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Liam HindsonPiano & Violin Teacher
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Piano lessons in Crystal Palace

I teach the piano privately from my home in Crystal Palace, London. I’ve taught since 2013 and have experience with all standards and ages, whether you’re enquiring about a home-educated beginner, a child preparing for an ABRSM grade, or an adult returning to their instrument.

I have the most availability midweek during the day for home-educated students and adults. If you’re interested in after-school tuition, drop me a message, and I’ll let you know if there’s a slot that works. I can also teach online for students across the UK.

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Piano lesson at Liam Hindson's teaching studio in Crystal Palace

Why learn with me?

I’ve been teaching the piano since 2013. I’m an effective tutor and highly organised, teaching around 65 students weekly. I’ve been very fortunate with my students, and my practice has grown through personal recommendations from families and adult learners in Crystal Palace and beyond.

Learning a musical instrument should be fun, engaging, and rewarding. I’m calm and patient in my approach to lessons, using my experience to adapt my approach for each person.

I want to give my students transferable skills so they can learn music independently. This means always engaging with the music rather than relying on rote memorisation. I balance technique and theory with repertoire to keep lessons fun and interesting. I also discuss how to practice in order to avoid simply running the pieces through. I’m still developing my own repertoire, so I know the difficulties of working on a new passage or technical challenge.

Since 2013

Teaching full time

Around 65

Students each week

Ages 3-70s

Beginner to advanced

Enhanced DBS check

Update Service registered

Who I teach

  • Adult beginners

    You don’t need previous experience. I’m free midweek during the day and can be flexible at this time. We’ll discuss your aims in the first lessons and decide how to proceed.

  • Home-educated learners

    I can offer slots during the daytime on weekdays. Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons, and I can send feedback as voice recordings to support your homework between lessons.

  • Returning learners

    If you’re returning to the piano, we’ll start by assessing your technique, note-reading and what areas to address. I’ll address this and build your confidence by working through a high volume of music.

  • School-age children

    I vary activities to keep younger students engaged. For example, I’ve recently started using beginner music theory books as a regular feature in lessons for children aged 7 and younger. My availability is stretched after school, but you’re welcome to enquire and join a waiting list if I don’t have a convenient slot.

  • Exam preparation

    I am experienced in preparing students for instrumental grades, whether this is through the ABRSM or Trinity exam boards. I don’t impose this on students, and you’re welcome to work through the grades or play for fun as you prefer.

  • Advanced students

    I need clear aims so we can plan effectively with advanced students. For example, if you’re considering taking a performance diploma, we’ll need to prepare for at least a year and study the repertoire in more detail, including its historical context.

What happens in a lesson?

First lesson

The first lesson depends on the age of the student. Typically, I will introduce the highest and lowest notes on the piano, then test the student on the position of Middle C. We’ll discuss the pedals and how to play loudly and quietly. I’ll relate the notes you play to the alphabet and help the student spot the pattern on the piano by finding each version of the same note. Finally, we’ll look inside the piano at the internal mechanics of the instrument, and then start with a piece of music.

A first piano lesson exploring the keyboard

Building the foundations

As you develop your understanding of the piano’s dimensions, I’ll introduce other aspects of music, including rhythm, dynamics, tempo, and accents. I’ll make changes to your technique and develop your theoretical understanding of music, being careful not to be overbearing and always focusing on the music.

Building piano foundations in a lesson

Developing your playing

Once we have established a foundation in reading music and playing the piano, I’ll start to introduce more complex music and techniques, such as ornamentation. I will always encourage you to work towards the answer yourself, such as discussing the meaning of a section of the piece we’re working on. We will now start to work towards your aims on the piano.

Developing piano playing through lessons

Learn in comfort

  • Lessons in Crystal Palace

    A room dedicated to teaching with an upright piano that is regularly tuned.

  • Online lessons

    Learn virtually from anywhere in the UK. I have perfect pitch and am experienced in maximising the effectiveness of online lessons.

  • Flexible weekday slots

    I have more spaces and flexibility for daytime lessons midweek, ideal for adults and home-educated learners.

  • Parents welcome

    Parents and guardians are welcome to sit in lessons, especially for younger learners. They’ll have a clearer idea of progress and where to focus in practice.

  • Parking

    There is plenty of free parking on the close and surrounding roads for in-person tuition.

  • Student portal

    Students get invite-only access to a portal where they can manage bookings, request feedback between lessons, and manage invoices.

Student reviews

  • Liam has been teaching my 8 year old son violin (and now also piano) for over two years. I highly recommend him! My son was only six when he decided he wanted to learn violin and I was a little worried about how well he would concentrate. Liam is great at pitching the lesson for the individual and my son was engaged from the first lesson. He loves his music lessons and has progressed rapidly. Liam is really flexible and has been equally happy tutoring my son through music grade exams (which he passed with merit) and then, when my son decided he wanted to concentrate on music without exams for a while, helping him develop his technique and style with other pieces. Liam has a relaxed style which my son loves but he also has a real attention to detail and many subtle ways of introducing technique and honing skills without it becoming tedious. He also got a group of his young violinists to perform at the Crystal Palace Festival recently which was a great experience for them and a proud moment for us parents.

    Ciara

    Parent · Piano and violin

  • Liam is a calm, thoughtful and engaging tutor. He has reignited my daughter’s enthusiasm for playing the piano during a period when she had lost interest in learning. Liam brings a fun element to his lessons, while covering important theory and techniques that help my daughter to play with understanding rather than through memory. My daughter is working toward her Grade 4 ABRSM exam and feels confident with taking it in a few weeks time. She and I recommend Liam highly as a piano tutor.

    Susan

    Parent · Piano

  • Liam was given the challenge to teach my 17 year old son the piano from beginner to grade 5 within 2 years. In march this year (18 months since beginning) my son will be sitting his grade 5 exam. Liam is friendly, enthusiastic, patient, encouraging and approachable.

    Sarah Dryer

    Parent · Piano

Read more reviews

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer daytime lessons?

Absolutely. I have most availability midweek before 3.30pm. These lesson times can be flexible and are a good fit for adults and home-educated children. Send me a message with your preferred times, and I’ll suggest a suitable option.

What age can my child start learning the piano?

It depends on the child and their concentration span. The youngest age for most students is 5 years old, though I have taught students as young as three. If you’re unsure, please get in touch, and we can discuss whether it’s worth arranging a first lesson or holding off for the time being.

Do I need a piano to get started?

No. There’s no pressure to buy an instrument straight away. If you want to continue after the first lesson, I’m happy to advise and can recommend cost-effective options, such as buying a touch-sensitive keyboard as your first piano.

I can’t travel to you. Is it worthwhile having online lessons?

I learnt to teach effectively online during the COVID-19 lockdown. I have perfect pitch and am able to accurately hear what the student is playing. Simple steps can add to the quality of online lessons, such as positioning the camera effectively so the fingers are visible on the instrument.

What’s a good lesson length?

It depends on the student’s age and standard. I teach for 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Send me an enquiry if you want a longer, bespoke lesson length, such as splitting a lesson between your children.

Manage lessons with the student portal

My students can manage lessons through an invite-only portal. This includes viewing upcoming and past lessons, invoices, and getting feedback from me between appointments. You can also make booking changes, such as rearranging a booking or arranging additional lessons before an exam that match your availability.

Explore the student portal

Ready to discuss piano lessons?

Send a short enquiry to check availability, ask a question, or arrange an introductory lesson.

If there are no spaces for individual lessons, would you like to learn in a group while waiting for a slot to open up? Violin only.

Please let me know your standard, if you can read music, any goals, and anything else you think is relevant.

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