About Paul Fugler

APPROACH

I have been teaching piano successfully for over thirty years both privately and in schools. I have always taken what is now often termed an holistic approach, looking to foster a wider love of music with all the benefits this can bring, rather than just being confined to the technical aspects of playing an instrument. Everybody is different, so each pupil needs an individual approach in order to achieve his or her full potential, and gain the maximum pleasure from playing. This means allowing some time to talk to pupils (if they themselves want to talk!), so that I can get to know them as individuals, and assess how best to meet their requirements. Equally importantly, they can get to know me better as a person, and hopefully realise that I am a sympathetic and approachable character! To this end, many pupils have forty-minute lessons rather than just half an hour, allowing more time to cover everything in sufficient detail.  

EXAMS

Most people want to take exams both as a way of measuring their progress, and for the sense of achievement passing an exam can bring. However, some prefer not to, which is equally fine by me. The most important thing is to enjoy playing.  

SCALES MADE EASY (WELL, EASIER!)

Over the years, I have devised and refined a method of learning the fingering patterns for scales. Whilst scales are important exercises for improving technique, most people do not like having to practise them. This is entirely understandable! However, by modifying the 'official' fingering for some scales, they can all be fitted into one of two basic patterns. Simply concentrating on these patterns, and the way they relate different scales to each other, allows people to learn the scales hands together from the start and in much less time, increasing the likelihood of gaining real benefit from playing them.  

MUSIC THEORY

I have always enjoyed teaching music theory, which has to be studied in order to take Associated Board exams above grade 5 in any instrument. Although it is often not a popular topic, it is very important for learning about and understanding the 'nuts and bolts' of music notation. Once grasped, it can also help with such things as sight reading and even learning to play pieces more quickly. I am always happy to take on pupils who just want to advance their knowledge of theory, or simply to get through grade 5 theory as quickly as possible.

FEES