David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY
David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY

David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY

Top Pro

$180
starting price


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Introduction: Hello! I help people to learn piano extremely rapidly from sheet music - faster than anyone else - regardless of age or ability. Students using my methods typically accomplish in 6 months to a year what would have normally taken them 3 to 5+ years otherwise. The difference is not just in the speed, but in the quality. When I talk about these time frames, I’m talking about high-level playing with the utmost musicality and expression. I currently offer five different programs: 1) My strategic teams (online and in-person in Brooklyn, NY) 2) 1-to-1 private coaching with me (online and in-person in Brooklyn, NY) 3) Private lessons with Tristan (online only) 4) Private lessons with Isidora (online only) 5) Private lessons with Malissa (online and in-person in Brooklyn, NY) You can find more information about these programs a few paragraphs down. After quickly filling literally every spot for both private coaching and my strategic teams, I decided to expand my teams. Because of this recent decision, there are indeed openings. I am no longer accepting children and teenagers personally at this point. Although I may be unable to teach your child myself, I have personally trained two excellent teachers named Tristan and Isidora in my unique methodologies and strategies (much more information a few paragraphs down) - they are currently accepting children into their programs. Also, if you are an adult and for any reason my own two programs aren’t the ideal fit for you, there are actually three top-caliber teachers I’ve trained in my unique methods - Tristan, Isidora, and Malissa. Any one of them may be the perfect fit. Tristan holds a doctorate in piano performance from NYU and is currently teaching for SUNY New Paltz. Like me, he has been teaching for over 20 years since he was a teenager. He is extremely knowledgeable about music theory, new music, and the standard repertoire. If you are interested only in 1-to-1 lessons (private lessons), his program may be the best fit for you. Isidora holds a master’s in piano performance from NYU and served as adjunct faculty there. At NYU, she taught keyboard skills classes, group classes, and private lessons. She is extremely knowledgeable about the Taubman Approach and how to play with a healthy technique free of tension, pain, and fatigue. She also studied with my own teacher and is the first teacher I ever trained in my learning methodologies. If you are interested only in 1-to-1 lessons (private lessons), her program may also be the best fit for you. Malissa holds a doctorate in piano and music education from Ball State University and is currently teaching for Mannes, the New School. She has presented in numerous state and national music teacher conferences and adjudicated for numerous piano competitions and festivals. If you are interested in 1-to-1 lessons that will transition eventually into strategic teams, she will likely be the best fit. She is also the only teacher other than me teaching in-person lessons here in Brooklyn, NY. I have in long-term situations trained parents to be as strong as or even stronger in teaching than real piano teachers. If you are that rare parent that practices with their child daily, consider becoming a student of mine in order to transform your child’s practice and progress. If you are a piano teacher that wishes to improve your playing, teaching, and/or business sense, I am uniquely able to take you to the next level and beyond in all three aspects. Feel free to set up a free consultation with me, Tristan, Malissa, or Isidora about any of the following options. Thank you! ***Strategic Teams*** -There are around 5 or 6 people per team. -Only reliable, weekly, long-term students with excellent attendance are considered. Admission is based on interview. -Both online and in-person lessons to fully vaccinated and boosted students at my home studio here in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY (I do not travel to students) are offered. -There are two different possible lengths of time for each team: 1 hour 30 minutes ($135 per person; around $540 a month) and 2 hours ($180 per person; around $720 a month). -Students can set goals every bit as serious and ambitious as in traditional private lessons and in fact, virtually everyone will advance even faster in this format. -Within the format, there can be both extensive collaboration and completely independent practice. Independent practice usually will take up the vast majority of the session - within this, students work on completely independent goals and objectives. -Goals include: a complete transformation of strategy and mindset in learning piano, rapidly acquiring independence from the teacher at all different