Recent Piano Testimonials

Second Testimonial by Faye B.

Fantastic teacher, great value for money.

I can’t recommend Mike enough! His friendly and professional demeanour puts me instantly at ease. Some of the things I value most about Mike are: 1) That he takes time out of the lesson to prepare for lessons and consider pieces that might help develop a specific skill to share with me, 2) his vast knowledge, whatever I bring to look at he knows so much about the background/history of the piece and can share useful insights to help me contextualise and better interpret the music, and 3) his attention to detail with recognising what I’m doing and what to focus on. I studied music at University and Mike’s knowledge and way of communicating all that he knows is extremely high quality.

The teaching studio is comfortable, tidy and cosy. Fantastic value for money to receive an hour of such high-quality tuition, I leave each lesson feeling motivated and energised with a concrete idea of what to work on for the following lesson to best improve my playing. Thanks Mike!

Faye B. (Health Professional)

Beyond Grade 8

I have recently returned to having piano lessons with Mike after I had to take a break when I had my son. Mike is teaching me to play beyond Grade 8 level, helping me achieve a level of skill I never thought possible. His unique teaching style brings out the best in my playing, allowing me to not only improve my technical ability, but also to understand and appreciate the composer’s intentions. Mike’s approach goes far beyond traditional piano instruction and he has opened up a whole new dimension to my playing. He’s currently teaching me how to weight my fingers and arms and use my entire body to produce different sounds and tones from the piano which is a technique I’ve never explored before.

I would not hesitate to recommend Mike, especially to anyone aiming to develop their skills at Grade 8 level and beyond. His dedication and expertise make him an outstanding piano teacher.

Sarah Newill (Head of Business Operations)

Although I have always been interested in music I was never interested in playing an instrument until I left school in 2001. Since then I have tried several instruments including keyboard, piano, drums and guitar.

Until taking lessons with Mike I have always tried to teach myself by watching videos online on websites such as YouTube. This has worked to a certain extent but what I have found is that I can play a few songs but not very well. I recently decided I wanted more structure to my learning and to become proficient at one instrument rather than knowing how to play lots of instruments to an ‘OK’ standard. I searched for ‘piano lessons’ on Google and found several tutors within my local area. The thing that attracted me to Mike’s lessons was the number of genuine reviews and recommendations that he has on his website from a varied demographic.

My progress so far: despite having some basic knowledge, both myself and Mike decided together that we would start from the very start and work through both the theory and the practical as if I had never played before. This was fine for me as I knew I needed to ‘iron out’ a few self-taught bad habits. Three months have passed since my first lesson: due to my own time constraints I chose to take a lesson once every two weeks and the lessons themselves are one hour long usually split 50/50 between theory and practical. After six lessons and just a few hours in my spare time at home I am now in a position where I am ready to sit my Grade 1 theory exam. I am consistently achieving above 95% on practice papers, this is an amazing achievement as I had no prior knowledge on the theory side of things. It’s worth noting that the exams are totally optional and Mike doesn’t put any pressure on the student to take them as he appreciates that exams aren’t for everyone.

Mike made me feel comfortable from the start and the pace of the lessons is perfect; with the theory we don’t move on until it is clear I have fully understood the topic we are covering and with the practical, we don’t move on until Mike is happy with my performance.

If anyone is reading this and wonders whether or not to give Mike’s tuition a go, then just try an introductory lesson. If you decide it’s not for you, then there is no obligation to carry on but I’m sure you will!

In November 2018, under Mike’s tutelage, I achieved Trinity College London Grade 1 Theory of Music exam with distinction gaining 94 marks out of 100; in May 2019 Grade 2 Theory of Music exam with distinction gaining 98 marks out of 100 and in November 2019 Grade 3 Theory of Music exam with distinction gaining 99 marks out of 100.

Chris Hall (Engineer)

ARSM Diploma Success

Many congratulations to Rachel Perkins in achieving a distinction for the ARSM (Associate of The Royal Schools of Music) Piano Performance Diploma taken in November 2019 under the tuition of Dr Michael Spacie.

Rachel received some excellent comments from the examiner.

