Dedicated learners
Adults, teenagers, and motivated younger students who want structured, regular tuition and are willing to practise between lessons.
Piano Lessons in Cheltenham
Thoughtful, structured piano tuition for committed learners
Regular weekly one-hour tuition · 40 scheduled teaching weeks each year · £200 per month
First lesson £60, with no commitment to continue · Central Cheltenham or at your home, depending on location and availability
I offer regular piano lessons in Cheltenham for adults, teenagers, and motivated younger students who want to make steady, long-term progress.
Lessons are shaped around the individual student: their musical interests, their level, their goals, and the kind of pianist they want to become. For some students, that means classical repertoire and exam preparation. For others, it means learning favourite pieces, developing confidence at the piano, exploring composition, or deepening their understanding of music.
My aim is to help students become more thoughtful, capable, and independent musicians — not simply to get through pieces, but to understand how music works and how to practise well between lessons.
Lessons are best suited to students who are willing to practise regularly and build music into their weekly routine, whether they are working towards exams, learning for enjoyment, or developing as more advanced musicians.
A composer-pianist approach to teaching
I teach as both a pianist and a composer. Alongside more than 15 years of teaching experience, my work as a musician has included releases on Sony Music, music broadcast on BBC One, Sky, and Channel 4, and performances at venues including Highgrove.
I was awarded Fourth Prize in the Oticons International Film Composer Competition, judged by Oscar-winning composers including Rachel Portman, Atticus Ross, and Stephen Warbeck. I hold a BA in Music from the University of Bristol, where I majored in piano performance.
This background allows me to support students not only with piano technique and repertoire, but also with musical interpretation, listening, theory, composition, and performance confidence.
Who I teach
Exam candidates
Students preparing for ABRSM or Trinity exams, from early grades through to Grade 8 and diploma level.
Enthusiasts
Students who want to enjoy playing at home, learn music they care about, and develop a deeper relationship with the piano.
Creative and advanced musicians
Pianists, teachers, composers, or returning players who want help with technique, interpretation, harmony, composition, or more challenging repertoire.
Student success stories
One teenage student progressed from complete beginner to Grade 8 in under three years through exceptionally consistent practice.
Another student’s debut composition, developed in lessons with me, was performed on BBC Radio 3 Unwind.
What students say
Independent reviews from students who have studied piano with me.
★★★★★
“I’m an adult beginner & Phil is a fantastic teacher - friendly, methodical, disciplined, able to teach in a way I can relate to, makes playing seem possible!”
★★★★★
“Phil is a brilliant teacher who is highly knowledgeable in lots of different genres. He helped me get back into playing after taking years off playing and completing my grades again. Would highly recommend if you are looking for a great and friendly piano teacher!”
★★★★★
“Phil is a fantastic teacher. He is very friendly, methodical and disciplined. He could also be a good mentor. I would proudly recommend him to anyone who wants to learn music.”
How lessons work
Lessons are offered as a regular weekly one-hour place in my teaching schedule.
The teaching year consists of 40 lesson weeks, with lesson dates published in advance, running from September to August. Each student has a fixed weekly time, reserved specifically for them.
This structure allows lessons to be consistent, calm, and properly planned. It also helps students build the regular rhythm that is usually needed for real progress.
When students are away, the reserved lesson time can still be used. We can arrange a call to work on music theory, composition, practice planning, or interpretation; alternatively, students can send recordings in advance, and I can use the allocated lesson time to provide feedback, practice points, and suggestions.
Fees
The regular fee is £200 per month. This reserves a fixed weekly one-hour lesson place across 40 published teaching weeks each year.
The first lesson is £60, payable in advance, with no commitment to continue.
Payment details and lesson policies Monthly payments, part-year starts, missed lessons and refunds.
Monthly payments
Payment is made by standing order on the 1st of each month, in advance. The cost of the 40 scheduled lessons is spread evenly across twelve months, so the regular payment remains £200 during teaching breaks.
Starting part-way through the year
If you start part-way through the September–August teaching year, I will confirm the remaining lesson dates and payment schedule before you commit. There may be a one-off initial payment to bring the payments into line with the remaining lessons, with the £60 first-lesson payment credited towards the total.
Missed or cancelled lessons
Because your weekly time is reserved for you, missed lessons are not refunded, rearranged or carried over. If I need to cancel a lesson, that lesson will be refunded.
Where lessons take place
Some students come to my teaching space in central Cheltenham, while I travel to others at home in Cheltenham. We can discuss what is practical when you get in touch.
Availability
I usually have a small number of suitable spaces available, although evening and weekend places are the most requested, so when enquiring, please include any daytime options as well, if these are possible.