levels, intensive performance training, professional pedagogy (teaching) training since we are all our own teachers, and of course progressing in piano with maximum efficiency and quality. -If you’re curious about further details - how does it all work? - reach out and I’d be happy to answer by setting up a call! ***Elite 1-to-1 Private Coaching*** -It is unlikely that I will teach more than 5 private students at this time due to extremely high demand. -Lessons are $320 for 1 hour (around $1,280 a month), $270 for 45 minutes (around $1,080 a month), and $180 for 30 minutes (around $720 a month). -Only reliable, weekly, long-term students with excellent attendance are considered. Admission is based on interview. -Both online and in-person lessons to fully vaccinated and boosted students at my home studio here in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY (I do not travel to students) are offered. -Includes all of the benefits listed above. -Obviously, every moment of the lesson is custom-tailored for maximum efficiency and quality for you specifically. -Suitable candidates tend to be highly successful in their careers and tend to strive for excellence in everything that they do. They also describe the piano as something extremely important to them. They thus seek out personalized coaching of the utmost quality to bring them to their goals as quickly as possible. ***Private Lessons with Tristan*** -Lessons are $120 for 1 hour (around $480 a month), $99 for 45 minutes (around $396 a month), and $75 for 30 minutes (around $300 a month). More time will always lead to greater / faster progress for teenagers and adults (and often for children as well as long as they are well-behaved). -Only reliable, weekly, long-term students are considered. Admission is based on interview or trial lesson. -Only online lessons are offered for ages 8 to adult. In some cases, a younger child may be accepted if they are unusually mature. -Holds a doctorate (PhD) in piano performance from NYU, a master’s from Manhattan School of Music, and a bachelor’s from NYU. -Has taught for over 20 years from the age of 13. -Celebrated for his “dramatic” and “assertive” playing (New York Times). -Regularly performs in New York with groups such as TAK Ensemble, Tenth Intervention, and Friends of MATA, and has performed internationally in Europe and Australia. -Extremely knowledgeable about music theory, new music, and the standard repertoire. -Currently adjunct faculty at SUNY New Paltz. -Tristan’s teaching philosophy: “When learning a piece, it's tempting to just get the notes and stop there, but that is only half the battle. What so many self-taught pianists miss out on is cultivating true musicality. I work with students of all ages and levels to bring out their individual artistry through informed and personal interpretations of each piece we work on, whether in method books or with standard classical repertoire. With my students I am always patient, kind, and encouraging. It is a long journey to master an instrument like the piano; I think of myself as a mentor rather than a strict taskmaster. I meet students where they are, and keep in mind that everyone comes to the piano with different abilities and experiences.” -“I would highly suggest Tristan, especially as an adult beginner looking for no-judgment lessons." -“Tristan deserves the highest rating that I can give! My 5 year old started virtually with him 3 months before she turned 5 and he is so patient, fun, and connects with her so well even through video. She is excited to practice each week and looks forward to her lessons and is making the kind of progress that blows my mind!" -“Tristan is a true professional who cares about your child's development and progress. He has really connected with my children and approaches their different learning styles with ease. His lessons are organized, focused and he is in tune to my children's capabilities- he will push them but not over do it so the lessons are always enjoyable. He is patient and reassuring, they both really enjoy working with him.” -“Taking lessons with Tristan over the past year has been one of the most rewarding hobbies I've revisited as an adult. All through elementary, middle, and high school I studied piano with weekly lessons and then played occasionally in college. For the past ten years, though, I really didn't touch it at all. I found it hard to stay in the habit of playing because the kind of music I wanted to study was a little too difficult to attack on my own, and I had no discipline without a teacher. With Tristan, not only am I motivated to practice throughout the week, but he's also coached me on techniques of play -- ways to work out fingerings, chunking the minutes I practice to focus on a few measures at a time, studying a piece to bring out its musicality -- that have brought me to new levels of skill & maturity with the instrument." “Tristan is an incredible piano teacher. My daughter has been studying with him