1^st lesson free

Simon

5 (18 reviews)

Rate $60
Response 8h
Students
Number of students Simon has taught since their arrival at Superprof
50+
Number of students Simon has taught since their arrival at Superprof

5 (18 reviews)

$60/h

1^st lesson free

Piano
Keyboard
Music reading
Synthesizer
Jazz Piano

Piano, Keyboard and Synthesizer lessons tailored to you by Composer/Jazz Musician in Glasgow or online

Piano
Keyboard
Music reading
Synthesizer
Jazz Piano

Lesson location

- online

Ambassador

One of our best tutors. Quality profile, experience in their field, verified qualifications and a great response time. Simon will be happy to arrange your first Piano lesson.

About Simon

Hi, my name is Simon Toner and I am a Glasgow-based composer, musician and teacher and I compose music for film, theatre, art and radio. My composition practice spans from electronic to orchestral textures with commissions for the BBC, Edinburgh International Book Festival & Sky Arts. My band Sekoya gives voice to me as a composer and double bassist in the interplay of jazz. I am part of a collaborative network of Scottish and London musicians and creatives and I have toured Europe as a bassist. My career highlights so far would be the BBC broadcast of Niamh McKeown’s ‘Good Girls’ after it was screened at international film festivals, performing with Tenement Jazz Band (Best Band Scottish Jazz Awards 2022) across Europe and collaborating with Ivor Novello winning composer Oliver Vibrans on his Sky Arts orchestral score recorded at Abbey Road Studios. My proudest moment to date was finishing recording our album in Memphis. I studied a BA in Popular Music at Edinburgh Napier University and diplomas from ABRSM and NFTS. I have applied 15 years experience and a Popular Music degree in bass and composition to my teaching practice where I first and foremost enable my students to grow a greater enthusiasm and love for music and sound. I have been teaching professionally for 10 years. I am interested in teaching both adults and children. I can help you prepare for school music exams, Rock School Grades, ABRSM Grades and Music Theory exams. I can teach many different styles such as Rock, Blues, Pop, Metal, Funk, Folk, Jazz whatever you want! I play double bass and bass guitar regularly with jazz bands, singers and DIY projects and have toured around Europe. Away from jazz I have played with a variety of original music projects. I developed to become the musician I am today by expanding my musicality through teachers, some more typical than others. My music heroes are Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and those other jazz (and bass) giants but also film composers like Bernard Herrmann and Michael Kamen, conductors like Daniel Barenboim and unique artists like Bjork.

About the lesson

I tailor lessons to the student and am happy teaching using sheet music and by ear. I think every musician should learn to do both so I encourage ear training/active listening, sight reading and transcription in lessons and as homework. I can use my own transcriptions and teaching material and a selection of my favourite teaching books. I am happy to work through specific material if provided by the student. I tailor lessons to the student with a balance between enabling the student to commit to their practice by laying out clear goals and expectations, and presenting enjoyable lessons with a laid-back attitude that give full consideration to enabling the student’s enthusiasm for music and sound to grow. I enjoy working with students who are enthusiastic, whether with the simple goal of enjoying their music or greater aspirations for a career in music (not that the two are mutually exclusive!). I like teaching because it is challenging and requires the teacher to adapt to the student and to kindle their enthusiasm.

Review

All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience lived by students with Simon.

5 (18 reviews)

P

Payal
- 5
Perfect! Taught at the right level for me. Patient, pleasant and funny. Easy to work with.
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P

Payal

Perfect! Taught at the right level for me. Patient, pleasant and funny. Easy to work with.
L

Lauren
- 5
Perfect! Clarity and patience whilst teaching children and maintaining motivation to learn.
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L

Lauren

Perfect! Clarity and patience whilst teaching children and maintaining motivation to learn.
C

Christine
- 5
Perfect! I asked Simon to help my son (11) to prepare for an audition at RCS. They are working on some jazz piano pieces. Everything seemed to click from day 1. Simon had prepared materials and shared them with us online. Lovely manner and the passion shines through. Very patient with my very curious young musician. Simon even helped by playing the piano part for a piece my son was learning on double bass. And went out of his way to find us an accompanist for a performance. All round very happy. Time-wise, Simon couldn't make it to ours so lessons are on the Southside, at his home or in a church hall. That is where the piano is. These lessons incur a supplement in fee to pay for the space rental. The site could do with a bit more transparency on some aspects. I would fully recommend Simon as a teacher.
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C

