Based in Didsbury, South Manchester I teach piano and keyboards in a broad range of styles including pop, rock, soul, latin, jazz, blues & boogie - woogie, modern and classical. I have taught from the youngest beginners to very experienced professionals of, erm, not so young an age.
My way of teaching is 'Student led' by which I mean that as the aims and abilities of each student vary so much, I tailor each students lessons to match. We work out what you want to achieve when we start, and then adjust this as you progress and perhaps start to discover stuff you'd never even thought of.
For me understanding how music is actually created is a key part (perhaps even the most exciting part) of learning to play, so I cover practical theory from almost the first lesson, including how to make your own tunes, how chords work and even how to improvise. .
Lessons take place on a lovely grand piano or in my studio on the electronic piano that I use for gigs and concerts.
Learning something as complex as musical instruments obviously involves much hard work, but it's to hard get far if it isn't enjoyable- although everyone, and I mean everyone (and that includes me), has to practice regularly.
About me
My name is Peter Clare. I'm a full time pianist, keyboard player, songwriter and composer with 30 years professional experience. I studied both classical and jazz rock and pop. I perform as a solo pianist and accompanist in a wide variety of styles - often as a jazz pianist, and as band leader or member with a number of jazz, soul, swing and pop ensembles. Go to Links to hear me play.
Chords and stuff
If you already play or write and are looking to develop yourself further then I'm able to help. Playing in different styles, harmony (ie chords) songwriting, improvisation and jazz from boogie woogie & blues to bebop to funky stuff are among the areas I cover. See Packages for more details.