What could you expect?
Lessons are aimed at a pupil's need: to read written notation and play it confidently, perhaps learn how to compose, to pass Grade 5 theory, to play by ear, to accompany other instruments, to interpret and embellish chords, or to improve the aural component of an examination. Some people can already play one instrument proficiently and wish to learn the piano too. Pupils may be absolute beginners, or may have tried and given up over forty years ago and now wish to have another go, or indeed may be at an excellent standard already. John's current pupils are a wide mixture of ages and abilities, with some studying to pass exams, whilst others learn purely for pleasure and recreation. John seeks to discover a person's musical potential and then to help them explore it. Each lesson is tailored to the individual.
Come for weekly lessons or for only a short time in order to achieve a specific goal. It is possible to come at the same time each week or to arrange different lesson times if you are a shift worker etc. Various times are available from 10.00am until 8.00pm. Gift vouchers can be purchased for friends and family - these make excellent and unusual presents for perhaps a Birthday, Anniversary, Christmas or Retirement.
Lessons occur throughout the year. Most people find that a weekly 30 minute lesson coupled with regular and focussed practice at home helps them to learn at a good pace.
Please contact John for details of times when he is available to teach you.
Pupils of the Week
As a way of celebrating the excellent work that pupils undertake, every week John decides who is the Pupil of the Week. It's often not an easy decision to make! One week the recipient may gain this title by making a small yet important improvement. Sometimes a person may have practised a piece really well and within a week of starting it, made it sound GREAT!
Sometimes it will be more than one person. Here are some of the latest Pupils of the Week:
19th January 2026: Rosie Davies found out that she gained a high merit in her recent Grade 5 Theory Exam.
12th January 2026: Sophie Finley made a fine start to ‘Bass Dance.’
5th January 2026: Matthew Tetteh made a good start from transitioning from one octave of the D major scale to two octaves.
15th December 2025: Fiona Williams saw the logic behind the names of the higher notes on the Treble Clef when compared to the lower notes.
8th December 2025: Savinu Hakamana played the first page of ‘Allegro Moderato’ in a much more confident and musical way. The speed has improved, as has the balance between the hands.
1st December 2025: Carol Ball played all of Beethoven’s ‘Sonatina in C.’ It was good to hear the wide range of dynamics and the almost consistent pulse.
24th November 2025: Helena Smith kept going right to the end of ‘59th St Bridge Song.’ The rhythm is quite complicated, but steadiness won through.
17th November 2025: Kallum Ruddock played a useful accompaniment to ‘O Thou who camest from above.’
The Archive (from November 2022) is here.
Terms and Conditions
Lessons are undertaken on the basis that all of these Terms and Conditions are accepted.
Parents are expected to attend the lesson with a child.
Lessons generally begin and end on time. It's useful to wait in your car if you're early.
Most people bring slippers to wear during the lesson. Socks are fine too!
After pupils have attended lessons for a few weeks, fees are then payable four weekly in advance.
Please give at least 48 hours notice if cancelling a lesson in order to receive a credit for that missed lesson.
If cancelling with less than 48 hours notice, John will always try to rearrange the lesson for an alternate time in that week. If this is not possible, that lesson fee will be forfeited.
If you intend to be absent for three or more consecutive lessons, a retainer fee equal to 33% of the value of the missed lessons will be charged in order to secure your lesson time.
If you wish to pay via a Bank Transfer or set up a time-saving Standing Order, John's sort code and account number will be provided.
If a pupil regularly pays late, John reserves the right to charge an additional fee or terminate the lessons.
Examination fees are due by the date requested, otherwise entry will not be made.
All fees paid are non-refundable.
Directions
From Eastboro Way
Turn onto Crowhill Road (look out for The Crow’s Nest pub)
At the third mini-roundabout, turn left into Willowfields Road.
At the end of this short road, turn left. You are now on Wentworth Drive. Proceed close to where the new estate is being built. Turn your car around and park on what is now the left hand side, where there are no drives to houses. Please don't park in front of neighbours' houses.
128 is the fifth house from where the new houses are being built, with a bricked driveway, almost opposite Oberon Close. Please don’t use the front door, but go down the left hand side (the gate will be back) and knock on the first door you come to.
From Lutterworth Road
Turn onto Crowhill Road and then at the first mini-roundabout turn right into Willowfields Road. Follow the above directions from here.
What to Buy?
Buying a good instrument to learn on at home is very important. Alan Forman, a local piano-tuner, has written some advice on what to look for when purchasing an acoustic piano. You can read it here.