Newman Tai

My teaching generally links music theories into practical playing rather than isolating the two. I also prefer you to get more involved in playing rather than watching me demonstrating.

The structure of my lessons would largely depend on what genres of music that you would like to focus learning. If you would like to work towards your classical piano exams, my lessons would be structured generally in three parts: piano techniques (20%), sightreading (20%) and play songs chosen from the exam materials (60%).

For pop and jazz piano, my lessons would be structured generally in four parts: learning improvisation patterns in different keys (10%), rhythmic exercises (10%), popular/jazz music theory (5%) and learning tunes of your interests or ones that I think would be exciting to look at (75%). I will be providing the relevant exercises for you to practice in your time. If you wish to go more advanced, I will guide you in learning how to transcribe music (solos from recordings), analyse the musical information and internalise it in your playing.

I have extensive experience in leading and playing piano in bands. I am currently leading the student jazz orchestra at School of Music of Cardiff University where we learn to play various styles of jazz music (swing, latin, afro-cuban, pop-jazz, funk etc.). I frequently perform in different band projects (trio, quartet and more) outside the university. I am also serving in worship service at Highfields, a local church in Cardiff.

When I was in high school, I was playing the piano for the school choir and student-led orchestras. We were performing in various occasions including inter-school competitions and open days.