Comments for the pieces of the performance:-

“….expressively projected. Voicing was nuanced and sophisticated, conveying a high level of musical understanding….this was a stylish, heartfelt performance….The outer portions conjured a wistfully atmospheric air. A wide range of tonal colour was employed, mostly under control leading to the ecstatic peak. The third movement was even more refined and cultured, with voice-leading well handled and a real sense of immersion….exhibited a musical sense of line….Grandeur emerged at suitable moments….The Impressionist style was clearly grasped….displayed considerable technical agility….was well defined….it had a satisfying sense of drive towards its conclusion.”

Comments for the performance as a whole:-

“A high level of sophisticated musicianship was brought to bear across the programme. Varied textures were dealt with particularly well and only in the first item did the over-manipulation of the timing intrude. There were minor blemishes in delivery occasionally, but the instrument was managed effectively and the technical challenges were met. The programme was well paced with a natural sense of ebb and flow prior to the ebullient finish.”

 

For me the piano is a personal choice of instrument. I enjoy the lessons and progress has made me realise about what I enjoy, so playing is not a chore. A piece of music can be a companion because it reflects how you feel, happiness or whatever mood. My wish is to be able to perform for family and friends although I do feel sufficiently relaxed to play in front of Mike who is helping me achieve piano skills and musical understanding.

Heather Braddock (Designer)

Having first taken piano lessons over 30 years ago and regrettably discontinuing due to alternate youthful distractions, I decided that now I have reached a more mature outlook in life and have the time to dedicate myself to practice, that I would seek out a tutor to help guide me along.

Having started lessons with Mike, I feel that his tutoring has been invaluable. Split between both theory and practical applications I feel that I have taken a much more structured and expertly guided approach to learning. Mike is extremely patient and knowledgeable and he has helped me develop a much better understanding of each piece of music that I have moved onto. At first, I assumed that I would just be able to learn to ‘play’ again, however, my time spent with Mike has made me realise that the theory side plays an important part in developing as a pianist and I have really enjoyed developing this new skill. I am very much looking forward to progressing and hope to spend many years learning alongside Mike.

Nick Palmer (Retired Dry Cleaner Proprietor/House Husband)

ABRSM Grade 7 Piano Exam Success on 27th June 2024.

Congratulations to Faye B. on gaining her Grade 7 Piano Practical Exam with 139 out of 150 marks gaining a distinction!

An excellent result. The examiner comments and marks are as follows:

First piece: There was a well shaped opening with some clear stylistic features and secure flowing pulse despite some very small slips. There was room to show further light and shade between the question and answer phrases, but notes were always very accurate and there was some effective musical shaping. Melody-lines were always clearly portrayed and softer tonal colours were well controlled and musically convincing. The final section had colourful nuance and this captured sense of the style with positivity. (27 out of 30 marks)

Second piece: Beginning with sense of the mood and played with musical flexibility through the solo line. Thereafter, dotted motifs were very rhythmical and gentle dynamics were carefully controlled with even weight through the hands. There were just very small losses of flow here, but variety of character was confidently protrayed through the passages and playing remained very expressive with just a little more room for warmth on occasion. (28 out of 30 marks)

Third piece: Lively from the outset with very secure jazz rhythm and positive flow. Notes were found very confidently and there were some clear changes of tone between the sections. The improvisatory-like passages had very well controlled technical demands despite some small blemishes and this was fully confident. The final section had notes in place and it was completed with a bold tone. (29 out of 30 marks)

Scales and arpeggios: Major and minor patterns were played confidently and all notes were in place. Scales a third apart had well coordinated fingers despite very small losses. Contrary motion was well shaped with very even pulse. Legato and staccato thirds were both very successful though there were very small tonal losses in the latter. Chromatic contrary and arpeggios were all in place. Dominant seventh had a few small slips but was mainly confident, as was the diminished. (19 out of 21 marks)

Sight-reading: This was a very confident reading on the whole, though there were some pitching errors and losses of key note on occasion. However, sense of rhythm was flowing and it maintained a sense of pulse for the most part. (19 out of 21 marks)

Aural tests: Despite one loss of pitch in the lower part singing and one chord missing the seventh in the cadence, these were all highly accurate answers. (17 out of 18 marks)

Additional Examiner Comments: Many congratulations on a very successful examination result Faye! Your playing was very impressive and colourful. Wishing you all the best for Grade 8.

