When Keith resumed piano lessons in 2022 after a long break, he never imagined he’d one day achieve a Grade 8 Distinction.

In this heartfelt and insightful interview, Keith shares his journey from self-doubt to success—reflecting on the challenges, breakthroughs, and joyful moments that shaped his musical growth.

What began with modest goals has become a true testament to the power of dedication, expert guidance, and a renewed love for the piano.

Stefan: Keith, congratulations on your distinction! How did it feel when you received the news?

Thank you very much! At first I felt relieved – the results took a few weeks to arrive, and I had increasingly surreal nightmares about failing spectacularly. After that I was able to reflect and felt pleased and proud.

Stefan: Let’s go back to the beginning—what first drew you to the piano, and how did your journey start with the London Piano Institute in 2022?

Keith: It started when a friend bought a beautiful glockenspiel, and he was amazed when I sat down and started to play tunes on it. I had learned the flute as a child, and later the piano for a short time, but over the years as life got busier I rarely played any music at all.

My friend suggested I might like to have an electric piano to play at home, and eventually I decided it was time to have lessons again. The prospect was quite terrifying after so many years!

I was reassured, however, when reading about the London Piano Institute and their approach to adult piano learning.

Stefan: What were your initial goals when you began lessons, and how have those evolved over time?

Keith: The initial plan was to aim for ABRSM Grade 6, to “finish off” where I stopped as a teenager 20 years before – I didn’t believe I had the ability to proceed beyond that.

After my first lessons with Laura, and with her guidance in (drastically) improving my technique, scales and practice habits, it became much more pleasurable and less frustrating to play and learn new pieces.

Stefan: You’re currently taking online lessons with Sonja. How has that experience been?

Keith: Amazing! I always look forward to our lessons and come away with new knowledge, ideas, and of course things to work on over the next week.

One of my biggest fears was that I would plateau and become too frustrated to continue, and Sonja is great at helping me find ways around all the problem areas of my pieces.

I will never forget the “eureka” moment when she fixed an issue with one of the dreaded “double thirds” scales.

Stefan: As an adult learner, how have you managed to balance piano with work and life?

Keith: Gosh, making time to practise is often easier said than done, so I try to be realistic about it. If I can only manage 15/20 minutes some days, I will then try to sit down later in the week and get some quality hours in.

My home piano has a headphone slot, so fortunately I can play at unsociable hours if need be!

Stefan: Were there any practise routines or strategies that particularly helped you?

Keith: Attention to detail in scales worked wonders for me, and being strict with the accuracy and finger patterns. Learning some of the trickier scales slooowly was astonishingly frustrating but it really did work.

Slow practice too, trying to perfect small sections of a piece – but taking a break when it started to get frustrating, rather than just going through the motions of practise, and having something totally different or fun to play as a “breather”.

Stefan: Grade 8 is no small feat. What did your preparation involve, and what were some of the biggest challenges?

Keith: I made extra time for practise each day where possible, particularly for scales, with extra hours at the weekend.

When learning the pieces, I often video myself playing them – it was hard to deal with in the early stages, and quite horrific listening back to the first attempts, but helpful to compare with later recordings and see a bit of improvement.

I had a great fear of disappointing others, but with a gradual growth in confidence I instead tried to turn that into: make them proud that you did your best.

Stefan: Many find sight-reading and aural tests especially demanding. How did you prepare for those?

Keith: The ABRSM app and books were very useful for the aural tests. Particulary with the aural tests, I found it valuable to sit by myself and give the answers out loud.

Much of the detail was still lurking in the back of my mind from my old flute days, although I am not entirely sure how! Sight-reading was more of a challenge and in the months leading up to the exam I set aside time to sight-read short pieces every day.

On some occasions I found myself saying loudly “don’t stop!” after a slip. Fortunately I didn’t say that to myself in the exam.

Stefan: Was there a particular piece in your Grade 8 programme that resonated with you?

Keith: Barcarolle: Juin by Tchaikovsky. I did not imagine I would ever be able to play it, let alone memorise it. That in itself felt like an achievement; slowly understanding the musicality, appropriate pedalling, phrasing and the overall mood of the piece, though, was a real joy.

