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

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