Clemens Hoffman
*4 September 1961
Works by Clemens Hoffman
Biography
Clemens Hoffman is a classically trained pianist and composer who has also written songs and played in pop and jazz bands from an early age. He has been performing with his band Mirage for years, both in the Netherlands and abroad, mainly playing his own songs. A CD project in Los Angeles, consisting solely of his own work and performed by some of LA’s best studio musicians, resulted in a collaboration with World International Records (W.I.R.) in Vienna, who released the complete works. Clemens has been teaching piano and songwriting since his student years. After gaining experience at the Eschweiler music school, he set up his own teaching practice in 2000. One of the distinctive features of his teaching method is that he records his students’ performances regularly, not only giving the students the pleasure of recording, but also teaching them to listen to themselves critically.
About the music
An educational and exciting mix of styles, techniques and timbres, that is the idea behind these piano books. In his teaching practice, Clemens Hoffman uses his different experiences to the advantage of his pupils; he gives them the opportunity to try all sorts of styles, each at their own level, so they can find their own strengths, weaknesses and preferences. When it comes to the development of technical skills, he feels that achieving the right tone can be just as challenging as playing a fast run or complex rhythm.
His books reflect these ideas and experiences. Although the levels and set-up differ - 18 Pieces for Piano is suitable for advanced beginners, 25 Sketches for slightly more advanced players, 3 Pieces for Piano Solo & 2 Piano Duets contains longer and four-handed pieces - the overall idea is similar. Each piece is different, with its own particular style, atmosphere and difficulty. Each offers a new challenge for the player, a new learning experience and a step on a musical journey.
