28 July 2025
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From jazz and pop to Beethoven sonatas, this flexible online and in-person school offers courses for every pace and passion, says John Evans
Playing the same pieces, being reliant on sheet music and unable to improvise and, ultimately, feeling disconnected from the process of actually ‘making music’ – these and other issues can frustrate even experienced pianists otherwise capable of playing fluently and expressively.
Combined they create a huge gap in a pianist’s musical armoury - one that leaves many feeling exposed, dissatisfied, and incomplete.
Fortunately, there is a solution. For more than 20 years, the London Contemporary School of Piano has been helping pianists of all abilities achieve their musical potential through online and in-person coaching sessions that equip them with the skills and the confidence to overcome the barriers preventing them from being a more rounded pianist and a more complete musician.
It’s a bold claim, but one supported by evidence in the form of testimonials by students and the more than 90,000 subscribers who benefit from the school’s advanced and personalised coaching. Furthermore, the school’s YouTube channel of over 100 free, entry-level classical and contemporary tutorials has so far attracted more than five million views.
‘We don’t make any claims for the ability of our online and in-person tutorials to liberate, inspire and improve your playing,’ says founder Tom Donald, an acclaimed music pedagogue, pianist and composer.
‘Instead, our work speaks for itself. For example, our YouTube videos on lead sheet technique, where students learn to interpret and play from chord symbols rather than only from notation, resulting in a freer and more authentic performance and often better sight-reading, are hugely popular.
Lead sheets encourage flexibility and deepen a musician's understanding of harmony. Musicians in the Baroque period often used a similar approach through figured bass lines, where keyboard players added right-hand harmonies. So, this method may not be as new as it seems.
We believe the positive feedback both from this and from all our other videos, plus the student testimonials we receive, are ample proof that our approach works.’
TAKING IT PERSONALLY
Any pianist can enjoy the school’s online videos, but its structured, in-person coaching sessions drive the success of its methods through a more personal approach.
These take place either at its studios on Baker Street in the heart of London, or via virtual lessons with students around the globe – with each encounter tailored to the student’s specific challenges and goals.
The work of understanding what these are begins with the London Contemporary School of Piano’s Discovery Session Package, a 75-minute coaching session during which one of the school’s hand-picked teachers identifies and assesses the student’s challenges and aspirations.
‘Learning music is a collaborative effort between student and teacher,’ explains Tom.
‘We have one mission: to understand the way a student works and engages with music. If they want to take their playing that next step forward, they should consider booking a virtual discovery session with one of our expert coaches.
All of them are empathetic, highly specialised education masters who, through assessment and diagnostic exercises, remove the barriers and challenges concerning the way students think and feel about music. In fact, our teachers find great satisfaction in solving problems with our students; the larger the challenge, the deeper we research and develop our methodologies – this rare aspect of our education is what is the most exciting.
And no matter how isolating a piano challenge might feel like, it’s likely we’ve already comprehensively solved it with many of our students.’
One month’s membership of the school supports the discovery session, giving you access to four live group online masterclasses and uninterrupted use of the school’s digital library of 170 previous episodes.
Tom explains that ‘there are a few course options, and the school has a thoughtful process of helping students select the best plan for their needs and schedule, extending a generous support system to students enquiring for lessons with no obligations to continue.
There are hours of free content online to browse and generosity backed up with years of research is at the heart of our cause. This is becoming increasingly important in a world where online information can do more damage than good. This is why it’s important for the LCSP team to add quality and credible resources to the world of online music education.’
AN ENTICING CHOICE
From the discovery session, one of five courses best aligned to the student’s needs may be suggested.
The Groove Mastery Course is a three-hour-long masterclass that takes the student deep into the relationship between rhythm and music and which aims to unlock the magic of groove in a variety of musical styles.
The one-to-one Members Course is the school’s most popular. It offers a package of 10 or 15 lessons that take a balanced and flexible approach to learning but within a structured and supportive environment.
The Maestro Course comprises up to 50 lessons presented online or at the school’s London studios. It aims to help the students remain committed to their musical journey by remaining focused on consistent improvement in the most effective way possible.
‘We have one mission: to understand the way a student works and engages with music’ Tom Donald, Director, London Contemporary School of Piano
The Complete Musician Piano Essentials is an extraordinary journey structured into eight powerful seminars covering the four pillars of 21st-century piano learning.
They include chord training, rhythm and groove training and improvisation and arrangement training, while the musical styles covered include popular, blues and classical. Upper beginners and intermediate pianists find it a great tool for advancing their piano skills.
‘Many of the students attending this course have studied the piano via the traditional examination’s-based route, which has given them a solid grounding in technique, expression and notation,’ explains Tom. ‘So equipped, now they wish to express themselves more freely; to really know their way around the piano and around music so they can spontaneously play a bit of everything, a skill which, in turn, boosts their confidence and their love for the instrument. This course provides that.’
The Intensive Piano Course is one of the school’s most fascinating courses. This one-day immersive experience delivers the ultimate piano kick-start by identifying the student’s challenges, transforming their playing, and creating a personalised 12-month blueprint tailored to their goals.
We can accommodate all genres of music, from blues to classical.
Further progress is possible by enrolling on the extended week-long intensive programme. On this, the student and the school’s specialist teachers tailor the course around specific challenges and goals. The school explores and resolves obstacles to enjoying the piano - such as technique, motivation, and finding musical flow. Students of all abilities can take the course either online or at the school’s Baker Street studios, and learners from over 30 countries have already benefited.
READY FOR TRANSFORMATION?
‘As readers know, playing the piano is a wonderful experience but not without challenges,’ says Tom.
‘We systematically remove these challenges one by one in a joyful collaboration with our students. At the London Contemporary School of Piano, our world-class teachers will transform the way you think about music. In just a few simple steps, we’ll unlock your creative potential and help you discover your true musical voice.
‘Whether you’re a complete beginner or an accomplished amateur, we’ll immerse you in the world of music through a series of dynamic classes. For experienced and professional players, our advanced oneon-one coaching will take your musical skills to new heights, helping you reach the next level in your musical journey.’
All very enticing. It’s now over to you!
Exclusive offer for readers of Pianist magazine
Pianist magazine and the London Contemporary School of Piano are pleased to offer readers fresh and inspiring tutorials aimed at intermediate-level pianists covering five important topics for the 21st Century Piano Student. Created by the school’s founder Tom Donald and available on Pianist’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@PianistMagazine) the special online videos, which span a range of musical genres, will develop readers’ skills in harmony, rhythm and groove, lead sheet technique and arranging.
www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com