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  • It’s Not About the Notes

    It’s Not About the Notes

    Today marks 30 years since I started teaching piano and flute lessons to Durham University students!

    Prior to this, I spent 10 years teaching music as both a private tutor and school teacher. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with students of all ages, from 6 to 60+. Now, I specialise in teaching students who are 16+ and at Grade 6+ level, with many preparing for advanced exams.

    It’s been an incredible journey watching so many musicians grow and flourish, and I’m excited for what the future holds! What I’ve noticed most students need are the techniques to support their practice. So many feel guilty about not practising enough, but it’s not about how much time you spend—it’s how you practise that makes the real difference.

    That’s why, in every lesson, I weave in strategies like time management, identifying motivations, overcoming barriers to getting things done, and developing the confidence to perform under pressure. These skills are just as important as playing the notes!

  • My Top Tips for Finding the Right Music Teacher

    My Top Tips for Finding the Right Music Teacher

    How do you decide if a piano or flute teacher is right for you? Do you see an advert or get a recommendation and commit to lessons straightaway? Or do you opt for a trial lesson to see if you and your music teacher are a good fit?

    Here are my top tips for finding the right music teacher.    

    Tips for parents:

    If you’re looking for a piano or flute teacher for your child, I would advise you to not rush into committing to ongoing lessons. Ask if they can offer your child a trial lesson or a few trial lessons before you decide.

    Your child needs to feel comfortable with their music teacher, as a 1 to 1 lesson is very personal. As a parent, you want to feel reassured that your child and their teacher are a good match too. So take your time before you take the plunge. Make enquiries, ask for recommendations, and ask prospective teachers if they offer trial lessons.

    I offer prospective students a trial lesson before I take them on and I always ask them (or their parents) if they feel I’m the right music teacher for them.

    This is really important as the experience your child has in their lessons will influence how they feel about future music lessons, and their music practice in general.

    Tips for adult students:

    If you want to find a music teacher, head online and do some research. You can search on https://www.musicteachers.co.uk/ for your nearest teacher and you can also see details of their qualifications and testimonials from former and current students.

    Before you commit to lessons, it’s a good idea to think about your goals and expectations. For example, if you just want to learn to play your favourite tunes on the piano as a hobby, but you sign up for lessons with a teacher who expects you to enter for high level exams, it won’t work. The mismatch of expectations means that neither of you will get what you want out of the lessons. Make sure that you’re both on the same page from the start.

    Who do I teach?

    Most of my students are university students. I also teach adult beginners who want to enjoy a new hobby, as well as music teachers who want to continue developing their skills, or take higher level exams.

    I help to prepare Durham University music degree students for their exams and recitals. To achieve this, I teach them musical technique as well as coaching them to develop the confidence they need to play at their best even when they feel nervous.

    I love teaching adult beginners who have a desire to learn and most importantly, the time to spend about 30 minutes a day to practise! One of the challenges busy adults face is a lack of time, so take this into account before you commit to music lessons.

    Ask the right questions

    You’ve seen their qualifications and they have some great reviews. But before you book lessons with a prospective teacher, check if they teach what you want to learn, and if they teach your age group.

    All music teachers are not equal! Different teachers specialise in different age groups. Teaching different age groups requires different teaching skills, so don’t forget to chat with your prospective teacher about what they specialise in or which age groups they enjoy teaching.

    Want to know what to expect from music lessons?

    I want to make sure that my prospective students and I are a good fit for each other, so I offer a free trial lesson. This is an opportunity for new students to get to know me and for me to get to know them, and their musical goals and wishes.

    Do you want to try a lesson so you know what to expect before you commit?

    Book Your Free Trial Lesson Here

    I’m looking forward to meeting you!

  • The Secrets of a Consistently Beautiful Flute Tone

    The Secrets of a Consistently Beautiful Flute Tone

    Are you struggling to have a consistent tone on your flute?

    Can you imagine playing your flute with a consistently beautiful tone?

    Imagine not feeling nervous at exams or recitals, worrying if your notes will be split, overblow or let you down at crucial moments when you’re performing.

    My name is Joo-Lee, and I want to give you the gift of a beautiful flute tone.

    I have been teaching the flute for 35 years with a 100% exam pass rate for all my students. Over the years I have taught young children and adults. Some are beginners, some are diploma students and some are music teachers! Most of my students are music degree students from Durham University. From my experience of teaching these music degree students, some of them find that their progress is halted by their fear of an inconsistent tone. They play advanced-level music but they know that without a consistent tone, the results are disappointing.

    One of the main goals for flute students is to have a consistently beautiful tone.

    Once you know the real secret behind getting a consistently beautiful tone you will understand right away why it can work for you, too.

    Whether you want to improve your tone, your breathing, or your embouchure, you could have it, sooner than you ever dreamed of.

    And it’s all thanks to the secret behind my ‘RRR’ Technique!

    Some people assume that you need to be blessed with a special talent or to work really hard to play the flute with a consistently beautiful tone. But that’s not true.

    You see, I am about to share my exciting technique with you.

    So if you love playing your flute and you want to perform well at exams or recitals, the great news is that you no longer have to put up with an inconsistent tone or worry that your tone will let you down.

