facebook
from56.58EUR/ h

Music Tuition available in Piano, Theory, Composition and Orchestration

I specialise in advanced Classical and Jazz Piano, Composition and Arranging, as well as fundamentals of Theory of Music for students from ABRSM Grade 5 to Diploma level. I offer substantial discounts for families and for bundles of 5 or 10 lessons.

I have a well-equipped studio with a new grand piano as well as other keyboards and music tech gear, and teach both in-person for students living in Edinburgh, and online internationally. As many of my students are from Edinburgh university, where I also teach Orchestration and Screen Composition, daytime lessons can be flexible from week to week.

My classes are helpful to students seeking to pass the higher performance and theory grade examinations, as well as to university undergraduates seeking to fill knowledge gaps and to explore composition and orchestration in greater depth. Students I have taught invariably achieve excellent results, as high as 144/150 in recent ABRSM practical piano examinations, and as high as 100% in Theory of Music.

I also teach Music Technology, specialising in Cubase DAW as well as Sibelius and Dorico scorewriter applications.

Extra information

Parents are welcome to attend all lessons for school-age students.

Location

At teacher's location: Guthrie Street, Edinburgh, UK
Online via webcam

|
Use ⊞+wheel to zoom!
+

General info

Age:
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level:
Intermediate
Advanced
Duration:
60 minutes
90 minutes
120 minutes
The class is taught in:English, French, German

About Me

Since 2007 I have taught Composition and Orchestration at the University of Edinburgh. Alongside my career as an educator. I have been self-employed variously as composer, conductor, musical director and record producer for a range of international clients including Caroline O'Connor and Sir Robert Helpmann. My commissions have been performed at the Royal Albert Hall and Garrick Theatre (London), Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Hamer Hall (Australia), the Australian Embassy (New York), Sala Accademica di Santa Cecilia (Rome) and Edinburgh University.

I have been a film orchestrator, composer, and musician and possess 28 IMDb credits for feature films, television documentaries, mini-series, as well as 33 Discogs album recording credits and I have been a frequent conductor of studio orchestras such as Victorian Philharmonic Orchestra (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra). Many of the media on which I am credited have gone on to achieve critical and popular acclaim, including Los Angeles Film Festival, Indiefilms, BAFTA, Best Film Score (NZ), an Oscar, Platinum record sales and an Australian Aria Award nomination.

Stars in films I have scored include Russell Crowe, Hugo Weaving, Phil Collins, Josephine Byrnes, Lee Majors, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp. I have worked with Torvill & Dean as arranger and pianist; I was keyboardist for over 400 performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber's show Cats (Really Useful Theatre Company) as well for Phantom of the Opera (Cameron Mackintosh Limited), and as musical director for independent productions.

Some more recent commissions have been to arrange, conduct, mix and master the vocal and orchestral music for the Glenfiddich 21yo Whisky ad campaign, which reached 1.7 million YouTube hits, and to score the music for Ruaridh M Turner's multi award winning short thriller, The Beast in the Storm. Other commissions have been to compose a new 4 movement symphony for The Orchestra of the Canongait, and a new trio for the Hindemith Trio in Parma, Italy.

Education

PhD (Music Composition) The University of Edinburgh (2012)

BMus (Bachelor of Music) The University of Auckland, New Zealand (1975)
* First. All music subject passes with Distinction (A) or High Distinction (A+)
* Winner Hollinrake Memorial Prize and Senior Scholarship for best graduate student

DipEd (3 Diplomas in Education):
* Auckland Secondary Teachers College Diploma
* DipTchg - New Zealand Department of Education
* DpTeach - New South Wales Department of Education & Training, Australia

FTCL (Composition & Performance) Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London (1977)

LMusTCL (Composition) Licentiate of Trinity College of Music London (1976)

Experience / Qualifications

Qualifications:
* PhD, BMus, DipEd, FTCL, LMusTCL

Experience:
2007- present: The University of Edinburgh:
* Teaching postgraduate Orchestration and Composition

1986-2006: NSW Department Of Education & Training:
* Teacher of Music, Software Design & Development, Information Processes & Technology

1989-2006: NSW Board Of Studies:
* Higher School Certificate (HSC) Music Examiner & Computing Studies Advisor

1995-2006: Sydney Community College:
* Lecturer – Steinberg Training Centre: Authorised Trainer in Music Technology

1984: Progeni Systems Ltd/Polycorp secondment, New Zealand:
* Computer Programmer of educational software for New Zealand schools

1979-1985: New Zealand Ministry Of Education:
* Teacher of Music, English and Computer Awareness

1979: Waiariki Technical Institute:
* Lecturer – Theory of Music (part time)

1974-1978: New Zealand School Of Music Ltd:
* Founder / Director / Teacher

1973-1974: Auckland University Conservatorium of Music:
* Lecturer, Tutor & Examiner (part time) – Harmony & Aural Training

Ask a question

Send a message explaining your needs and Derek will reply soon:
The more detail, the better.
Ex. "Hi, when are you available to meet for a lesson?"

