Mr Peter E. Saunders
Piano and Theory of Music Teacher
About
Hello and welcome to my website.
I am a full time musician who has been successfully teaching for 25 years. I teach at all levels from absolute beginners to diploma level and hire a venue every year so all pupils have the opportunity to perform in public. I would describe my teaching method as very traditional putting an emphasis on technical exercises (e.g. scales), technique, musicality, ear training and most of all enjoyment and appreciation of music. I always try to make my lessons fun and enjoyable. If teaching exams I generally use the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or the London College of Music examination boards.
I am the organist at St Luke's Church Brislington, funeral organist at all the major crematoriums in the city and perform 3 days a week at the famous Georgian Pump Rooms in Bath on piano. My piano training was under Raphael Terroni at the London College of Music and Jonathon Melling at the organ of All Hallows by the Tower (also in London). On piano, whilst graduating with honours from the London College of Music, I also received the Westminster Prize for best musical performance (the only prize given that year). In 2007 I was awarded the Fellowship Diploma on piano from the London College of Music - the highest possible performance qualification offered by that college.
Lessons prices range from £12 per half an hour (depending on level of student).
Testimonials from my pupils:
Catherine Draisey
Date: July 2022
'I decided to return to piano lessons as an adult after a 10 year break. I had always wanted to do a diploma and the lockdown provided me with a bit of extra time so it was the ideal opportunity. Peter was a fantastic teacher - he always found a way to overcome problems that I thought were unsolvable and I always left my lessons feeling confident! Peter was flexible with lesson times and locations, always positive and I really enjoyed working with him. He is an incredibly talented pianist. Thanks to all his teaching I passed my exam and I’m delighted - he may have even convinced me to do another diploma!’
Holly and Jack Munston
Date: September 2015
Peter is a very good piano teacher we have learned lots from him and he has taught us very well. We have completed our level 1 piano exam but now we learn and play for enjoyment. We can now play multiple pieces and can read music that is put in front of us. If you want to learn to play the piano, I would recommend Peter.
Sue Taylor
Date: September 2015
Peter is a very enthusiastic and engaging piano teacher. He has an abundance of patience and thrives on seeing his students improve and progress. His lessons are well thought out and cover note-reading practice as well as practical piano playing which helps to keep younger learners well focused and motivated. My son enjoys his lessons and it's great to see him develop his piano playing abilities in such a positive environment
Francis Roy
Date: September 2015
(A lovely thankyou card received from Francis) ‘Thank you so much for all your patience and dedication throughout all these past years tutoring me in the art of perfect piano playing. It has been delightful learning from one of the best and I will really miss seeing you for lessons now I am going into the world of university. Thanks to you I have achieved my grade 5 which is great, and I can only hope that with lots of practice I can maybe someday be even as good as you!’
Laura Pope
Date: October 2015
My ten year old son Caspar has been learning piano with Peter for 8 months now. Peter is a kind teacher who really seems to have the right balance in his lessons at expecting perfection , yet having endless patience . He teaches the correct way to play from the beginning , so has high expectations from his students . Peter gives praise appropriately , not overly, so it feels earnt by the student . I really can't praise him enough and wouldn't want lessons from anyone else now! Laura (mum of Caspar)
Luc Desbottes
Date: December 2015
I have been having piano lessons with Peter for roughly 4 to 5 years and I always enjoy them. The lessons he creates are always very professional and provide a suitable atmosphere to learn in. As a teacher, I would say that Peter is very friendly, has good patience and is reliable. I believe that he also has a good teaching style in which its easy to learn pieces and music theory. Earlier this year I left Peter to find a new teacher which would be more local to me as I have to travel half an hour in the car to get to him. I stayed with this teacher for a few months but after a while I felt that she didn't match the standards that Peter sets in his lessons so I decided to go back to Peter despite the half an hour journey. Peter was absolutely fine with me returning and very happy to see me again. The one thing that I really like about having piano lessons with Peter is that I get the chance to perform along with all his other students who wish to too. Peter usually hosts a concert in a local church around November in which family and friends can watch students play. Overall, I think that Peter is one of the best music teachers out there, not only because of his friendliness, patience and good teaching style, but also due to his professional background in music college and weekly performances at the pump rooms in Bath. I would highly recommended Peter as your piano teacher. Luc Age 15
Eleanor Brennan
Date: February 2021
Peter is a brilliant piano teacher who is very friendly and funny! I passed my grade 8 piano exam with Peter and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him. I am now training at one of the UK’s leading drama schools - Guildford School of Acting, where I’m on the BA(Hons) Actor-Musician course. As well as getting me through my Grade 8, Peter also helped me prepare my piano piece for my audition at GSA :) I really couldn’t have done it without him! Peter is a musical genius and has a great attitude towards music and teaching.
Charlotte Humphries
Date: August 2015
I have only been having piano lessons with Peter for 8 months now but I feel like in that time I have already learnt so much; so many skills I can take with me to University to use and adapt and I generally feel much more confident on the piano. Peter has a great balance between enthusiasm in the lessons as well as patience, which is crucial in helping a student such as myself continue persevering with and even enjoying the tricky parts! Whether a beginner or someone with experience, I would recommend Peter as a piano teacher to anyone.
Henry Arnold
Date: August 2015
Peter has been my piano teacher since 2009, in that time I have achieved numerous Piano grades and advanced in many different playing styles. Peter is very welcoming and the lessons are approached with a lot of encouragement and patience. I'm very pleased with my progress on piano and in music theory and will continue having piano lessons with Peter into the future. I highly recommend Peter.
Stuart Ashmead
Date: September 2015
The whole family have been very happy with the classes provided by Peter. Both my daughters, niece and uncle are developing their piano playing skills with his dedicated help. I would strongly recommend Peter to anyone thinking of starting to learn the piano.