Composition
Composing
is at the heart of music making. Even when
you are innocently whistling a made-up tune, or hitting notes on the
piano as you
see fit, this is just improvisation which is instant composition! To
compose is
to live and breathe your music, it is pure creativity and a raw
expression of
your very being. However, don’t be frustrated or impatient
that
your music
doesn’t sound different from Chopin or Rachmaninoff. Finding
your
own
compositional voice is all about listening and experiencing the music
of
others. You will find that the greater variety of music you listen to,
the
broader your compositional style becomes. Every famous composer at one
point or
another took tiny phrases or ideas of music from his fellow musician
without
even realising it. Ergo, your compositional voice becomes a rich
tapestry of
varying timbre. What makes the voice your own is how you
personally combine your influences into your music, how you
personally interpret the music of
others into your own.
I
teach composition
up to, and including, university entrance level and can help you create
a
portfolio of compositions for this purpose. Lessons include learning
the
rudiments of notation (progressing onto advanced notation where
necessary),
harmony/counterpoint and orchestration. You will also be introduced and
encouraged to use the Sibelius notation software. Remember, though,
that
Sibelius is purely a tool for neat presentation of your score,
don’t rely on it
to compose your piece!
Exam
preparation
(GCSE, A Level, instrumental exams or accompaniment)
Whether
you need extra help with aural, score
study, composition, Bach chorales, performance study, or you just need
someone to
accompany you for your instrumental exam, I can provide support at a
pace that
suits you. It isn’t always possible to have ideas and methods
explained in more
depth in your school lesson due to time constraints. One-on-one tuition
is a
great way to really step back the pace, gain a solid grasp of the
material you
are studying and build confidence.
University
entrance or auditions
Preparing for university entrance and any other
audition can sometimes seem like a daunting task. A piece of advice,
you have
no need to be nervous! The examiners always have your best interests at
heart
and should always do everything they can to make you comfortable in
your
audition. When you are in the audition room, though, your mindset
somehow
changes and you can sometimes end up playing your pieces in the exact
opposite
way that you intended. I can help show you how playing for an audition
is no
different than practising at home, by helping you to understand how we
as
performers work in different mindsets.
I
offer this service
to any instrumentalist, regardless of what you play the principals are
the
same. I can also help you choose an appropriate programme that is
coherent yet
demonstrates your various abilities as a performer.
Booking
me to
perform or rehearse with you
I
have broad
performance experience and
can
offer solo work, accompany you as an individual instrumentalist or play
in your
chamber ensemble. I can also offer you instrumental ensemble tuition so
you can
hear and appreciate how your instrument sounds with the piano. A
lot of the
time it isn’t possible to hear your piece with the
accompaniment
(take sonatas,
for example) and there is a last minute rush to book a pianist, quickly
learn
to play together and then perform. I can offer you the time you need to
get
used to playing with someone else and help you really listen to the
full
picture. Although the piano traditionally plays an accompanying role
you would
be surprised at the musical detail to be found if you listen!
N.B Extra costs will apply if you require me to perform for/with you.
Please contact
me for details.
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You can
contact me on Dan@CheltenhamPianoLessons.co.uk
or
07795-298903. |
