Lessons
Online Music Lessons
Effective online piano lessons and music theory education
Learning is one of the most beautiful things to do in life. Discovering the world of music opens up many possibilities, insights and experiences.
Martin has proven to us that his online piano lessons work effectively. We enjoy our lessons very much and the kids are inspired to practice piano.
— Susan and her two kids, the Netherlands.
With Martin we have finally found a teacher who answers to our needs of a professional music educator.
— Catherine Wei Zhang, Singapore.
Welcome, my name is Martin. I am a classical pianist and an experienced music teacher. I teach to play the piano and all about music theory. On this page you will find more information about my online teaching practice.
Teaching practice
Student level
The speciality of my piano and music theory practice is that I teach to students of all ages, levels and backgrounds. My youngest student currently is 4 years old, and my oldest is 88 years old.
Furthermore, my lessons are suitable for beginners as well as advanced students. My lessons are both possible as individual lessons as well as group lessons.
Teaching subjects
In the field of Piano Playing I teach:
- Classical Piano Playing
- Basics of Jazz Harmony and improvisation
In the field of Music Theory I teach the following subjects:
- Solfeggio, Singing and Ear Training
- Music notation, Harmony and Analysis
- History of Music
- Musical composition
Official qualifications and preparation for exams
In my music practice I work with official entrance qualifications and curriculums in mind. For example, if the goal is to prepare for a conservatory entrance exam or for an ABRSM exam, I support the entire journey towards it in my practice, to guarantee best results.
Professional support and goal planning
A professional approach is always guaranteed. The exact details of the chosen learning path depend on the goal of the students. Sometimes the goal of a student is to reach a high level, to participate in piano competitions and prepare for exams. But sometimes, music is just a very nice thing to be occupied with in your free time.
Music is healthy for everyone.
Of course, when we first meet, we discuss all of this. It goes without saying, that when taking music lessons, at some point new horizons open, as a student acquires new skills. There is always flexibility in support, should a student suddenly need assistance with something, even when not during lesson time.
Additional support
Beyond scheduled lessons, students have access to supplementary resources such as practice guides, instructional videos, and recommended repertoire lists. I also offer periodic workshops, masterclasses, and performance opportunities to enrich the learning experience and foster a sense of community among students.
Languages
An advantage of my practice is that I teach in a wide variety of languages. Currently I teach in:
- English
- Russian
- German
- Dutch
- Italian
How do the online lessons work?
When I started my piano practice, many people were sceptical of the idea of online lessons, which is very understandable. However I discovered how to make even online lessons work effectively:
The secret lies in the ability to break down very complex topics, for example piano technique (E.G. hand position, use of fingers), into little parts that are easily understood and communicated. Because I communicate complicated topics very clearly, this works also very well online.
For music theory online lessons work even better than physical lessons: We can collaborate, share information on whiteboards, listen to recordings, directly write and listen to sheet music, explore the piano keyboard and much more. On the picture bellow I am teaching one of my gifted young students, who has achieved to come up with his own ideas for a composition:
Writing a composition with a student.
Advanced Technologies
In addition to standard video conferencing platforms, I utilize advanced tools such as virtual keyboards, interactive whiteboards, and specialized music software to enhance the online learning experience. These tools allow for real-time collaboration, visualization of musical concepts, and interactive exercises, replicating the benefits of in-person instruction.
Planning flexibility and Repertoire
Both fixed schedules and flexible schedules based on individual preferences are possible. This is especially necessary when lessons are taking place across different timezones.
Next to the flexibility in time and planning that online lessons offer, I am also always very open for ideas of students: If the student has own interests or ideas, I will gladly adapt to that. Else I have a lot of experience choosing interesting and engaging music pieces and topics.
Teacher Availability
I am committed to providing personalized attention to each student. Lessons are scheduled based on mutual availability, and I strive to accommodate students across different time zones. Additionally, I am accessible for inquiries and support outside of scheduled lesson times via email or messaging platforms.
Price
The base price for a lesson, is EUR 30,00 per 30 minutes. Then the cost is an additional EUR 5,00 for every 10 minutes: E.G. A lesson of 40 minutes costs EUR 35,00, a lesson of 50 minutes costs EUR 40,00 etc..
For group sessions there is a 25% discount for every extra student participating in the lesson.
Usually the lessons are payed for after every session. Thus, there is no need for return payment, and for all parties involved there is minimal risk. However, it is usual that after some lessons, the students decide to pay in bulk for 10 lessons beforehand. This makes administration easier and is often more convenient for the student.
Lesson cancellation
Rescheduling is possible free of charge up to 2 hours before the planned lesson.
Trial lesson
The first trial lesson is free of charge.
Technical requirements
For piano lessons the student needs access to a piano or at least a keyboard. A professional microphone is usually not necessary, but depending on the meeting software (e.g. Zoom) the option of original audio needs to be turned on, otherwise the piano sound is filtered out. For music theory lessons, a piano is not strictly necessary, although it is always useful to better understand musical concepts.
About me
I have have a lot of experience in piano playing. In my life I have done a lot of professional piano competitions and international music festivals with famous figures in the music world. Besides that I come from a background of the famous Russian School of Piano, which focuses a lot on musicality and personality. Of course, I am a qualified pianist and piano teacher. My Master’s degree I have achieved with excellency in the Netherlands.
Over the years I have developed my own piano technique with the focus on relaxation. This makes virtuosity possible.
If you like to see how I play the piano, you can see some of my recordings on this page. Or feel free to read about my musical career on this page.
Teaching philosophy
The philosophy of my lessons is to work primarily on the individuality of the personality of the performer, and to work with interesting and engaging musical pieces on artistic, musical and technical traits. The music always comes first!
Contact me for an appointment
Contact me via E-Mail:
Feel free to already include some information about yourself.
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