Perhaps you have learnt the piano for many years, or perhaps you've recently begun, but if you would like to be able to sit at any piano, anywhere, and play spontaneously, with and without notation, with others joining in to sing well-known songs, or improvise, this is the course for you.
STANDARD: ALL
Resident: £572 Non-Resident: £435 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/358
Booking for Members opens at 9am on Wednesday 27 November 2024
Non-Member and online booking opens at 9am on Monday 16 December 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here
What is this course about?
Bearing in mind the particular interests and abilities of everyone present, this course aims to enable everyone to feel confident making music in a social setting. It includes practical strategies for performing solos and duets securely and enjoyably, fun and easy group improvising and how to find and play chords to accompany singing (e.g. Happy Birthday, Christmas songs etc.).
What will the course cover?
The sessions will cover a mix of practical psychology with musical and technical tips for performing, how to improvise instantly -and successfully, and how to access, read and play from chord sheets and lead sheets to accompany singing.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to...
Perform a solo and a duet musically and enjoyably. Improvise in a group and play chords to accompany group singing.
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
The course will be taught through a mix of talking and demonstration, mainly in the large group but with plenty of time for small group and individual work. Practice rooms will be available throughout the course.
Will music be provided in advance of this course?
A handout of ptacical information on chords will be. emailed in advance. Otherwise Course participants bring their own solos, and a book of duets if they have one.
Is there anything that participants need to bring?
Their solo(s) and a book of easy to sight. read duets, if they have one. Also their ipad if they have one.
Tutor biographies
Lucinda Mackworth-Young Lucinda Mackworth-Young is a pianist, psychologist, teacher, international lecturer and consultant. Well known for her entertaining and accessible approach, she pioneered Practical Psychology for Musicians in the 1990s with the aim of helping people teach, learn and perform more effectively and enjoyably. In 2007 she was appointed Director of the leading Piano Teachers' Course UK, and is now the International Director, lecturing internationally. Her two publications, Tuning In: Practical Psychology for Musicians (Informance) and Piano by ear (Faber Music) are widely usedand enjoyed. She teaches the piano in the City to "stressed out City types" (to quote the Times City Diary) and also in North Norfolk, giving piano players of all standards the opportunity to play solos and duets, and learn to improvise and accompany songs, in a mutually supportive setting.
What previous participants have said about this course...
"The course was truly excellent: Informative, varied and well-structured."
"Lucinda is very knowledgeable, has a clear love of her subject and her method of teaching is refreshing and inclusive for everyone."
"The balance between group and individual work was very well-struck and the individual attention we each received really made the difference."
"Our small group worked really well – and it was just right for splitting into duets and trios." "Such a lovely experience! Confidence boosting! Lots of good tips!"
"One of the best courses I have attended at Benslow -really worth it!"