Piano lessons

Teaching piano isn’t just about scales, notes, and technique, it’s about finding a way to inspire you.

Every student has a unique spark, and my goal as a teacher is to nurture that spark through music, encouraging creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of playing.

I work with both adults and children ages 4 and up, tailoring lessons to meet each student’s stage of growth while making the learning experience enjoyable and inspiring.

a young girl with braids playing the piano grinning widely

Adult Piano Lessons

I welcome learners of all ages, it’s never too late to learn piano!

Many pupils take up learning an instrument as a retirement project. Others return to it having given up as child or having had a family. It’s your musical journey and I see my role to keep you inspired and offer you opportunities to perform with others and to celebrate your progress. Some adults never perform outside their home. Others enjoy our little concerts between pupils and their families, or carols in care homes, or there are others who travel across Kent and Sussex enjoying the competitive nature of festivals and the feedback it provides from adjudicators.

A person sits at a piano, intently playing while sheet music labeled “Blues Sonata” rests on the stand. A curious cat perches atop the piano, gazing at the sheet music as if studying the notes.
An elderly person is seated at a Yamaha piano, hands poised over the keys in the midst of playing. Sheet music rests on the piano’s stand, marked with colourful highlights to emphasize key sections.

“Claire is so patient and always positive and cheery. She is a paragon of virtue, as she smiles throughout my elderly lady playing and always writes down lots of tips to help me. She is my 3rd teacher and knocks spots off the others.”

- Diana Pett

Piano lessons for children

Piano is a wonderful starter instrument for children, and I love to keep lessons fun and motivating.

From around age 4, pupils can begin with the playful WunderKeys Series, which introduces rhythm, pitch, and finger control through stories and games.

By age 6, children are ready to start reading formal notation with a colourful tutor book, supported by interactive activities that build confidence and skill.

With my background as a classroom teacher and music specialist, I know how to engage young learners and inspire a lasting love of music.

Piano pupil sits at the piano and plays music reading app on a tablet.

I encourage the use of music reading apps to enhance learning. Introducing note reading apps to support piano practice at home

A young boy aged 10 plays a grand piano inside a church adorned with wooden paneling, a church organ is in the background. He wears a crisp shirt as this is an annual concert.

Annual concert for friends and family to give the opportunity to all my music students to perform.

“Athena enjoys her weekly lessons and has improved immensely with Claire's patient and kind approach. There are also opportunities for grading and competitions. A great experience”

- SK (piano age 9)

Pupil performs In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg on the piano. Teacher plays on the flute encouraging short staccato notes.

Piano lessons for teenagers

Teenagers can enjoy learning the piano. Keyboard skills and piano lessons can support their music GCSE choices and musicianship skills.

Teenagers tend to know the tunes they want to play and whilst encouraging a tutor book to structure learning, I always balance this with tunes that inspire and keep them motivated be it Rush E, Interstellar or Can You Feel The Love Tonight, it’s great to help teens and pre-teens on their musical journey to embrace tunes they love.

It can be a great feeling to starting playing Rush E back in your school music classroom and have all your friends in awe.

A teenage girl with long blonde hair is seated at a piano, turned away from the camera while reading sheet music. The music studio has a company logo on the wall behind.

The story of my pupil Nabi’s piano progress:

With regular weekly lessons and dedicated practice look what can be achieved.

An female teacher, wearing glasses, sits beside a 4 year old people pupil. The woman is wearing a striped shirt, and the girl is wearing pink trousers with a unicorn design. They are sitting at upright piano in a room with light green walls.

Age 4, August 2022 - Nabi became a student of mine. Here she is after six lessons using a traditional score. Click the image to hear her play. I frequently use a duet part to build confidence.

Young piano pupil wins distinction certificate and stands smiling in front on black grand piano in her concert dress.

Age 5, March 2023 - here she is performing in a Mini Musician class at Tunbridge Wells Arts Festival.

A young girl with pigtails decorated with blue and white flowers, holding a piano trophy and music medals, smiling.

Aged 6, February 2024 -here she is at Eastbourne Music & Arts Festival adorned with prizes from the different classes - Baroque, Classical and Grade 1

Age 6 May 2024 - On tour - at a motorway service station! Look how Nabi grabs every opportunity to perform and plays so well from memory, unphased by people watching.

Female piano teacher sits with young piano pupil in front of a piano. The teacher holds two certificates from a performing arts festival. The child wears a pink dress and white tights, proudly displaying a medal.

Age 7, February 2025 -Nabi performing in 5 classes in Eastbourne Music & Arts Festival. Awards including 1st place.

A young girl holding a certificate in front of a black grand piano, smiling after a performance at an arts festival, with a stained glass window behind her.

Age 7, 8th March 2025 -Performing in 2 classes and achieving 1st place in the the Mini Musician, Year 2 and under class. Invited to perform at GEMS concert.

7 year old little girl sits at piano in her blue school uniform. She smiles cheerfully at the piano both hands on the keys with Sonatina music in front of her.

Age 7, 2025 - here she is preparing for her Grade 2 piano exam.

Smartly dressed 7 year old girl stands on stage at award ceremony, beside a town mayor clutching her trophy.
Grand piano sits on a stage lit in blue with trophies visible.

Age 7, 23rd March 2025 -Nabi selected to perform in Trinity Theatre at the GEMS concert, with a select few. Playing on stage for 2 minutes from memory Nabi made us so proud. She was awarded a first place trophy by the Mayor.

Supportive videos on request for you to play along to.

Piano FAQs

Q. How long does it take to learn piano?

A. Each pupil is individual and has their own learning style. Most pupils can read notes and play simple tunes within a few weeks. We use tutor books and inspiring pieces to build confidence from the start

Q. How much will I have to practise?

A. Little and often works best. Ten focused minutes on a tricky section beats twenty minutes of casual playthrough.

Q. Will I be forced to do exams?

A. Not at all. Some enjoy exams, others prefer recitals or simply play for pleasure. Lessons are tailored to your goals.

Q. Is an electric keyboard OK?

A. Yes. Many begin with a basic keyboard, then upgrade to a weighted electric piano, often found second-hand from £100. Acoustic pianos aren’t essential.