Contact Details & The Music Room

Home Telephone: 01661 83 55 88
Mobile Telephone: 07976 823 564
Main Email: richard@rhannam.orangehome.co.uk


A Relaxed Place To Learn
Number Of Lessons Given - 5000+ as at Feb 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

New Web Site Launched

I've used this blog for many years to promote my music teaching business. However, as the business has expanded into other areas, it was necessary to develop a website.

So, at the beginning of 2010, I launched www.rhannam.weebly.com & this site covers all aspects of the business which is now called Key Skills PR+Photography+Music

In the future, the new site will be updated regularly & it is therefore very unlikely that I will be adding any new posts to this 'old friend' whih has given me & my pupils many years loyal service.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Students In Concert Night

I was unable to organise the planned Concert Night. Due to holidays & other events, there were always some pupils unable to attend.

I believe it is important for the majority of pupils to be able to come along to play or watch. Since this wasn't the case, I could not arrange a suitable date to suit everyone.

However, I will try again during 2009 as these Concerts are not only very enjoyable but also extremely important to the pupils' musical & personal development.

Monday, March 31, 2008

April Newsletter, Survey & Revised Contract

Key~Skills Music News - April 2008
Note: I will email a Word copy of this news on request

Pupils’ Concert
We are overdue for another Concert & I propose to hold one at, the now beautifully re-furbished, Prudhoe Golf Club during the school Summer holidays. This is a night for all the family & friends. However, some of you may will be away at some point during the Summer. Therefore, before I book a date at the Club, could you please provide the following information:
We would like to attend the Concert: Yes □ No □
We are not available on the following dates:……………………………………………………………………………………………
Approximate number of people attending: …………………………………………………….

Cancellations
During the last year or so, cancellations on the day of the lesson have increased. In a few cases, pupils have cancelled at the last minute or failed to turn up at all. I am sure you can understand that this causes great inconvenience as I organise my days around the lesson schedule. In the past, I have been flexible & rarely applied the charges, and other terms, as shown in the contract & I may therefore have contributed to this problem. However, I have had to review the contract terms & I will be enforcing them strictly in future. I appreciate that lessons have to be cancelled but you may be able to avoid the charges by re-arranging the lesson to another day in the same week. That cannot be always guaranteed of course.

Bank Holidays & School Holidays
The only Bank Holidays I do not teach are Christmas, Boxing & New Year’s Day. Usually, I am available for all other Bank Holidays. During school holidays, I am happy to try & re-arrange lessons for you at earlier times on the day of the lesson, or maybe other days if available.

Lesson Planning
It is always useful for me to know what times pupils are available for lessons other than the normal scheduled time. Please indicate your preferences on the attached timetable & return it to me.

Pricing
I first set my lesson fees nearly 5 years ago. Since then, I have only increased prices once, in January 2006. I have therefore applied a small increase to current prices simply to try & keep pace with inflation. These increases will take effect from 08.04.2008 but do not affect lessons already prepaid.

Parent/Pupil Survey
My aims are to be professional and reliable at all times & to make sure that the valuable process of learning music is fun. Pupil numbers have expanded since I started Key~Skills Music in 2003 & I have given close to 4000 lessons in that time. So, I’d like to find out how I’m doing & whether there are other things I can do to improve my services. Please therefore complete the attached survey form & return it to me. Once all the forms have been returned, I will provide you with the results.

Finally
In summary of the above, please read the attached revised teaching contract very carefully & return the following information to me as soon as possible:

- Pupils’ Concert information
- Preferred lesson times form
- Satisfaction Survey & Practice Record question
- Signed copy of the teaching contract

If you do have any questions, please contact me immediately. Thank you very much for your support &, to all pupils, enjoy your music & don’t forget to practice a little bit every day. Remember: If we set out to learn from our mistakes, we will never run out of study material.

