Aaron Liddard - music teacher

I believe everyone is born musical.

Studying an instrument is the #1 brain training producing lifelong benefits

I'm passionate about music and its effects

I've been a musician all my life

Wonderful music teachers were a big part of my story and I’m now passing the batton on to the next generation of musicians

As a performer I’ve worked with Amy Winehouse, Beverley Knight, Bob Geldof, Prince and many others.

In 2018 I performed in 26 countries including Canada, India, Europe and Brazil.

Sharing enthusiasm and knowledge is an absolute joy.

My students range from five to seventy-five years old, and from complete beginners to professional musicians.

Twice a year we all get together and perform for each other. Regardless of age or ability. Recitals help prepare us to present ourselves comfortably and confidently. The skills are transferrable. The act of creating joy for others is a lesson in communal activity. Together we make a fun day and you can see that on our faces.

Some pupils are so dedicated that they achieve great things before even reaching adulthood. One of my pupils has performed three time in Hackney Empire Panto, another is studying at the incredible Latymer school, and another has graduated Latymer and is currently studying a degree in saxophone and composition at the Guild Hall.

If and when we decide to tackle music exams, I like pupils to become throughly prepared for all eventualities. As the result is a string of distinctions. Gaining the highest grade in a music exam teaches children the value in thorough preparation, its a transferrable skill to all aspects of adult life.

But music isn’t about exams and accolades. Its about enjoyment, communication, inspiration, exploring, and its the best brain training activity known to science. Musical instrument study has been found to increase every aspect of cognitive ability. A child who studies music will become better at maths, english, science, coding.. everything

Pricing

£26.50/30mins.

Location

Epping, Walthamstow, New Cross

Subjects

Piano, saxophone, flute, clarinet, music theory, jazz harmony, composition, improvisation, arranging

Education & training

BA(hons) Popular Music and Recording

FAETC teaching certificate

Grade 8 saxophone

Grade 5 music theory

Reviews

All genuine five stars and available on google maps

“Aaron is a superb teacher who has helped give my son the most encouraging start on the piano and clarinet. As someone who also had instrumental lessons growing up, I have high expectations of an instrumental teacher and Aaron absolutely nails it. His talent (though he has many, as a professional musician) is being able to teach both classical and jazz, and the all-round musical literacy he folds into his lessons.”

“He has a perfectionist's eye for detail, which in turn helps his students push themselves to practice and perform to the best of their ability. 'Mr Liddard will spot that if I don't get it right', is what my son says, and he is right.”

“Aaron goes out of his way to engage with both the child and the parent, putting care and enthusiasm into each student's needs. The end-of-term recitals that he organises for his students showcase the tailor-made approach he has for teaching pupils from a wide range of ages and abilities (and across multiple instruments!).”

“He communicates thoughtfully, insightfully, never shying away from asking for the very best of his students while doing so in a way that they respect and understand. He takes music seriously, without losing sight of the fun that comes from it. In case it wasn't clear, I highly recommend!” - Tram

“My son has just had his first lesson with Aaron. To be with a teacher who plays the way he plays, by ear, and who understands how to play that way, is revolutionary, and different and more beneficial than years of learning through more conventional methods. Aaron is a kind and caring teacher who really takes trouble to find out what the student can do and areas for development. Can’t wait to see how lessons develop but we are off to an amazing start!” - Polly

“Aaron is an excellent piano teacher that thinks beyond the books. He’s teaching my son and is the piano teacher I would’ve loved to have had when I was starting out. The lessons are full of inspiration and information relating to different genres of music. He’s great at understanding the individual characters of kids and dealing with their little quirks and habits in a creative way. Highly recommend for children and adults alike.” - Veronika

“Aaron arranged a recital gathering for all of his pupils this Sunday, what a brilliant idea, it was super and thanks to Aaron for giving up his time. He is a brilliant piano teacher, going over and beyond to give confidence, educate and inspire, I cannot rate him highly enough. Keep it up Aaron, you are the best.” - Elaine

“Aaron has been teaching piano to my daughter for the past 2 years. He is an amazing musician and a very talented teacher with an impeccable attention to detail. His professional expertise is second to none and his lessons are both fun and informative. Thanks to Aaron's expert guidance my daughter has achieved distinction in her recent exam.” - Olga

“I've had saxophone lessons with Aaron for the past few years as I wanted to develop my improvisational skills and take my playing to the next level. He's an inspirational saxophonist and musician, as well as an excellent teacher, who is friendly, enthusiast and patient. He has opened my eyes and ears to the world of jazz and improvisation. He really knows his stuff! I would thoroughly recommend him to anyone wanting to develop their playing further.” - Chris

