Esther Cohen

When children come for piano lessons, they come full of hope and expectation that they will be able to play real music on the piano right from the start. That is the experience my approach gives them.

Using my own piano teaching course, children are encouraged to explore the full range of the keyboard, playing simple patterns learned by rote without being restricted to only the few notes they can read. With confidence born of success, they are better equipped to tackle the necessary work of learning to read music and they are helped in all activities by listening to the CDs which accompany each book of the Piano Course. Because a parent attends lessons with the child, there is help and support during the week too; after all that's were the real learning happens! And so even quite young children are able to engage in the activity of playing the piano in an interesting and exciting way, right from the outset.

Learning to play the piano is learning for life. I hope to foster in my pupils enjoyment in the pursuit at every level and a love of music which all pupils will be able to develop in whatever way they choose. Few learners have any intention of taking up a career in music, but music can become an important element in their lives.

My musical background is piano, singing, and I dabble in several other instruments. I studied social science (BA) and Psychology for Musicians (MA, Sheffield University), and have LGSM, Guildhall School, London (Piano teaching). I teach a large number of pupils, both in an independent school here in Glasgow and privately at my home.