Friedemann Dittmar
About
I am a Berlin based pianist and composer, who loves teaching music. I studied jazz in Cologne and started my teaching career on the side. I was always an active musician on the scene, but also developed an enthusiasm for sharing my knowledge. After finishing my studies, that flame kept lit and never went out. In the last 15 years I was employed in different music schools around Cologne and Berlin. I have taught hundreds of students of all ages. I could develop my own teaching style and have helped beginners and advanced players alike to improve their playing.
Teaching Style
My main expertise is the world of jazz. I love sharing my knowledge about improvisation, arrangement and composition. The concepts from jazz can apply to all genres. I will teach you what has helped me to become a better player myself.
For me, a teaching style is dependent on the student in front of me. I like to keep a certain openness, until I have a feeling for the musical journey the student wants to go towards. I try to find the right structure through the first lessons and the individual needs arising. If it’s more about the basics, we might work with a book. I have tried many options throughout the years. Whatever works for you. We will work on posture, technique, scores, scales, first melodies and many more things to build a foundation for you.
Curriculum
When you are ready, we can start with some songs that are more advanced. I always like to ask my students about the music they love themselves. We will try to find songs that move you and keep you motivated. We will look for scores that work for your skill level, or we learn the songs, playing by ear. It also depends on your learning style.
I can offer lessons in classical music too, for beginners and intermediate players. But I won't offer the traditional Russian School. I approach my teachings in a more contemporary way, where all genres are welcome. Jazz, rock, classical music, indie, pop. Whatever wants to be expressed, should be the basis of our lessons.
Credentials & Affiliations
Career Path
My musical training began at the age of 10 at the Johann Sebastian Bach State Music School in Leipzig. There, I received vocal training from Reglint Bühler-Schorcht and played the violin.
At 12, I began taking double bass lessons with Frithiof Martin Grabner at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Dance in Leipzig. I remained dedicated to the instrument and, in 2004 at the age of 15, was accepted into the junior development program. At the university, I also took courses in jazz double bass with Pepe Berns. It was there that I discovered my love for jazz piano, as he always accompanied me on the piano.
So, at 17, I decided to give up the double bass and devote myself entirely to jazz piano. Fortunately, I found Janusz Wozniak as a teacher at the Johann Sebastian Bach State Music School in Leipzig. In the following years, he prepared me for the entrance exams for jazz piano studies. I began playing in the F & S Jazz Quintet and gave my first concerts, including at the Pinneberg Jazz Festival in 2010. That same year, on March 13th, I achieved 22 points in the jazz piano solo category at the Saxony state competition "Jugend musiziert" (Youth Makes Music).
In 2011, I was accepted to the Cologne University of Music and Dance, where I completed my Bachelor's degree in jazz piano under Professors Hendrik Soll and Hubert Nuß. I passed my final exams on September 19, 2015, with a grade of 1.4.
Among many other projects, I played as a pianist in the band "Escher 77" and the "Stefan Zimmer Orchestra."
In 2012, I began teaching as a freelance instructor at the private music school "Music Factory" and moved to "Soundfabrik Röhrig" in 2013, where I worked until my move to Berlin in 2018. In Berlin, I taught at the "Musikschule Erkner" and later at the "Neue Musikschule Bernau," where I still teach today.
In Berlin, I performed in a duo with singer-songwriter Toni Laut. I played piano and double bass on her singles "Green Ballon" (2022), "Mein Nein" (2024), and "Grau Gemalt" (2025) and contributed to the studio arrangements.
I also collaborated with the American musician and film composer Ethan Gold. Among other things, we performed at the LeeStock Music Festival in Suffolk, England, in May 2023.
In addition, I perform in a duo with violinist Elly Döring. We perform regularly, for example at weddings in Berlin and the surrounding area.