This is what DP Music Services has been doing for a long time.
Three main subjects are offered:
PIANO
From beginner right up to diploma standard, with examination opportunities at appropriate attainment levels. Lessons are normally of 30 minutes' duration and the instrument used is a 7'9" Bechstein Grand. All styles of music are catered for and each year some students are able to perform at the South Cumbria Musical Festival for prizes and trophies -- in recent years we have been extremely successful! For this year's results click here.
THEORY OF MUSIC
Again all standards are offered, and students may enter for examinations if they so wish -- we are proud of our 100% pass rate and intend to keep it that way!
ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD
Similar to piano? Not at all! And since there are so many different models of keyboard around it is essential that each student brings his or her own instrument along to lessons. If that is practical tuition can be arranged. We can even offer examinations in electronic keyboard if required. It is not a good idea for a student to take tuition in electronic keyboard and use the piano for lessons.Neither is it a good idea to take piano lessons and practise at home on an electronic keyboard. The reason? Both instruments are so different, both in touch and in facilities. For proper musical satisfaction it is better to utilise the automatic accompaniment feature on an electronic keyboard. Taking lessons on a piano makes the teaching of this very important feature impossible, so the student cannot properly learn how to play the instrument.
Constantly having to transfer from a piano to a keyboard is hardly to be recommended in view of the difference in touch and key response between the two instruments. I have talked to many parents over the years who have said something to the effect of: 'I would like my child to learn piano but feel unhappy about buying a piano in case he or she loses interest after a short time. Will it be OK if I get an electronic keyboard for them to practise on?'
My response to this is that the child is much more likely to lose interest if you do this, as in fact you are making it considerably harder for them in the early stages of learning by forcing them to learn how to adjust from one instrument to the other all the time. In effect the child will be playing two totally different instruments and progress will be quite slow for most students. If you cannot afford to buy a piano then the best thing is to give your child lessons in electronic keyboard instead. Having said that, I have taught a small number of students who started off on a keyboard and graduated to a piano at a later stage -- and eventually managed to reach pretty high grades. But is it fair on a beginner (who has plenty of other 'new' things to become used to) to add extra unnecessary stress to the start of their musical life?
ALL LESSONS TAKE PLACE AT 35 STATION ROAD, DALTON-IN-FURNESS, CUMBRIA.
FEES
Fees are paid monthly, and are currently:
£31.00 for each four-week month per student, and
£38.00 for each five-week month per student.
Special fees apply when more than one member of the same family take lessons concurrently, and when students take regular double lessons. Please contact DP Music Services for current fees.
Contact DP Music Services at 35 Station Road, Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA15 8PL, UNITED KINGDOM.
Telephone (+44)(0)1229 468209.
E-mail david@musiccourse.net