Detailed Information

Making music is the activity about which I have been most passionate throughout my life, and since January 2000, I have discovered a similar enthusiasm for teaching.  While I have taught music on a one–to–one basis at various times in my life, it has been from 2000 that I have had the most interest and commitment.  As outlined below, this is reflected in the training I have undertaken for the profession in recent years.

Teaching "Philosophies"

A long-term goal I have as a music teacher is to instil enough confidence and knowledge in my students to enable them eventually not to require a teacher, to independently direct their lifelong involvement with music.  I teach from a general principal that musicianship is most enjoyably and successfully advanced through putting music making and listening first, ahead of academic learning (e.g. of music theory).  More specifically, I believe that when we learn or rehearse an element of music (e.g. a scale, pattern or cadence), instrumental and musical “language” proficiency is almost always most effectively progressed by performing in relation to a specific pulse, time signature (usually four–four) and phrase length (usually 2 or 4 bars — including an ending rest!).

I also have — and encourage in my students — high realistic expectations for their achievement.  In conjunction with this, I try regularly to acknowledge progression and achievements and likewise, have students also recognise and “own” their accomplishments and hard work.  Finally, I believe that it is through playing with others that the “batter” of musicianship developed through practise is “baked”.  The experience is not only transformative, but is the memorable — even magical — reward; it “bakes” the hours of practise into a more lasting facility.

I hope this has been helpful and encouraging.  If you would like to enquire about lessons, I would welcome your call (020 8983-0572).

Yours faithfully,

Claude Alexander

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Copyright © 2004 Claude Alexander – All rights reserved.