Intelligent Music Ltd Reviews 20

First class professional accompaniment, and so patient and kind with the students.

I purchased two of Doug's transcriptions, and they were stellar. Communicating with him via email was also delightful. He is, in my opinion, a very special artist and person.

Doug transcribed a version of the song You Taught My Heart to Sing as played by Bill Charlap on an older album he did with Houston Person. Charlap's arrangement and voicings are beautiful and intricate and Doug's transcription seems perfect to me.

Doug has been my music teacher for 2 years now and when I came to him I was a grade 5 pianist with not much inspiration for piano really, mostly because I wasn’t that good. Today however I’m off to kings college to study music for 3 years and just received my grade 8 results where I achieved 143/150. For someone who’d never achieved a distinction before to now getting this staggeringly overwhelming result has made me so incredibly happy and it’s all thanks to Doug. He helped me improve my technique and discover a new side to music, giving me a whole new confidence in my playing and even helping me develop my own compositions. I can’t imagine being where I am without Doug, and even though he is a Brentford supporter he shows a vast array of intelligence and ineptitude which has helped me greatly. Thank you Doug so much for all the help you’ve given me, anyone would be lucky to be your student!

Doug Gould is a very fine musician, his activities ranging from performance to teaching. His various skills include arrangement, composition and transcription work, all to the highest standards.
Today I would like to endorse his transcription work talents on my behalf; absolutely first-rate and truly reflecting the various live performances I assigned to him.
His dedication to all matters musical speaks for intself,
HIGHLY to be RECOMMENDED!

Best regards
Terence Beedle

Doug has been the most wonderful and supportive piano teacher. An exceptional musician and educator, he constantly pushes the bounderies of music and learning. I couldn't have asked for a better or more inspirational mentor!

I could not recommend Doug more as a piano teacher. I became a piano student of Doug's because I wanted to pass Grade 7. I had previously struggled with motivation and enjoyment in learning my pieces but from my first lesson with Doug that completely changed. He guided me to find the joy in music and the confidence that I could excel where before I had faltered. I passed my exam easily with no fuss or stress as well as learning a variety of new styles and techniques. He even managed to make a novice jazz improvisor out of me which I had always wanted to do but never thought I would actually manage it! If we had time after the lesson Doug was happy to discuss or show me what he was working on at the time which unfailingly amazed me as he is without a doubt one of the most skilled and impressive musicians I have ever come across. I always left Doug’s lessons feeling enthusiastic to get on with the advice he gave me and inspired that if a teacher with Doug’s abilities thought I was doing well then I could be proud to call myself a pianist. I moved away for university, but I fully plan to see Doug for the occasional top-up lesson when I’m home as there is never a doubt you’ll walk away from Doug’s lessons a better musician no matter your level of ability.

Over the years I have made the acquaintance of many musicians (including several known the world over) but I can testify to the fact that few can match Doug’s uncanny ability to discern the subtlest details of a performance and notate them with breath taking accuracy. Doug possesses such phenomenal gifts that the term brilliant seems entirely inadequate.

The historical record contains reports of rare individuals with extraordinary musical abilities that seem to transcend those of all other musicians. Doug is one such transcendental musician and I feel most fortunate to have made his acquaintance and having had his help in moving my musical projects forward.

I came to Doug with a basic understanding of the piano and wanted him to help me develop my songwriting skills. He probably realised from the off that I was never going to be the next Beethoven as I had more interest in learning to playcovers and my original material rather than getting my grade 8. This is what sets Doug apart, he listens to what YOU want and tailors his lessons to fit YOUR goals and interests. What he did for not only my piano playing but also my singing in 2 years was astonishing. He made me push boundaries and believed in me when perhaps I didn’t. His words of encouragement and praise always gave me a real lift and as anyone who starts out as a songwriter knows, you never actually know if you’re any good! I now have a completely different approach to songwriting than I did before and music will now always be a part of my life thanks to Doug. My daughter is now starting to show musical promise and I will look no further than Doug for her piano lessons.

Doug is such a talented musician and teacher. Our boys all adore their lessons with him and never once have they complained about having piano lessons - they can go to lessons a bit fed up and tired after school and then they come out of the lesson full of smiles and motivated! He truly is an inspirational teacher and we feel very lucky to have him working with our boys and love that he has introduced us all to new music and comedy along the way.

Doug is an exceptional and inspiring musician and teacher. He changed my understanding of and approach music in ways that I am grateful for on a daily basis, not least because he reminded me that music is supposed to be fun! That's not to say frivolous, but deeply engaging, stimulating and rewarding. Most recently, I've had the pleasure of working with him extensively in the studio. I've been really impressed by his versatility in arranging. Seeing songs coming quickly to fruition at Doug's hands is a highlight of my week. He seems to be able to draw from almost any musical tradition, and combines ideas to create something that is at once unique, interesting and still fundamentally accessible. It's a privilege to work with him.

Doug is brilliant! A phenomenal player and great teacher. I’ve been recommending him to people for years for piano, singing, music theory etc because he’s the best! Several people in of our class got A* in music GCSE back in 1999, I’ve noticed many are passionate about music now and reminisce fondly of Doug’s influence - including 3 members of my band!

Doug is an inspiration and an extremely resourceful teacher - he has always been impressively inventive and creative with ways to expand my thinking and horizons, and for this I am very lucky indeed. Highly recommended to all with an interest in music.

I am fortunate enough to work with doug on a regular bases ....and I would go no where else .... His talent is far beyond anyone around.... and has single handedly taken our improv group to a different level his understanding of music is faultless.... and above all that he is the nicest guy in the industry.... I can’t recommend working with doug enough!!!!!!

We were fortunate enough to meet Doug a few years back when we were looking for a piano teacher for my daughter. Being a musician myself, I had come to the end of the line when it came to helping my headstrong daughter and I needed someone to take over! Doug took on the challenge and it has been such a pleasure watching her grow and develop as a musician under his tutelage. His lighthearted yet incredibly experienced approach to teaching is a joy to behold and my daughter always leaves the lesson feeling inspired. Doug is quite simply the best in the business and I look forward to him being a part of our musical lives for a long time to come. He inspires us all.

A musician at the top of his game and a multi-genre specialist. There are only a handful of private, post-conservatoire professors working at this level, and I was lucky enough to meet Doug and achieve my DipABRSM as a returning adult player.

I was very fortunate as a music composer to engage the help of pianist Doug Gould in arranging my compositions and he was instrumental in helping my work reach a published level. He is a very talented gentleman with a personality that makes him a such a pleasure to work with. I thoroughly recommend his services to all. Terry Rigler

The best in the business - look no further!
Doug’s colossal talent as a solo pianist, arranger, composer, accompanist and MD is matched by his prowess as a tutor and coach - he thrives on sharing the benefit of his vast knowledge with the world!
I can’t wait to perform alongside Doug again once we are through the pandemic.

Doug supported my son from first early forays on piano at aged ten through to a fabulous result for his Grade 8. My son developed so much and also has a broad taste in music, enjoying exploring jazz too as a result of Doug's teaching. He has a wonderful, large and bright room and beautiful piano for lessons. Hugely well organised and a very, very welcome slot in the weekly schedule, it was also great to have our regular catch ups as it was always lovely to speak to Doug. Grateful to count Doug as a friend now and for the future.