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00) New York
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
0              
1              
2              
3              
4              
5      Wednesday at 5:00  Thursday at 5:00  Friday at 5:00  Saturday at 5:00  
6      Wednesday at 6:00      Saturday at 6:00  
7  Monday at 7:00  Tuesday at 7:00  Wednesday at 7:00      Saturday at 7:00  
8    Tuesday at 8:00  Wednesday at 8:00        
9    Tuesday at 9:00  Wednesday at 9:00        
10  Monday at 10:00  Tuesday at 10:00  Wednesday at 10:00        
11  Monday at 11:00            
12  Monday at 12:00  Tuesday at 12:00          
13              
14    Tuesday at 14:00  Wednesday at 14:00        
15              
16              
17              
18              
19              
20              
21              
22              
23              
from 56.58€At teacher's location
from 56.58€Online via webcam

Good-fit Instructor Guarantee


If you are not satisfied after your first lesson, Apprentus will find you another instructor or will refund your first lesson.

Online reputation

  • Instructor since October 2024
  • Phone number verified
  • Linkedin connected

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00) New York
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
0              
1              
2              
3              
4              
5      Wednesday at 5:00  Thursday at 5:00  Friday at 5:00  Saturday at 5:00  
6      Wednesday at 6:00      Saturday at 6:00  
7  Monday at 7:00  Tuesday at 7:00  Wednesday at 7:00      Saturday at 7:00  
8    Tuesday at 8:00  Wednesday at 8:00        
9    Tuesday at 9:00  Wednesday at 9:00        
10  Monday at 10:00  Tuesday at 10:00  Wednesday at 10:00        
11  Monday at 11:00            
12  Monday at 12:00  Tuesday at 12:00          
13              
14    Tuesday at 14:00  Wednesday at 14:00        
15              
16              
17              
18              
19              
20              
21              
22              
23              
from 56.58€At teacher's location
from 56.58€Online via webcam

Good-fit Instructor Guarantee


If you are not satisfied after your first lesson, Apprentus will find you another instructor or will refund your first lesson.

Share


Kristin
Creative Piano/Clarinet/Singing Lesson for beginner/Intermediate/advanced
This piano lesson aims to provide a holistic learning to students of all levels and all ages, where they not only acquire techniques and skills through the process, but also develop the interest and the ability to achieve musicality and artistic level. In the class, we will build up the strength and skill of piano, identifying your goal and something you want to work on, and look after your mental and physical well-being in order to achieve the joy and fulfillment learning piano. This piano lesson can be conducted in English or Chinese Mandarin.

Benjamin
Private piano lessons with Ben (online or in-person)
With a solid background in music education, including an A-level in music and achieving Grade 8 piano at 16 years old, I'm here to guide you on your piano journey. 🎵 Four years ago, I dipped my toes into teaching piano, and I haven't looked back since! It's been an incredible journey watching my students blossom, and I'm proud to say that many of them have aced multiple grade exams with flying colors. 🌟 As a postgraduate university student with a deep love for music, I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you. In our classes, we'll dive into the world of piano playing – from mastering the basics to tackling your favorite tunes. Whether you're a total beginner or looking to refine your skills, let's make some beautiful music together! 🎶

Samuele
Piano lessons for every level, become the musician you've always dreamt to be!
Learning how to play an instrument is one of the most fulfilling experiences in life. Whether you you've never played piano in your life or you just want to improve your skills at a reasonable price, this course is perfect for you. You can pick the day you prefer and I'll make sure to give you all the help you need to achieve your goal of being a great musician!

Ondrej
Trumpet, Cornet, Euphonium & Music Theory
Happy students = happy me. 'Ondrej is excellent at setting the right goal posts for your level: challenging, but not so challenging as to be discouraging. He has a discerning eye and ear and knows how to direct his advice to see immediate results.' - Lauren (student) - 10+ years experience – private & school teaching - Lessons catered to your needs and wants - Individual attention - Taught ages 5-60 - Beginner to professional - Individual & group lessons - Experience teaching students with dyslexia, helping students with injury - Student success: o graded exams o music scholarships o admittance to music colleges o playing their favourite pieces - Flexible lesson times (including weekends and evenings) - All are welcome! One of the parts of teaching I most enjoy is the variety of my students’ backgrounds and finding an individual approach that works best for each student. I always do my best to create a supportive, stress-free environment so that the students can have a really fun time learning, while encouraging them to expand their capabilities at a pace that suits them best.

