Modern Piano Lessons

Jazz, Popular Music & Classical

FAQ's
 

About

Luke Teikō Cunningham teaches piano with a focus on nurturing creative musical expression. Combining disciplined practice with playfulness, Luke encourages students to connect deeply with the instrument, helping them discover and cultivate their unique musical voice. Rather than emphasising formal examinations, he priorities the joy of musical exploration and personal growth.

With a rich background in jazz performance and Zen practice, Luke values the balance between spontaneity and structure, form and formless. Improvisation plays a key role in his approach to both teaching and playing, but always within the framework of a strong technical foundation. His approach to teaching is attentive, fostering both the artistry and technique essential for a fulfilling piano path.

teaching with 3 areas in mind

  • Technical Work: Scales, arpeggios, chords, theory, exercises, piano techniques

  • Oral Tradition: jazz transcription, popular music & folk song learning. Using your ear to copy the great American Jazz players, learning popular song riffs and Scottish trad tunes.

  • Reading: the more traditional approach of learning from the great European classical composers by reading their music.

Typical 1hr Lesson Plan

  • 5 minutes: Warm Up & Sight Reading

  • 15 minutes: Technical Work - Scales, Arpeggios, Chords, Etudes & Expression

  • 20 minutes: Jazz & Popular Music Skills - Chord Reading, Improvisation, Musicality, Transcription, Theory & Ear Training

  • 20 minutes: Pieces - Full Scores, Note Reading, Classical Repertoire

Tutoring Jobs

Current:

  • May 2017 - ongoing, Luke Cunningham - Private Tutor


Past:

  • Oct 2019 - July 2020, Merchiston Castle School

  • Oct 2016 - Dec 2019, Lamp House Music School

  • Feb 2015 - Dev 2018, Most Entertaining

  • Sept 2017 - Dec 2017, Edinburgh City Council, Carrickvale Community Centre, Group Keyboard Classes

  • Feb 2013 - Feb 2017, Rock & Pop School Scotland

  • Summer 2016, Big Hearts, Hearts Football Club,

  • Summer 2014 & 2015, Windsor Mountain International Summer Camp, US Summer Camp

Lesson Rates

  • 30min weekly lesson: £25.00 (£100.00 per 4-lesson block)

  • 1hr weekly lesson: £42.50 (£170.00 per 4-lesson Block)

  • 1hr ad-hoc lesson: £45.00 (cash only for ad-hoc)

Lesson T&Cs

  • Lessons recur weekly unless ad-hoc

  • Payment made upfront for a block of 4 lessons

  • 1 wk cancellation/rescheduling policy

  • See FAQ’s for more

  • Click below to read full T&C’s document

Piano Lesson Policy pdf