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PIANO LESSONS IN ENGLISH OR JAPANESE
FOR ADULTS & KIDS FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED
Our piano instructors in Tokyo are all classically trained with a minimum of a Master’s Degree level of education and have graduated from highly reputable music schools and conservatories from all around the world including the Royal College of Music (RCM), London, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Toho Gakuen School of Music, Tokyo College of Music and New York University (NYU). Each teacher brings their own unique style of teaching and experience to the piano lesson to help ensure that our students get the best possible piano instruction whilst realizing their full music potential. At Tokyo Piano School our piano instructors all have the same goal in mind and that is to provide the highest quality education in a fun, energetic and welcoming environment. We offer piano lessons in both English and Japanese.
Founder & Head Teacher
Mayuko Yamashita holds a Master of Performance (MPerf) from the Royal College of Music, London where she was awarded the John and Jean Redcliffe Maud Prize. In 2014 she completed a Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate in Music Education from New York University under the direction of Marilyn Nonken. During her time at NYU she held the position of Adjunct Instructor teaching both undergraduates and graduate students both private one-on-one and group piano lessons in English. With over 14 years teaching experience Mayuko’s students have gone on to win several piano competitions and receive great results in both the ABRSM and NYSSMA exams. She has appeared in numerous contemporary related projects including the BBC Proms where her performance was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. She has performed extensively not only in her native country of Japan, but also in the USA, UK, Spain, Finland and Australia. Mayuko is the founder of several piano studios abroad including Piano Lessons NYC and Piano Lessons London. Whilst in NYC Mayuko taught piano lessons in English to over 50 students privately along with being an accompanist at Joffrey Ballet School. Recently, Mayuko was one of only 40 people selected to participate in the 2018 Orléans Concours International Piano Competition in France. In 2019 Mayuko decided to return to Tokyo and open Tokyo Piano School to offer piano lessons in English whilst continuing to perform both as a soloist and chamber musician.
Tokyo Piano School’s mission is to offer affordable private piano lessons in Tokyo including the following areas Hiroo, Azabujuban, Roppongi, Shirokanedai, Meguro, Nakameguro, Ebisu, Jiyugaoka, Shibuya, Omotesando and Shinjuku for adults and kids from beginner to advanced. We offer personalized one-on-one piano lessons at our private studio conveniently located only five minutes walk from Roppongi and Azabujuban stations. We also offer lessons at the student’s home. Tokyo Piano School helps guide and foster students in a range of different musical styles including: classical, pop, jazz and musical theatre. We also prepare students for university and conservatory entrance auditions, music school exams, ABRSM exams, PTNA exams, recitals, and competitions. Tokyo Piano School offers 1 hour, 45 and 30 minute piano classes. All potential students receive a discounted trial lesson to evaluate their current musical level, and to discuss goals and future piano aspirations.
Music theory is the study of the structure of music. Or more simply put, it’s the language used to talk about the music we hear and play. Learning music theory is one of the most important things a musician can do as it helps them to not only become better performers, but also have a better understanding of the music they are playing and hearing. It also makes musical activities such as performing, composing, improvising, arranging, teaching music, or getting a music degree much easier once one gains a basic understanding of music theory.
During our piano lessons in Tokyo students will learn a range of different music theory subjects. The first thing we teach is notation which covers the staff, clefs, note names, rhythms, rests, intervals, meter and time signatures, key signatures, and dynamics. Students will also be taught about scales and chords (harmony), melodies, phrases, and musical forms. Whether you are an absolute beginner or already know a lot about music theory our piano lessons in Tokyo are individually tailored to cover everything from the most basic scales to the most advanced notation.
Sight-reading by definition is the reading and performing of a piece of written music that the performer has not seen before. It is also referred to as prima vista, which translates to “at first sight,” which is exactly what we teach our students to master: the ability to read and play a piece of music upon first sight. Just like learning to read words, learning how to sight-read music takes a lot of practice and discipline until it eventually becomes second nature. In each of our piano lessons in Tokyo, students are given a range of different tasks and activities to help them increase their sight-reading ability. They not only become adept at playing the notes accurately, but also learn to read and anticipate the changing dynamics in speed and volume as written.
Our exercises focus on honing students’ short-term musical memories to allow them to read ahead while playing a piece so that they play it correctly when they get to that section. Often highly skilled musicians can sight-read silently, meaning they can look at printed music and hear it in their heads without playing or singing it. All musicians are required to have good sight-reading skills as this makes learning new pieces much easier and quicker. As a result students are more likely to try learning new pieces of music by themselves, making them stronger and more well-rounded performers.
