Harmonio Piano Studio
Do you, or your son or daughter, want to learn the piano?
Do you want to learn to play piano by ear?
Do you want to learn how to read music?
Did you have lessons before but found them difficult?
Would you like to improve your skills and confidence?
I teach according to the Suzuki approach and my unique music reading method.
Book your free trial lesson today.
Lessons are available in Hamilton or Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand.
Online lessons are available via Zoom or Skype video calling.
Piano Lessons for Beginners to Diploma (ATCL) Level
Children (aged 3 or older depending on developmental level), teenagers, and adults of all ages are welcome.
Flexible Lesson Times
Lesson times can be flexible to fit around changing work hours (subject to availability).
What makes Harmonio Piano Studio unique?
Unique Approach
I teach piano based on the Suzuki approach, which is also called ‘the mother-tongue method’. Just like a child learns their mother language by listening first, then learning to speak, and then learning to read and write, the Suzuki approach postpones reading music until the student’s aural and piano playing skills are established.
Once a student is ready to learn to read music, my unique reading method makes it easy!
Students learn a range of music skills in an integrated way: Piano technique; reading piano music; ear training; playing piano arrangements by ear and from memory; playing with others; music theory; history of music; scales, piano chords and arpeggios; piano practice skills and performance techniques.
I also use opportunities to develop young students’ literacy and numeracy skills.
Experienced Teacher
I am a registered music teacher with experience teaching students as young as 3 and as old as 83 years, from beginner to advanced level.
I also have experience as a professional classical pianist and a secondary school music teacher.
My students have achieved Merit and Distinction in international piano exams up to Grade 8.
Flexibility
Usually a student has one 30-minute lesson per week, which extends to 45 – 60 minutes when learning at Level 2.
Young students may prefer shorter lessons, once or twice per week, if available.
Piano lessons are offered during the morning, afternoon or evening, and during school terms and some school holidays (subject to availability).
Some Benefits of Learning the Piano
- Learning a musical instrument such as the piano can give a person a sense of achievement and develop self-confidence.
- The piano is a social and versatile instrument.
- Playing the piano develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Playing the piano engages several areas of the brain at the same time, which helps to enhance thinking and problem-solving skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click or touch a question for more information about music lessons.
What is the Suzuki approach?
This page has more information about the Suzuki approach and how Suzuki piano lessons are different from traditional piano lessons.
How often do piano students need to practise?
A student’s progress depends on how much they practise between piano lessons.
Students need to practise for at least half the length of their lesson time, 5 days per week. This is on top of the lesson time.
It’s recommended that the student practises at the same time each day so it becomes a natural part of their daily routine.
School-aged students may need an adult’s help to keep to their practise routine and to practise correctly.
What are the teacher's qualifications?
Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Music (Classical Piano Performance)
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
Registered Suzuki piano teacher
is it necessary to have a piano?
The student needs to have daily access to a piano to practise on. An acoustic (non-electric) piano is preferable and essential for learning classical piano and taking Suzuki piano lessons.
Pianos are available in the Waikato from
Kevin’s Pianos or Shearer’s Music Works or New Zealand Rockshop. It’s recommended to visit their premises, because most of their pianos are not listed on their websites. They may have hire-to-buy options and payment plans.
If buying a second-hand piano from a private individual, please check that all the keys work and that the piano is not too old to be tuned. Before buying it, try it first to check that you like its sound.
The second-best option is to buy a digital piano or keyboard. However, within about a year such an instrument will hold a student back, compared to students learning on acoustic pianos.
Digital pianos and keyboards need to be touch-sensitive (quiet or loud in response to how hard a key is pressed) and have standard-size, weighted keys. At least 61 keys are recommended, but the full 88 keys are ideal. A sustain pedal input is helpful.
Often people want to buy a digital piano because they think it would be quieter, smaller, and cheaper than an acoustic piano. This is not necessarily the case. Some acoustic pianos come with a quiet practise pedal. An upright piano would be of a similar size than that of a digital piano. It’s possible to buy a second-hand acoustic piano for roughly the same price or less than the cost of a digital piano. An acoustic piano will also last longer and hold its value for longer. The keys on a keyboard or digital piano can sometimes break easily.
It’s highly recommended that students have daily access to an acoustic piano.
What costs are involved?
Usually young students start with a 20-minute lesson per week, which is later extended to 30-minutes or longer. Students are also expected to attend group lessons, usually 8 per year. Fees need to be paid in advance at the start of each term. The cost depends on the number and length of lessons and the location.
Each student needs daily access to an acoustic piano. It’s important that this piano is kept in tune. A piano usually needs to be tuned every year or two, costing about $160 – 200 each time.
The student needs a stable piano stool on four wooden legs. An adjustable stool is best, for example, this one from Dick Smith. Adjustable stools are also available from Shearer’s Music Works or New Zealand Rockshop.
Students need to have their feet flat on the floor or on a stable surface, with their knees at about 90 degrees. An adjustable footstool is best and available from a local carpenter for about $90 – 100.
Students need to be members of the New Zealand Suzuki Institute (NZSI). Membership fees are about $85 per year per family.
Which music examinations are available?
Students can register for graded piano and music theory exams offered by Trinity College London, Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), or the New Zealand Music Examinations Board (NZMEB). The NZMEB syllabus includes several Suzuki piano pieces and can include credits towards NCEA.
All exams are optional. Exam books and fees are at an additional cost.
Contact Harmonio Today
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