Face-to-face lessons
Whether you are an experienced musician looking to improve or a complete beginner, individual face to face lessons provide students with the opportunity to work personally with Craig, playing on a Yamaha C7 grand piano.
Piano lessons
Craig is an experienced educator specialising in jazz piano, harmony, improvisation and technique. He offers face-to-face and online lessons for advanced players and beginners.
Craig Schneider is a professional musician with more than 30 years experience teaching piano (jazz and classical), theory, improvisation, aural, harmony and musicianship. He is also an active performer as a jazz pianist and vocalist, cabaret artist and musical director. By combining current teaching pedagogies with an ongoing performance career, Craig provides tuition that is relevant, contemporary and inspirational.
Craig holds a Master’s degree in Music and is a specialist jazz teacher. He has also studied the Suzuki method and incorporates a variety of approaches to suit different learning styles. As a professional musician, Craig places great emphasis on the development of good aural skills, sight-reading ability, and a sound knowledge of theory and harmony.
Lesson format
Lessons range from 20 minutes for very young Suzuki students, 30 minutes for beginners and early level students, 45 minutes for intermediate students and 1 hour or longer for more advanced students. Lessons will typically involve a variety of tasks including technical work, review of the previous week’s tasks, new repertoire pieces, improvisation, aural and sight-reading work. Theory is frequently integrated into the practical lesson at the piano and may be given as homework. Craig can also provide opportunities for duet and/or ensemble practise during the lessons with a second keyboard and custom backing tracks.
A message from Craig
“Music has been part of my life since I was eight years old and I firmly believe that the study of a musical instrument helps a child’s development in many other ways as well. It provides children with confidence, patience, an appreciation of music and art, develops fine motor skills and memory, and educates them in the process of learning, helping our children to develop their individual abilities to their full potential.”
Online lessons
Online lessons enable you to learn one-on-one from the comfort of your own home. With multiple cameras, students can see the keyboard from above (especially useful for jazz students to understand approaches to harmony and voicings) and side on to help the development of technique. In addition, students can record elements of the lesson to assist with their practice.
Workshops
Looking for some inspiration for your high school music program? Craig offers workshops in jazz improvisation, music performance, stage band and rhythm section playing. With a friendly, supportive and encouraging approach, Craig will build your students' confidence and skills. Enquire about a tailor made workshop with content designed specifically to suit your students.