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Piano Teacher Hull

Make rapid progress with Russell Plows in HU5

All ages and levels of experience are welcome

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What I offer

Piano Teacher in Hull

Take piano lessons with me to learn to play confidently with good technique and interpret music from classical to pop.

Music Theory Lessons

Learn the solid foundations of music theory and its appoications using fun, practical techniques.

Composition Lessons

Learn how to express yourself confidently in a range of musical styles.

GCSE Coaching

Coaching and cramming available for all boards of GCSE Music to get the best possible grades.

Sight-Singing Coaching

Learn how to excel in a choir setting with confident and fluent reading of unseen musical works.

ABRSM Coaching

Get the Merit you deserve with intensive exam coaching and become an all-round musician.

Russell Plows piano teacher in Hull

About Russell Plows

I’m a composer & piano teacher in Hull with over 25 years’ experience in the music sector and a firm belief that everyone can engage more actively with music as a source of enjoyment and fulfilment.

I have a proven track record of helping students achieve their grades and goals from school-age to middle-age and, using a programme of progressive, clear targets and encouragement, can unock innate talents which sometimes remain trapped with other teachers. As a composer, I have a thorough understanding of music which goes beyond technical considerations into analysis, interpretation and musicality.

If you require coaching in GCSE or A Level music, I can build a programme of lessons to help you understand and remember the high-level facts that will get you those extra marks. I can also help you to free up your composition skills with new techniques whilst preserving your own musical voice. All work is done at the piano so that the student is active, even in theoretical work.

FAQs

What are the requirements?

It isn’t necessary to have a grand piano at home to achieve your goals. If you buy an electric keyboard, it’s worth checking that it is touch-sensitive so that you can achievce a dynamic range from very soft to very loud.

Regular weekly piano lessons with structured goals can help students to feel their progress, an important part of maintaining enthusiasm, especially in young people.

Russell is adept at finding a tailored solution for each budding pianist which will always include ear-training and musicianship as an active part of learning.

How much should I practice?

It’s important to understand that no student can make progress alone, however good the teacher. Improvement will come only with regular practice as this is where the real work is done.

In lessons, we can focus on interpretation and technique and it is then up to the student to practice and bring the improvements to the following lesson. Time available for this will vary from student to student but if time is short, little and often will yield better results than the odd hour.

Why do exams?

Whatever type of music you want to play, exams are an effective way to control and experience development. Exams test a student in interpretation, technique, sight-reading and musicianship and all of these are necessary if you are to satisfy your urge to play well. While scales and arpeggios might seem like a special kind of torture, many students experience a lightbulb moment when they realize how often they come into play in their favourite pieces.

ABRSM grades run from 1-8 but it often isnt necessary to be examined at every level, especially as there is a significant cost. Just having completed the element of a particular grade will improve a player’s performances. ABRSM piano pieces are well-chosen and skill-appropriate but we’ll also expect to look beyond these to music that interests you. This could be of any genre including rock and pop.

Tracey F.

“Russell is extremely gentle, patient and kind in his piano teaching and a brilliant musician and composer.”

Millie S.

“An exceptional piano instructor—remarkably knowledgeable, patient, and kind.”

What do piano lessons cost?

Beginners
£20, 40 minutes

Covering piano technique, music theory, sight-reading and musicianship.

Intermediate & Advanced
£30, 1 hour

Also includes as appropriate: composition, understanding musical architecture, advanced interpretation & advanced musicianship.