Piano Teaching

Tony Cliff BMus (Hons), MPhil, ALCM, FLCM, Cert.Ed has a wide and varied teaching experience having worked for many years as Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Salford where he taught composition and arranging, music history and analysis as well as practical music-making to undergraduates. Since moving to Cornwall Tony has established a piano teaching practice limited to a certain number of students due to the demands of his other music activities. Apart from classical piano Tony is also able to offer teaching in jazz piano and also guidance for GCSE, 'A' level music or tuition in composition and arranging. Tony is a member of the Incorporated Society of Music (ISM) and listed on their Register of Professional Private Music Teachers which has stringent entry requirements and promotes tuition of the highest quality. You may read more about the work of the ISM by clicking on the above link to their website. Tony also has many publications which feature the piano as a solo or accompanying instrument and more details are available within the Composition and TCM Sales pages of this website.

Age and Level
Tony is happy to teach children or adults from complete beginners to advanced levels and  lessons are always friendly and supportive. The only essential requirements are a desire to learn, possession of a suitable instrument and a willingness to practice regularly.

Exams and Music Theory
Most students opt to take exams whenever they are ready as it is often both a great motivator and a helpful recognition of achievement. All pupils are strongly encouraged to study some music theory to promote an overall understanding of the language of music notation and to support their practical work. Tony normally enters students for the? Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music practical exams and they may also take AB music theory exams. Students are required to pass Grade 5 theory (or Grade 5 Jazz Piano) in order to proceed to the higher practical grades 6 to 8 and beyond. Tony is also able to offer tuition in jazz piano and at present the Associated Board offers jazz piano grades up to grade 5 level. It is worth noting that achievements in both practical music and theory examinations contribute valuable UCAS points for UK University entrance and a distinction at Grade 8 is now worth half an 'A' level. Someone who has achieved both Associated Board grade 8 practical and grade 8 theory may be considered for university music departments or music conservatoires even if they have not actually taken 'A' level music as these grades are so highly regarded. In some cases, however, students may not wish to take examinations and they are certainly not compelled to do so. Many adult students prefer to learn without the pressure of examinations although others may opt for this challenge and in every case it is entirely left to individual choice.

Fees
These are currently £25 per hour and are paid in advance for a series of lessons, for example 4, 6 or 8 at a time. Half an hour is the minimum lesson duration and lessons must take place weekly.

Holidays
In general normal school holidays for teaching are followed but extra lessons may be organised in the holidays as and when required. Sometimes it is desirable to have some tuition over the long Summer break to maintain progress.

Waiting List
Since Tony's teaching hours are restricted the number of students he can accept is limited. Consequently there may often be a waiting list for lessons and in this case Tony will contact parents or students as soon as places become available. If you require further information about piano tuition then please write, telephone or email. Click 'Contact' above for all these details.

Composition & Arranging Tuition

Tony is an experienced composer and arranger with numerous publications, many of which have been recorded and broadcast, and is available to teach aspects of composition, arranging and orchestration to students with appropriate background knowledge. You can read more about his compositional work within the 'Composition' pages of this web site. Unlike instrumental teaching it is not necessarily a requirement for composition or arranging lessons to take place weekly. Sessions instead may be organised on an ad hoc basis with advice on reading, listening and private study together with completion of set composition/arranging tasks. The lessons are geared entirely to the needs of the individual and the focus will depend on particular interests of the student. For example the focus might be choral writing, big band, brass or wind arranging, chamber music, orchestral writing and so on. If you require further information about composition or arranging sessions then please write, telephone or email. Click 'Contact' above for all these details.

Vocal Coaching

Tony has worked with many vocalists, particularly in the fields of jazz and popular music and vocal coaching classes aim to build confidence, improve technique and expand repertoire together with developing presentation skills. Appropriate exercises are given to expand vocal range and improve stamina and suitable repertoire is explored with key and vocal range adjusted to suit the individual. Tony also offers personalised CD recordings with full piano accompaniments of selected material in the correct keys for the individual singer which is an invaluable aid for rehearsing. For an extra cost, Tony can also make a CD of much more elaborate arrangements which might include orchestral strings, big band backing or other styles of accompaniment. In addition if you wish to make a professional demo recording of your own vocal performance, either with piano accompaniment or more elaborate backing, then this can be produced via Tony's digital multi-track recording studio. Broadcast quality recordings of your own vocals, complete with full instrumental backing, will then be produced as a high-quality audio CD recording. f you require further information about vocal coaching or recording then please write, telephone or email and click 'Contact' above for all these details. Finally If you visit www.tonycliffsongs.com there are some original jazz, pop, folk and blues songs which are available to play and download.

Top of page