Mona
Piano, Keyboard, Ukulele and Music Tutor - Edinburgh
Hi, I am Mona, nice to meet you! I am a third year music student at the University of Edinburgh. I believe that music is powerful. It helps us to work through and express our emotions, as well as connect and communicate with others. I look forward to making music with you! Piano I have played the piano for over twelve years and I started giving piano lessons three years ago. I have taught children as young as five, as well as adults. I mainly play and teach Classical music, but also enjoy and teach minimalist music and film music repertoire. I also have an interest in and teach improvisation on the piano. Songwriting/Composition/Improvisation I use songwriting, composing and improvising daily to express myself. This is my favourite part of music - Expectations go by the wayside, we are in flow and in the present moment. I have taught improvisation to my piano students and I have collaborated with others in writing songs as well as composing. Music Theory/Music History I enjoy the academic and theoretical side of music, hence why I chose to pursue my music studies at University. I write music reviews and articles for the Student newspaper, and I am just starting to write for an online music blog. I continue to study and write about music for my academic studies and did so throughout school, so I can help you with your GCSE/A level music!

Giorgia
Piano lessons - music theory and harmony - for any level
I teach for all levels, from children starting from zero to students who want to prepare certifications at the Conservatories, passing through amateurs or simply curious of any age. I firmly believe in the importance of knowing how to read music and this is exactly what I teach first, obviously adapting the method to the age of my students: knowing how to read music is knowing one more language, which, if learned well, won’t ever be forgotten (like riding a bicycle!) and it is an invaluable wealth. Starting from that point I teach the position of the hand, the arm and the whole body at the piano, the fundamentals of the piano technique (giving great importance to the percussive movement of the finger and the distribution of weight), the understanding of musical language, the expression of the personality through the keyboard, the search for touch and knowledge of piano repertoire.

Mary
Instrumental Teacher ( Piano, Guitar, Bass & Ukulele)
Welcome to the music class! Here, we are gonna discover the wonders of learning an instrument. From reading note letters, implementing a proper form to sight reading a piece, we are gonna learn in our own pace. If you're just learning music now and it feels like there's a lot to understand, don't worry we're gonna start from the basics. I will help you understand music and its elements. With your dedication and my guidance, I'm positive that we will get a good result!

Teresa
Violin lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced students
I can teach you how to play violin. I am a professional violinist who pursues her study in one of the London Music Conservatoires in London. The lessons are aimed at begginers, intermediate and advanced students. You want to prepare for an exam or audition? or you just want to enjoy playing? You've come to the right place!

Jasna
Tailor made piano lessons for children 7-16years, (begginer, advance, proffessional)
Tailor teaching to individual needs, create structured lesson plans, focus on fundamentals, provide positive reinforcement, set realistic goals, use varied teaching methods, make learning enjoyable, offer constructive feedback, and stay updated with teaching techniques. My Musical Proficiency: - Knowledge of music theory. Teaching Skills - Effective communication and clear explanations. - Patience and motivational abilities. Pedagogical Skills - Ability to design individualized lesson plans. - Skill in assessing student progress. Interpersonal Skills - Empathy and understanding of students' needs. - Building rapport with students and parents. Adaptability - Flexibility in teaching methods for different learning styles. - Problem-solving skills to address learning challenges.

Bartolomé
Music Theory and Composition with a focus on Film and Media
Music Theory is a vital step in approaching Music Composition, especially when done for film and media. Therefore, I've designed this course to teach both topics as independent and inter-connected subjects. In this course, the student will learn about the foundations of Music Theory by studying melody, harmony, rhythm and timbre. To learn about Music Composition, we will then focus on how these work together to create a piece of music. Finally, we'll redirect everything we've learned and new knowledge on scoring a film scene. Moreover, we'll study pre-existing films and their music to understand the vital relation between image and sound.

