Blues and jazz piano Iessons

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Jazz and blues piano lessons from Tony Rath in Walthamstow, East London

WHO DO I TEACH ?

Absolute beginners – anyone who has the desire to play piano and electronic keyboards, especially adults who have always wanted to learn but never got round to it, DO IT NOW !

Returnees – you used to play, but gave it up and want to get back into it. I can help you.

Performers on other instruments, such as guitarists who want some keyboard knowledge, skill to enhance their playing.

Classical pianists who want to play some jazz.

Keyboard players who want develop their technique.

Anyone who wants to play blues, jazz rock, pop soul, you name it I can teach it.

BLUES AND JAZZ PIANO COURSES
Barrelhouse – Boogie – Stride – Blues – Jazz – Swing Styles

Do you want to play in the style of Jools Holland, Dr John or Oscar Peterson?

Lesson duration one hour

BEGINNERS BLUES – focus on blues scales, harmony improvisation and simple sight reading.

Price £28 per hour

INTERMEDIATE BLUES – covers a range of scales including minor and major pentatonic, blues scales and variations, improvisation, harmonic structures and progressions and sight reading. Emphasis is placed on developing the specialised techniques for both hands including separation of hands and playing on and off the beat.

Price £28 per hour

BARRELHOUSE – BOOGIE – STRIDE PIANO – these courses are for the specialist who has some technical skill.

Courses cover jazz/blues scales, playing in thirds, sixths, octaves, tremolos, crushed notes, chord inversions, voice leading etc.

Left hand techniques cover:

Playing in tenths and octaves
Common boogie – barrelhouse figures
Stride – swing techniques – left hand chord structures
Walking bass

Price £28 per hour

JAZZ PIANO AND IMPROVISATION

Course elements include:

Jazz scales and modes
Harmonic structures
Chord voicing and leading
Improvisation over chords
Sight reading and theory
Memorising tunes

Using my teaching methods I can:

Teach you to play and improvise the blues
Teach you to play and improvise some niiiice jazz piano
Understand chord charts
Be more creative in your playing

Price £30 per hour

CLINICS – A one off session of 90 minutes can be arranged for any of the above to develop your techniques Cost £45

BUYING AN INSTRUMENT

Your choices will depend on your budget, space available and the kind of music you wish to play and your musical aspirations.

ACOUSTIC PIANO – Good new instruments cost from £1500 for a small upright.

Pro: There is nothing to match the feel and sound of a good acoustic piano. The musical rewards are immense and lifelong. Good pianos in good condition retain a high proportion of their purchase price.

Con: Acoustic pianos need tuning at least 4 times a year to maintain concert pitch, depending on usage. There will additional maintenance costs as the piano ages.

Second-hand instruments can be a minefield and an expensive disaster. DO NOT buy a second-hand instrument without getting it checked out by an expert piano technician. It will be worth the fee involved to save you grief. Pianos offered for private sale at low cost are usually suspect and are to be treated with extreme caution.

DIGITAL PIANOS – Choices range from a stage piano which is a stripped down box with keyboard and stand to a concert grand in expensive woods to enhance the appearance of your home. Prices start from £600 for a basic instrument.

Pro: Do not need tuning – Using headphones to practice means nobody else hears your mistakes. MIDI connections open up the world of digital and computer music.

Please note that all lessons can be tailored to your individual needs.

For more information and a detailed discussion of your needs call 0208 521 4340 or email: Tony Rath today!

Why not contact us and find out how we can help you.

Pupil Focus

Ryan Pather has been a pupil for over two years and has progressed so much that he has gone into the studio and recorded some tracks.

Music Lessons

I have improved all our standard courses:
Acoustic/electric guitar
Bass guitar lessons
Classical, nylon jazz and blues guitar
Piano lessons
Blues and jazz piano lessons
Singing lessons
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Call on 0208 521 4340 to discuss your needs or book a lesson.

Member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors