An alternative approach to playing the piano...
Musical Fluency
Hi, I'm Liam and I've been teaching the piano to students of all ages for over 20 years. I teach an alternative approach to the piano that is very different to traditional style lessons. The approach is designed around musical fluency which is the ability to instantly play any music you hear without the need to 'work it out' with theory or any cognitive effort. It is also the ability to fluently read and play sheet music as naturally as picking up a book and reading words from it. You don't need any special musical talents or gifts to be successful at this method. Each of us already understands music on a deep level. From a very early age we gain the ability to recognise rhythm, harmony and melody. I offer a method that requires no complex theory or exhaustive technical training. It is based around a system of natural child-like learning which allows us to deeply absorb the fundamental building blocks of music so we can play with the same expressive freedom and intention we use every day when we speak.
About Me.
I've spent many years teaching students of the piano using the 'traditional' method. The one that often makes people feel clumsy and unmusical. In my experience this method does more to create anxiety around 'getting it right' than it does facilitate effortless, expressive playing.
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With the best of intentions, this method has been the gatekeeper to piano education for well over a century now. It is built primarily around 'mimicry' and so from day one encourages students to play music for a future reward - praise from teachers/parents, exam results, recitals etc.
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There is nothing inherently wrong with these future rewards but a system that emphasises them so heavily misses the entire point of playing music in the first place - to express oneself and experience all the joy that goes with it.
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For years I struggled with anxiety around playing, constantly chasing external validation. I knew I loved music but as soon as I sat down to play I would become judgmental of every sound I was playing. Tension and anxiety would build which eventually manifested physically as debilitating shoulder pain after playing for short periods.
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Fortunately I found a completely radical approach to learning to play which allowed me once again to play music for music's sake and not some future reward.
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Playing music has once more become a therapeutic refuge for me. Practicing never feels like work and so there is never a question of motivating myself to play.
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My passion now is to share this method with others so that they can also feel the joy of expressing themselves at the piano as fluent musicians, in any genre of music.
ABOUT MY LESSONS
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I offer lessons online (or in person from my Bristol studio)​​​
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To become musically fluent a radically different approach is needed. ​
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You will learn to 'speak' musically at the piano in much the same way you learned to speak words - not by studying complex pages of text (musical pieces) but by immersing yourself in expressive playing from day 1.
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If your desire is to play music solely to impress yourself or others then this method may not be for you. It requires a child-like expressive approach using simple concepts that require little or no 'working out'. Playing complex music comes later when it is effortless and natural.
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As your teacher I will guide you in your journey so you reach your goal in the fastest, most enjoyable way possible.
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