lessons please click on the links at the top of the website. If you would like to make an enquiry about piano lessons with Matthew in Cardiff please call or text him on 07967 836011 and arrange your first trial piano lesson today!