Composition for the Piano (incl. use of extended techniques)

From 66.74 £ /h

Do you want to refine your composing for the piano? This course is for you. In this class we will work on a new piece of yours that includes the piano, and we will discuss about:
• a short anatomy of the grand piano.
• easy, difficult and unplayable passages (with normal and extended techniques).
• the role of pedals on the instrument.
• muscle fatigue - the importance of dense and sparse writing.
• use of texture and colour.
• orchestration on the instrument. Standard extended techniques - notation.
• the role of the instrument in the contemporary orchestra and sinfonietta ensemble.
• improvisation: dos and don'ts when writing improvised music.

The piece can be an idea you had for solo piano/chamber or vocal music (with piano) and want to start composing, a solo piece you have started but you're now stuck on the technical capabilities and difficulties of the instrument, an orchestral piece that contains the piano and you need to better understand its role, or even an old piece which you want to review.
Things we'll do:
• I'll show you around the piano and its parts (full demonstration of the mechanism).
• I'll demonstrate the use of certain extended techniques on my piano.
• I'll be testing passages of your piece and give technical advice. You'll have the opportunity to test some passages from your piece as well (optional but highly encouraged).
• We'll be listening to some important pieces as aid to each topic we are discussing. The pieces will be from all periods and styles.

If you have a composition teacher or you are studying composition at a university:
This course is BY NO MEANS a substitute to your teacher. Things like form, composition technique, harmony, style, texture etc. are up to your teacher and you. I may speak my mind on those topics as well, but my goal is not to substitute your teacher, but rather to help you with a more specialised approach to the instrument both from the side of the composer and the performer.

If you don't have a composition teacher:
Then I am happy to help you with composing this piece of yours. However, note that this may take more time, and we may need to discuss separately a few things about composition.

Booking policy:
If you want to book this course, then you must have in mind that we'll need several 60 or 90 minutes sessions to complete it. If we do one 90 minute session about one topic from the above, then we certainly need 8-10 sessions to complete the course. So if you are planning for us to talk about everything above, note that fact and plan accordingly (both in terms of schedule and finances).
You may as well choose to do a selection from the topics above, or even ask me to show you something else and if I can I will. What I want though is a clear plan, a clear goal for this course, so that I'll cater it to your individual needs.
I kindly ask that if you plan on doing the whole course to book it in advance. I also have a quite difficult schedule as an active musician, so we need to be accurate on our scheduling and don't change it all the time. I also reserve the right to deny an application due to time constraints.
Sessions will be scheduled on a weekly basis (once a week), and this is for two reasons: 1. I want to be able to provide the best experience for you by planning the lessons to my best capacity, and 2. You will need time to study and work on your piece.
All sessions are booked and paid in advance.

Cancelling policy:
• If any of us gets sick, then we may cancel a session and postpone it for the next time (provided we are in good health).
• Hospitalisation and serious health conditions may lead us to cancel several sessions. In that case, paid sessions are "frozen" indefinitely (until we get well) and (in great need) refunded. However, to refund those sessions I'll need to see at least some verification from the hospital.
• If you are booking several sessions in advance, you may lose one or two sessions and we'll postpone it for the next time, but no more than two. The third session lost will be paid as an extra session. You'll need to notify me for the lost sessions at least 2 days in advance.
• The same works in the opposite way: I may lose a session or two, but no more than two. If I lose a third, then I'll owe you an extra session free of charge. However, I reserve the right to cancel a course completely (see below).
• If you are booking one lesson and you don't show up in the first 15 minutes or notify me of your absence, then the lesson is cancelled and not refunded.
• For many reasons, I'll may need to cancel the whole course with you. Sometimes people just aren't on the same wavelength, sometimes work or life gets to us, sometimes you may need a more capable teacher etc. If I cancel with you, then I will need to refund the sessions we didn't do. HOWEVER, if you don't show up and not notify me for two sessions or more, then I will not refund you for the lost sessions. I will reach out and give you a "last chance" to show up to a final session, and if you won't show up I'll automatically consider the course with you cancelled and not refund the remaining sessions.