I don’t think I’ve ever managed that level of depth with a piece before. (An honourable mention to JP Johnson’s Over The Bars, which is enormous fun to bash out on a street piano when the opportunity arises).

Stefan: How did Sonja support your preparation, especially in the weeks leading up to the exam?

Keith: Sonja was very supportive with helping me think clearly about how the pieces should be played in the exam, making sure my scales were ready and not panicking (which I tend to do).

We could also talk quite frankly about timing – not rushing to try and take the exam early, but getting to the right point first. Although the exam day itself was full of anxiety, I felt we had prepared as much as we could.

Stefan: Looking back on your journey from 2022 to now, what do you feel has changed most in your playing or musical outlook?

Keith: It’s all still changing. I started with very limited ambitions and have been constantly amazed when things have gone well!

Overall I feel encouraged that it’s still possible to get better with practise and great teaching and most of all, to enjoy the whole experience for what it is.

Stefan: Has learning piano impacted other areas of your life?

Keith: “Sorry I can’t, I’ve got a piano studio booked!” was a regular refrain for me over the last year. Friends and family have been very understanding and supportive.

It’s definitely given me more confidence in my own ability to learn and apply myself – and not to be embarrassed to ask for help.

Stefan: What advice would you give to other adult pianists working towards their Grade 8 or similar goals?

I can’t emphasise this enough: enjoy it!

Decide your own personal goals, but be flexible and don’t restrict yourself. Remember that you’re doing it for you. And listen to your teacher!

Stefan: Now that you’ve achieved Grade 8 with distinction, what’s next for you musically?

I would like to work towards the ARSM diploma. This was simply unimaginable a few years ago. I don’t yet know if I have the ability, but hopefully it will continue to be a fun journey!

Conclusion

Keith’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue excellence in music.

With dedication, the right support, and a love for learning, adult learners can achieve truly remarkable milestones.

We look forward to following Keith’s continued journey as he sets his sights on the ARSM diploma!

We all know the saying: new year, new me… Learning the piano is on your New Year’s resolution list, will you complete it?

Did you know that only about 7% of people complete their New Year’s resolutions?

Most resolutions typically involve losing weight, exercising more, quitting bad habits or learning a new skill.

Furthermore, 23% of people quit within the first week and over 80% forget about it by February.

It beckons the question; why make them in the first place?

Well, a new year is always exciting. It feels as though it promises a new beginning or a “do over”.

So many possibilities, but only so little successes.

Why do so many individuals struggle to live up to their goals?

Let us look at a few reasons to help us not make the same mistakes.

Unrealistic Goals

It is effortless to make the mistake of biting off more than one can chew.

People often fall into the trap of overestimating what they can achieve, which results in too many unaccomplished.

A goal without a plan will not go anywhere and will stay unachievable.

Losing Vision

People get so caught up in the sacrifices they have to make that they lose sight of the finish line.

That is why it is always important to remember why you started.

Individuals lose sight of the vision and their minds subconsciously start to turn their goals into chores, blinding themselves to any progress they might be making.

Delayed Gratification

We live in a world where we need to be satisfied immediately.

Sad thing is, most things in life worthwhile will take time.

Yet many are not willing to put in the work each day without seeing instant results. The excitement wears off and before people know it, they forget about their goals and leave it for the next year.

5 Steps To Accomplish Your Goals

1. Envision Your Goals

Without a vision you are basically rowing a rowboat in the middle of the ocean with no compass— going in circles.

It is crucial to have a clear picture of where you want to be. Break up your goals into categories; short-term, medium-term and long-term.

What do you want to accomplish within a few months (short-term), what do you want to achieve within a year(medium-term) and what do you want to achieve in a few years (long-term)?

Having a clear vision will also help you measure your progress.

If you are serious about your success, write your vision down and put it up somewhere where you can see it daily.

It will serve as a reminder to go practise the piano and keep reminding you of your goal.

2. Design a Detailed Plan

With a clear vision and goal in mind, now you can design a plan on how to get there. Your plan needs to be specific and realistic.