In the midst of the Covid pandemic in 2021 I decided life was too short not to have a go at something I’d always wanted to do – learn to play the piano. I would rather fail at something than not have a go. I found three tutors and thought I’d have an introductory lesson with each and see who was the most suitable. I was looking for someone who had experience with mature students and who would understand my inability/slowness to grasp new concepts.

I went for an introductory lesson with Mike. I was nervous but very soon felt at ease with his calm, friendly approach. I didn’t have a keyboard at this point but bought one a couple of days later. I didn’t need to look at other tutors, I felt instantly that Mike was the right person.

I played the flute at school but never did a graded exam – I didn’t practice! I sing in a great community choir so can read some music but I never thought I would manage to learn the bass clef. I have learnt so much and found it very interesting. I am taking in more than I actually thought I could due to genuine memory problems. Mike goes at my pace, he’s great at explaining things and he won’t move on until I have grasped the concept.

I am a novice, I don’t know a lot about classical music or famous pianists but I feel a new part of my brain has opened and I’m ready to learn. I wasn’t initially interested in exams because I honestly didn’t think I could learn something new but under Mike’s expert tuition I think I could have a go when he thinks I am ready. I am at the start of my piano adventure – watch this space!

Jayne C. (Social Care: Retired)

I have been getting piano lessons with Michael after learning to play as a child. It has been an enjoyable experience improving my technique and discovering new music.

Michael is patient with a focussed attention to detail in both the music and technique. I would recommend piano lessons with Michael for anyone looking to get back into playing as an adult and have found him very flexible in terms of availability and fitting lessons in around work.

Dr Morwenna Read (Hospital Theatre Anaesthetist)

First Testimonial by Faye B.

I first had piano lessons aged 12 to 18, reaching Grade 6 before life got in the way! Aged 27 (after completing a music degree and then heading into a completely different profession) I decided I now had the time and money to start learning properly again, feeling I was getting nowhere fast just sitting at the piano and playing around of my own accord. Having researched teachers in this area, I was impressed by Mike’s website and booked an introductory lesson.

Mike’s friendly demeanour and professional yet comfortable teaching studio made me feel at ease from the start, but what really impressed me was the way that from the very first piece I took along (Chopin’s ‘Raindrop Prelude’), Mike gave me lots of background and historical information about the music, educating me on the type of piano Chopin would have written the music for and how to get a more historically authentic feeling flowing through the piece. He gave me a list of the positive attributes he felt I possessed already and the areas he felt he could help me with, helping me realise straight away that these lessons would have a purpose and push me to achieve rather than stagnate.

I have been having lessons with Mike for sometime now and can’t believe how much I’ve progressed. The thing I like most about Mike is how he manages to choose the most perfect pieces for me to learn: they’re difficult enough and I need to work hard at learning them, while being within my reach so as not to be frustrating, and speak to me emotionally which keeps me wanting to sit back down at the piano and practise day after day (as a teenager I found it hard to practise when faced with the same old boring Grade exam pieces I felt nothing for). I feel this reflects his extensive musical knowledge, not just of the mechanics of playing but also of the body of piano music, which has helped to open my eyes to music I was not already familiar with. Perhaps most importantly, each piece we’ve looked at so far has helped me to develop a particular musical skill, be it playing more musically and with ‘rubato’, or developing my dexterity at playing chords softly and expressively (rather than crashing down in a hurry) while my hands are jumping between octaves.

I feel as though I’m getting fantastic value for money from Mike’s lessons and look forward to them each fortnight. I always feel as though I’m being encouraged to play in my own personal style and never feel the fear of making a mistake I sometimes felt with previous teachers, as I feel Mike recognises that as an adult with a busy life I won’t always be able to practice as often as I’d like! Nonetheless, I’ve made great strides and feel a far more competent and confident pianist than I ever have done before.

Professional, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated teachers are hard to come by, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mike to anybody looking for a piano teacher.

Thanks Mike!

Faye B. (Health Professional)

After spending months learning from Michael I can confidently say that he is a perfect choice for both beginner and experienced pianists alike. Being someone that had learnt to a high grade when I was younger, Michael was able to tailor his approach to bring out the best in the underlying knowledge I had whilst also reteaching me the basics. He has communicated with me to teach both the fundamental elements of playing piano whilst also allowing me to play a choice of my own pieces (having helped select them to suit my skill level) so that I could get exactly what I wanted from the lessons.