When enquiring, please let me know:
- the student’s age and current level;
- whether lessons are for enjoyment, exams, composition, or general musical development;
- whether you would prefer lessons at your home or at my teaching space; if at your home, roughly where in Cheltenham you are based;
- the days and times that could realistically work for a regular weekly lesson.
I will then let you know whether I currently have a suitable space, or whether it would be best to join the waiting list.
Frequently asked questions
How many lessons are there each year?
The teaching year consists of 40 lesson weeks. Dates are published in advance so that students and families can plan around them.
How does the monthly payment work?
The regular fee is £200 per month, paid by standing order on the 1st of each month, in advance. This reserves your fixed weekly one-hour lesson time in my schedule. If you join part-way through the teaching year, there may be a one-off initial payment before the regular monthly standing order begins. This is calculated from the lesson dates remaining in the current teaching year, with any first lesson payment credited towards the total.
What happens when I first start?
The first lesson is £60, payable in advance, with no commitment beyond that first lesson. If you decide to continue, I will confirm the regular weekly slot, the remaining lesson dates in the current teaching year, and the payment schedule before the regular £200/month standing order begins. There is no separate joining fee. If a one-off initial payment is needed, it is simply to align the payments with the remaining lesson dates in the current teaching year, with the £60 first lesson payment credited towards the total.
What happens if I miss a lesson?
Because your weekly time is reserved for you, missed lessons are not refunded, rearranged, or carried over.
Can I still use the time if I am away?
Yes. If you are away, we can often use the time in another useful way. For example, we can arrange a call to work on theory, composition, interpretation, or practice planning; or you can send recordings in advance, and I can use the allocated time to provide feedback and suggestions.
What happens if you cancel a lesson?
If I need to cancel a lesson, that lesson will be refunded.
Can I change my regular time?
If your regular time becomes unsuitable, please let me know the specific days and times that would work better on a regular basis. I will keep this on file and let you know if a suitable space becomes available.
Do you offer fortnightly or occasional lessons?
My main teaching schedule is built around regular weekly lessons, as this gives students the best chance of consistent progress. One-off or occasional sessions may sometimes be possible, but these are not offered at the standard monthly rate.
How much notice is required to stop lessons?
One full calendar month’s notice is required. Notice runs to the end of the following calendar month. For example, notice given at any point during September would end the arrangement on 31 October.
Confirmed dates
Teaching calendar 2026–27
The teaching year runs from September 2026 to August 2027. Each regular lesson day has 40 scheduled teaching dates, published in advance so that students and families can plan around them.
Teaching date
No lesson
Check all dates for your usual lesson day Choose a weekday to see every teaching and non-teaching date across the year.
If You Are Away During a Teaching Week
If You Are Away During a Teaching Week
If you are away during one of the teaching weeks, we can still use the lesson time productively.
The simplest option is to send something in advance. I can then use your usual lesson time to listen, look through the music, and reply with feedback, suggestions, exercises, or demonstrations where useful.
By default, I’ll usually send the key points in writing and then explain them further in voice notes, so you have both a clear summary and a more personal spoken explanation. I may also send video demonstrations where I think that would be useful — sometimes it is easier to show how to practise something than to explain it only in words.
Send a passage you’re stuck on
If there is a particular section that keeps going wrong, send me a photo of the music and tell me what the problem is.
“Bar 18–20 keeps falling apart. What fingering should I use?”
“I can’t get smoothly from this chord to the next one.”
“This left-hand jump is unreliable. How should I practise it?”
I can then suggest fingering, practice methods, or exercises to help solve that specific problem.
Send videos of your playing
You can send videos of the pieces, sections, scales, or exam work you are currently practising.
This does not need to be a polished performance. It is often most useful to send the music as it currently is, including the parts that are still a bit uncertain.
I can listen through during your lesson time and reply with feedback on what is going well, what needs attention, and how to practise the next stage.
For younger students, a parent can simply record them playing their current pieces. I can then reply in a friendly, practical way, just as I would in a normal lesson.
Send theory or written work
For students working on theory, you can send completed exercises, past-paper questions, or anything you are unsure about.
I can mark the work, explain mistakes, and suggest what to revise next.
Send composition work
For students working on composition, you can send the latest version of the piece or section we are currently developing.
I can go through it and make suggestions about harmony, melody, structure, notation, or how the piece might develop further.
Call in at your usual lesson time
If you are away but available at your normal lesson time, we can sometimes arrange a video call or phone call instead.
This can work well for theory, aural, composition, analysis, exam preparation, or general musical questions — even without a piano.
Get in touch
To enquire about lessons, please send a message with the student’s age, approximate level, musical goals, whether you would prefer lessons at your home or at my teaching space, and the days and times that could realistically work for a regular weekly lesson. If you would prefer lessons at your home, please also include roughly where you are based.
You can contact me by WhatsApp, phone, or email.