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Martin Offord Piano/Keyboard Tuition










I live in Middleham, North Yorkshire and I am a visiting teacher of classical piano and keyboard over a wide area. I have 30 years experience of that. I am also a piano recitalist and I have played internationally.

I accept anyone 7 or over, and at any stage of advancement.
My main aim with beginners is to teach them to read music so that they become self-reliant in that. If they do that alright they can probably reach Grade 1 standard in about a year. If they learn to do it as children, they will probably never forget it, and they have that skill for life. While it is essential that pupils are enjoying their lessons and what they are doing, it is also important that they play their own part in the process by practising in between lessons. Learning to read music is a mental discipline like learning a language. There are no short cuts! In the learning of a piece, it's good if the pupil understands the background to it, for example, who composed the piece and what sort of piece is it? I also advise keeping a music theory handbook, preferably one that goes through the Grades. If pupils want to take Grade exams, it's a good idea as it gives them a definite aim and can be quite fun to do.
With more advanced pupils, if I find that their knowledge of music and of the piano repertoire is limited, then I aim to make them as aware as possible of the wonderful wealth of music of all periods that they can play.

I charge £15 for a 30-minute lesson, £30 for an hour's lesson. I may also make a small charge for visiting. If you are interested in having lessons, please give me a ring, or send an SMS or e-mail.

Contact Information

  • Middleham, North Yorkshire DL8 4RB
    England
  • Mobile: 07470 127954
    • Send Message vCard

    Additional User Information

    Disclosure and Barring Service: yes

    Qualification: MA (Music) Cantab. Grade 8 Piano (ABRSM)

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Additional User Information

Disclosure and Barring Service: yes

Qualification: MA (Music) Cantab. Grade 8 Piano (ABRSM)

Other Information

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Did You Know Music Facts

Ludwig van Beethoven
Was baptised on 17 December 1770 he was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best-known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quartets. He also composed other chamber music, choral works and songs.

Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of the Holy Roman Empire, Beethoven displayed his musical talents at an early age and was taught by his father Johann van Beethoven and Christian Gottlob Neefe. During his first 22 years in Bonn, Beethoven intended to study with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and befriended Joseph Haydn. Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 and began studying with Haydn, quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. He lived in Vienna until his death. In about 1800 his hearing began to deteriorate, and by the last decade of his life he was almost totally deaf. He gave up conducting and performing in public but continued to compose; many of his most admired works come from this period. in February 1818 Beethoven acepted a piano from Broodwoods England he worte

My very dear friend Broadwood,I have never felt a greater pleasure than your honours intimation of the arrival of this piano, with which you are honouring me as a present. I shall look upon it as an altar upon which I shall place the most beautiful offerings of my spirit to the divine Apollo. As soon as I receive your excellent instrument, I shall immediately send you the fruits of the first moments of inspiration I spend at it, as a souvenir for you from me, my very dear B.; and I hope that they will be worthy of your instrument.

My Dear Sir,Accept my warmest consideration, from your friend and very humble servant, Louis Van Beethoven Vienna,