I thoroughly enjoy learning from Michael. From my personal experience, he is very personable and takes the time to understand the needs and wants of his learners – not pushing them in any particular direction but guiding them to have the best experience.

The key difference from my previous learning is that Michael doesn’t just teach the technical side of playing, but also the musical side. The side of feeling the music and the small details which make a good piece, a great piece.

I would personally recommend Michael to any level of learner who is looking to improve their piano playing as he has made learning with him an absolute pleasure.

Jasper Gray (Recruitment Advisor)

A few years ago I decided that I would learn to play that piano which was stood doing nothing in my dining room, I thought “it will take a good teacher to get me playing this.”

Fortunately for me, I picked out Dr Spacie from those teachers listed on the web and thought “we’ll give this fella a go and see how we get on.”

Honestly, if you are reading this and you are looking for a teacher – look no further. Book yourself a trial lesson with Mike and get yourself started on a journey with him, which will have you both understanding and playing music as it should be.

Under Mike’s tutelage in May 2016, I achieved Grade 2 Trinity College London Theory of Music exam with full marks: 100 marks out of 100, gaining a Distinction. Also, in May 2018, I achieved Trinity College London Grade 3 Theory of Music exam with Distinction gaining 96 marks out of 100.

David Bennett (Semi-retired)

Music and music theory are completely alien to me but I wanted to learn to play the piano because I love to listen to the sound it makes with my eyes closed. That’s how layman I am. I found Michael on a quick Google search and went for a first lesson, not knowing what to expect. And since then, I’ve always come out of the lesson with a huge (almost pathetic) smile on my face because suddenly, music and its theory make sense.

Michael is so patient, accommodating, encouraging, knowledgeable – the list goes on. To put it simply – I couldn’t have wished for a better music teacher and every day I feel lucky that he teaches me. Using a combination of music theory and piano books, each lesson is a blend of learning and playing. Homework is taken seriously and checked thoroughly before the next lesson starts. And yet, the atmosphere is so relaxed and calming.

I would HIGHLY recommend Michael to anyone who wants a skilful, passionate, friendly teacher to guide them into piano-playing excellence. I know I can’t wait for my next lesson.

Bindu Painkal-Bowns (Pharmacologist)

I have been taking lessons from Mike for a while now and I am really happy with how much I have already learned. I achieved my Grade 8 a long time ago and I am now working with Mike for my Associate diploma in piano performance. Mike has a very effective teaching style and he has already taught me different styles of playing and techniques that were previously unknown to me and I feel that my playing has improved a lot.

Sarah Newill (Head of Business Operations)

You are never too old to learn

As a young child I was always fascinated by people being able to play the piano. Over the years the fascination stayed with me but work, family and life in general just went by and I never seriously thought about it. Now in my early seventies I decided that if I didn’t do it now then I never would. Finding the right tutor was important to me and in Michael I found the person to help me in my quest. Michael is a highly qualified and accomplished pianist and you can tell that he enjoys teaching you and it’s not just a job to him. He has infinite patience and works with you no matter how long it takes to master a piece of music. At times my brain doesn’t always reach my fingers and I end up playing all the wrong notes, I laugh at myself and Michael laughs with me – not at me. He encourages you at every stage and never makes you feel foolish or inadequate which in my mind shows what a good tutor he is. It is amazing that starting as a complete beginner I can now play pieces of music and also have a good basic understanding of music theory. I hope my story encourages at least one of you to take up playing the piano, if I can do it then anyone can. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks – not true – it may take a little longer but with the right tutor you will achieve anything you put your mind to. For me that tutor is Michael.

June R. (Retired Secretary)

I have been taking piano lessons with Michael and I have to say that it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have always had an interest in playing the piano but never thought I could actually play an instrument.

Since starting piano lessons, I have learned also about music theory and technique. Michael is patient and encouraging, which has helped me to progress and gain confidence in my abilities.

Playing the piano has become a new passion of mine and I look forward to each lesson as an opportunity to learn something new and challenge myself. It’s amazing to see how far I have come in such a short amount of time, and I am excited to continue improving and mastering this beautiful instrument.

I highly recommend learning the piano to anyone who has a love and desire to learn something new.