Take where you are now and describe how you are going to get to your desired goal.

For instance, you have never played the piano before but by the end of the year you want to be able to play a song.

Your plan must include the amount of hours you are willing to practise everyday, what you will practise and by when you want to be able to do what.

Let’s say you are willing to practise 30 minutes each day, 70% is for scales and arpeggios and the other 30% is for whatever.

You want to be able to play scales and arpeggios fluently by the end of the month.

Looking at this plan we can see it is realistic, precise and has a time constraint.

Of course everyone’s plan will be different, so choose something that works for you.

3. Have Someone Keep You Accountable

Sharing your goals with someone can significantly increase the chance of achieving them.

It does not even have to be someone who plays piano, it can be anyone who will hold you accountable.

Choose someone who will support you and keep motivating you since that person also has an impact on your success.

Having someone to share your goals with increases your chance of success with 65%.

Social support will also increase your motivation to continue learning the piano.

To take it a step further, check in with the person every once in a while and notify them of your progress, successes and so on.

4. Stay Disciplined

If you want to achieve results, you need to be consistent.

If you want to be consistent, you need to be disciplined.

Where most people fall off is that they would rather use motivation other than discipline to keep them going.

The problem with this is that you will not always be motivated.

More often than not you will find yourself giving up on learning the piano if you rely solely on motivation.

Do not let your feelings or emotions control you, instead be disciplined enough to keep your commitment and follow through.

You will never regret practising another hour, but you will regret not doing so since you “did not feel like it”.

Sometimes you have to restrict yourself now to be free later.

5. Celebrate Small Victories

Every step brings you closer to achieving your goal, celebrate it! Acknowledge how far you have come to prevent yourself from falling in the mindset of “I do not see any progress”.

Learning the piano takes time and you probably will not see success right away, but every time you practise you are placing a progress brick down.

Just stay consistent and before you know it, there will be a whole wall full of progress bricks and soon a house!

Thus it is important to celebrate the small victories, since that will help to keep you motivated.

Fall in love with progress instead of success, for then you will always succeed!

Conclusion

Every year we promise ourselves the new year will not be like the last one.

If learning the piano is on your new year’s resolution list, do something about it!

The new year will not look any different from the other years if you do not take action.

Don’t be another statistic.

So make a plan, stick to the plan and deliver!

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in various fields, including education.

The classical piano market is no exception, with AI-powered tools and platforms revolutionising how people learn and practise the instrument.

However, despite these technological advancements, private piano lessons with human instructors remain essential.

This article delves into the reasons why traditional private lessons continue to be invaluable, even as AI technology reshapes the landscape of piano education.

Personalised and Holistic Feedback Tailored Instruction

AI-driven learning platforms such as Flowkey, Simply Piano, and Skoove offer personalised lesson plans that adapt to a student’s pace and skill level.

These platforms analyse a student’s performance and provide real-time feedback on aspects such as pitch, rhythm, and dynamics. However, they often lack the nuanced understanding that a human teacher can provide.

An experienced piano teacher can tailor instructions based on a student’s unique needs, learning style, and long-term goals.

They can observe subtle aspects of a student’s playing that AI might miss, such as tension in the hands or posture issues, and provide immediate, personalised corrections.

Interpretation and Expression

Classical piano playing involves more than technical accuracy; it requires emotional expression and interpretive skill.

A human teacher can guide students in understanding the subtleties of musical phrasing, dynamics, and articulation, helping them develop their own interpretative style.

This kind of artistic coaching is something that AI currently struggles to replicate fully.

A teacher can provide insights into the emotional and historical context of a piece, which is crucial for truly expressive playing.

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Motivation and Emotional Support Encouragement

Learning an instrument can be challenging, and maintaining motivation is crucial for progress. Human teachers provide encouragement, inspiration, and accountability.

They can adapt their teaching methods to keep lessons engaging and motivating, offering praise and constructive criticism in a way that AI cannot.

This personal connection helps students stay committed to their practice, overcoming hurdles and celebrating milestones together.

Emotional Connection

The student-teacher relationship is built on trust and emotional connection.

