Tuition & Courses
At South London Harpsichord Academy, we believe that our mission is to introduce the harpsichord to curious pianists and other keyboard players, and to encourage people to embrace the harpsichord and the music of the Baroque period. Many people have the experience of playing the piano today, but the harpsichord was the most prominent keyboard instrument until about 1770 before pianos took over, and much of the keyboard music before this time was originally written for the harpsichord which produces sound by plucking strings with quills.
Learning to make beautiful music on the harpsichord can really help to deepen a pianist's understanding of the performance practices, and contribute to making interpretations more informed. It provides valuable insights into the nuances and stylistic elements that characterise Baroque keyboard music.
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1. One-off Harpsichord Lessons (All levels)
"Come and try the harpsichord!"🎉
This is for those musicians who would like to experience the harpsichord but would not necessarily be interested in regular lessons. We do quite a few of these per year. The general overview of the harpsichord will cover the mechanism and the "tour" of our double-manual harpsichord, and we discuss the difference in the way articulation is applied to simple music on the harpsichord.
We also cover playing from a facsimile score, playing on two manuals, and give you a brief introduction to an unmeasured prelude. An introductory discussion about playing basso continuo from a figured-bass notation can also be added to this.
This might also be a good option for you, if you just want to have a one-off lesson on a Baroque piece you've been learning on the piano, for example to get more insight into the piece, or just for fun after completing your graded piano exam for example.
Please get in touch with us so we can discuss what you would like to cover in your session.
2. One-to-One Harpsichord Lessons (All levels)
We've had students as young as 10 looking to deepen their understanding of Baroque music, to those preparing to enter music conservatoires in the UK and abroad, as well as students who are in their 60s and 70s who play for pleasure. Some of our past students have gained places at the top music colleges in the world including the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music & Dance, Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague. Please get in touch with us so we can create a tailor-made programme for you according to your goals.
3. A Block of Harpsichord Lessons (All levels) (Typically 4 or 10 lessons)
If you are working towards a specific goal, or if you would like to have a number of lessons until you have learned a specific piece, this might be a good option for you. This could also be a nice holiday project (subject to availability) where you could relearn the piece you have learned on the piano for your graded exam, on the harpsichord! Please get in touch with us to discuss your options.
4. Basso Continuo for Beginners
Basso continuo is an integral part of Baroque ensembles and learning this skill can make you a better musician overall. You will be taught to read figured-bass notation, and we can prepare you for your first Baroque ensemble experience. Please get in touch with us to discuss your goals.