Tuition
Paul is the principal teacher at ABC Piano & Keyboard School in Hull, East Yorkshire, teaching piano, keyboard, music theory and sight singing (all individual tuition). He has over 25 years teaching experience.
- Classical / Jazz / Pop / Rock
- Beginners to Advanced
- Children and Adults
- Recognised exams
- Music reading and improvisation
The lessons run for 30 minutes, cost £15 per session, and are one-to-one — usually once a week.
— Joe Christie
Primary Schools
Paul is a piano teacher at Bacon Garth Primary School in Cottingham and Welton Primary School in Brough.
Please contact the school if you would like to arrange lessons for your child.
Classical / Jazz / Pop / Rock
At ABC Piano & Keyboard School we are committed to working with you to develop your own individual technique in order to meet with your own aspirations.
Paul will introduce you to a variety of genres: Classical, Jazz, Pop and different Rock styles. The fundamental intention however, is to help you develop a sound technique so that you may be able to progress to an advanced level.
Paul teaches children from the age of 7 years and adults into retirement.
As a teacher, Paul is sympathetic and encouraging with pupils of all ages, thereby enabling them to broaden their skills whatever their preferred style of music.
Recognised exams
When students are ready Paul will enter them for exams if so desired: ABRSM, Rockschool, and London College of Music exams.
Paul studied music at Leeds College Of Music. He studied jazz (including improvisation) and classical music.
Why Learn To Play A Musical Instrument?
According to the National Curriculum:
"Music learning develops pupils’ critical skills: their ability to listen, to appreciate a wide variety of music, and to make judgements about musical quality.
"It also increases self-discipline, creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment."
— National Curriculum, QCA (Qualifications & Curriculum Authority), 2009
In the Teachers’ Handbook we read this:
The Government is keen for all pupils to have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument as this can:
- result in a life-long interest in music and open up a wide range of career opportunities;
- increase pupils’ concentration, self-discipline and self-esteem;
- make pupils more positive about music education as a whole (pupils often cite not being able to play an instrument as the main reason that they don’t enjoy music education and don’t want to carry on beyond key stage 3.
Aims
At ABC Piano & Keyboard School, lessons are specifically geared to the development of your skills, but also to help you enjoy your music. Time spent practising will help you do this. Paul’s sympathetic teaching style will help you make the most of this practice.
Paul will…
- Give clear appraisal and pointers.
- Advise on suitable books and materials.
- Help with ambitions, encouraging and inspiring pupils.
- Recommend music to play.
- Support the major exam board curriculums (such as ABRSM, London College of Music, and Rockschool).
- Co-ordinate with the student to arrange a mutually convenient schedule for lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are parents / guardians allowed to sit in the lessons with their children?
Yes. Parents are warmly welcomed into the lesson, especially with regard to younger children.
What is the ideal age for my child be to begin piano tuition?
For most children the ideal age would be 7. However, if your child is younger than 7 and you feel he or she is particularly gifted, then Paul would be more than happy to assess their capability. Otherwise, 7 is good time to begin.
How quickly might they progress?
This is dependent on just how musically gifted a pupil is. Mature students often progress at a faster rate if they are already familiar with another instrument. Also, the speed at which a student develops is often related to the amount of time given over to practising at home. With each lesson Paul will show you how to practise in the most efficient way.
Are exams compulsory?
No. Paul might advise, but the decision has to remain with the student. However, it must be pointed out, exams result in graded qualifications and are a good way to acknowledge personal progress and attainment. For instance, Grade 5 is equivalent to a GCSE, while higher grades, 6,7 and 8 award UCAS points that will be beneficial if applying for a university or a further education course.
If I decide to sit exams must I take each and every grade in turn?
Once again, no. It might well be appropriate (in some instances and with some pupils), to pass over a grade. It is not our practice to contain students who are evidently gifted.
Is there an age at which one might be too old to learn?
No. It is not abnormal for people to begin at retirement age, as a hobby. Others find time as an adult to pursue a wish they have not had the opportunity to fulfil earlier in life.
What is Paul’s opinion regarding the use of an electric piano or keyboard?
With regard to facilitating the practise a pupil needs to do at home, an electric piano, an ordinary piano or indeed a keyboard would all be ideal. Please don’t hesitate to ask Paul, and if you wish, he’d be happy to help students choose an appropriate instrument.
How will I be able to remember what I have to practise at home?
We will use a book to bullet point precisely what you need to do between sessions.
Classical & Jazz Piano Syllabuses
ABRSM is the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music, delivering over 650,000 exams and assessments every year in 93 countries. ABRSM is committed to supporting high-quality music-making, learning and development throughout the world, and to producing the best possible resources for music teachers and students.
London College of Music (LCM) is the largest specialist music and performing arts institution in the UK and in 2017 they celebrated their 130-year anniversary.
Rock & Pop Keyboard Courses
Rockschool is Europe's No.1 rock music exam board. Anyone can get a recognised qualification by playing the music they love. Having played in various rock bands Paul is very experienced at playing rock piano and keyboards. (Hear Paul playing on the Original Music and Features pages of this website.)