A human teacher can respond empathetically to a student’s struggles and triumphs, offering personalised support that fosters a positive learning environment.

This emotional aspect of learning is vital for students, especially younger ones, as it builds confidence and resilience.

The presence of a supportive mentor can significantly impact a student’s dedication and enthusiasm for learning.

Customised Learning Paths Flexible Adaptation

Human teachers can adjust their teaching strategies dynamically in real-time based on a student’s progress during a lesson.

They can introduce new techniques, pieces, and exercises that specifically address a student’s strengths and weaknesses.

This flexibility allows for a more responsive and effective learning experience compared to the more rigid structures of AI programs.

A teacher can instantly pivot their approach if a particular method isn’t working, ensuring that the student remains engaged and challenged appropriately.

Long-term Development

Experienced teachers can provide a comprehensive, long-term learning strategy that includes a mix of technique, theory, repertoire, and performance skills.

They can prepare students for exams, competitions, and recitals with a well-rounded approach that goes beyond the capabilities of AI-driven tools.

This holistic development ensures that students not only become proficient pianists but also well-rounded musicians with a deep understanding of music theory and history.

Advanced Techniques and Physical Guidance Complex Techniques

Advanced piano techniques often require hands-on guidance. Teachers can physically demonstrate proper hand positioning, posture, and finger movements, providing immediate adjustments and tactile feedback crucial for mastering difficult techniques.

AI tools, while sophisticated, lack the capability to offer this level of detailed, physical instruction.

The tactile aspect of learning complex techniques is essential for developing muscle memory and preventing bad habits that could hinder progress.

Preventing Injuries

Incorrect playing techniques can lead to injuries such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Human teachers can closely observe a student’s posture and hand movements, providing corrective guidance to prevent such issues.

This level of physical interaction is beyond the scope of current AI technologies.

By ensuring that students develop proper ergonomic playing habits, teachers help prevent long-term injuries and ensure a healthy, sustainable approach to playing the piano.

Musical and Historical Context Contextual Understanding

Human teachers can provide valuable context about the pieces being learned, including historical background, composer intentions, and stylistic conventions.

This deeper understanding enriches the learning experience and helps students appreciate the music on a more profound level.

Understanding the cultural and historical context of a piece can transform a performance from technically proficient to truly captivating, allowing students to connect with the music on a deeper level.

Cultural Nuances

Classical music is steeped in cultural and historical nuances that are best conveyed through personal instruction.

Teachers can share anecdotes, insights, and performance practises that bring the music to life in a way that AI cannot.

This cultural transmission is an integral part of learning classical music, helping students connect more deeply with the repertoire and appreciate its rich heritage.

Conclusion

While AI offers remarkable tools for piano learning, providing instant feedback, and enhancing practice efficiency, it cannot fully replace the depth and richness of private lessons with a human teacher.

Personalised feedback, emotional support, advanced technique instruction, and contextual understanding are all areas where human teachers excel.

For these reasons, private piano lessons remain a crucial component of a comprehensive piano education, ensuring that students not only play accurately but also expressively and meaningfully.

The future of piano education likely lies in a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of both AI technology and traditional instruction.

By combining the personalised, empathetic, and holistic approach of human teachers with the innovative, adaptive, and accessible tools provided by AI, students can achieve the best of both worlds.

This synergy will ensure that the rich tradition of classical piano playing continues to thrive in the modern age, offering a well-rounded and deeply enriching educational experience for pianists of all levels.

What you need to know in Mastering a new piece in one lesson. We will take Debussy’s Reverie as an example to showcase a comprehensive guide to expression, technique and musicality.

“Réverie” by Debussy is a nuanced piece that requires attention to detail in terms of colour, phrasing, and balance between both hands. Here’s an expanded plan that includes these aspects to effectively convey these musical elements to students in a single piano lesson:

1. Introduction to the Piece (5 minutes)

Briefly introduce Claude Debussy and the “Réverie” piece.

Discuss the overall mood, character, and unique qualities of the piece.

