Hello, aspiring piano players! I've been playing and
teaching for several decades, and I can show you what
you want to learn. Whether it's classical, rock, jazz, blues
or other, I understand the foundations of many different
styles. And - I know how to get results with students.
I can have you playing songs before you know it.
If you already have some experience, I can add to it.
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TEACHING STYLE
My primary goal is to teach students to love the piano. You can train the fingers and learn how to "think piano" while playing songs you know. Some people worry that they don't have enough time to practice. Obviously, the more you practice, the better. Still, with just a moderate, consistent amount of time, and a well-designed approach, you can make a lot of progress and fit it into your busy life. By taking things one step at a time, satisfaction is available right from the start. One benefit of regular practice is that you develop consistency in approaching challenges. You learn to keep plugging away to get the result you want. It's very good for personal development.
You don't have to worry about not being able to do it. When people say they tried piano and couldn't do it, I know that either the pace was too fast, or they tried to teach themselves. With piano, you need a coach.
I've never met anyone who didn't have musical abilities! You can be a serious or a recreational player. The only requirement is the willingness to spend some regular time at the piano.
Since beginning to teach in the early 90's, I've developed a style that includes traditional study along with other styles such as rock, pop, folk, church music and jazz. I feel there are 2 main worlds in music. There's the world where everything is written precisely in the sheet music, and there's the world where it's chord-based and open to interpretation. Both of those worlds are fantastic. We learn skills that work in both settings, and then we figure out which style you prefer. I also teach students to improvise and write their own songs. Everyone can do it. Playing and singing is another great skill that can be learned.
We have a lot of fun while developing proficiency. Emphasis is on excellence and joy.
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The study of music is appropriate for children and adults. For children, the benefits are well-known. Adults sometimes wonder if it's too late for them to learn piano. It is not. I find that playing piano involves certain inborn personality traits. That's why you can start at any age. Plus, adults already know how to focus, so they have that advantage. Piano playing is a great way for adults to unwind after a stressful day. Don't be shy about giving it a try!
CURRICULUM
I've developed my own method for introducing new students to the piano. We learn the layout of the keyboard by playing well-known songs. I have a format for teaching those songs even before a student has learned to read music.
For students with experience, I expose them to ways of playing they may not know about. We play exercises, scales and chords to develop the hands. Then we apply those skills to songs. I sometimes use my own materials, and sometimes use other published works. The goal is to find the style that most appeals to the student.
A word about note-reading: some adults don't want to spend a lot of time learning to read music. They just want to play songs. I can accommodate that as well. It's good to develop basic skills, but I also have materials available for those whose primary interest is recreational playing.
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