Improvisation for String Players - Unlock your creativity!

From 76.11 € /h

Learn to improvise, jam and create your own music.

I am a cellist, composer and improviser specialising in working with string players to unlock and devlop creative potential. I will work with you to deveop a bespoke course to help you develop skills in improvisation.

Areas covered:
Jazz improvisation - Blues, Standards, Harmony, Bass Lines, Finding Chords, Building and Creating Solos, Elarnig repertoire.
Baroque Imrpovisation - Ground Bass, Partimento realisation and developing cadenzas for classical repertoire
Free/Folk and other styles - we can explore any styles of improvisation, and discuss how to develop your skills.

I am a professor of Imrpovisation at the Royal Colege of Music in London, and a composer and performer of my own music internationally.

Location

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At teacher's location :

The Avenue, London E4 9RP, UK

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

Hi, my name is Shirley.
I'm a cellist, composer and improviser.

I specialise in helping people develop creative skills in improvisation, composition and collaborative music making,
I have a very wide musical background which incorporates classical music, jazz and various traditions from North Africa and the Middle East, giving me a broad knowledge base and range of perspectives to draw on to help students explore their own interests.

I have developed a method of practice strategies for improvising, which can be applied across various genres, and help students to think creatively on the instrument, building understanding as you go along.

Everyone is different, and has different interests, strengths and weaknesses, so my teaching style reflects this in that I work with each student to develop a programme to support their personal development.

As a performer, I also practice what I teach, leading my trio, sextet and other projects in London. I've toured the UK and Europe with my trio and currently working on our second album.
I've also released several albums of free improvisation, and am working on a new [piano trio project combining classical repertoire with imrpovised works.

Education

I trained under Raphael Wallfisch at the Guilldhall School of Music, and Janos Starker in Paris before moving to Jerusalem, where I remained for 10 years, studying and performing a wide variety of musical traditions from the North Africa, Turkey and Middle East. Whilst in Jerusalem, I also became highly active on the jazz scene, working with artists including Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital and Yasmin Levy. Since returning to the UK, I have also worked with many leading jazz and world music groups, including Antonio Forcione, Mulato Astatke, Gilad Atzmon, Neil Cowley, Julian Ferraretto, Robert Mitchell, Maya Youssef and Alice Zawadzki.

Experience / Qualifications

I am a Professor of Musicianship and Improvisation at the Royal College of Music in London, and also teach at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, and RCM Junior Department.

I have taught for various Music Services in the UK, and also given workshops for Chethams School of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, National Youth Jazz Collective, Royal Academy of Music and Drama, Royal Northern College of Music, and the Universities of Huddersfield, Kent, Manchester and Surrey.

I am also currently completeing a PhD in Musicology exploring issues of cross-cultural musical performance and authenticity.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

45 minutes

60 minutes

90 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Violin

Musical styles:

Baroque

Classical

Jazz

Cello

Jazz music

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

At teacher's location and via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Ronny

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In this course I will help you develop your skills as a violinist so that you can play no less than 2 known songs in less than 3 months. I will provide you with the necessary knowledge so you can read and start taking out your favorite songs.

Alan

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Bass guitar tuition for all levels from beginner to advanced covering...
Technique: (Left/Right hand coordination etc)
Advanced Technique: (Slap, Tapping, Harmonics, Chord Melody)
Stylistic Studies: (Soul, R&B, Funk, Rock, Pop, Latin, Caribbean, Jazz, Fusion)
Music Theory: (Harmony, Chords/scales, Sight Reading)
Performance: (Stage craft, confidence etc).

Adam

5.0

(1)

I teach violin and all brass instruments from beginner right through to grade 8. I also have experience teaching music theory and GCSE and A Level Music. I believe everyone is able to make music, and I always try to share my enjoyment and passion for music with my students, no matter what they want to learn and achieve.

Xanthe

5.0

(1)

I have a real passion for music and that's why I would love to help inspire and guide new musicians on their quest to learn the violin. Age is irrelevant when it comes to my lessons but the most important thing is that the student comes with a real incentive to learn.

Everyone's musical journey is different and many people decide to learn an instrument for a different reason. Therefore, the regular structure for a lesson would very much differ from person to person. For example, beginners would mostly focus on sight-reading, proper form and technique. However, someone with a slight musical background could begin by learning pieces that they want to play and I would guide them with how to encompass the piece better and make slight adjustments to their technique along the way.
When it comes to young children, I've worked in nursery and primary schools with ages from 3-7. The most important thing is that they have fun during the lessons and gain a real respect for music early on. Technique, theory and sight-reading are still incredibly important but what's most important is that the child is having an enjoyable time while learning.

I have a strong musical background as I've been playing violin and piano for 14 years, I also have a great understanding of music theory. I've performed in multiple concerts of sizes of up to 5000 attendees. I was also established enough to have achieved a full music scholarship to a performing arts secondary school and college. At GCSE I achieved an A* in music and I would be more than happy to help GCSE music students with their music theory and/or composition piece.