Dos and don'ts:
I want this to be a safe space, where we'll be exchanging views and sharpening our tools. I like to behave accordingly and be calm and just talk and present something I love. However, I will need to talk about some things with some authority, and I need space from you to do so. So, snickering, whining, interrupting and being toxic in general isn't for me. If something bothers me, I will express it, and I also want for you to do the same.
Finally, I teach (high) intermediate level or advanced, meaning that some things will be considered given and known. You must know -for example- to read score, sometimes complex, you must know at least some harmony and counterpoint and have a clear goal as a composer. I don't judge your stylistic choices, my goal is to help you widen your pallet, but you need to be at a certain knowledge level to keep up. So when you reach out to me to book a lesson you also need to send me a couple of your pieces, complete with score (or if they are improvisational you must note it). Based on them we'll proceed (again, not stylistic choice but based on your knowledge level).

Thank you for reading this, happy to work with you!

Extra information

You need a piano (preferably a grand piano, an upright instrument is okay though). You also need an idea for a piece or a concept (it can be in text form or score - no need to be complete).
You'll also need a pair of good quality speakers or headphones.

Location

Online from Greece

About Me

My name is Dimitris and I am a composer and pianist, based on Athens, Greece. I am formally educated in both piano and composition at the biggest Greek conservatories (National Conservatory of Greece, Athens Conservatory) from which I have been awarded my diplomas with the biggest honors. I have also deepened my education with a variety of seminars, either as a performer or a composer, a process that is always ongoing.
I have composed various works for the piano as well as chamber music, orchestral, electroacoustic and experimental works. I also have experience as a collaborative pianist, working with both romantic and modern repertoire, especially regarding the human voice.
My works have been performed in multiple prestigious Greek venues (e.g. Megaron of Athens, GNO, Athens Conservatory, Korgialenios School etc.). I have also performed either my works or works of my colleagues in many of these venues.

Education

Degrees & Diplomas:

Music Theory:
• Harmony Degree (2008) - National Conservatory (Full Marks)
• Counterpoint Degree (2011) - National Conservatory (Full Marks)
• Fugue Degree (2018) - Athens Conservatory (Full Marks & Honorable Mention)
• Composition Diploma (2024) - Athens Conservatory (Full Marks & 1st Prize)

Piano:
• Piano Degree (2012) - National Conservatory (Full Marks)
• Piano Diploma (2014) - National Conservatory (Full Marks & 1st Prize)

Seminars - Laboratories:
as a composer & performer:
• precept.concept.percept XIV by the abeceda institut in Slovenia (2025-26).
• Colla Voce EXTENDED (2024-25 and 2025-26): workshop about the extended techniques on voice and the piano.
• Colla Voce Art Song (2022-23 and 2025-26) & COLLAB (2022-23): workshop about the collaborative piano and the art song.

Experience / Qualifications

Awards:
• Honorable mention (piano) - George Georgescu Competition (2008 - Tulcea, Romania)
• Association of English Speakers and Singers: 3rd Prize for the song "Falling Snow" (2024)
• BACH competition: 2rd Prize for the work "Fractum" for string orchestra (2025)

As a collaborative pianist:
• repetition with choirs.
• voice coach of professional singers.
• many live shows in various genres.

As an arranger, music producer or sound engineer:
• many Greek records
• worked as an assistant producer and sound engineer for the Kenyan band Jabali Afrika.

Teaching experience:
• 6 years teaching music theory and the piano to all ages and stages.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Student level

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

90 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Greek

Skills

Piano

Music theory

Music composition

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Lou-Indigo

4.87

(84)

The course that I propose is BILINGUAL FRENCH / ENGLISH, as well as 2 BOOKS.

Age and musical taste are not restrictive when in the program, you can with qualitative daily work (not quantitative) quickly observe your progress.

Here the pleasure of playing music is put forward.

The kind of music you love most will be the focus of the course, their codes and secrets will be the focus of our study, that's what I want to share with you.

We can do technical lessons and simply learn together how to play one or more songs of your choice or mine, enrich your game with this approach and your repertoire!

(For example, We can re-arrange the pieces and make them more original by approaching the system (CAGED), and enriching their chords, resulting in new positions, new techniques and new sounds, using arpeggio techniques rather than strumming for 4-chord pieces, voicing and fingerstyle techniques, in short, expanding the instrument's playing fields and playing skills to keep progressing in your game and improve your rehearsals ...)

If you make a request, this program is obviously accompanied by the pleasure of learning more in theory and being able to directly apply new knowledge on its instrument and identify its common or rare use in the pieces discussed in class.

