Piano lessons in Nijmegen
The piano is a keyboard, percussion and string instrument. We use the keys to strike the strings with hammers. The pianist is responsible for both the melody and the accompaniment. But it is also possible to play together, with two people on one piano, or together with another instrument or an entire orchestra. Over the centuries, a very wide repertoire has been composed for the piano, at every level and in every genre.
A beginner can learn musical notation more easily than on other instruments because the layout of the keys provides a good overview. You will quickly produce a pleasant sound. The piano can be good preparation if you then want to play another instrument.
Alfred Snel studied at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. His main subjects were piano and orchestral conducting. His piano teachers were Léon Orthel, Jan de Man and the French pianist Janine Dacosta. After completing his studies, he devoted himself to accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists. He began teaching while still a student, and it soon became clear that this was his true calling. He has now been teaching for more than 25 years, and every day he manages to convey his enthusiasm for music to his students with enormous freshness.
He is registered in the Toonkunstenaars Register (ITR) and a member of the European Teachers Association (EPTA)
[X]All lessons are held at St. Annastraat 436 in Nijmegen.
If parents would like to follow their children’s activities, they are always welcome.
[X]The lessons last 30 or 60 minutes.
They can be weekly, fortnightly or something else.
The duration, frequency and lesson times are always arranged in consultation.
Lessons will never start before 9:00 AM and will not end later than 10:00 PM from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, lessons are only given from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
[X]These lessons are for beginners and advanced students.
If someone wants to start playing the piano from scratch, they can do so as early as six years old. But if someone is a bit older, that’s no problem either. Many adults have already discovered that even if you’re a bit older, you can still learn to play the piano very well.
For advanced students, the first meeting will begin by exploring their musical abilities and their aspirations. Lessons are offered in a variety of styles: classical, jazz, musicals, and film music. A plan is then developed in consultation with the student. Throughout the lesson, attention will be paid to playing in the style of the music.
[X]All lessons are individual. Not every student has the same problems. In individual lessons, only what yields the best result is addressed, so that the greatest progress is achieved. If group lessons are desired, this can of course be discussed.
[X]Hearing
From the beginning, it is made clear to the student that hearing is very important when playing an instrument. The better you can imagine the sound, the better and easier you play.
Piano technique
Of course, this cannot be done without good piano technique. It is developed from the most natural posture and relaxation for the student.
Theory
Moreover, all theoretical knowledge needed to understand and play the music on the stand is offered in the lesson.
Practicing at home
Much attention is paid in the lesson to how to study. It should not happen that a student does not know how to proceed at home.
IImprovising
Many piano students are eager to learn to improvise. Some want to do this exclusively, but most do it as a diversion from their classical repertoire. They are first introduced to the chord system. The relationship between keys, chords, and their symbols, as used in popular music, is also discussed.
Through practical assignments, students learn to improvise from chord charts.
Instruments
There are two beautiful Bösendorfer grand pianos in the lesson room. This allows the teacher to play along with the student if necessary or provide supportive accompaniment to what the student is playing. And when advanced students start playing piano concertos, they can easily practice with orchestral accompaniment, which the teacher plays on the other instrument. For the younger students, there is a special footstool with a connection to the pedals, so they can quickly become familiar with them.
Student Concerts
A student concert is organized at least once a year. During preparation, special attention will be paid to how to make a piece stage-ready.
It’s not about a student being able to play entire musical works.
Even if the piece is small, if it is played musically and technically well, it can be included in the program.