Sam

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Private saxophone classes aimed at all levels and abilities. Bring your favourite music to classes and make learning fun; I adapt my classes to each individual focusing on your passions.
I can teach pupils for fun or for graded examinations and if you are a complete beginner I will give advice on the best equipment to get you started as quickly as possible.

Antonia

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I am a singer and a vocal coach with 18 years of experience in both performing and teaching. I have been coaching children and adults, both amateurs and professionals, in various settings: music schools, academies, theatre workshops and privately. My main subject is classical singing, but I can help with any style of singing, from jazz, pop to musical theater. My teaching method is easy and fun. My hope is to inspire my student with my passion for singing and help them achieve their dreams.

Christopher

5.0

(1)

I offer beginner to advanced tuition on Violin and Trumpet and additional classes on Jazz Piano.
I am a passionate and committed teacher and take great pride to see a student grow from nervous self-consciousness, through stumbling experimentation and discovery, towards overcoming challenges and growing in self-belief in order to find great reward in the concerted effort of musical endeavour.

Easel

5.0

(1)

In this class, we'll be looking at the necessary building blocks of the modern guitarist. These topics will include chords, melody, guitar technique, composition and improvisation. Whether you look to implement these skills in jazz or rock, the skills learnt here are applicable to all genres of music.

Katherine

5.0

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Katherine is a highly experienced teacher of the violin and viola based who loves sharing her passion for music. Students can expect a fun but structured approach that is centered around them and building their musical confidence. Katherine uses different genres of music to teach essential techniques.

Katherine has held the position of Head of Strings at the Aldgate School for more than a decade and she is experienced in the Paul Rolland string and Sheila Nelson teaching methods. Katherine also uses tonic sol fa and improvisation in her teaching. As a professional musician Katherine has worked with some of the UK's finest orchestras and many pop stars including Robbie Williams.

Maryliese

5.0

(1)

At The Hap'ning Place we offer Violin or Viola Lessons to all ages and levels of ability with our enthusiastic, professional teachers.
Our students enjoy learning in our spacious, welcoming rooms.
Lessons can be for your own pleasure or we can prepare you for the graded examinations or auditions.
We are rather proud of our 100% success rate with our students in the exams. ☺️
Our students also have the opportunity to perform in solo and ensemble recitals throughout the year as well as workshops and master classes.
For more information and available times for your next one to one lesson, please get in touch.

Jason

5.0

(1)

I am offering one-to-one clarinet and bass clarinet lessons to students of all ages and abilities. All musical styles are welcome!

My approach is to make music enjoyable and adapt to the student's needs. If you would like to go through the grading system, that's no problem. But if you would just like to learn to play so that you can jam with your friends, that's also fine. Lessons will be catered towards your goals and ambitions.

Eoin

5.0

(1)

Bass player Eoin is a seasoned industry professional who has worked all over the world with some of the music industry’s most highly-regarded players over the past 13 years including Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy) and Ariel Posen. Eoin is now providing unparalleled music education in London and online.

Eoin has a wealth of experience as a music educator, having taught on the BMus, Cert HE, BASW, BACM and MMus programmes ICMP in London since 2019 and also running his own private teaching practice.

Recent career highlights include touring Europe with Snarky Puppy guitarist Mark Lettieri and performing with guitar superstar Ariel Posen for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Locally, Eoin is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, performing both in the main venue downstairs and upstairs at the popular Cosmic Fusion jam night.

Eoin holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts in Music degree from the Cork School of Music, both with first class honours.

Eoin’s areas of teaching expertise include bass guitar technique, understanding the fretboard of the bass, harmony, music theory, sight-reading, improvisation, ear training, synth bass, navigating the industry, career advice and more.

If you've been wanting to overcome the obstacles that are hindering your musical growth once and for all, learn how to play your favourite music with ease or progress in the music industry as a professional player, then Eoin is the mentor you need.

Matthew

5.0

(1)

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or looking to pass your Grade 8. I am an enthusiastic teacher who puts the needs of the students first but always aims to reach goals and enjoy the love the music. I have taught children from a beginner level to adults passing their grade 8 exams.

Josh

5.0

(1)

Whether you are a beginner or professional cellist, I am able to adapt my lessons to cater towards what's best for you. I believe being versatile and flexible with teaching style is the most affective way to continue my students' progress. Please feel free to ask any questions.

Sebrina

5.0

(1)

By taking online music classes in cello, piano, music theory, and composition, students can develop a well-rounded musical foundation. Cello and piano lessons enhance instrumental technique, musical expression, and performance skills. Music theory classes provide an understanding of harmony, rhythm, and melody, essential for analyzing and interpreting music. Composition classes allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge by creating original pieces, learning how to structure works, orchestrate for different instruments, and develop a personal style. These classes also cultivate discipline, creativity, and confidence in musical practice.