#LIVE MUSIC TUTOR PILOT PROFESSIONAL#

I was forced to create a situation in which things would just work! Whilst it was out of my usual comfort zone I really did enjoy this and the end product was ultimately rewarding. I have seen that my skill set changed dramatically when I was asked to create from scratch both an adult choir and a youth choir, each containing mixed abilities ranging from complete novices who had a good voice but could not read music, to professionally trained vocalists.

#LIVE MUSIC TUTOR PILOT PROFESSIONAL#

They have all advised me to go in to professional teaching, but with an alternate career and previous jobs I found very little time to do so. For weddings in particular, most traditional wedding songs have been inprinted in to my memory as I have been playing for wedding and funerals now for over 15 years (albeit on an ad-hoc basis).īefore 2018, all of my teaching experience had involved me teaching family, friends and friends of friends for either no fee or donation.

My organ repertoire suits perfectly for services that require well known hymns and songs (in the case of a solo vocalist being found). These involved churches in London, Bournemouth,Exeter and Edinburgh. So I have gotten used to last minute requests to stand in when a regular organist goes sick or on holiday. Since I started my pilot training in March 2012, I was unable to commit to a regular 'schedule' for any church. This also included playing for and directing 2 adult choirs and 1 youth choir. I have been lucky enough to play on some larger organs as a one-off (Cantebury Cathedral, Southwark Cathedral). I also played the organ for my churches (in London and Leeds) on a regular basis. This was venue management, namely live music venues.ĭuring this time, I would still practice the Piano when I could but would play on a leisurely basis. After college, I decided to pursue a different career instead of music. I attended CYM in Waterloo (London) on Saturday mornings from ages 11-18 where I achieved my Grade 8 followed by ATCL in Piano performance, as well as my Grade 8 in Trombone. I started playing the Piano when I was 4 years old and would play regularly for my church. Whilst I am looking for these new flying opportunities, I want to use my spare time to continue teaching piano (which I had previous done around my flying schedule in Edinburgh). I am currently working as a Commercial Pilot, was previously based out of Edinburgh Airport and have now moved to London to seek other aviation opportunities. And i'd be proud and happy to be part of it. I believe that I can instill this passion in new pianists starting their musical journey. They take their focus away from the ink on the paper in front of them, close their eyes and listen. But the times when you do, it is because that musicians listens to the sound being created. How many times have you heard a piano piece on the radio and been able to identify the performer? For me it is a rare occasion. Too many classically musicians nowadays are being churned out that sound exactly like a previous recording. They will hear the emotions that music is creating and play to that feeling. They will hear the music being created in the room. Whilst being technically good is important, and albeit necessary to produce something good i firmly believe that the difference between a good pianist (who is someone who is technically superb and structurally competent) and a great pianist (who is someone who may still be on a learning journey but is technically sound) is that a great pianist will listen to the sound. And how do they get that feeling? They accomplish and they understand. If I can train someone, or start someone off on that journey that will allow them to get the same amount of pleasure that I get from playing, then i'll consider that a job well done. And that's how I feel others should approach it to, regardless of whether playing for fun or professionally. I feel that as music was not a career choice of mine, all I can get and all I do get from it is pure, unfiltered, uncomplicated contentment when I play. Hopefully you'll come away from this understanding the my approach to piano teaching is slightly different, and here is why I think it is! Thanks for taking the time to visit my profile.

Live music tutor pilot