Piano lessons in Meilen
Discover the piano on your own terms
Whether you are an adult returning to the piano after years away or a parent looking for a creative outlet for your teenager, my piano lessons in Meilen are designed to be engaging, supportive, and completely tailored to your musical tastes.
My lessons are for you whether you’re a complete beginner, have a little bit of knowledge about music, or have previously had lessons. We’ll go at a pace to suit you and your interest and skill.
What do lessons include?
We’ll bridge the gap between technical skill and creative play. Lessons can include:
Improvisation: Learn to sit down and play what you feel, developing your musical instinct from day one.level.
Note-reading & theory: Learn the language of music in a way that feels intuitive, not clinical.
Chords & progressions: Perfect for those who want to play their favourite pop songs or lead sheets or write their own songs.
Classical training: Develop a solid technique through the works of the masters, without the pressure of a grading syllabus.
Your first piano lesson
At your first piano lesson we’ll see where you’re at and take it from there. If you’re just starting, we’ll go step by step, making sure you feel comfortable at each stage of the game. In the beginning we might use one of my favourite method books, as this can really help you see how everything fits together.
But when you’re ready we’ll branch out to try different things, including music in a variety of styles. And from the very first lesson we’ll be playing together. This includes duets and small improvisations, and with and without music.
Piano lessons can also include how to structure chords and chord progressions. This is for you if you’d like to learn how to create your own arrangements of songs or try composing some of your own. If you’d still like to play chords but aren’t interested in learning the theory side of it, you can learn the basic shapes of chords (just like many guitarists do). This is an option that doesn’t require an in-depth knowledge of how everything fits together.
Whatever we do, we’ll take it at a speed that suits you. I’ll make sure you know exactly what you’re doing and why, putting you in control of your own musical path into the world of music.
Professional recording experience
Unlike traditional piano lessons, we’ll use my professional recording studio as a core part of the learning process. This will include:
Tracking your progress: Hear how your playing improves over time with high-quality recordings.
Developing your ear: We’ll regularly listen back to your playing so you can learn how to really listen and analyse with a view to improving.
Creating your own music: If you’re interested in songwriting or composing, we can record and arrange your original songs and pieces right here in the studio.
Piano lessons FAQ
Do I need a piano at home?
Yes, you need a piano or digital piano so you can play and practice at home. For both acoustic and digital pianos it’s essential you have an adjustable piano stool, so that you can play comfortably and with the correct arm/hand position.
Acoustic: try to ensure it is reasonably in tune and can be tuned properly in the future. Pianos need to be tuned regularly, at least once a year. Be aware that older pianos will require more maintenance so check the sound before you buy, and, if you can, have someone check the state of the felt on the hammers.
Digital: make sure you get a piano with the full complement of 88 keys. They should be weighted, which means you can play the full range of dynamics (loud and soft), depending on how hard you press a key. And that’s it. You definitely don’t need lots of sounds or other bells and a whistles!
Consider whether you want one with built-in speakers. If not, you will need to buy external speakers and possibly stands for them, too. While it is okay to sometimes play with headphones, ideally you should also play without.
Some digital pianos have built-in frames but, if not, you will need to buy a stand. Definitely don’t rest your piano on a table! This makes it impossible to play with the right body/arm position.
Can I learn to play by ear as well as read music?
Absolutely. My goal is to make you a well-rounded musician. We’ll balance traditional note-reading with training your ‘ear’ so you’ll become confident without music notes in front of you.
I haven’t played since I was a child. Is it too late?
It is never too late! I specialise in helping adult beginners and this wanting to reclaim their musicality. We’ll move at your pace, focusing on the music you actually enjoy.
Books and materials
A mix of books and materials, both paper and digital, will be sourced by the studio. Costs will be added to the invoice, including shipping costs, where applicable.
Bring a folder for loose sheets and books, and a notebook with you to each lesson. Alternatively, bring an iPad or tablet and we can do it all digitally.
Can I learn online?
Yes, lessons are available online and in-person. There is also the option to do a mix of the two, if that suits you best.
Do I have to practice at home?
Yes, you should try to practice between lessons. It can be hard to find time to practice and to motivate yourself to do it even once you are sitting at the piano. But there are a couple of things you can do to make it easier. The first is to remember that practicing a little bit more often is always going to be of more benefit than finding a bigger chunk of time once a week, especially when you first start. Knowing you only have to concentrate for even just a few minutes will make it much easier to not only find the time but to get started.
It can also be overwhelming thinking you have to practice a whole page or a whole piece. Instead, when you first sit down, tell yourself you only have to practice a small section, even just one line or a few bars, and that’s it. On another day you might begin by running through the whole piece (mistakes and all) and then decide to focus on another section. On another day you could sit down without any music at all and simply enjoy putting notes together to see how they sound, or put your fingers on the keys and practice moving up and down with your eyes shut. Sound easier?