Sebastián
Piano Lessons (Classical Music and Non classical), Music Theory, Harmony, Musical Arrangement, Composition
At my studio my students will not only learn how to play the piano, but they will receive a complete musical education in order to achieve their musical dreams. I will give all my best so everybody will get the tools for developing their own voice, helping them to master the instrument and teaching them all the theoretical knowledge they’ll need to make their particular personality shine. Openness, joy, dedication, creativity and passion for music are some of the things that you will find in the international environment of my studio. I care about who my students are and what they have to say to the world, and I will help them to develop it from the very first lesson. In my class you will not only be able to receive piano lessons but also will learn to understand how the music works as a language. If the interest and the profile of the student goes in the direction of the purely classical music performance, the lessons will be focused on a deep and conscious piano technique development, practicing techniques, musical interpretation, history of music, history of the piano, applied harmony on the keyboard, analysis, and score reading by a method that I have developed for over 15 years of experience. And if the students wish, I can help them to prepare for the ABRSM exams and competitions as well. All this is aiming to achieve in a very practical and exciting experience the best results in the fastest way possible. But if the profile and the interests of the students goes on another way, I will give them all the tools they need to understand the language of music in depth, so they can find their own voice on the instrument. In that case the lessons will include contents of piano technique, score reading, applied harmony on the keyboard, composition, improvisation, musical arrangement, music production, recording techniques, jazz and pop music analysis and performance. Both programs can be combined depending on the focus and the profile of the student, or in case the student would like to go deeper in one of the previously mentioned subjects there is the opportunity to take an independent course of specialization on the desired topic. At the end of the semester every student will perform at the winter and summer concerts held every year and will have the possibility of making a recording session with the material worked during the term. With this, the student will not only be able to see his progress and work, but also will give him a direct experience of performing and working on a live or studio recording session, which is a fundamental part of the developing process of every musician. Hope you can join and if so, I’ll be very happy to teach you!

Denise
Singing classes in Vienna for all age students and musical styles (Online/Offline)
Dear students: My name is Denise and I'm a professional singer with a singing master's degree from Catalonia's Music College (ESMUC) specialized in Historical Singing, Musicology and Music Education. My experience runs mostly in early and classical music with an active performing life, nevertheless I also have the experience and knowledge of popular musical styles such as Latin-American folk, jazz and musicals. As a docent or vocal coach I've collaborate with different academic institutions and private artistic projects, focusing mostly on international students or social integration programs. I have years of experience teaching children, teenagers and adults in both Latin-America and Europe, therefore understanding different appreciation levels and needs. My main goal is to help the student discover her or his voice while enjoying making music. **Class suggestions and indications** No experience is needed just bring your enthusiasm and favorite music. Classes can be given either in English, Spanish, French or Deutsch. There are no limit for styles, bring your favorite music and I will provide a safe environment for your personal and musical growth. For Children I strongly recommend the 45 min class since their attention span and body development is different from an adult. Feel free to contact me in case of further questions. I would love to work together to achieve your musical goals. All my best, Denise

Richard
Private guitar lessons for every level: from basic chords to out of the box improvisation
Hey! My name is Richard and I give private lessons to all levels. For guitar, it is important that you can improve yourself in a pleasant environment in a fun way where your interests are central. Do you want to delve deeper into a certain style? Do you want to create your own sound on your guitar using amps, and pedals, ...? I can help you with all that! Knowledge of solfège or music theory is not required, we can always discuss this in class if you wish, but that is certainly not mandatory ;) I have been playing the guitar since I was 9 years old and for several years now I have been playing in professional bands with which I have been able to play on sugar rock, for example. The lessons would take place at my home in Mol or via webcam. If necessary, we can always agree on something else. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions and I will answer as soon as possible. See you soon! Richard PS: my specified hours are a guideline, if this does not suit you, you can certainly send us a message and we will try to arrange something :)

Cheslava
Piano and Singing tutor with 5 years experience and professional education
From my childhood I have been studying music and art: sang in choir and solo, played piano, painted, studied music history and literature, solfeggio. Later in college I have also learned choir conducting, had ensemble and choir singing lessons, cultural studies. During last year in university I had pedagogy practice at university and at private art school (where I worked as a music tutor before the war - piano, voice). I truly enjoyed working with students. They all were different age (8 - 40+ years old) and level. But all were very interesting and work was pleasant. My education was very various: my core subjects were conducting, choir, voice, piano. So it allowed me to work with children, teens and adults with quite wide range of interests and needs: some students needed/wanted to learn particular composition(s), sometimes pop songs arrangements, some were interested in “introduction” to the music, some wanted to renew skills they gained in their childhood and continue their journey to the music world. In addition I prepared presentations (which contained information about cultural and historical background and musical and character/art analysis). So after graduation from choir conducting faculty (which allowed me to deepen my knowledge in many important compatible branches) I concentrated on studying classical singing and piano, expanded my cultural studies and analysis knowledge, practiced solfeggio and harmony.

Quentin
Learn the bass differently and intuitively
This course is above all there to make you want to play bass, let it be fun! It will be based on the practice of the instrument, on the understanding and the role of the bass. The theory will be based on the progress of the practice. Step by step, practice and theory will thus be complementary, and will necessarily be useful! Have you always dreamed of being able to play bass? it's time to get started! Let the magic of music take hold of you and become the accomplished bassist you always wanted to be! Possibility of offering this course to one of your loved ones, a very appreciated gift for people who would like to embark on a musical adventure!