In music education, solfège is a method used to teach students pitch and sight singing. At Tokyo Piano School we teach solfège using the Kodály Method at every level of music education, from beginner through to advance. The study of solfège enables the student to audiate, or mentally hear, the pitches of a piece of music which he or she is seeing for the first time and then to play or sing them aloud. Solfège study not only improves recognition of musical intervals but also strengthens a student’s understanding of music theory.
During our piano lessons in Tokyo, we assign each notes of a scale a particular syllable, and then ask the student to practice them by playing different note sequences using these syllables. The sequences get gradually more difficult in terms of intervals and rhythms used as the student progresses. The seven syllables we use for this practice are: do (or doh in tonic sol-fa), re, mi, fa, sol (so in tonic sol-fa), la, and ti, which makes learning and practicing solfège extremely intuitive for players of all levels.
Whilst music theory, sight-reading, and solfège are all used to train a musician’s ears to recognize intervals and chord qualities, learn how to perform melodies and rhythms accurately at sight, and practice writing down musical examples upon hearing them, Musicianship is about training the student not just to be a player of piano, but to be a true musician.
Many pianists are great technically, but they lack that something special which usually separates the great from the average. Good musicianship involves not only understanding how to use the piano but how to convey your story or message to the audience using emotion, passion and flair, allowing you to interpret a piece of music in an original and inventive way while still remaining true to the written score. During each piano lesson at Tokyo Piano School students are encouraged to feel the music they are playing and to improvise rather than to simply follow what the teacher is reciting, helping them to develop their confidence and own unique identity as a musician.
Whether you have an upcoming ABRSM or PTNA examination our team of experienced piano teachers are all familiar with the length of time it takes to prepare for each exam and the care needed to ensure that the most appropriate and appealing selection of pieces is presented. Preparing for an ABRSM or PTNA exam takes careful planning and an awareness of the importance of including all aspects of the exam in the piano lessons on a regular basis.
Prior to any upcoming examination we help our students choose suitable pieces for the exam and make sure they have selected the right combination from the correct syllabus. We also incorporate at least a few minutes’ aural training and sight-reading into every piano lesson as well as giving them a mock exam well before the actual event. Our students are also encouraged to perform the pieces to their family, relatives, and friends and to work through several sample papers before the exam so that they get used to the sort of questions that will be asked while staying within the time limit. Finally, we help students to develop their confidence in themselves and their abilities through practicing walking into a room and setting up to perform, as these are often the most nerve-wrecking moments before the actual exam.
It took me quite awhile to find a teacher who was willing to take on a young 3.5Y old student but I’m so glad that we were able to find Mayuko! I have found her to be an incredibly patient teacher who has taught my son to love piano and his lessons. We have noticed a significant improvement and gain in piano knowledge over the past year and a half. It takes a unique combination of skill and talent to teach young children combined with more patience than is normally found in the average instructor and Mayuko has all of that in spades.Sarah Kim
Last year I decided to take piano lessons for the first time and gave Tokyo Piano School a try. I was paired up with Mayuko and I honestly could not be happier with the experience. Mayuko gave me the perfect balance of theory and practical knowledge, and I was able to quickly work up to a level where I could play the songs I’ve always wanted to play. I would definitely recommend this piano school!Kristian Gennaci
Mayuko Yamashita is just the most wonderful teacher – she has patience and such experience. Her qualifications are exemplary. I have absolutely no hesitation recommending Mayuko and Tokyo Piano School to friends, family and colleagues. This is the place to go for piano lessons in a caring and professional environment. All staff connected with Tokyo Piano School have been nothing but professional and courteous.Dianna Locke
Mayuko, at Tokyo Piano School, is an excellent instructor. She is very careful, patient and always has a variety of helpful suggestions. Also, something that I appreciate very much is that making payments and scheduling is easy. I am very happy with my lessons and continuous playing improvements!
Christopher Simon
Mayuko is a brilliant musician and a patient, but challenging, teacher.
My skills in both jazz and classical piano have been growing by leaps and bounds since I started studying with her and I look forward to it every week.Michael O’Brien
*Please note that fees vary depending on which payment plan is chosen for your piano lessons. For a full breakdown of fees please visit our detailed rates page here.
As our schedule is constantly changing we recommend you get in touch via the contact form below with your preferred day and time and we will get back to you.
Tokyo Piano School
6-8-29 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Roppongi Ciro Mansion
〒106-0032
info [@] tokyopianoschool.jp
