Sarah Piano Teacher

🎹 Why I believe adults are never too old to learn the piano…

Over the years, I have taught hundreds of adults, from those in their twenties to those well into their eighties and I have seen just how much learning the piano can bring to someone’s life.

One of my longest-standing students began lessons with me 20 years ago, simply because he wanted a new hobby. He has since become an excellent sight-reader and plays an enormous variety of music from The Beatles and classical pieces to his current favourites, jazz and blues. Now he is exploring lead sheets, chords and ways to make his playing more creative. What began as a hobby has become a genuinely important part of his life.

I also once taught a gentleman who had experienced a stroke and could no longer use his left hand properly. His doctor suggested returning to the piano after a break of around 40 years. When he first came to me, his left hand and fingers were extremely limited but within months, he was playing with both hands again. Watching his coordination, confidence and enjoyment return was incredibly moving.

Playing the piano can offer so much:

🧠 It keeps the brain active and challenges the memory
🙌 It develops coordination and fine motor skills
🎵 It provides a creative outlet
💜 It can calm the mind and lift the mood
✨ It gives a sense of purpose and achievement
🤝 It brings people together through shared music-making

But I also understand the reality of adult life. There is work, children, family, home and a never-ending list of things to do. Finding time to practise every day or committing to lessons indefinitely can feel like yet another pressure.

Adults don’t need to be reprimanded because they haven’t practised. They don’t need exams, expectations or the feeling that they must keep up. They need a safe, encouraging space where they can relax, learn at their own pace and enjoy making music alongside others who are in exactly the same boat.

That is why I love the idea of Recreational Music Making coming together to play simply because music is good for the mind, body and soul. No pressure to be perfect. No expectation that every week will go brilliantly. Just 45 minutes to step away from everything else and do something entirely for yourself.

I often receive enquiries from adults hoping for individual lessons, but unfortunately my waiting list is so long that some have waited for years. This is why I am beginning to develop short, four-week courses for complete beginners in very small, supportive groups.

Learning in a short block may be a gentler and more realistic way to begin, without a huge commitment and without waiting years for a space. Just four weeks to explore the piano, meet others, enjoy making music and discover whether it might become something meaningful in your own life.

Because sometimes making music is even better when we make it together. 🎶

Maybe it’s time to pick up an instrument again? 🎻

A new survey commissioned by London Concertante found that 34% of adults regret giving up music; that’s around 19 million people.

This comes as provisional figures predict that only 4,635 students studied for music A-Level in England in 2026, down 4.9% from 2025 and 51% since 2008.

Which instrument do you always wish you learned?

Read more via the link in our bio.

🎹🎈 That’s a wrap on Piano Party 2026! 🎈🎹

I can’t quite believe this is my fourth year running Piano Party lessons! They’re always such a lovely part of the summer and have once again been a huge success. 💜

And after four years, I’ve finally managed to remember to take some photos! 😂📸 It’s been lovely to capture a mixture of our brand-new beginners and current students enjoying their Piano Party lessons this year.

Over the three weeks, our new pianists have learnt so much about the piano, including good posture and hand position, keyboard geography, rhythm and finger numbers all through lots of fun, party-themed games, listening activities and, of course, plenty of playing! 🎶🎉

Each week the children learnt three different songs, alongside musical games and activities designed to build their confidence and give them a really positive introduction to learning the piano.

One of the nicest parts of Piano Party is seeing children arrive as complete beginners and watching their confidence grow over the three weeks. I’m so pleased to be welcoming some of our new Piano Party students into my regular classes in September after they enjoyed the sessions so much! 🥰

And no Piano Party would be complete without a little celebration at the end! Every child received a certificate, balloon and surprise party bag to take home. 🎈🏅🎁

A huge well done to all of my Piano Party pianists this summer – both new faces and familiar ones. You were brilliant! 💜

🎹 Have you always secretly wished you could play the piano?

Perhaps you’ve often thought about learning but worried that you’re too old, have left it too late or wouldn’t know where to begin. The lovely news is that it’s never too late and you certainly don’t need to be “musical” before you start!