2. Exploring Colour and Tone (10 minutes)

Play excerpts from “Réverie” that showcase Debussy’s unique harmonic language and the variety of colours in the piece.

Discuss the use of pedal, touch, and dynamics to create different shades of color.

Encourage the student to experiment with the piano’s tone and explore different colors to express the piece’s mood.

3. Understanding Phrasing (15 minutes)

Identify phrases and musical lines in “Réverie” that contribute to the overall structure and flow of the piece.

Discuss the importance of shaping phrases with dynamic contrasts, articulation, and breath-like pauses.

Work on specific passages to emphasize the shaping of phrases and encourage the student to listen for the musical line’s continuity.

4. Achieving Balance Between Both Hands (15 minutes)

Focus on passages where both hands interact closely, highlighting the balance and interplay between them.

Discuss the importance of balance, clarity, and voicing to ensure each hand’s musical line is heard distinctly.

Practise hand coordination exercises to improve balance and synchronization between the hands, paying attention to the independence of each hand’s rhythm and dynamics.

5. Interpretation and Musicality (10 minutes)

Explore Debussy’s expressive markings, tempo fluctuations, and character indications throughout “Réverie.”

Rubato: Discuss the use of rubato in “Réverie” to freely express the music’s emotional content. Encourage the student to explore tempo flexibility, stretching and compressing time within phrases while maintaining the overall flow and structure of the piece.

Discuss how to convey the piece’s emotion, imagery, and narrative through thoughtful interpretation, including the use of rubato to enhance expressiveness and musical storytelling.

Encourage the student to connect with the music personally and expressively while maintaining technical control and attention to detail.

6. Conclusion and Homework Assignment (5 minutes)

Summarise the key points covered during the lesson, emphasising the importance of colour, phrasing, and balance in interpreting “Réverie.”

Assign specific practise tasks focusing on these musical elements, including exploring different colours, shaping phrases, and achieving balance between both hands.

Provide encouragement and positive feedback to motivate the student and inspire them to explore Debussy’s “Réverie” further.

Tips for a Successful Piano Lesson:

Use descriptive language and imagery to help the student connect emotionally with the music and understand the intended musical expression.

Listen to recordings of “Réverie” together to inspire interpretation and discuss different pianists’ approaches to the piece.

Encourage the student to experiment with musical ideas and interpretations, fostering creativity and personal expression.

Improving your memory can be a great way to enhance your piano-playing skills and I am here to provide you with a few tips to achieve just that.

Practice Regularly

Consistent practice is crucial for improving your memory when learning to play the piano. When you practice the same pieces repeatedly, you are strengthening the neural connections in your brain that are responsible for muscle memory. This allows your fingers to move easily and smoothly over the keys, making it less challenging for you to recall the notes and fingerings as you play. In order to see results, try to practice for at least 20-30 minutes a day, ideally every day, and set a consistent practice schedule.

Break Up Your Practice Sessions

Instead of having one long practice session, try breaking it up into shorter, more frequent sessions. This will give your brain the opportunity to process the information it has learned, rather than overwhelming it with too much at once. It also makes it easier to recall what was learned since the last practice session. Efficiency is key

Use Mnemonic Devices

Mnemonic devices can be extremely helpful when learning the piano. These devices are memory aids that help you associate information with something more memorable. For example, you can associate each piano key with a word or phrase that starts with the letter of the note, such as “All Cows Eat Grass” for the left hand notes that land on spaces. Or you can use a visual image like “a bird flying up in the sky” for ascending scales. This can make it much easier to remember the notes and patterns as you play.

Practice Visualisation

Visualisation is a powerful memory technique that can help you to improve your piano playing skills. By picturing the piano keys in your mind and imagining yourself playing the notes, you can strengthen the neural connections in your brain and make it easier to recall the notes as you play. Before practice, take a moment to visualise the piece you are going to play, and imagine yourself playing it flawlessly. Repeat this visualisation during practice. You don’t always need to be at a piano to study your score.

