Piano Lessons in Sheffield

Classical, pop, jazz — beginners to advanced, in-person or online

The piano is the instrument that opens up everything else in music — once you can read both clefs and find the notes under your hands, the rest of music theory makes sense. I’ve been playing and teaching piano alongside bass and guitar for over 20 years, across classical, pop, and jazz styles. Whether you’re sitting at a keyboard for the first time or coming back to it after years away, lessons are built around what you actually want to play.

Part of music lessons in Sheffield — six instruments, one teacher, same approach.

Studio for Lessons at Slap'n'Pop.

20+ years playing

Multi-instrumentalist with 20+ years across piano, bass and guitar. Recording credits at Abbey Road and work with Mike Stock and Shayne Ward.

Built around you

Whether it’s your first lesson, prepping for an ABRSM grade, or learning to comp jazz changes — every session is built around what you actually want to play.

5★ rated on Google

75 reviews, 5.0 average. Students from total beginners to working musicians — the reviews speak for themselves.

What you'll learn

From your first scales through to the songs you love. Here’s what we’ll cover.

Technique

Hand position, finger independence, scales, arpeggios, pedal work. The foundations that make everything else possible.

Theory & reading

Treble and bass clef, key signatures, chord building. Practical theory you’ll use every time you sit down to play.

Songs you love

Pop, classical, jazz, film soundtracks — bring the songs you want to play and we’ll work them out together.

Improvise & compose

Recognising keys, building chords, writing your own melodies. The bits that turn playing into making music.

Who I teach

Total beginners through to working musicians. Whatever stage you’re at, lessons start where you are.

Complete beginners

Never sat at a piano before? No problem. We’ll start with finding the notes, hand position, and have you playing a recognisable tune by the end of the first lesson.

Improvers

You can play a bit but you’ve hit a wall — usually reading, hand independence, or chord changes. We’ll work out what’s holding you back and fix it.

Advanced players

Working musicians, accompanists, jazz players, classical students prepping for performance. Lessons sharpen specific skills and tackle whatever’s in front of you.

Exam prep

BRSM and Trinity grades for piano. Also GCSE / A-Level / BTEC support — performance pieces, scales, sight-reading, aural tests, and theory.

How lessons work

Lessons happen at my home studio in Sheffield — there’s a proper acoustic upright piano, plus recording gear so we can capture what you’re playing and listen back together. Hearing yourself the way other people hear you is one of the fastest ways to spot what to work on. If Sheffield isn’t workable, online lessons over Zoom work well for piano — most students get on fine with a webcam pointed at the keyboard.

Every lesson is one-to-one. We’ll start with what you want to play, what’s frustrating you, and where you’d like to be in six months. From there I build a plan around what you’ve told me — not a generic syllabus, just the things that move you forward.

The first lesson is a one-off — book in, come down, see if you like the way I teach. From there, students typically book a regular weekly or fortnightly slot and I charge in monthly blocks paid up front.

Adam Porter playing piano at the Slap'n'Pop Music studio in Sheffield

Pricing & availability

Same rates whether you come to the studio or have lessons online. The first session is a single payment — after that, students typically settle into a regular slot and I charge monthly in advance.

30 minutes

£15

In-person or online

45 minutes

£20

In-person or online

60 minutes

£25

In-person or online

When I'm available

Studio hours are Monday to Thursday, 12pm – 10pm. Online piano lessons can fit around that — message me with the times that work and we’ll find a slot.

Other instruments I teach

Piano players often pick up a second instrument — and the theory you’ve learnt at the keyboard does most of the heavy lifting elsewhere.

Bass Guitar Lessons

Sheffield’s bass specialist. Slap, fingerstyle, picking — beginners through to working bassists.

Guitar Lessons

Acoustic and electric guitar — from open chords through to soloing. At the studio or online.

Music Theory Lessons

From grade 1 basics through to harmony and analysis. Useful for exam prep or just deeper musicianship.

What students say

5.0 stars from 75 verified Google reviews. Piano students, bassists, guitarists, kids and adults — the lot.

Do I need a piano at home to start?

You'll need something to practise on — but a digital keyboard with weighted keys works fine for the first year or two. If you're serious about classical or want to pursue grades, an acoustic upright is a worthwhile investment further down the line. Message me before you buy and I'll point you towards what's worth your money.

Acoustic piano or digital keyboard?

Either works to start. Digital keyboards are cheaper, quieter (you can use headphones), and don't need tuning. Acoustic pianos sound and feel better, but they're a bigger commitment. For lessons, what matters most is that the keyboard has at least 61 keys and ideally weighted (or semi-weighted) action so the technique transfers properly.

How long until I can play a song I recognise?

Within the first lesson, usually. Properly playing — both hands together, in time, sounding musical — takes a few weeks of consistent practice. The honest variable is how often you sit down at the keys between lessons. Even 15 minutes a day beats an hour once a week.

Can I learn classical, pop, or jazz?

All three. I cover classical reading and technique, pop and chord-based playing, and jazz comping and improvisation. We'll focus on whatever you most want to play — most students end up dipping into all three styles over time.

Do you teach kids?

Yes, I teach all ages. Piano is one of the best instruments for younger students because the layout makes theory visual. Lessons are paced and structured to keep them engaged — usually 30-minute sessions to start. Parents are welcome to sit in for the first few lessons.

Ready to start playing?

Book your first piano lesson — single payment, no commitment, see if we’re a good fit.