Best wishes,
Richard

Copyright-Richard Hannam t/a Key~Skills Music™ Tel: 01661 835588 Mobile: 07976 823564 Email: rjh47@tiscali.co.uk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Times

TIME MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
15.00
15.15
15.30
15.45
16.00
16.15
16.30
16.45
17.00
17.15
17.30
17.45
18.00
18.15
18.30
18.45
19.00

If there any other days/times you prefer, not shown above, please write them here:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Satisfaction Survey

Pupil Name(s): ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Tick the boxes with your score where 1 = Worst and 10 = Best
QUESTIONS
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Reliability of Teacher
Knowledge of Teacher
Quality of Teaching
Attitude of Teacher
Quality of Materials Used
Flexibility of Lessons
Teaching Environment
Overall Value For Money

Any other comments or suggestions:……………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Would You Support The Use Of A Daily Music Practice Record?
Yes □ No □
Comments:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Key~Skills Music™ - Terms & Conditions
Richard Hannam, 15 Redwell Court, Prudhoe, Northumberland, NE42 5NY
Tel: 01661 835588 Mob: 07976 823564 Email: rjh47@tiscali.co.uk

Fees & Other Services
· Lessons at teacher’s home per pupil:
- £10 per half hour or £19 per hour per pupil
· Lessons at pupil’s home per pupil (if available):
- Up to 30 miles return: £12 per half hour or £22 per hour per pupil plus 15p per mile
· Block of six lessons:
- £55 (6 half hour lessons) or £105 (6 one hour lessons)
- Overdue weeks will be charged at the single lesson rate
· Other Concessions:
- Discounts are available for families & OAP’s. Details on request.
· Grade Studies – ABRSM or similar
- Any of the applicable rates above plus £1 per half hour lesson or £2 per one hour lesson
· Music books & other materials:
- Charged at purchase price where applicable
· Assistance with purchasing instruments, music & accessories:
- No charge

Payment Terms
· Single lessons:
- Payable two weeks in advance. Unused lessons 3 weeks after payment will be forfeit
· Block bookings:
- Payable 6 weeks in advance. Unused lessons 8 weeks after payment will be forfeit
Cancellation & Cessation of Lessons
· Cancellation of lesson with less than one hour’s notice:
- Full price of lesson will be charged
· Cancellation on day of lesson with more than one hour’s notice:
- £5 charge unless re-arranged, if available, to another day in the same week
· Cancellation on day before lesson or earlier:
- No charge
· Cessation of lessons:
- One week’s notice is required by pupil (or parent/guardian if under 18) or teacher

Agreement
I have read, understand & accept the above terms & conditions.
Pupils aged under 16 years old should be accompanied during lessons by a responsible adult.
I have seen a copy of the teacher’s current Criminal Records Bureau report.
Subject to one week’s notice, these terms may be varied from time to time.

First pupil’s name: ………………………………………………
Pupil or *Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ………………………………………………
Second pupil’s name: ………………………………………………
Pupil or *Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ………………………………………………
Address: ………………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
Teacher’s Signature: ………………………………………………
Date: ………………………………………………

*Signature required if pupils are aged under 18 years old.
Copyright-Richard Hannam t/a Key~Skills Music™ - Document created 10.08.03. Revised 31.03.08

Sunday, December 30, 2007

SEASONS GREETINGS

First of all, I hope you all had a very happy Christmas. This year, mine was very different as I went to Warsaw - the home of Chopin & where there is a beautiful statue in his honour.

Secondly, I would like to thank all students & their families for your lovely cards & presents. It was a real honour & a pleasure to receive so many. Because of my Christmas in Poland, I was unable to open many of the presents until after I returned on 27 December. However, what a wonderful extension to Christmas that was!

Finally, with New Year's Eve fast approaching, I would like to wish you a truly happy & successful 2008 & I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

With kind regards & best wishes, Richard

Monday, November 26, 2007

Blog Update

I have recently given this Blog a complete overhaul.

You will notice that I have changed the colour scheme, made some text changes and, most important of all, added some useful and interesting web sites for you to visit.

I will be adding other information from time to time so please come back and visit regularly.

Your comments are always very valuable so please let me have your views and questions on any topic.

