Luke Cunningham - Piano Tutor

Typical 1hr Lesson Plan

5 minutes: Warm Up & Sight Reading

15 minutes: Technical Work - Scales, Arpeggios, Chords, Etudes & Tone

20 minutes: Jazz & Popular Music Skills - Chord Reading, Improvisation, Musicality, Transcription, Theory & Ear Training

20 minutes: Pieces - Full Scores, Note Reading, Theory, Classical Repertoire (Grade if desired)

Experience

I currently live in Edinburgh working full-time as a music tutor and performing musician. I graduated with a BA in Popular Music from Edinburgh Napier University where I was able to hone my craft by composing, performing, improvising, and training on the piano and guitar. I have surrounded myself among many great musicians and other piano teachers who keep me inspired and on top of my game.

Jazz and popular music is my specialty however, I have studied classical piano and love Bartok, Schumann, Debussy, and Chopin to name a few. Each person has their own desires and reasons for playing music so I do not simply teach from a single textbook. I value good technique and understanding of music theory but also seek to inspire and foster creativity. I have spent countless hours and hundreds of pounds researching music books and teaching methods. Fully equipped, this allows me to tailor each lesson to the student's aims, allowing them to love playing music while developing their technical skillset.

At present, I have around 20 students a week as a private music teacher here at my home, or at their homes. As a live performer, I work with three live performance agencies, WooHoo, Banana Row, and Music For Scotland. They send me bookings for performances at weddings, parties, corporate and private events across Scotland and the UK. Also, I work with various bands in Edinburgh and Glasgow performing regularly in venues such as The Jazz Bar, Stramash, The Dog House, Uno Mas, The Barony Bar, and Whistle Binkies. See my LIVE SHOWS page to find out more.

I am continually writing and developing material for various singles and albums of instrumental jazz and modern neo-soul music. This has led to performances at the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh, tours of the UK, and performances in festivals.

Another creative outlet that I spend time working on is my variety performance show, a combination of magic and music mixed in with comedy, to be performed each year as a part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Tutoring Jobs

Luke Cunningham Private Tutor, May 2017 - ongoing

Merchiston Castle School, Oct 2019 - July 2020

Lamp House Music School, Oct 2016 - Dec 2019

Tutorful, Online Agency, Oct 2017 - Dec 2019

Most Entertaining Private Student Agency, Feb 2015 - Dev 2018

Edinburgh City Council, Carrickvale Community Centre, Group Keyboard Classes, Sept 2017 - Dec 2017

Rock & Pop School Scotland, Glasgow, Feb 2013 - Feb 2017

Big Hearts, Hearts Football Club, Summer 2016

Windsor Mountain International Summer Camp, US Summer Camp, Summer 2014 & 2015