Andrew King MA (Cantab) FRCO - Piano Teacher 

Hello and welcome!

I'm a qualified, professional piano teacher based in Nether Heyford. I have over 20 years' experience in teaching students of all ages and abilities; my current pupils range in age from 6 to 60+ and in ability from beginner to diploma standard.

I have an excellent record of examination results - in fact, since I began teaching in 1985, I have only ever had one pupil fail an exam.

Many of my students take examinations, and others just wish to learn to play for pleasure - it's up to you.  I teach various styles of playing, including harmony and improvisation, and provided you have the aptitude and enthusiasm, I can bring out the best in you!

As well as teaching, I give regular concerts and recitals, so I'm used to showing pupils not only the basics of how to play, but how to perform to the best of their ability.
A little about me...

I was given my first piano lesson at the age of 7 by my mother who was a piano teacher herself. Two years later, I became a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral.  At the age of 14, I began learning the organ, and by the time I’d left school, I’d passed my first diploma.

I moved to Northampton after obtaining a degree in music at Jesus College, Cambridge where I was Organ Scholar; now I’m working as a freelance teacher, pianist and organist in South Northamptonshire.

I’ve toured widely, giving concerts and recitals throughout the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Singapore, Poland and New Zealand.  I’m equally at home playing in a large concert hall or at an intimate wedding ceremony!

I compose on an occasional basis, and have had a number of my compositions and arrangements recorded and broadcast on radio and television. I have a wide range of musical tastes, and play piano and keyboards in big bands and small jazz groups.

I’m an experienced accompanist, and in 1991 accompanied the winners of the Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year competition.

When not making music, I enjoy exploring railways, walking my dog, and generally pottering around in the garden!

News

September 2008 - Farewell

Farewell to Dan who started learning piano with me 7 years ago and has worked incredibly hard to end up with a fine result at Grade 8; good luck for your first year at UCL.
Also farewell to Imogen who started piano lessons with me 11 years ago and has developed into a fine pianist.  She has gained a well-deserved place at Queens College, Cambridge.

September 2008 - Tuition fees

To help my students and their parents beat the credit crunch, fees for the Autumn Term will again remain unchanged for the fourth term running.  Please see the Fees and Testimonials page for current rates.

July 2008 - Examination results

Examination results for the Summer Term 2008 - only two candidates this term.

Dan - Grade 8 piano - pass with Merit
Jack - Grade 4 piano - pass with Merit

Congratulations to you both!

How to contact me

To find out more and to discuss anything, you can email me using the contact form below. Alternatively use the details on the right.
Telephone

01327 342522

Write to
5 Railway Cottages, Nether Heyford NN7 3JZ
Mobile
07866 816510

or pay a visit.

If I don't respond to your email or phone call immediately, don't worry - I'm probably either teaching, practising or giving a concert.
Rest assured I'll reply just as soon as I can!

Tuition Fees

Lessons are tailored to each pupil’s requirements, and can last either 30, 45 or 60 minutes.  Fees for the Autumn Term 2008 remain unchanged at £13 per half hour.

Testimonials

The success of every pupil is dependent on the relationship between teacher and student.  I strive to strike up a happy working relationship with each pupil, so that they feel comfortable and relaxed at the piano, and are therefore able to perform to the best of their abilities.  The following are genuine testimonials from current pupils.

"Andrew is a superb teacher and player alike.  His passion for music and the piano makes every lesson enjoyable and his explanations and guidance makes even the hardest of pieces easy to play."

"Andrew was recommended to me as an excellent tutor of all age groups and as a senior citizen I believed I would be a challenge, particularly as I had received no previous experience of the piano. However after 2 years of tuition I have been very pleased with the good progress made from my weekly lessons, and with the continued encouragement from Andrew I now expect to achieve my ambition to play the piano for pleasure."

"Having first learned to play the piano nearly 50 years ago, in January 2007 I decided to improve this old skill.  Andrew was recommended to me and is an excellent choice.  Whilst a motivator, he has plenty of patience and I really look forward to my lessons."

"I have at last found a teacher who enthuses with his pure love of music.  His sense of humour and endless patience all help to make lessons with Andrew a real pleasure."

"Andrew has been teaching me for approximately six years now, and his friendly and vibrant nature is still the same as it was in my first ever lesson! He is tremendously skilled at both playing and teaching the piano, with his demonstrations and fantastic enthusiasm making learning the piano a wonderful experience. The atmosphere in lessons is never intimidating, only ever welcoming, and I would most definitely recommend Andrew to anyone!"

Letters

"Thank you so much for teaching me the piano for the past 11 years.  I really enjoy playing and think it�s a skill I shall keep for life. I shall really miss our weekly lessons and the many topics covered therein. You really have been a great teacher."

"I would like to thank you so much for these last few years.  Your teaching has been wonderful and I have enjoyed every moment!  We were very lucky to find you, and I would recommend you to anybody without hesitation!  I would like to wish you every success in the future, and I will no doubt be seeing you again before too long."

Why learn piano..?

The main reason will always be for enjoyment.  Learning to play the piano is a wonderful skill to develop which will last you a lifetime.
 
But read on!  There has been a lot of research into the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument:
 
People who obtain an education in music are generally smarter that those without any music education. The internet is loaded with research on the affects music can have on growing children. For example "a research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science." (Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, "Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning)"
 
To read more about this subject, visit [http://www.helium.com/tm/238581/people-obtain-education-music]
Theory of Music & Organ

I also teach:

Organ* to diploma standard.  Most organists prefer to take lessons on their local organ; please contact me to enquire about availability.
 
Theory of Music - a requirement if you wish to take Associated Board examinations to a higher level than Grade 5.  If you've been told theory is difficult and confusing, think again!  My unique approach to the subject makes passing your theory exam plain sailing.  Hard to believe?  It's true - and that's a guarantee!
 
 
 

*Please note - I teach only classical (i.e. church) organ.
Merchandise
 
Currently under preparation and available soon....
 
Publication of a unique approach to learning scales.  No need to struggle with those dreaded scales for your piano examination; this method, which I have developed and used with my pupils over the last 15 years, will be available shortly.
 
When it comes to exams, usually the part that pupils dislike the most is learning learning scales.  But it needn't be.  This method for learning scales, arpeggios and broken chords removes much of the confusion and leads to a clear understanding of each scale enabling quick and painless learning.  In fact, some of my pupils even enjoy learning their scales!

Format of lessons

Lessons take place in my sitting room on a Challen grand piano with a good, light touch, particuarly suited to clear, expressive playing. Parents are welcome to sit in on their children�s lessons and can relax in a comfy chair.  Ample parking is available right outside my house.



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