Regards and best wishes, Richard

What The Students Learn

Key~Skills Music

Student Work Programmes

** All students’ studies include:
- Correct fingering techniques
- Correct posture
- Musical theory
- Scales: separate hands & hands together in both contrary & similar motion
- Note reading in bass and treble clefs
- Associated Board of the Royal School of Music or other Graded work as required
- Both piano & keyboard playing techniques
- Playing with automatic rhythms & chords
- Elements of music technology
- Playing by ear - i.e. playing with both hands without music
- Use of chords in rhythmic styles including broken & arpeggio
- Chord construction techniques
- Musical styles e.g. Classical, Blues, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Cowboy, Chinese etc
- Instrumental styles e.g. Piano, Guitar, Violin, Bagpipes, Harmonica etc
- Introduction, fill in and ending techniques
- Improvisation
- Composition
- Performance skills including concerts

** Musical pieces & exercises are generally provided as part of the lesson fees. However, students can also bring their own pieces if they wish

** Free advice is provided on the purchase of suitable instruments & music

** During each lesson, pieces & exercises being worked on or completed are digitally recorded & dated. These recordings are saved in the student’s personal file & are available at any time to the student or family

** After each lesson, students receive a slip reminding them what to work on during the coming week

** A register of lessons attended & their dates is also maintained

** A combination of the digital recordings & lessons register enables students & their families to compare effort & progress with their investment in the lessons


Teaching Philosophy
* Making music should be fun
* It is more my responsibility to teach than the student’s responsibility to learn



© Richard Hannam, Key~Skills Music™ October 2006 Amended November 2007

How Do You Say It?

27 FAMOUS COMPOSERS’ NAMES........
.........and how you pronounce them!

CHOPIN - SHOW PAN
MOZART - MOATS ART
STRAUSS - STROUSE (as in 'house')
BEETHOVEN - BATE HOEVEN
TCHAIKOVSKY - CHY KOF SKEE
BACH - BARK
HANDEL - HANDLE
GRIEG - GREEG
BRAHMS - BRARMS
LISZT - LIST
DVORAK - VOR JACK
BIZET - BEE ZAY
PUCCINI - POO CHEENY
WAGNER - VARG NER
VERDI - VAIR DEE
DEBUSSY - DAY BOOSY
PURCELL - PER SELL
GOUNOD - GOO NO
HAYDN - HIDE IN
SCHUBERT - SHOO BERT
OFFENBACH - OFFEN BARK
DELIBES - DAY LEEBS
KHACHATURIAN - KAKA CHOO REANN
SCHUMANN - SHOO MAN
BORODIN - BORROW DIN
PAGANINI - PAG A NEENEE
WALDTEUFEL - NO IDEA!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

3000 Lessons - and Counting!

It was back in 2003 when I started Key~Skills Music.

In those early days, I never even thought that one day I would be celebrating having given 3000 lessons.

But, on 1 March 2007, that major milestone was achieved - and it's all thanks to you, the loyal pupils both past and present.

Your support has provided me with the best reference possible. I am so very grateful and very much enjoy passing on my knowledge to you all.

What gave me additional pleasure was that it was, Ross, one of my earliest pupils, who actually took that milestone lesson.

I think that when I give the 5000th lesson we should all have a great big party!

Many thanks again.
Richard

Terms & Conditions as at December 2007

Fees & Other Services
· Lessons at teacher’s home per pupil:
- £9.50 per half hour or £18 per hour per pupil

· Block of six lessons:
- Above rates less £1 per half hour lesson or £2 per one hour lesson

· Other Concessions
- Discounts are available for families, OAP’s & pupils receiving benefits

· Grade Studies – ABRSM or similar
- Any of the applicable rates above plus £1 per half hour lesson or £2 per one hour lesson

· Music books & other materials:
- Charged at purchase price where applicable

· Assistance with purchasing instruments, music & accessories:
- No charge

· Changes to fees
- Fees will be reviewed regularly. Changes will require at least two weeks’ notice

Payment Terms
· Single lessons:
- Two weeks in advance. Unused lessons 4 weeks after payment will be forfeit

· Block bookings:
- Payment in advance. Unused lessons 8 weeks after payment will be forfeit

Cancellations & Notice
· Cancellation of lesson without notice: Full price of lesson
· Cancellation on day of lesson: £5
· Cancellation on day before lesson or earlier: No charge
· Cessation of lessons: Two weeks notice is required

Agreement
These terms & conditions are accepted by pupils or their parents/guardians
A parent or guardian should accompany pupils aged under 16 years old.
Pupils or their parents/guardians have seen a copy of the teacher’s CRB report.
Subject to at least two weeks’ notice, these terms may be varied from time to time.
Contract created 10.08.03. Revised 10.04.07