In this case, the theory is translated to be accessible to anyone, both for those who are connoisseurs and for those who discover everything from absolute zero.
The exercises, songs, and theoretical explanations offered throughout the program are organized in an order of progressive difficulty.

I wrote and produced 2 books of my method to learn the guitar and the music, that I sell to accompany my course and your apprenticeship in the best conditions and so that you can continue the course even at home and to review etc ... .
There is ONE BOOK OF COURSES containing all the theoretical and practical program of the year, as well as a BOOK OF EXERCISE on the ranges and the modes that you can obtain directly.

You can find here an indicative list of objectives that I propose in my theoretical program, which can of course adapt to your request.

The general theoretical objectives of the course:

--- Tuning / tuning and knowing his guitar:
* Standard Tuning
* Drop Tuning
* Open Tuning
* Adjust the optimal tension of the strings
* Adjust the shaft axis
* Adjust the action of the strings
* Choose the strings adapted to the style of play / tuning
* Change his strings

-Know his chords:
* Triads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* Tetrads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* The chord progressions of the Range
* Arpeggio techniques (tapping, sweep, 1/2/4 fing.shape, etc ...)

--- Know his scales and his modes

* The Mode of the Major scale
* 3 Modes of the Minor scale: Natural / Melodic / Harmonic
* Modes of the Pentatonic range: 5 positions
* Modes of the Blues range: 5 positions
Etc ...

--- Technique to the Pick / Plectrum / Tab / Pick (Electric Guitar):
* Alternate Picking
* Fast Picking / Tremolo Picking
* Hybrid Picking
* Palm Mute
* Natural Harmonics
* Pinch Harmonics
* Artificial Harmonics
* Shredding
* Tapping
* Sweep Picking
* Legato Picking

--- Strumming / Hand Picking (Acoustic Guitar)
* "SnareDrum" percussion on the guitar
* Arpeggios pinched with 4 fingers + thumb
* Rasgueado (Flamenco Technique)
* Generic Strumming
* Fingerstyle Picking
* Two-finger picking + Legato for fast melodies (eg a solo)

-Play the metronome
* exercises on click
* practice on song riffs

-Learn his favorite songs
* without thinking about the difficulty, nothing is impossible with the right methodology

-Improvise
* choose ranges and positions
* to place oneself rhythmically, to finish on the judicious notes

-Theory of Harmony
* Understand harmonization and its practice

-Theory on the Melody

-Theory of Rhythm

Sergio

4.87

(84)

Online classes of classical, electric or acoustic guitar, bass, Venezuelan cuatro, music theory, rhythmic or harmony. Beginner-intermediate-advanced. (Skype-Zoom-Meet). 12 years of musical experience.

Book your schedule now!

Do you have a musical instrument at home and do you always wanted to learn to play it?
Are you not sure where to start?

I can help you, I am Sergio and I have 12 years of experience in the musical area. I am a student of music education at the (UPEL) Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador Miranda José Manuel Siso Martínez and the Conservatory Lino Gallardo as a classical guitar interpreter. Furthermore, I also have experience teaching online classes via Zoom, Skype or Google Meet. If you think your level is beginner, intermediate or advanced, I can help you in your musical development. More than learning to play songs, musical art is a discipline and its own language that helps interdisciplinary in other areas of learning.

° Classes:
-Classic/Acoustic guitar.
-Electric guitar.
-Bass.
-Piano/Keyboard.
-Music theory.
-Solfeggio.
-Rhythmic and movement.
-Harmony.
-Venezuelan cuatro.

Frederic

4.87

(84)

A conservatory graduate and music theory teacher gives piano lessons.
All styles combined (classical, rock, accompaniment piano, etc.)
Method suitable for the little ones 4-5 years old
First course without obligation.

Elisa

4.87

(84)

I offer private music theory tutoring lessons to students of beginner level of different ages Depending on the student's final goal we adjust the knowledge and skills that we focus on with the student. I mostly focus on classical music theory, but can also provide an introduction to jazz and pop music theory.

My goal as a teacher is to keep and increase the students' love for music as well as to offer necessary and appropriate knowledge/skills to keep the student challenged and of course enjoy the fun of music!

Giorgia

4.87

(84)

I teach for all levels, from children starting from zero to students who want to prepare certifications at the Conservatories, passing through amateurs or simply curious of any age.

