Samuel Robertson

I tend to divide lessons into 3 or 4 areas based on a students needs. A typical students 1 hour lesson might work:

10 mins - Warm up exercises
10 mins - Technical exercises
20 mins - Working on a piece of music that the student has chosen
20 mins - Second piece or working on improvisation or theory.

For younger students I use games to improve aural skills and relative pitch. We also use games to help learn to read music. If the student is working towards grades this will form the backbone of their lessons. I try not to focus entirely on grades until close to the exam though, as I think that it can sometimes make music a little 1 dimensional and in my experience is great academically but not practically.

Adult students will usually have a more specific idea of what they'd like to learn. We will set short and long term goals. Something that will take a week or two and something that will take a few months. That way there is always a sense of accomplishment and progress but also structure.

Students wishing to learn jazz / improvisation will be encouraged to develop their musical vocabulary and understanding. I aim to demystify methodology for performing jazz and equip students with the tools to begin developing their own vocabulary. This will include transcription, rhythm, creating melodic ideas and understanding harmony.

For more advanced students I will provide insight into the music industry and what a career as a musician might look like. I have been a freelance musician for over 5 years and have also run music venues and nightclubs so can help students to understand how to get gigs, perform with others and build an income from music.