Jonathan Steer

I have been playing Trumpet and Cornet for over 30 years now and have been teaching both Brass and Music Theory for the last 18 years. I regularly submit students for ABRSM exams and to date I maintain an exceedingly good pass rate for all my pupils who decide to undertake Grade examinations in both their instruments and Music Theory. I strongly encourage my pupils to undertake study of Music Theory as part of their lessons alongside their Practical Study, as experience has shown many students attain Grade V ABRSM with no substantial previous knowledge of this area. As Grade V Theory is a requirement of the ABRSM before a student can be entered for a Grade VI examination on their instrument I feel that teaching the Theory alongside their instrumental studies assists in minimising the delay before a student can proceed to the higher examinations if they so wish. Further to this I believe it also allows them a better understanding of the music they are striving to perform. While I encourage my students to take the Grade examinations as a mark of their progress I am also happy to work with students who do not wish to undertake the pressures of certification but just wish to learn to play or improve their playing ability for their own enjoyment.