The Stepping Tones Diary is brimming with features for children such as jokes, illustrations, practice tips and an A4 landscape-practice chart each week, which is a perfect size for children to write in.
Read MorePerhaps, parents are so busy trying to be good parents, that piano is added to a list of tasks a child needs to accomplish, in order for life to go smoothly?
Read MoreA little compassion goes a long, long, LONG way…
Read MoreThere was a particularly warm vibe to this one. Thank you so much to everyone who was involved!
Read MoreIf you imagine 'music theory taught through creative movement... but ten times more fun' you might be close to the content of this class!
Read MoreI'm excited to announce my next pupil concert, taking place at VoiceBox, Derby DE1 1JQ on Sunday 18th March at 5pm until around 6:30pm.
Read MoreWhether you're a curious parent or a prospective pupil, the following video will provide you with a taster of the tone and content of lessons with Alex Bowen. I hope you enjoy it!
Read MoreThe Little Book of Piano Lessons is a document I send out to my pupils. It's a pretty good outline of my principles and practices as a teacher and includes some rather preposterous puns!
Read MoreI do think for those who are persistent and interested, being able to pitch a tune is a useful skill for a musician to have and can be immensely enjoyable, too!
Read MoreI'm delighted to announce my next pupil concert, taking place at The VoiceBox, Forman Street, Derby on Sunday 12th February at 6pm until around 7:30pm.
Read MoreI've recently uploaded a video tutorial to explain a game I like to use in piano lessons:
I do wonder about the increasing prominence of targets at school and the measuring of a child's 'success' against a pre-charted series of milestones. With this kind of systemised learning, where is the opportunity for the child to carve out their own path?
Read MoreTonight I'm playing a few of my own songs and singing a couple of jazz standards at Sung Sounds Jazz, an event held three times a year at The VoiceBox, Derby. It's a lovely, candlelit affair starting at 8pm, and I'll be playing on the Schimmel grand piano there, which is always a treat!
Read MoreThe Little Book of Piano Lessons is a document I send out to my students. It is a pretty good outline of my methods, principles and practices as a teacher and includes some rather awful puns!
Read MoreI'm delighted to announce my next pupil concert, taking place at The VoiceBox, Forman Street, Derby on Sunday 19th July at 6pm until around 7:30pm. There are spaces for the students of other teachers, including non-piano performances. I love to have a mixture of different ages, abilities and instruments.
Read MoreIt's such a great programme for children, and is really helping me think about what I offer my own private piano students back in Derby. I think that all children (and adults!) should be able to access great education like this.
Read MoreI'm pleased to announce a new teacher training event taking place in Derby on Sunday February 22nd. Classes for teachers who are new to Dalcroze (£35), and for post-certificate teachers (£49). VoiceBox, Derby, DE1 1JQ.
Read MoreA Little Book of Piano Lessons including: - practice, what is included in your fees, group lessons and what to do if you need to quit lessons...
Read MoreThe summer holidays are fast encroaching... yay! Only 3 more weeks to go! I had an idea a few years ago to put on some kind of fun, summer workshops for kids and finally I'm getting round to it!
This year, I am running a 4 week course of Practical Musicianship workshops during August. The classes are for children who are either learning a musical instrument, or thinking about starting. We will explore a number of musical and creative subjects using the body and voice and inspired by equipment (such as hoops, balls, bean bags), pictures, poems, recorded music, and improvised music.
The class will run every Wednesday morning for ages 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Timings and prices are on the poster below:
The prices shown are for all 4 classes, but if you are only able to attend 1, 2 or 3, that option is available. Children don't need to attend consecutive classes. I require full payment by July 25th in order to confirm your place.
Click here to book a place! I hope to see you there!
I am very pleased to say that last Sunday's pupil concert, Lights, Camera, Action! was a great success... Piano playing can be a very solitary experience sometimes, so these concerts really help bring people together!
Read MoreHello. I'm Alex Bowen, a musician based in Derbyshire, England. I teach piano and Dalcroze Eurhythmics and from time to time I create video tutorials and blog posts for other teachers and pupils.
Duet piano session
Practical musicianship class
Solo performance
Learning compound time using fruits
Music theory and pizza
