Tim Christmas - Cambridge Guitar and Piano Teacher

Music Instruments and Accessories

• get advice before you buy - some guitars are poorly made, hard to play and sound bad

• for pianos, you need a tuned piano with weighted keys to develop tonal control

• get all instruments, music and accessories professionally sourced for you by your teacher

Guitar

• all standards are taught from beginners to advanced

• using a Spanish (classical) guitar with nylon strings or acoustic guitar with steel strings, beginners learn how to hold and tune the guitar, and start playing single line tunes

• fingerpicking techniques are covered, and students explore how to produce the wide range of tones available

• you can perform live at Cambridge Guitar Club!

Piano

• the principles of piano technique and interpretation are taught

• sitting posture, the position of the hands and arms, and the action of the fingers

• attention is given to the quality, variety and control of tone produced, and the importance of fingering in aiding articulation and accentuation

Music generally

• reading music, sight reading, music theory, aural training, and scales and arpeggios are covered during guitar and piano lessons

• you are guided on how to practise, memorisation, and preparing pieces for performance

• guitar and piano repertoires are large and varied, so music can be chosen to suit your interests

Music grades

• students can study for graded music tests.

• for guitar and piano there are preliminary tests and then grades for beginners to advanced

Younger students

• the age at which lessons can begin depends on the individual child

• guitars are made in half size and three-quarter size

• for younger children, plenty of parental support is needed

• parents attend each lesson with the child and learn how to help and encourage their child when practising at home

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Copyright 2008 Tim Christmas