The Blue Piano Keyboard

Introduction: Anybody can sound great on the piano! Each time I start with a new student is an adventure. I am a patient and gentle teacher and my students like me. In my experience as a music teacher, I realize how each student is different. Therefore, I use a variety of approaches and materials - whatever is best-suited to each individual student of mine. I have taught a variety of students of different ages and backgrounds for over four years, now. ___ (Perhaps what is below is best-suited for adult and teenage students: ) Being able to play great-sounding music can be achieved more quickly and easily than you might think. Let me show you how. Watch these step-by-step videos that I have created -- Two examples to start with : YouTube.com/watch?v=VmjXDY0OReQ also: YouTube.com/watch?v=8MOZn-95R8Q The emphasis of my teaching is on helping you learn to play things that are enjoyable to listen to. I can teach you to sound musically-compelling. Playing the piano will be a rewarding experience. You can play songs that are well-known, or whatever inspires you most. When I started as a music teacher, I was convinced that it was best for a student to _not_ start with reading notation and instead learn things like theory later. For a beginner, the first priority is to develop what I call the INTUITIVE Foundation of musical ability. Music is ultimately about hearing. The earliest challenges a student faces will be with facility (fluency, co-ordination -- i.e.: command of one's fingers). Developing a natural "feel" for melody and rhythm should be the initial primary focus. Once a basic grasp of those things is achieved, other additional layers and levels of musical ability can be developed. These include any combination of reading notation, analysis, thinking like an improviser, thinking in terms of the ensemble and the greater musical whole (the "big picture") , etc. I enjoy helping guide students step-by-step -- helping my students develop proficiency and understanding. I get joy from seeing the progress that my students make. Personally, I am inspired by digging deep into rich-sounding musical material, figuring out how to play it and understanding it on a deeper level. I also enjoy the challenge of figuring out music by-ear. A greater appreciation of and joy from a piece of music is possible when I can examine, deconstruct and re-construct the music -- as opposed to merely passively listening, passively. I have enjoyed playing the piano (and various digital keyboards) for over 20 years. I took Suzuki lessons in my childhood years, and that provided much of the initial foundation of my musical abilities. I have also listened to, and figured out, a wide variety of music that encompasses modal harmonic structures, various Samba and/or Jazz influences, Impressionistic (Classical) influences, as well as good melodic Pop sensibilities, and even groove. I also have experience providing computer tech support. I enjoy helping people, one-on-one, resolve problems and understand things that previously were a source of frustration and confusion. I see teaching as a seamless extension of my experience in providing tech support. My Bachelor's degree is in Music and Technology.