Use Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a technique where you revisit material at increasing intervals. By breaking up your practice time and revisiting the same pieces, your brain will be more likely to remember the information long-term. For example, you can practice a piece for 10 minutes today, 20 minutes in two days, 30 minutes in a week. And so on. This way your brain is given time to rest and process the information.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. When you sleep, your brain is processing the information you’ve learned during the day, and consolidating it into long-term memories. Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, especially on the nights before practice days. This can help you to perform better and retain the information better. As well, when you are more awake you are more alert, which allows yourself to concentrate for longer time spans.

Take Breaks

It is important to take regular breaks during practice sessions, to give your brain a chance to process the information it has learned. If you are feeling overwhelmed, or if your mind is starting to wander, take a break and come back to your practice session refreshed.

Repetition

Repetition is key when it comes to improving memory when learning the piano. The more you repeat the material you are learning, the better you will be able to remember it. This is why it is important to practice regularly, focusing on repetition to strengthen your understanding of the material. As well, look at your piece in small chunks rather than as a story, this will allow your brain to focus clearly on points and remember these smaller sections.

Listen And Play Along To Recordings

Listening to recordings of the pieces you are learning can be a great way to improve your memory. When you listen to the piece being played correctly, your brain can better process and understand the piece, making it easier to recall and play later. Additionally, playing along with a recording can help you internalise the rhythm and phrasing of the piece.

Learn The Music Theory Behind The Pieces

Understanding the theory behind the pieces you’re learning can greatly improve your memory and make it easier to play. By understanding the structure and harmony of the piece, you can better anticipate what comes next, making it easier to recall and play the piece.

Use Memory Games

Memory games can be a fun way to improve your memory while learning the piano. There are various games available such as flashcards, matching games, memory puzzles etc. to test your recall of musical notes, chords, keys and scales. By making your practice more enjoyable, your are more likely to be stimulated and remember what you have just completed.
These are just a few tips for how to improve your memory for learning the piano. Remember, the key to success is to practice regularly and use techniques that work for you. With time, patience, and dedication, you will be able to improve and become a better pianist.

If you enjoy our articles and are feeling inspired to start piano lessons then don’t hesitate and contact us to find out more info. We have a great group of professional, motivating and friendly teaches that would love to help you on your musical journey.

In this day and age, people are often looking for a shortcut to achieve something. Whether to lose weight, get in shape, or sleep better, the modern-day “hack” of finding an easier way is very fashionable. In wellness circles, this term is called “Biohacking”. It means using technology and the latest research to make you look, feel and perform better than the average person.

So how does this relate to the piano? And is it possible to achieve meaningful skills by finding a shortcut? First- we better define what we mean when we say being able to play. Stefan Joubert explains being able to play as being at grades 4-5 (note that he is generalising and this is obviously not a hard-and-fast-rule!). However, for yourself, this may be something else. Do you want to be able to read music, play jazz or learn the notes and follow along on YouTube piano songs (this is tougher than it looks, by the way!).

In terms of learning quickly, well, again, this is a tricky one. What can you do in six weeks or six months? The outcome depends on how much quality time you spend rehearsing. It may be six months of practice, but there is a significant difference after doing one hour per day versus one hour per week. Sensible practice and dedication have always been the order of the day.

Whatever your goal, however, there is a secret hack to get you where you want to go as fast as possible. Are you ready? It is called WORK. Alas, there is no genuine shortcut to laying the foundations in the brain and fingers to reach an accomplished level. Of course, there is smart work and doing the right things in the correct order, but the more you perform, the better you become. This is a refreshing thought when you think about it. You don’t need to worry about missing out on any secret or latest hack to get better. Of course, you best have the right coaching to ensure you are practising correctly (S & C Piano, hello) and have the proper guidance, but at the end of the day, it is all down to you.

So what are you waiting for?

“People look for the shortcut. the hack… The shortcut is a lie. The hack doesn’t get you there… There is no easy way. There is only hard work, late nights, early mornings, practice, rehearsal, repetition, study, sweat, blood, toil, frustration, and discipline…There is only one way. The way of discipline.” Jocko Willink

Ready to start your piano journey?

If you have always wanted to learn – why not get started with top-notch piano education in London? You do not need any prior experience and can give it a go!

Please find out more about our piano courses!