Merton Music Foundation

The wonderful world of piano... The piano is the most popular instrument that we teach. Perfect as a first study, but also a useful skill for any musician to have. The piano allows players to visualise melodies and harmonies and enables the player to play multiple lines simultaneously. It is an amazing solo instrument as well as fitting in a wide range of bands and ensembles. Its full name is the pianoforte - or soft / loud - because you can play a full range of musical dynamics (volumes) on the piano; something that wasn't possible on its predecessor, the harpsichord.

When to start learning The piano is a very accessible instrument and pupils can be introduced to it from a very young age. We offer piano lessons from age 5 and up in some schools and from 7 up at our South Wimbledon Music Centre and online.

Your own piano Practice makes perfect. Ideally, yes, pupils would have access to a piano at home or in school in order to practice. This isn't always going to be possible though! A good basic keyboard will suffice for a beginner - make sure it has touch sensitivity (so your child can practice playing at different dynamics). We offer keyboards for hire.  As your child grows and their skills develop, you should consider buying a full size electric keyboard with weighted keys as this will more closely replicate the experience of playing a piano and allow for greater expression. This will be necessary for obtaining higher grade performance exams.

Often used interchangeably, the piano and a keyboard are two different instruments. The piano is an acoustic instrument that generates sound by striking strings with a soft hammer. 'Keyboard' is both an electric instrument and the name for the part of the piano that a performer plays - where the keys are! A good basic keyboard will suffice for a beginner player (get one with touch sensitivity or hire one from us!). A full size electric piano with weighted keys may be necessary for older, more able players. It is also possible to study the keyboard as an instrument in its own right, making use of the various musical options made available through technology - a useful skill for many areas of music performance including popular music and west-end shows!

MMF music lessons are delivered in three different ways:

• • In-person at Merton schools (during the school day)
• • In-person at our Music Centres - Merton Abbey Primary School in South Wimbledon, Wimbledon College in Wimbledon (guitar, piano, voice, saxophone & violin) and Crown Lane Studio in Morden (drum kit and world percussion only)
• • Online via Zoom

Lessons are delivered during school term and are charged in a 10-week block (with a break for half term).

Piano/keyboard

Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass

Woodwind: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone

Brass: trumpet, cornet, French horn, trombone, tuba

Percussion: drum kit, classical/tuned percussion (inc. xylophone, glockenspiel), world percussion

Guitars: ukulele, classical guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar

Voice/singing

All instrumental lessons are subject to availability. Not every instrument is taught in every school.

Click here to find out which instruments are taught at your child's Merton school

Your child may already have an idea of which instrument they want to learn but if not, you can watch our Virtual Open Day webinar where you'll see demonstrations from our tutors and students on some of the instruments that MMF has to offer.

Below are the recommended minimum ages for learning specific instruments.

Violin, viola, piano/keyboard - Year 2 (6-7 years old)

Recorder, ukulele, cello - Year 3 (7-8 years old)

Flute, clarinet, cornet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, drums, percussion, oboe, bassoon, classical guitar - Year 4 (8-9 years old)

Double bass, electric guitar, bass guitar, euphonium, tuba, saxophone - Year 6/7 (10-12 years old)

Click here to find out about our instrument hire service.

We offer a range of lesson types for different ages, abilities and budgets. We also offer financial assistance via our learning funds. Tuition is charged termly for a block of 10 lessons starting from as little as £86.

Click here to see our lesson fees.