Julian Broughton Piano

What goes into a good piano lesson? Technique is a necessary part, of course, and I usually work with notated music. However, I also encourage you to play by ear, to improvise, and to try some composing. Don't be put off by this: you don't have to be brilliant at these things to get a lot of pleasure from them, and they do help with understanding the music you're trying to play.

You could describe my approach as 'holistic': you will be learning to play the piano, but you will also be engaging with music in a wider sense, and my experience as composer and performer is useful here.

I took my first professional qualification (the LRAM) in 1981, and have been teaching the piano for over 35 years. However, I am not complacent! In 2012 - 13 I undertook the professional piano teachers' course run by EPTA (European Piano Teachers' Association) and passed with distinction. The course gave me a number of new ideas, and I really enjoy putting those ideas into practice!

In 2001, I received an Award for Excellence in Teaching. The nomination was supported by students, whose comments included the following:

I am deeply indebted to Julian’s teaching and encouragement for the enrichment of my life [. . .]

Music is, I believe, uniquely challenging to teach well [. . .]. I appreciate the fact that Julian never seems to stop thinking about how to teach it better – and the fact that he is demonstrably an outstanding all-round musician makes his teaching yet more inspiring, and indeed more valuable, to me.

Julian is a most inspiring teacher. I know many people who have come to make music an important part of their lives through his influence. His knowledge of his subject is profound and wide ranging and his communication is always clear, detailed or concise where appropriate, and often entertaining.

He builds a rapport with his students giving the feeling that we are on a journey together. While never authoritarian or dogmatic he inspires deep respect.