Ruth has been teaching my 8 year old daughter on Zoom since September 2020. It has been an absolute pleasure to see her enjoy her lessons and progress to obtain a distinction in her Initial ABRSM. Noynika is enthused to practice both her exam and non-exam pieces without needing any encouragement from me. Ruth is a calm, patient and dedicated teacher and I would highly recommend her.
Reshma
We have known Ruth since my daughter was 5 (she is now almost 13). With Ruth's patience and guidance not only has my daughter flown through to grade 4, but my son has also achieved grade 2. Ruth is the calmest, kindest and most patient teacher I have ever known. She is wonderful with the children and always has a smile on her face. I cannot recommend Ruth highly enough, especially to those who have young children as she is a natural with them.
Pip
I've been taking weekly video exchange lessons with Ruth for fourteen months now. I started with very little piano experience, and I have learned several dozens of classical pieces during that time. Ruth makes very good choices of repertoire that covers various styles and time periods. My technique has improved a lot. I've learned a lot about rhythm, dynamics, articulation, phrasing. The main focus has been playing real music, not technical exercises.
Ruth provides you video demonstrations for each assignment. This gives you a clear goal: you hear and see what your performance should be like. When recording your video you listen to yourself and analyze your playing. Ruth gives you very clear and detailed feedback for each assignment, so that you understand immediately what needs to be improved. Ruth is a very knowledgeable and encouraging teacher. I've felt inspired all the time since I started taking lessons with Ruth.
Andrei
Hi Ruth
I just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying my piano lessons with you. I really like your style of teaching. You are always so encouraging, as well as giving great ideas and techniques of ways to improve.
I also really like doing the lessons via FaceTime, it really suits me being able to do it from home. I get just as much out of the lesson as face-to-face so it’s definitely how I would like to continue.
Lucy
Ruth, I have had time to absorb all your feedback, your attention to detail, is second to none! Also, your subtleness and encouragement, allows me to strive even more. Thank you so much.
Kim, video exchange student
I had been learning piano with weekly face to face lessons, from a local teacher, for about two years when the first pandemic lockdown put paid to all that. As an older adult, with no musical background, I felt I had invested quite a lot of time and effort already and didn’t want to lose it all, so I looked around for an on-line alternative. That’s when I found Ruth and I’m so glad I did.
We started off with a couple of ‘video link’ lessons, which were a great way to introduce ourselves and get to know each other a little. Ruth immediately came across as very supportive and encouraging, coupled with a strong sense of calmness and patience as I struggled to play on live video. However, I was worried that if I couldn’t demonstrate my developing skills adequately on a video link it would be difficult to move forward. To help get over my performance nerves, Ruth suggested that another option that she calls ‘video exchange’, might suit me better and we have found that this weekly regime works really well.
It works like this: Ruth sends me a lesson plan for the week by email, often with one or more short video links so that I can see and hear her demonstrating how to play a piece (we both have copies of a workbook or piece of music we are working on). During the week I make video recordings of my own playing of the various exercises and pieces, and then upload them to Google Drive (you could use other platforms). I can then copy a link address for each of my recordings into my email reply to Ruth so that she can view them.
Some of the great things about this process include having a written record of each lesson plan (that I can refer back to in the future) and having video examples of how to play correctly. It’s also extremely helpful to be able to look at my own videos to see and hear how I am playing, check my hand positions and timing etc.
I’m quite used to self-directed study at home so I’m very comfortable with this arrangement. I’m also enjoying learning more music theory and Ruth is brilliant at replying to email requests for help and providing detailed feedback on my progress on both theory and practice. She also has a lot of helpful guidance on various topics available on her web-site. Other students might find it useful to supplement video exchanges with occasional face-to-face video link sessions.
In conclusion, I think this is an excellent way to learn to play. I have all the benefits of working with my own personal and very experienced piano teacher, combined with the flexibility to practice and record my efforts at times when it suits me.
Thank you so much, Ruth.
Kathryn
I have found Ruth to be a very pleasant and friendly teacher, very efficient and punctual. My daughter enjoys her lessons much more now than with her previous teacher.
Karen
Ruth has always been very helpful and supportive - as well as patient with my struggles - which are probably a result of starting to learn piano after retirement!
Ruth allows students to proceed at the right pace for them, but also encourages them to gradually try more difficult pieces whilst easing the way through by gently pointing out the correct or better way of approaching a piece.
I always look forward to my lessons and feel that I would not have gone so far as I have without her help, enthusiasm and kindly manner.
Sheila
Ruth helped my daughter Dorina complete her first four piano grades, she's a wonderful teacher and it has been a pleasure to have her. She is a patient and kind teacher, would definitely recommend her!
Lucia
Ruth is an amazing teacher.. i had distance lessons with her by email and video and it worked really well! Ruth is brilliant at seeing what you need and breaking down into into easily digestable chunks.. patient and insightful - i have had to stop lessons for now but will be resuming as soon as i can!