I firmly believe in the importance of knowing how to read music and this is exactly what I teach first, obviously adapting the method to the age of my students: knowing how to read music is knowing one more language, which, if learned well, won’t ever be forgotten (like riding a bicycle!) and it is an invaluable wealth. Starting from that point I teach the position of the hand, the arm and the whole body at the piano, the fundamentals of the piano technique (giving great importance to the percussive movement of the finger and the distribution of weight), the understanding of musical language, the expression of the personality through the keyboard, the search for touch and knowledge of piano repertoire.

Quentin

4.87

(84)

This course is above all there to make you want to play the guitar, so that it is a pleasure!

It will be based on the practice of the instrument, on the understanding and role of the guitar.

Theory will be based on the progress of practice. Step by step, practice and theory will thus be complementary, and will necessarily be useful!

Have you always dreamed of being able to play the guitar? it's time to get started!
Let the magic of music take hold of you and become the accomplished guitarist you always wanted to be!

Join my guitar class and let music bring joy and serenity into your life. Sign up now and begin your musical adventure!

“Music gives soul to our hearts and wings to thought.” - Plato

I am also here to advise you on the equipment you might need.
Advice on choosing an amplifier that suits your needs and fits your budget.
Choosing your first guitar, bass or ukulele, according to the criteria you want.
Also for small equipment, jack cables, plectrum/pick, tuner or instrument stand.

Possibility of offering this course to one of your loved ones, a very appreciated gift for people who would like to embark on a musical adventure!

Andrea

4.87

(84)

Hello! I've been teaching continuously for over 10 years, and I'd like to explain what you can expect from a class with me.

Personalized approach: The most important thing is to know what you want to achieve. I will tailor the lessons to your needs: playing for pleasure at home is not the same as preparing for entrance exams (although always with the same rigor). Your goals will influence the methodology, the organization of your studies, the repertoire, and so on.

Relaxed (but rigorous) environment: Once you've defined your goals, classes will be dynamic and pressure-free. Note! "Relaxed" doesn't mean undemanding; we'll just avoid military methods—especially given my personality and sense of humor.

Music, not just notes: My methods are very dynamic, with a special emphasis on hearing and musicality. No "read, play, and turn the page." I avoid approaches obsessed with reading sheet music without memorizing, listening, or understanding what is being played. I want you to own your performance and make artistic decisions. Warning! I might even make you sing.

No stylistic barriers: Thanks to my training in Jazz and Modern Music, I give equal importance to all genres. Adapting to your tastes, we'll go from baroque to blues, from Haydn to bebop... or even Michael Jackson. Why not?

If you identify with this approach, contact me! Learning the cello is a pleasure, and I'd love to share it with you!

Sebastián

4.87

(84)

At my studio my students will not only learn how to play the piano, but they will receive a complete musical education in order to achieve their musical dreams. I will give all my best so everybody will get the tools for developing their own voice, helping them to master the instrument and teaching them all the theoretical knowledge they’ll need to make their particular personality shine. Openness, joy, dedication, creativity and passion for music are some of the things that you will find in the international environment of my studio. I care about who my students are and what they have to say to the world, and I will help them to develop it from the very first lesson.

In my class you will not only be able to receive piano lessons but also will learn to understand how the music works as a language. If the interest and the profile of the student goes in the direction of the purely classical music performance, the lessons will be focused on a deep and conscious piano technique development, practicing techniques, musical interpretation, history of music, history of the piano, applied harmony on the keyboard, analysis, and score reading by a method that I have developed for over 15 years of experience. And if the students wish, I can help them to prepare for the ABRSM exams and competitions as well. All this is aiming to achieve in a very practical and exciting experience the best results in the fastest way possible. But if the profile and the interests of the students goes on another way, I will give them all the tools they need to understand the language of music in depth, so they can find their own voice on the instrument. In that case the lessons will include contents of piano technique, score reading, applied harmony on the keyboard, composition, improvisation, musical arrangement, music production, recording techniques, jazz and pop music analysis and performance. Both programs can be combined depending on the focus and the profile of the student, or in case the student would like to go deeper in one of the previously mentioned subjects there is the opportunity to take an independent course of specialization on the desired topic. At the end of the semester every student will perform at the winter and summer concerts held every year and will have the possibility of making a recording session with the material worked during the term. With this, the student will not only be able to see his progress and work, but also will give him a direct experience of performing and working on a live or studio recording session, which is a fundamental part of the developing process of every musician.