I’m planning a friendly four-week Intro to Piano course for complete adult beginners (exact dates to be decided after we have a class of 6) I’ve already had three adults interested. I’d love to hear from a few more people who might enjoy joining us.

Over the four weeks, you’ll learn:

🎵 Your way around the piano keyboard
🎵 How to sit comfortably and use your hands and fingers
🎵 How to play simple tunes from the very first lesson
🎵 The basics of reading music, explained clearly and without pressure
🎵 How rhythm and note values work
🎵 Simple chords and chord progressions used in familiar songs
🎵 How to begin playing from chord symbols and lead sheets
🎵 How the pedal creates that lovely, flowing piano sound
🎵 Simple scales, patterns and opportunities to improvise and be creative

Everyone who joins will also receive their own Musical Moments piano book completely free , so you’ll have something enjoyable to play from during the course and can continue exploring at home afterwards. 🎹

Learning the piano as an adult is wonderful for keeping the mind active, improving memory and coordination, reducing stress and giving you a real sense of achievement. Most importantly, it’s an enjoyable little bit of time each week that is entirely for you.

The sessions will be relaxed, encouraging and held in a very small group with other adults who are all starting from the beginning. There will be no exams, no pressure and no telling-off if life gets busy and you haven’t managed to practise! We’ll simply enjoy learning together and see just how much you can achieve in four weeks.

📅 Four weekly sessions.
📍 Acton, near Sudbury
🎹 Complete beginners very welcome
👥 Very small, supportive classes
📖 Free Musical Moments piano book included

If this sounds like something you’ve always wanted to try, please send me a message or comment below. There’s no obligation at this stage....I’d just love to know who might be interested.

You may surprise yourself with what you can learn! 💜

What a voice 💜💜💜💜🥰

Sissel - Titanic Overture (live) : Most of the YouTube clips I've seen fro...

🎈 Piano Party prep is officially underway! 🎈

Every year I convince myself that blowing up dozens of balloons is "not too bad"... and every year I end up lying on the floor wondering if I actually need oxygen!

This year I finally invested in a little balloon pump... and what a game changer! Best invention ever! 🙌
Over 40 balloons are ready for this afternoon's Piano Party, my lungs are still functioning, and I'm not collapsed in a heap on the carpet. That's got to be a win! 🤣

Now all that's left is to welcome lots of excited little musicians for an afternoon of music, games and fun! 🎉

🎹💜 I'm so incredibly proud of all of our piano students after this week's school piano assembly!

Standing up and performing in front of a hall full of parents, teachers and friends isn't easy, but every single child showed such courage. There were definitely a few nervous faces beforehand, but they all took a deep breath, overcame those nerves and performed brilliantly. Watching the smiles afterwards made me so proud!

It was also wonderful to see just how much the children are progressing. Some of them have been in our group piano classes since the very beginning, and seeing how their confidence has grown over the years is so rewarding. They should all be incredibly proud of themselves.

I was so busy helping the children and making sure everything ran smoothly that I didn't manage to take many photos or videos myself! A huge thank you to the parents who have kindly sent me some of theirs afterwards...I really appreciate it. 💜

We were missing 10 students in the group photo as they rushed off to class (including my son who isn't a fan of the camera 😂)

Well done again to every single performer. What a lovely way to finish the school year! 🎶✨

Another one!!!😭😭

🎹 FREE GUIDE FOR LOCAL PARENTS 🎹

September is all about fresh starts... new classes, new friendships and new opportunities.

For many children, it could also be the beginning of a lifelong love of music.

If you've ever wondered...

"Is my child ready for piano lessons?"

..I've created a FREE Parent Guide to help answer that question.

Inside you'll discover:
🎵 Signs your child is ready to begin
🎵 What you really need to get started
🎵 Tips for encouraging a love of music at home
🎵 Common myths about learning piano

Simply message me here 07527 802720 for your FREE guide.

No pressure, no obligation—just friendly advice to help you decide if this September is the right time to begin.