Geoffrey Molyneux

Lessons

A typical lesson

• Lessons are tailored to the individual – but typically they will include both playing pieces in a variety of styles and some technical practice, such as scales and arpeggios.
  
  
• I like to teach sight reading as this is an important skill which is useful for exploring and enjoying new music.
  
  
• I also play duets with my students as often as possible because as well as being enjoyable and helping with sight-reading it is an invaluable experience in playing with others.
  
  
• The lessons normally last for either 30 or 60 minutes - though very young children start with 20 minutes. Advanced students can have longer lessons if required.
  
  

In Person Lessons

Lessons are held in my studio using my grand piano or clavinova – or occasionally the harpsichord or clavichord. If you are interested you can see more information about these instruments here.

Online tuition

Online tuition is very straightforward and simple to set up:

• As a teacher I use high-quality broadband, and have a good microphone and camera so that you can easily see both me and the keyboard, and you can hear me well.
  
  
• Pupils need their piano/keyboard to be in a room with a good Wi-Fi signal. You just need either a phone, tablet or laptop. Ideally it should be positioned so that I can see both you and your keyboard. I normally suggest that pupils get a flexible stand to help with the positioning; the example shown in the picture costs £12.49 (details here. But of course it will depend on what equipment you have. If you have any questions please contact me.

Exams

Students may take examinations if they wish – I teach all levels including the Initial Grade, Grades 1- 8 and diplomas. Piano Grades 1-8 are now available either in:

• the new style (online) Performance Grades: in which you play 4 pieces as a performance and these are recorded on a video file and sent to the examination board for marking
• the traditional (face-to-face) Practical Grades: in which you play 3 pieces and are tested by the live examiner on scales, sight-reading and aural tests.
  

I also teach Theory of Music. Currently Grades 1 to 5 are online while Grades 6 to 8 are paper-based.

 

An online lesson

My set up

A possible phone holder for your lesson