Philosophy

The first question I remember my guru Monojit Dutta asking me when I went for my first lesson was ‘what do you expect to learn here?’.  ‘Nothing.’ Was my very honest answer.  ‘Good. That’s exactly what I can teach you.’, he replied.

That probably isn’t a very intelligent advertising policy but we all (ok, maybe not all) draw our limits somewhere when it comes to selling. Mine was just there.

Without getting too esoteric, music can't really be taught. The only role I imagine a teacher playing is bringing out the music that already lies within every human being and try and help one help oneself to channel it into a fulfilling direction. Among other things, a process involving very subtle balance between imparting information and helping someone find a way to process it. A point of view I subscribe to and try to keep in mind when I am trusted with the honour and responsibility to be a  'teacher'.

''Qualifications''

For those who are interested, 'Pedagogy' was also a part of the State-Certified Higher-Diploma course I finished at the 'International College Of Music, Freiburg'' (formerly Jazz Und Rock Schule). Apart from having taught privately over the years, I have also been teaching staff for Keyboards and Piano at

• 'Jugendmusikschule Markgraeflerland', Schliengen (2004-2007).
•  'Music-Lab' Emmendingen (2007)
• 'Musik-Station', Lörrach (2007)
  
• Modern Music School Heidelberg (2007-09)
• Jugendmusikschule Steinlach, Mössingen (2009- )
• Musikschule Mannheim (2009-)
  

Lesson Topics Covered

• The act of appreciating music:my two pence on the matter.

• Jazz Piano Basics (Voicings, Scales, Scale-Chord theory).

•   Theory and Ear-training.

•   Basic Indian rhythmic Concepts

•  Improvisation Concepts

•   Arrangement/ Composition  Basics

• Groove Studies

• The Pianist/Keyboardist  in an ensemble.

•   Keyboard Synthesis (I look upon Keyboards/Synthesizers as a different instrument than a piano and take that statement very seriously!)

• Sound Design: Concepts in the art of 'not playing keyboards'.
  

• Band Coaching