Christine

Perfect! I asked Simon to help my son (11) to prepare for an audition at RCS. They are working on some jazz piano pieces. Everything seemed to click from day 1. Simon had prepared materials and shared them with us online. Lovely manner and the passion shines through. Very patient with my very curious young musician. Simon even helped by playing the piano part for a piece my son was learning on double bass. And went out of his way to find us an accompanist for a performance. All round very happy. Time-wise, Simon couldn't make it to ours so lessons are on the Southside, at his home or in a church hall. That is where the piano is. These lessons incur a supplement in fee to pay for the space rental. The site could do with a bit more transparency on some aspects. I would fully recommend Simon as a teacher.
R

Ra' Shawn
- 5
Perfect! After my first session with Simon, I was left challenged, inspired and encouraged in my endeavours to play the piano! Simon is very knowledgeable, patient and professional. From the start of our lesson he kept the lesson interesting by throwing in basic fundamentals, theory and more dynamic piano techniques. I also like that Simon takes an Interest in knowing what his students like to play and adapts his sessions with respect to this. I am looking forward to further sessions with Simon!
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R

Ra' Shawn

Perfect! After my first session with Simon, I was left challenged, inspired and encouraged in my endeavours to play the piano! Simon is very knowledgeable, patient and professional. From the start of our lesson he kept the lesson interesting by throwing in basic fundamentals, theory and more dynamic piano techniques. I also like that Simon takes an Interest in knowing what his students like to play and adapts his sessions with respect to this. I am looking forward to further sessions with Simon!
P

Peter
- 5
Perfect! Really impressed with Simon - managed to pin down exactly what I needed to work at and came prepared with several examples I had shown interest in already. Can't wait to get cracking on the materials
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P

Peter

Perfect! Really impressed with Simon - managed to pin down exactly what I needed to work at and came prepared with several examples I had shown interest in already. Can't wait to get cracking on the materials
N

Nikita
- 5
Perfect! Simon is brilliant! Perfectly adapting to my wishes on the go, while having a broad knowledge of music! Definitely recommend!
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N

Nikita

Perfect! Simon is brilliant! Perfectly adapting to my wishes on the go, while having a broad knowledge of music! Definitely recommend!

Simon's response
Nikita is already a performing musician so he picks things up pretty quickly. He has a good understanding of music theory and so I hope to help him apply this to a jazz context - perhaps this will join up the dots a bit when applying his knowledge to this context - and develop the faculty on the instrument to explore jazz and improvisation. I look forward to hearing him as he progresses and also how this study influences his process as an electronic music composer. Exciting times!
- Simon's response :
  Nikita is already a performing musician so he picks things up pretty quickly. He has a good understanding of music theory and so I hope to help him apply this to a jazz context - perhaps this will join up the dots a bit when applying his knowledge to this context - and develop the faculty on the instrument to explore jazz and improvisation. I look forward to hearing him as he progresses and also how this study influences his process as an electronic music composer. Exciting times!
D

Daniel
- 5
Perfect! Great lesson, highly recommended
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D

Daniel

Perfect! Great lesson, highly recommended

Simon's response
Daniel seems to enjoy playing the piano a lot and I would encourage him to continue giving time to this meditative practice. He already reads pretty well but can rely a little too much on memory - this will improve as he learns more new pieces and progresses to more difficult pieces. I look forward to exploring David Bowie and beyond!
- Simon's response :
  Daniel seems to enjoy playing the piano a lot and I would encourage him to continue giving time to this meditative practice. He already reads pretty well but can rely a little too much on memory - this will improve as he learns more new pieces and progresses to more difficult pieces. I look forward to exploring David Bowie and beyond!
D

Dylan
- 5
Perfect! Simon is an incredibly knowledgeable, adaptable, & skilled teacher. He can always craft the perfect lessons and steps for me to improve in every area of my musician-ship. Every lesson has left me with a clear sign of progress and what to look at next and having Simon as a teacher has helped me improve immensely. Simon is also incredibly friendly and patient and every single lesson with him has been an absolute joy, I could not ask for a better teacher.
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D

Dylan

Perfect! Simon is an incredibly knowledgeable, adaptable, & skilled teacher. He can always craft the perfect lessons and steps for me to improve in every area of my musician-ship. Every lesson has left me with a clear sign of progress and what to look at next and having Simon as a teacher has helped me improve immensely. Simon is also incredibly friendly and patient and every single lesson with him has been an absolute joy, I could not ask for a better teacher.