    I normally charge £50 per lesson, but right now I’m offering free consultation lessons for just 5 flute students who are serious about improving their technique.

    Here’s how the consultation lesson works:

    1. I’ll help you identify the techniques you can apply right away to improve your tone

    2. I’ll help you identify the biggest barriers in your flute practice that is holding you back from success

    3. Click on this link to schedule your lesson

    4. You will automatically receive a short application form to complete

    5. You will receive a reply within 24 hours letting you know if your application is successful

    Again, there’s no charge for this consultation, so schedule yours in here.

  • Top Tips for Getting Your Child into a Practice Routine

    Top Tips for Getting Your Child into a Practice Routine


    Just like with any type of learning, helping your child make good progress with their chosen musical instrument is not about coercion.

    Children learn better and absorb more information when they are having fun. So how can you create a positive association with their music practice so they make wonderful progress? Follow these three steps.

    Get Clear on Reasons for Practising

    Encouraging your child to practise with their musical instrument is not about ‘making’ them get better at it. Maybe you treat it as fun and quality time together. Maybe you talk to them about how playing music can help them build their confidence and express themselves. Focus on the positives of practice, don’t treat it like a chore.

    Create a routine

    Putting a routine in place for your child’s music practice will help them develop good habits. Think about the other routines they have, like brushing their teeth before bed, or doing their homework after school; music practice should be treated the same.
    Routine starts with you, the parents. Decide on a time, like before school or immediately after, for example, practise for 10 minutes after school Monday to Friday. In the school holidays, it may be every morning after breakfast. Choose what works for them and for you. This is important, because deciding how much time you have as a parent to get involved will help them develop a good routine.


    Scenario #1 – If you have 5-10 minutes a day to help them practise:
    Be in the same room as your child when it’s Practice Time. You don’t need to teach your child. Simply open up the Practice Notebook and ask your child to refer to their Practice Notes. If you are an extremely busy parent, you may be working on the computer, texting, or reading at the same time. This is fine as long as you’re in a quiet space and you’re not doing something like talking on the phone, for example. At the end of 5 minutes, you may leave your child to practise on their own.


    Scenario #2 – If you have 10 – 20 minutes a day to help them practise:
    If you can be attentive during the Practice Time, your child will be more focused and make more progress. Open up the Practice Notebook and ask your child to follow the items in the Practice Notes. Don’t teach or correct your child. Simply offer them positive encouragement and say ‘well done’ for any work completed.

    Avoid these things
    So many children become unmotivated and resistant to practising. This is often because:

    • They are constantly told that their practice is not enough;
    • They feel under pressure to practise for longer than they can manage;
    • They get bored;
    • They don’t know what to practise.

    If your child has lost their motivation to practise with their musical instrument, my advice is:

    • Always say ‘well done for doing your practice today’ when your child has done their practice. Don’t express dissatisfaction if they have not done their practice. Stay focused on the positive. Remember, it’s not about ‘making’ them learn.
    • Remember that showing up to Practice Time is much more important than how long your child practises.
    • Ask your child to practise for about 10 minutes each day. Having to practise for too long and beyond their attention span will lead to boredom and loss of motivation.
    • Refer to your child’s Practice Notes so that they know what to practise.

    If your child has a positive association with their Music Practice and they think of practising with you as fun parent and child time together, they are more likely to develop good practice habits, get into a regular routine, and make wonderful progress with their musical instrument.

    Got a question about music practice? Email joolee@lindy-jazz.co.uk.

  • How To Prepare for Music Lessons on Zoom

    How To Prepare for Music Lessons on Zoom

    So many of my students have benefitted from having their lessons on Zoom, in normal times and pandemic times. It’s not difficult if you take your time, and avoid rushing.

    Here are a number of videos to help you to get set up.

  • Free Online Practice Materials

    Free Online Practice Materials

    You can find free online practice materials with short videos to guide you with your flute practice here. I will be creating some videos for piano practice soon.

    Click here to check them out.

  • Comfort & Control

    Comfort & Control

    What are our top priorities when we practise? Take a look at this video.

  • Book a Lesson on Zoom

    Book a Lesson on Zoom

    You can have your lessons via Zoom as distance and travel will not be barriers to your lessons. You can choose to work with me to achieve your musical goals through a series of lessons or simply work on a particular area via a one-off consultation lesson via Zoom.

    Looking forward to meeting you, Joo-Lee 

  • Book one-off or regular lessons

    Book one-off or regular lessons

    You can choose to work with me to achieve your musical goals through a series of lessons or simply work on a particular area via a one-off consultation lesson. In-person lessons are held in my Music Room at home in Newton Hall, Durham DH1 5XL.  

    Looking forward to meeting you!

  • Book a FREE Trial lesson here

    Book a FREE Trial lesson here

    New to my music services? One of the services I offer is a FREE trial lesson.

    This is an opportunity for you to get to know me and for me to get to know you and your musical goals and wishes. You will get the chance to try a lesson & find out what you can expect before you start a series of lessons.

    In-person lessons are held in my Music Room at home in Newton Hall, Durham DH1 5XL.  

    Book your FREE trial lesson here.

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