If you’re wondering whether your child can, or even should fit music lessons around their other studies, there has been a great deal of research showing the multiple benefits music lessons can have, from developing problem-solving abilities to improved memory functions. This 5 minute TED video by Anita Collins, an award-winning educator, researcher and author in the field of brain development and music learning, says it best:

Here’s an interview with my former student, Melanie Rothman, about her journey to life as a professional musician.

Oboe Lessons

I teach oboe students from beginner to diploma level. Oboists can start on ‘Junior oboes’ – see Howarth of London’s website for a description – from 7+, but a standard student oboe will be fine for older students or those with a larger hand span. I will be pleased to advise as to the best type of oboe before lessons commence. Lessons would normally take place once a week for 30 minutes, although an hour lesson is recommended at advanced levels. They can take place either online or in person (once the COVID-19 situation settles down) at my home or in school, if the student attends one of the schools I work in. 

Reeds

I will give specific guidance about reed care in the lessons, but parents should be aware that reeds are very fragile and it is extremely easy to break them, so they may need replacing fairly frequently in the early stages. I would suggest that new students don’t try to play the reeds before their first lesson to avoid any disasters! As a guide you can probably expect to use 2-3 reeds a term with a normal practice routine. These should be soft or medium soft in the early stages and I will give specific advice regarding makes of reeds to purchase before lessons commence. Be aware there are a lot of poorly made reeds on the internet, so resist the temptation to buy ‘bargains’, as nine times out of ten they are unplayable or need a lot of adjustment to make them work.

Recommended sources for buying reeds:

• Howarth of London

• Just Flutes

Stamina

Playing the oboe requires the use of a small amount of air at high pressure, so large lung capacity isn’t necessary, but learning to breathe correctly and use accurate muscular support is important and will need practice. Occasionally a student may become dizzy/lightheaded, at which point it is best to sit down and put their head between their knees for a couple of minutes.

Practice

In order to make progress and maintain lip control it’s important to practise regularly. In the early stages just 10 minutes a day will suffice (a minimum of 5 times a week), but this will need to increase to 20 minutes for the early grades, 30 minutes at an intermediate level and 45 minutes - an hour+ from grade 7 upwards. This is just a rough guide and will vary from student to student; however, the crucial thing is to practise productively and carefully rather than just playing through everything once without any attention to detail.

Exams

I’m very happy to enter students for exams to give them ‘milestones’ but would emphasise that this is not the main purpose of playing and will encourage them to learn a variety of music, not just specific exam repertoire, to play in other settings like school assemblies, informal concerts, Double Reed Days and local music festivals such as the Coulsdon & Purley Music Festival.

Ensembles

I would encourage students to join an instrumental group as soon as possible, once they’ve learnt the basics, in order to learn skills of ensemble playing as well as benefitting from the experience of teamwork. These skills are not only transferrable to other areas but will also set them up for a potential lifetime of making new friends through music making.

Why Oboes Are So Expensive

Here’s an interesting video by Business Insider about how Howarth oboes are made and all the work that goes into them.

Piano Lessons

I teach pianists from beginner up to grade 8. As a guide I would normally start piano students from the age of 7, although I would consider taking on younger students if they can already read fluently. Lessons would normally take place once a week for 30 minutes, although an hour lesson is recommended at advanced levels.They can take place either online or in person (once the COVID-19 situation settles down) at my home or in school, if the student attends one of the schools I work in. 

Practice

In order to make progress it’s important to practise regularly. In the early stages just 10 minutes a day will suffice (a minimum of 5 times a week), but this will need to increase to 20 minutes for the early grades, 30 minutes at an intermediate level and 45 minutes - an hour+ from grade 7 upwards. This is just a rough guide and will vary from student to student; however, the crucial thing is to practise productively and carefully rather than just playing through everything once without any attention to detail.

Exams

I’m very happy to enter students for exams to give them ‘milestones’ but would emphasise that this is not the main purpose of playing and will encourage them to learn a variety of music, not just specific exam repertoire, to play in other settings like school assemblies, informal concerts and local music festivals such as the Coulsdon & Purley Music Festival.

Cancellations

If you wish to terminate lessons then a term's notice is required.

ISM Conditions for Private Music Tuition

As a fellow of the ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians), I offer music tuition under the terms and conditions as laid out the by ISM Agreement for Private Tuition, the terms of which can be viewed here.