Hello Everyone,
Well, 2024 is drawing to a close with some successful exam results and
playing groups. We even had a music teacher conference just to get us all inspired again. So, a big thank you to parents and students for participating in and working so hard at your music. On the home front my YouTube channel has many more jazz lessons to explore, and we have been trying out some new compositions that are easy Ish to improvise on.
Lesson Times for 2025
It is time to sort out our lesson times for 2025. Most of you are happy for
times to stay the same. For those who need a change, please let me know as early as you can.
I will start lessons again on Monday the 3rd of Feb.
My price for 2025 will be $45.00 per half hour lesson.
Coming up for 2025
How to play …. Jazz Tunes: These have become a feature on the channel
that are popular and helpful to students. The tutorial videos are jazz piano lessons based on our favourite jazz standards. They cover all sorts of jazz an
improvisation tricks and help support lessons.
On the Facebook platform we are exploring the very good series by Howard Goodall, The Story of Music. Which has given us a lot of new sounds to listen to.
It has also been quite enlightening as to who the real movers have been over the centuries in musical developments.
Digital exams: These now have repertoire only options. So, if preferred a
student may select to learn an extra piece for the examination i.e. A fourth
pieces from repertoire. This is instead of the exercises and scales.
It is probably worth noting here that examiners are looking for technique.
Technique is developed through scales and therefore you will need to play scales anyway.
Playing groups: It has been wonderful to have you all here this year. We are learning to have fun performing. Work in progress pieces, are always fine and old favourites are most welcome. It’s all about sharing some music.
The IRMT NZ provides many musical events for us throughout the year.
This coming year will provide Performance opportunities with the YMF (Young Musicians Festival), the sonata competition, and usually kicks the year off with a duet celebration. There are also master classes and open lessons. I will endeavour to keep you informed on the new website however please ask me about anything that is of interest to you.
New Website: The website is going through a revision and will shortly be
showing off its new look. It will provide better access to my online tutorials and include more PDFs of useful chord progressions and other technique tools.
Composition: Over the year we have explored some of the new pieces that
have yet to be released. The Guinea Pig’s Groove, Sea Minors Blues, and Yeah That’ll Do, are all showing promise. My thanks to you for playing my pieces it is exciting for me to hear them played by others. There are currently enough new works for at least one new book to be released in 2025. They will all be fun to improvise on.
In the meantime, please explore the book Hataitai Garden composed by Peter Feehan
Hataitai Garden, ten piano compositions published by SOUNZ in 2023. Composed by Peter Feehan.
Available from SOUNZ, supporting local artists & musicians,
follow the links below PDF: Peter Feehan: Hataitai Garden — downloadable PDF SCORE – SOUNZ
and available at Alistair’s Music, 215 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011.
All works can be listened to in a play list from this link.
My You Tube Channel.
Over 100 videos of tutorials, backing tracks, compositions, and performances. Now with How to Play Jazz piano lessons on jazz standards just like a lesson.
My Facebook Page.
To increase the diversity of our listening we have been exploring music from the Story of Music Documentary hosted by Howard Goodall. Plenty of repertoire suggestions and entertaining listening to be had.
Have a great holiday.
Cheers
Peter