Hope you can join and if so, I’ll be very happy to teach you!

Mary

4.87

(84)

Welcome to the music class!

Here, we are gonna discover the wonders of learning an instrument. From reading note letters, implementing a proper form to sight reading a piece, we are gonna learn in our own pace. If you're just learning music now and it feels like there's a lot to understand, don't worry we're gonna start from the basics. I will help you understand music and its elements.

With your dedication and my guidance, I'm positive that we will get a good result!

Martin

4.87

(84)

In my class you learn how to play the guitar either finger style or with a pick (plectrum).
First, you learn the basics, if this is what you need. Then you learn about styles and ways of playing the guitar.
Consequently, you learn how to develop your own style in music and find ways of making yourself and others happy with the means of your guitar!

You also learn how purchase the right guitar and how to set it up for you to be comfortable with.

You save your money on a luthier's shop every month.

You learn the smartest fingerings for any chord changes and scales!

You get to learn the theory in detail so that you fully understand what you play.

You get best deals on guitars from local music stores.

You get to learn how to sightread music and more!

See you soon!
Martin

Shehab

4.87

(84)

Teaching different musical instruments: piano, guitar, oud, oriental singing and oriental maqamat, reading sheet music.

More than 5 years of experience teaching in music academies

Arabic singing: We will learn how to sing correctly, learn the exits of the letters, vocal exercises, and learn how to distinguish the Eastern Maqams in simple ways.

Oud: We will learn how to hold the oud in the correct way, speed exercises, oriental maqams and examples in songs for each maqam.

Piano: musical scales - and we learn about all kinds of chords (harmony) - famous pieces and songs by learning how to read musical notes - exercises to strengthen the fingers

Guitar: We will learn how to hold the guitar correctly, musical scales, chords and chords, technique exercises, pieces

Steve

4.87

(84)

Have you ever wanted to learn to play the piano/keyboard but don't know where to start? Are you regretting giving up learning the piano/keyboard when you were younger? Do you feel that your current progress in playing the piano/keyboard is being held back?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes then please contact me. I always try to ensure that each individual student's interests are catered for. If you want to play for pleasure then I will encourage you to learn pieces that you like. Alternatively, if you are more interested in achievement, in terms of taking graded exams, then this is the pathway that we will take.
Enjoyment is the key to success as it leads to a desire to practise. So tayloring the class to your needs is absolutely essential and I am very keen to work with you to achieve this goal.

David

4.87

(84)

I am a Spanish pianist and composer (MMus graduate from Codarts Rotterdam in both directions) with many years of teaching experience, and also very active in performing in various contexts.

I give private piano lessons for all levels and styles (classical, jazz, Latin, new age, pop...), as well as music theory, composition and improvisation lessons. My lessons are distinguished by their dynamics, practical approach and adaptation to the needs and interests of the student.

The lessons (live or online) take place in my studio next to the Maastunnel, where I have a premium stage piano and a top-quality webcam setup.

I speak Dutch at an intermediate level, which is improving every day.

Joaquin

4.87

(84)

Music brings joy to everyone, and guitar is one of the most special instruments. Whether it is on a family meeting, with friends, or just while being alone, the guitar is one of the most versatile instruments; you can play practically everything. Here you will learn not only the basics, but also how you can demonstrate your skills and put your emotions, feelings, and ideas on the guitar. From basic chords to playing any song you like, from soft and slow songs to improvising any solo on anything. Let's hop on a musical adventure together and let's begin to learn.

Lucio

4.87

(84)

This class is designed for conservatory students, private candidates and advanced musicians who need solid guidance in harmony, counterpoint and fugue, especially in preparation for exams and auditions.

We work on written exercises, stylistic correction and analytical understanding, with a clear method and step-by-step feedback. Particular attention is given to Renaissance and Baroque practices (modal counterpoint, species, tonal counterpoint, fugue), helping students understand why rules exist, not just how to apply them.

I have many years of experience teaching harmony and counterpoint, and several of my students have successfully passed conservatory composition exams thanks to this guided approach.

Lessons are adapted to the student’s level and goals, with a strong focus on clarity, consistency and practical results.