Charlie
It is my great pleasure to recommend Ruth Pheasant as a piano teacher. Ruth has been teaching piano at my home for over 15 years. She originally taught my niece and eldest daughter and later my younger daughter. Each child was at different levels of learning and Ruth easily adjusted her teaching skills to meet their individual requirements.
Ruth is exceedingly patient with her students, encourages them and listens to what they wanted to achieve. Both my daughters learnt from scratch and were very different in their approach to learning. She coaxes the very best effort from each one and prepared them for graded examinations. Ruth was very quick to perceive the different moods teenagers often have and changed lessons to meet their personal needs. Ruth is also very flexible with last minute cancellations due to school fixtures or illness. She accommodated endless lesson time changes to fit in with my girls other activities and commitments.
Along with piano lessons, Ruth has helped my daughters with their other instruments having played piano accompaniment for the violin, clarinet or singing piece. She has prepared them for theory exams and encouraged them to appreciate all genre and aspects of music. She has been enthusiastic and energetic in her teaching.
I would like to highly recommend Ruth Pheasant to you. She is absolutely passionate about music and has instilled the same enthusiasms in her pupils. Both my daughters continue to play the piano for their own pleasure. I am tremendously grateful to her for everything she has taught my daughters and the joy their music has brought to our family.
Rose
I have never been so inspired or in love with the piano as I have been for the past few months whilst having lessons from Ruth. I am a returning adult learner learning through distance learning with Ruth. I have had in-person lessons with various other teachers in the past and honestly feel as though distance learning is so much more beneficial! Ruth is fantastic at explaining things via email and videos, you can tell she really does put a lot of time into things and never rushes her feedback. Not only do I strongly recommend Ruth as a piano teacher but I also strongly recommend distance learning as a method. I am hoping to soon start preparing for my grade 6 exam with Ruth and feel every confidence that she will be able to get me there!
Hayley
Ruth is a great teacher! Very supportive and always answers my questions. I have found her online lessons perfectly fit in with my busy lifestyle. I can re-view her videos and emailed instructions (I obviously don't get things first time round!) I can also see my progress as it's all recorded and saved. And I find that really motivating. She has personalised every lesson. I can even learn away from the piano... so no excuses! Haha! And I love her cat that makes an appearance every now and then in the videos. I've nicknamed him 'Cameo Cat'
Sarah
Ruth has taught my children happily for a number of years. She is always reliable, prompt and friendly. Her relaxed attitude is refreshing in this fast pressure day. I have always recommended Ruth and would happily provide references.
Lisa
Ruth helped me achieve a high distinction in my grade 8 theory exam. Her detailed, constructive feedback was invaluable. Ruth's ability to explain clearly the principles to be followed in answering composition questions, in particular in 4-part harmony, adding a harmonic bass, and 2-part texture questions, was outstanding. I will definitely be returning to Ruth when I get to work on my teaching diploma.
Alan
I can’t thank Ruth enough, in the space of 3 months I learnt grade 7 and 8 theory and achieved a merit! This method of teaching works so well, you are able to take it at whatever pace suits you and Ruth’s feedback is clear, explained in a way for you to understand and I couldn’t have asked for anything more! I’m so grateful :)
Scarlett
Ruth is a skilled, knowledgeable, patient and encouraging teacher. It's a pleasure to have lessons with her, especially as I am returning to the piano after decades of neglect! She brings so many aspects of her knowledge and musicality to lessons, not just technical know-how and teaching ability but her passion for music too.
Mary-Ann
Ruth Pheasant is a wonderful teacher who pushes my son but also lets him have a jam from time to time to test his musicality, and his aural skills and ability to play by ear have improved greatly. His focus and understanding in class at school has also improved and learning to read music has helped with understanding patterns in class and homework. She is brill!!
Dani
I couldn't recommend Ruth high enough, My daughter is now about to train for her grade 5 after Ruth has successfully taken her up through all the previous grades. Ruth is understanding, has the patience of a saint and never complains if lessons are cancelled or postponed, A very professional, kind and extremely competent person. If you choose Ruth as your piano instructor you will not be disappointed.
Michele
Below are testimonials from a couple of clients I had before I started offering distance learning, and consequently I couldn't continue their lessons after they moved to another country. Since I started offering online learning, distance is no longer an issue. See the reviews and testimonials specific to online lessons.
Our family has known Ruth for nearly twenty years. She first taught my husband and I - both complete beginners - and then, once he reached four years of age, our son. We have since moved to New Zealand and have had several piano teachers here but none came close to Ruth - she is an absolute gem.
Sharon
Ruth was teaching my two children when we lived in England. They both loved her lessons and made good progress. She was always friendly and very patient with them. I would highly recommend her to anyone who wants a very nice, talented and reliable teacher!
Now that we have moved to a different country we miss having Ruth as the kids' piano teacher!
Kriszti
If you would like to add your own comment you can either post a review below or email your comment to testimonials@ruthpheasantpianolessons.com. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post a review or email a testimonial to me.
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