Simon's response
Dylan is a fantastically enthusiastic student with an unstoppable love for jazz. Spending time listening, trabscribing and building up his chord and scale vocabulary in his practice. It is also great to hear that Dylan has started a jazz club at school - there is no better way to learn than to play with other musicians especially as an opportunity to apply the language of music and jazz theory in context as a language between musicians. Dylan is on the right track and I look forward to hearing what he does next whether as a bandleader or a pianist.
- Simon's response :
  Dylan is a fantastically enthusiastic student with an unstoppable love for jazz. Spending time listening, trabscribing and building up his chord and scale vocabulary in his practice. It is also great to hear that Dylan has started a jazz club at school - there is no better way to learn than to play with other musicians especially as an opportunity to apply the language of music and jazz theory in context as a language between musicians. Dylan is on the right track and I look forward to hearing what he does next whether as a bandleader or a pianist.
C

Carol
- 5
Perfect! Simon was very patient and has an easy going manner I frkt very comfortable. He skdo helped my timing by suggesting clapping in time to the notes.

Really looking forward to our next lesson
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C

Carol

Perfect! Simon was very patient and has an easy going manner I frkt very comfortable. He skdo helped my timing by suggesting clapping in time to the notes.

Really looking forward to our next lesson

Simon's response
Carol has built up great technique on the piano and can already sight read well. Most importantly she seems to enjoy playing the piano and has an enthusiasm for classical piano music in particular. She can progress towards writing on less of the fingerings and relying more on her sight reading of the notes. She is on the right track and I think beginning to learn the classical pieces will be a great experience for her to explore a world of expression through the piano.
- Simon's response :
  Carol has built up great technique on the piano and can already sight read well. Most importantly she seems to enjoy playing the piano and has an enthusiasm for classical piano music in particular. She can progress towards writing on less of the fingerings and relying more on her sight reading of the notes. She is on the right track and I think beginning to learn the classical pieces will be a great experience for her to explore a world of expression through the piano.
A

Angela
- 5
Perfect! Simon is a very professional tutor. You can learn so many techniques in a short time through his systematic methodology,
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A

Angela

Perfect! Simon is a very professional tutor. You can learn so many techniques in a short time through his systematic methodology,

Simon's response
Angela is a fantastic composer and producer and has developed an understanding of the basic chord qualities in jazz on her keyboard. I look forward to teaching you more keyboard skills (rhythmic and technical), jazz music theory and exploring music with you in order to aid the development of your composition practice. You are on the right path already, keep going and applying what you learn from jazz piano to your composition.
- Simon's response :
  Angela is a fantastic composer and producer and has developed an understanding of the basic chord qualities in jazz on her keyboard. I look forward to teaching you more keyboard skills (rhythmic and technical), jazz music theory and exploring music with you in order to aid the development of your composition practice. You are on the right path already, keep going and applying what you learn from jazz piano to your composition.
Mack
- 5
Perfect! Simon is a lovely guy and great teacher. Relaxed atmosphere, lesson targeted to my competence and personal music tastes, I will be booking more lessons
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Mack

Perfect! Simon is a lovely guy and great teacher. Relaxed atmosphere, lesson targeted to my competence and personal music tastes, I will be booking more lessons

Simon's response
Zack shows promise with his piano playing already. He flew through the Book 1 examples which makes me think some of that musical knowledge from playing the clarinet has come in handy. We talked about chords and what music like Billy Joel means to him: it is obvious Zack loves music and I'm very happy to be helping him explore it more deeply through the piano. I look forward to his next lesson :)
- Simon's response :
  Zack shows promise with his piano playing already. He flew through the Book 1 examples which makes me think some of that musical knowledge from playing the clarinet has come in handy. We talked about chords and what music like Billy Joel means to him: it is obvious Zack loves music and I'm very happy to be helping him explore it more deeply through the piano. I look forward to his next lesson :)
C

Coda
- 5
Perfect! Very kind and knowledgeable, helps teach at a slow pace to understand and follow along- answers any questions and makes it an enjoyable experience learning! :)
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C

Coda

Perfect! Very kind and knowledgeable, helps teach at a slow pace to understand and follow along- answers any questions and makes it an enjoyable experience learning! :)

