Fergus Black

music teacher and performer

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Music Lessons - Subjects

Piano

I perform regularly as a pianist, playing in concerts and for exams and diplomas. I teach piano at Bourne Grammar School and Stamford Endowed Schools, amongst others. In the Tips and Tricks section of this web site, you will find a number of articles that demonstrate my approach.

Singing

I teach singing at Stamford School, amongst others, and ran the Youth Choir in Peterborough for 14 years, as well as the boys' choir at All Saints Church.

With adults I work largely on repertoire - a Vocal Coach, rather than a technician.

Pipe Organ

I'm used to playing the organ on a Sunday-by-Sunday-out basis. I don't do that at the moment - I still play regularly, but not every week.

My next big 'gig' is the Graduation Ceremonies of de Montfort University in Leicester in July 2011.

Aural Tests

Sometimes, other instrumental teachers are reluctant to take their students through practice aural tests for the higher grades - perhaps because of a lack of lesson time, or because the tests need advanced keyboard skills to administer them. I am often asked to prepare students for aural tests at Grades 6,7 and 8, and auditions.

Theory

I do so wish that we could call this Music Literacy – writing music, and understanding how it is put together. Certainly students of Associated Board exams need Grade 5 Theory to progress further, but that isn't why they need it!

There are pages on Theory on this site. Click here. Singers face especial difficulty with Theory - see here.

Sight Reading

I'm so keen on Sight-Reading that there are pages on it on this web site. These might help, but there is no substitute to having a teacher who can tell you if what you are doing is right or not.

Sight-reading for Pianists
Sight-singing

Teaching Philosophy

Fergus' teaching philosophy is based on four elements - he combines learning pieces with technical exercises, sight reading / singing and aural training. His favourite quote is:

"I consider that one of the main tasks of a teacher is to ensure as quickly and as thoroughly as possible that he is no longer necessary to the pupil; to eliminate himself, to leave the stage in time; in other words to inculcate in the pupil that independent thinking, that method of work, that knowledge of self and ability to reach his goal which we term maturity, the threshold beyond which begins mastery"

The Art of Piano Playing - Heinrich Neuhaus