STEVE BURHOLT
Oxford-based piano player and teacher
Steve Burholt has worked professionally as a pianist and session musician, with artists including Aswad, George Michael and writing for TV and film. He currently plays piano with the latin band
Mambo Panthers.
Steve has the experience, patience and the creativity to now help me play chords and tunes in both a challenging and understanding way to suit my ability.
Loving our lessons"
Tim,Oxford
ABOUT ME
Since the COVID pandemic I've been teaching piano online, which has been working well despite the differences compared with working face-to-face! As restrictions are now gradually being reduced I'm pleased to be able to meet some students in person.
It's a joy to see students gain confidence in their playing and try new styles that they hadn't thought they would be able to master. If that sounds like something you’d like to explore further, please read the student testimonials or get in touch.
HOW I TEACH
I offer tuition for all levels and interests. I am an experienced teacher and aim to give students a solid understanding in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. To find out more, see below:
NO NEED TO READ MUSIC
I want my students to enjoy playing the piano, and to develop confidence. I teach by ear and show you how to follow basic chord charts. It certainly helps if you already know a few major scales.
HOW IT WORKS
Lessons last one hour and are tailored to the individual student. I start by explaining the basic major and minor chords and show how they fit together in popular songs. I show you different ways to accompany yourself on the piano (right-hand melody and left-hand chords, arpeggios and basslines etc).
WHICH STYLES
DO YOU TEACH?
I teach a range of styles including blues, boogie-woogie, jazz, reggae, cuban/latin, neo-soul and hip-hop. See a list of songs I have taught recently.
TOPICS COVERED
Chord harmony
Popular chord sequences
Left and right-hand independence
Accompaniment styles
Advanced chord harmony
Improvisation
Scales and modes
Syncopation
Technique and articulation
Using the pedal effectively
Left-hand chord style for jazz
Creating basslines in the left-hand
Ear-training
How to work out chords from a song
