Professional Piano Teacher in Whitley Bay, Newcastle, North East England
0191 280 1206 | 07984 468 054
0191 280 1206 | 07984 468 054
Piano Lessons
Professional musician and piano teacher Andrew Ridgwick offers private piano tuition at his home music studio in Whitley Bay.
For well over 20 years, Andrew Ridgwick has taught students from various demographic backgrounds, covering all ages and abilities.
Driven by enthusiasm and an inherit friendly, patient and encouraging nature, all piano lessons are individually tailored to suit the student. As well as study, fun and inspiration play a key factor in the lessons, keeping the student interested and inspired, even when the going gets tough!
Do I Need A Piano?
Bar the first few evaluation lessons, a piano of some form will be required in order to practise on. For young children, a 5 octave (61 key) electronic keyboard is suitable for the first 6 months or so whilst they begin their musical journey. 
This also gives parents time to ascertain as to whether their child will commit to piano lessons, without the expense of buying a piano. Following this period and for all adults, a piano will need to be purchased, in order to develop a good pianistic technique.
For guidance on buying a suitable piano, please read Buying a Piano.
Who Can Learn?
Anyone can learn to play the piano, from young children through to grandparents wanting to take up a new interest during retirement. Children can start from the age of six generally, although some gifted children can begin from the age of four.
There are no prerequisites for learning to play the piano, only a desire to embrace one of the most rewarding challenges you will ever decide to undertake.
How Much Does It Cost?
Lessons are £15 per half hour session.
Other costs incurred will be that of music books and any external examinations which are undertaken.
Lessons & Practise
Lessons are held weekly on a chosen weekday, with a duration of either half or a full hour. A learning program will be put together for you, which will be gradually worked through week by week at your own pace. 
Homework will be set which will require daily practise ideally. This may start at 15 minutes per day, rising as your standard progresses.
For children, it is important that parents encourage regular practise, spending time listening to their hard work and ensuring that adequate time is set aside during the day for practise to take place. An unorganised and rushed rehearsal schedule is a slippery slope which ultimately leads to slower progress, boredom and the piano simply becoming a chore.
How Long Does It Take To Learn?
Progress is entirely dependant on the individual. Practise is the key factor to the speed of development. You will be playing your first pieces of real music within weeks, with development continuing over years 
to ensure that you develop into a well rounded and competent pianist.
Being a pianist is also about being a musician, being a musician involves learning a lot of skills, some of which can only naturally develop over time, no matter how desperately you want them to appear instantly.
21st Century Tuition
Andrew Ridgwick has invested in an online music tuition system whereby lesson notes, progress charts and audio examples can be posted and reviewed by teacher, pupil and parents alike.
Students are given their own login details which enables them to access their own records on the 
internet. From here, students can review lesson notes and also hear audio examples of their study pieces. Andrew Ridgwick will perform the piece the student is studying and post it as an example audio file. The student can then listen to this on the internet, or download it for use on an MP3 player. In certain lessons, the student's performance will also be recorded and posted to the site. This builds an invaluable history of the student's progress, which can be heard at anytime, now and in years to come!
Can I Take Exams?
Examinations in piano can be undertaken with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). This is the world's leading music examination board and accreditation is universally accepted.
Whilst undertaking exams can be a useful barometer for progression and a useful goal to strive for, especially for the younger student, they are by no means mandatory and should not be looked upon as the ultimate achievement in your piano playing development. Becoming a successful pianist requires many skills, for which examinations alone will not prepare you for.
Piano Lesson Catchment Areas
Areas within reach for piano lessons in the Tyne and Wear county:
Whitley Bay . Cullercoats . North Shields . Tynemouth . Wallsend . Seaton Sluice . Seaton Delaval . Newcastle Upon Tyne . Jesmond . Heaton . Walker . Byker . Gosforth . Wideopen . South Shields . Tyne & Wear . Northumberland
Gift Of Music
Why not surprise someone with a gift piano lesson? A special gift card will be sent which will entitle the recipient to a 1/2 hour piano lesson, which by the end of, they will be playing their very first piece of piano music! 
Any quantity of 1/2 lessons can be purchased.
This is an ideal 'first step' for many students who are thinking about learning to play the piano, but are maybe apprehensive about taking the initial plunge.
Call, Text, Email Andrew Ridgwick Anytime
(Please leave a voicemail if I am unable to answer your call)