Sharron Jeffery (Mature Student)

I have been having piano lessons with Mike for some time now and am delighted, week on week, to be getting better at playing and more confident. Before starting lessons with Mike, I had been thinking for a while about taking up piano again, having played to about Grade 5 standard as a child. I thoroughly enjoy coming along to piano lessons and only wish I had taken it back up sooner!

Mike is patient, jolly and encouraging. He is very knowledgeable and this helps me to understand a piece of music in more detail and become a better all-round musician. Mike poses the right level of challenge in each lesson, giving me plenty to get stuck into, while also understanding that sometimes work and life can be busy.

When I first begun lessons, Mike asked some questions to find out more about what I wanted to gain from learning. Aside from the pure fun of playing piano (something I am enjoying in abundance!), I wanted to be good enough at piano to play, for instance, in church. Mike makes sure to link my developing skills to how I can apply them to various contexts, helping me to reach these goals and expand my capability as a musician.

Mike is an excellent teacher and a kind, supportive person. If you are considering learning piano, whether as a beginner or a returner, I can highly recommend Mike.

Rachael E. (Project Manager for a Charity)

Dr Michael Spacie writes:

“Rachel Perkins, a Biomedical Scientist, gained a distinction in her ARSM piano performance diploma taken in November 2019 under my tuition. In 2020 and due to Covid, Rachel decided she would like to continue her lessons remotely online which gave rise to an opportunity for me to advise and teach further on matters of technique and interpretation in piano music and the performance of music of various composers and periods of musical history which continue to develop musical understanding and knowledge for Rachel going forward in her musical pathway.

Rachel resumed her lessons face-to-face in February 2023, and still continues in 2025 to progress in pianistic and musical understanding.”

I had a couple of years of piano tuition when I was a child and enjoyed it but never really thought much of having to practise but liked the idea of being able to play! Years have past and I’ve always wanted to go back to lessons but never quite got round to it. I decided it was time I finally did something about it and started searching for local teachers. Michael’s approach to teaching suited me and now I find myself wanting to practise! Michael’s been great at judging how quickly I learn and picking out appropriate books that follow a systematic approach. The lessons are in a relaxed atmosphere and Michael is extremely encouraging without any harsh words or judgement. I usually spend most of our lessons smiling and eager to learn more.

Fiona Morgan MSWW (Will & Estate Planner)

I really enjoy playing the piano. Having lessons with Mike has enabled me to have a much better understanding of the music, as Mike teaches with focus and attention to detail. As a consequence, my piano technique and music interpretation skills have vastly increased. Learning a variety of piano pieces has also definitely helped me.

I very much enjoy the lessons and having achieved Grade 8 piano practical exam, I worked with Mike towards taking a diploma and achieved success with the ARSM piano performance diploma passing with distinction.

Rachel Perkins (Biomedical Scientist)

A Testimonial to the Excellent Tutelage of Dr Michael Spacie.

I had lessons when I was younger, but a busy job and then children meant I played piano less and less. Every now and then I found myself determined to pick it up again but without any formal structure it sadly lapsed. That said, I considered myself a reasonably good player!

Then, in my early 50’s and children flown the nest, I had more time and decided to finally put some rigour back into my playing! I searched for a tutor, came across Mikes’ site and was impressed by his qualifications and the other testimonials. So I decided to give it a try.

I’m not sure what I expected. Maybe I was naive and a little too sure of myself! I talked to Mike about what I’d done in the past, explained my current situation and played a little, probably expecting high praise! Mike’s response – “I’m going to treat you as a novice”!

He was, of course, absolutely right. Years of laziness and bad habits had not created the player I considered I was! Mike was kind, respectful and professional. I was taken aback by the detail in the things he was picking up on, on what I would have considered easy pieces. I can see the absolute sense in what he was doing, bringing me back to basics and enforcing the theory.

So, I would just like to offer some advice. If, in reading this, you’re searching for a teacher who will gloss over the bad habits and allow you to progress without ever really “understanding” the emotion and technicalities of the music you’re playing, then you’re on the wrong web site. Mike’s knowledge and talent is very apparent from the start. If you’re wanting to really play then your search is over. Contact Mike immediately!

Mike has inspired me to enjoy playing again and to be determined to stick at it. And hopefully one day move on from a novice player! He has my thanks and absolute recommendation. A superb teacher.

Andrew Prydderch (Associate Director, NHS).

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