Simon's response
Ross is a very insightful student who is keen to understand things thoroughly and so he has picked up a lot of the notation reading basics pretty quickly in his first lesson. He seems to be really enthusiastic about the music he listens to and picked up the tune Enemy very well with a good understanding of the rhythm and phrasing of the music. I look forward to exploring more music on the piano with him and working through new repertoire to establish his piano playing technique.
- Simon's response :
  Ross is a very insightful student who is keen to understand things thoroughly and so he has picked up a lot of the notation reading basics pretty quickly in his first lesson. He seems to be really enthusiastic about the music he listens to and picked up the tune Enemy very well with a good understanding of the rhythm and phrasing of the music. I look forward to exploring more music on the piano with him and working through new repertoire to establish his piano playing technique.
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Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

J

John

Very approachable as a teacher, good communication skills and is at ease with pupils of all abilities; very knowledgeable about different styles and techniques with good experience to help bring students on in their studies.
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J
John
Very approachable as a teacher, good communication skills and is at ease with pupils of all abilities; very knowledgeable about different styles and techniques with good experience to help bring students on in their studies.
H

Hila

Simon is a very patient and talented teacher. I was a complete beginner and I now feel confident playing keyboard! Would highly recommend.
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H
Hila
Simon is a very patient and talented teacher. I was a complete beginner and I now feel confident playing keyboard! Would highly recommend.
H

Hila

Simon is a very patient and talented teacher. I was a complete beginner and I now feel confident playing keyboard! Would highly recommend.
Read more

H
Hila
Simon is a very patient and talented teacher. I was a complete beginner and I now feel confident playing keyboard! Would highly recommend.
C

Chris

It is my belief that Simon is a first-class professional, having first worked with him appropriately 10 years ago.

By then it was already clear that he had a keen motivation, positive attitude and strong desire to improve the experience for all parties.

Yet having now started a recent project with him, I can confirm that he has furthered those attributes whilst consistently delivers quality output; particularly with close attention to briefing.

I would recommend Simon as a teacher, a collaborator or a performer with confidence that he will deliver.
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C
Chris
It is my belief that Simon is a first-class professional, having first worked with him appropriately 10 years ago.

By then it was already clear that he had a keen motivation, positive attitude and strong desire to improve the experience for all parties.

Yet having now started a recent project with him, I can confirm that he has furthered those attributes whilst consistently delivers quality output; particularly with close attention to briefing.

I would recommend Simon as a teacher, a collaborator or a performer with confidence that he will deliver.
S

Shammy

Simon has been my double bass teacher. Besides purely technical intricacies of the instrument, he has also been an excellent guide into the world of jazz and helped me understand the how and why of music in general. He is very knowledgeable and open to so many genres and influences - I could not recommend him enough.
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S
Shammy
Simon has been my double bass teacher. Besides purely technical intricacies of the instrument, he has also been an excellent guide into the world of jazz and helped me understand the how and why of music in general. He is very knowledgeable and open to so many genres and influences - I could not recommend him enough.
Anna

Simon is a fantastic piano tutor. He’s professional, but with a fun teaching style. He tailored his teaching to my personal musical tastes which helped to keep me engaged and motivated.
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A
Anna
Simon is a fantastic piano tutor. He’s professional, but with a fun teaching style. He tailored his teaching to my personal musical tastes which helped to keep me engaged and motivated.
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5h: $301
10h: $601

online

$60/h

free lessons

This first lesson offered with Simon will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

Details

Terms and Conditions: I am teaching in person and online. Let me know what you would prefer. If a student cannot give a week's prior notice that they can’t make it to their lesson then they will be required to pay for the lesson. I am always happy to rearrange a lesson to a different time that week if possible. Blocks of 5 lessons should be paid in full before the first lesson of that block. Fully DBS and PVG qualified. With SEND experience.

Piano, Keyboard and Synthesizer lessons tailored to you by Composer/Jazz Musician in Glasgow or online

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Piano, Keyboard and Synthesizer lessons tailored to you by Composer/Jazz Musician in Glasgow or online

Lesson location

Ambassador

About Simon

About the lesson

Review

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

online

free lessons

Details

Simon's Video

Other tutors in Piano

Tomás

Elizaveta

Sergio

Abreu

Giulia

Eduardo

Alain

Dr Ethan Lustig

Louis

Jennifer

Antônio

Miranda

Hanxin

Juliette

Dan

Valerio

Danielle

Charlotte

Ezequiel

Vojin

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