“Aaron makes learning the flute great fun, I really look forward to my weekly lessons. He explains everything very clearly and is very encouraging and patient. I only started learning in January and now, thanks to Aaron, I can play quite a few things, read easy music and understand basic music theory. Bearing in mind this is all via Zoom at present, this is testament to how gifted a teacher he is. Aaron also, very kindly, answers any queries I have between lessons via WhatsApp when I don't understand something. I'm an older lady which goes to show it's not only children and young people that he's brilliant at teaching I would thoroughly recommend Aaron to anyone wanting to learn to play a musical instrument.” - Jacqui

“Aaron has been working will my 15 year old son for around a year now & has really boosted his knowledge, ability and confidence. Even during these difficult times Aaron has managed to host a couple of concerts to allow his students to perform & these are always a fun & enjoyable time. Thank you Aaron for your brilliant tuition!” - Russell

“At age 64 I returned to the tenor sax after a 25 year hiatus. I looked at quite a lot of sax channels on YouTube (which of course didn’t exist when I first started on the sax in the mid 90s). I found there to be too much information on the internet. I decided to search out a good teacher, and after hearing Aaron on YouTube doing a review of the Saxlab mouthpiece I contacted him about online lessons. My sound improved after the first lesson without all the various internet opinions about correct embouchure. In the 4 months of lessons so far we’ve worked on jazz, bossa, blues and classical pieces. Aaron suggested studying Grade 5 sax to help fitting in with a sax orchestra. We are also working on rhythm, improvisation and improving sight reading. Aaron has also encouraged me to look for a band(s) to join. I feel I’m not only a better sax player but a better musician since commencing lessons with Aaron. If you’re an older learner who wants to pick up the saxophone for the first time or someone who is returning to the instrument I have no hesitation in recommending lessons with Aaron.” - Peter

“Aaron is a great teacher, always very patient with my son. He’s always thinking creatively about how to keep my son engaged and enjoying his music - and it works. Highly recommended.” - Emily M

“Aaron has been teaching me flute over the last year, returning to playing the flute after I had a very large gap. Its been great to enjoy playing again and my knowledge, skills and theory have improved.” - Emily H

“Brilliant teacher who is fantastic at adapting his teaching style to the student so they get the most out of their sessions.” - Emma

“Aaron has been teaching my son for two years now, and we couldn’t be happier with the progress he has made during this time, and the support that Aaron has given him with his music generally. Aside from being a genuinely nice bloke with a great manner with his pupils, Aaron has a wealth of experience both as a teacher and as an extremely  successful jazz musician.”

“My son comes out of every lesson genuinely gushing about what he’s learnt and excited to get on and put it into practise. It’s great to see him so inspired by his lessons. His playing has drastically improved during this time, as has his confidence, and he has developed a genuine love for everything jazz, including scales and theory, which I did not think possible.”

“Every lesson is structured around the individual pupil’s needs, with focus on specific strengths and weaknesses rather than following a generic inflexible programme. My son thinks he wants to pursue a career in music, and the advice Aaron has been able to give him in this regard has been invaluable. Of the many music teachers my kids have had for the instruments they play, Aaron stands miles apart in offering a superior level of teaching.” - Lee

“My son has been playing the piano since he was 2 but it was during the last two years that his musical abilities truly unfolded - all thanks to being tutored by Mr. Liddard, who is one of the most accomplished piano teachers that I have met. He deploys multiple approaches in his teaching style making it fun and productive at the same time. Within a year or so of Mr Liddard’s tailored piano tutoring, support and encouragement, my son has managed to pass his first few Grade exams achieving a Merit and a Distinction.”

“My son now has a much greater understanding and appreciation of the instrument. Mr. Liddard has also invested in understanding and getting to know my son and subsequently, the one-to-one tutoring is immensely beneficial and productive. And even now that we are in lockdown, my son still receives his piano lessons via an online platform where Mr. Liddard has been able to adapt his approach to suit the current climate. We are so happy and proud of our son's achievement - but the path to being a great pianist is synonymous to having that great piano teacher that will lead the way. I absolutely recommend Mr. Liddard. - Fatima

“I came to the sax very late, but was always an instrument I wanted to play. I tried a couple of local teachers that were ok, but approached lessons in a very formulaic way. Progress was painfully slow and dull. There had to be another way, so I sought out a performer, a master, in the hope of persuading them to teach. I found Aaron, with his wealth of experience, my first lesson was inspirational, he somehow manages to lift the vail on the world of music and within a year I was playing with bands and performing myself. The amount learned from one lesson with Aaron is worth many lessons with a local music teacher with each lesson building and improving your skills and adding to your confidence to play. I now play with many bands and have performed hundreds of gigs! He really is the Yoda of the jazz stick!” - Simon

“Aaron is a talented musician and wonderful teacher. He is very good at assessing student's abilities and adjusting his lessons accordingly. He is a kind and friendly person with wide musical experience. Always punctual and efficient. Aaron is very patient and caring to his students providing them with knowledge of theory, working on musicality, improving pupils technique, and building up repertoire. He does his job very professionally. We are very happy we found him!” - Yulia