Learn Music With Marian and Her Instructors at Jumeirah Music Centre
On a hot Saturday afternoon in the Perth CBD, I made my way to Jumeirah Music Centre. The Music Centre is located conveniently in the middle of the city at 491 Hay Street, opposite the car park.
After double-checking the street numbers and spotting the little sign for the music school, I opened the door. "
Come in!" Marian yells out, my piano teacher for the afternoon. She wastes no time and directs me to sit at the piano (with a straight back, she points out).
We start with a quick warmup exercise, using each hand and then both hands together running up and down the keys. I feel kooky, I play the guitar and use a computer keyboard but my fingers still seem to be ignoring my commands.
With some quick tips on reading music out of the way, Marian suggests I try and play a melody from her music book. After a few attempts, she accompanies me with some beautiful playing and congratulates me for "playing music!"
Marian encourages me to record the melody on my phone and another piece we also play together. She indicates the recordings can be a sort of memento and celebration of the fact that I actually played
music. I have to say, recording two mini-performances and the encouragement of the teacher left me feeling great about my future as a student of both music and the piano. Marian clearly has a deep knowledge of music and a talent and love of sharing it through her teaching.
When I am with good teachers, I always pry them for nuggets of wisdom that I can apply to their field of expertise and beyond.
"What do you think the best piano players have in common? The players that are the best, what do you think is the most important thing they focus on in their practice?" I ask.
Marian doesn't hesitate and replies emphatically with her bubbling enthusiasm. "
A teacher" she nods, "
Yes, a good teacher is very important". Well, I couldn't agree more. And thanks to Marian and the Jumeirah Music Centre for the lesson.
For more information visit:
Jumeirah Music Centre