for over a year and has found a new level of excitement and commitment under his tutelage. He challenges her, encourages her, makes it fun, and is always on time. During Covid, when the lessons moved to online, my daughter still enjoys and learns from the lessons virtually. He organizes wonderful recitals with all of his students and is easy to communicate with. He is also an overall trustworthy and kind person, someone I am happy to have in my daughter's life, and in mine as well. Really, I couldn't be happier.” “Working with Tristan has been fantastic. He's an engaged, thoughtful, hardworking presence, and our daughter has learned a great deal from him & continues to grow as a musician and as a music-lover.” -“I'm an adult piano student and composer, working on my own project but also learning medium-to-advanced 20th-century repertoire including Prokofiev, Poulenc, and Shostakovich. Tristan was initially recommended to me because he is a superb performer of new piano music, a range of experience that most piano teachers don't have. Working with him, I discovered that he was just as insightful about older music. Tristan's approach to the piano is based on identifying and working through challenges, both technical and expressive: how to play a passage to bring out the musical intent I wanted. He was always ready to offer alternative approaches for different musical goals, and he never shied away from trying out a passage himself to find the most effective way to play it--which was especially valuable when I had written the passage myself! With Tristan, the focus is on repertoire, not on endless exercises. And it's on solutions that are both technical (hand and body position and technique) and musical/expressive, not just on one or the other. I count myself extremely lucky to have worked with him, and I'm unambiguously a better pianist for it.” -“Since 2012, Tristan has been the piano teacher to all three of our children starting at the age of 5. Tristan's command of music theory coupled with his academic background has been instrumental to our children's music education. His instruction is adaptive and yet still structured and thorough. He encourages them to explore different pieces and makes sure that they are properly challenged and motivated along the way. As a result, they are all very active in a broad spectrum of performing arts - in the choir, jazz band, theater, etc. In addition, the focus and discipline that they have developed over the years playing the piano have clearly helped them in other subjects and they have all academically thrived throughout elementary, middle, and high school. The children truly look forward to their Monday afternoon lessons and we have been very lucky to have him with us all these years." -“Tristan has been teaching our two children piano for several years and they have shown remarkable progress in their skills thanks to his guidance. He is extremely knowledgeable in music theory and knows how to inspire the kids to take on challenges and perform to the best of their abilities. He is good about mixing traditional/classical pieces with more contemporary one to keep the kids engaged. Additionally, he is a warm and friendly presence but we appreciate the way he keeps the kids on track and offers candid feedback when they are falling behind and not living up their potential. During the pandemic, his virtual lessons have been highly effective and provided our kids with a desperately needed diversion." ***Private Lessons with Isidora*** -Lessons are $120 for 1 hour (around $480 a month), $99 for 45 minutes (around $396 a month), and $75 for 30 minutes (around $300 a month). More time will always lead to greater / faster progress for teenagers and adults (and often for children as well as long as they are well-behaved). -Only reliable, weekly, long-term students are considered. Admission is based on interview or trial lesson. -Only online lessons are offered for ages 8 to adult. In some cases, a younger child may be accepted if they are unusually mature. -Holds a master’s degree in piano performance from New York University. -Taught keyboard skills classes, group classes, and private lessons as adjunct faculty at NYU. -Has performed solo and collaborative works ranging from Beethoven, Brahms, and Dvořák to Stockhausen, Boulez, and Kurtag in venues across NYC such as Steinway Hall, Provincetown Playhouse, the Institute of Fine Arts, and Bohemian National Hall as well as the Colegiata de San Juan Bautista in Spain. -Performed in the Institute and Festival for Contemporary Performance, the International Keyboard Institute and Festival, and the Gijón International Piano Festival (Spain). -Performed in masterclasses for artists such as Robert McDonald, Nelita True, Alexander Kobrin, Heasook Rhee, and Barry Snyder. -Studied with Jeffrey Swann, Marc Ponthus, and José Ramón Méndez (who was also my own teacher). -The first teacher I ever trained in my unique learning methodologies. -Has trained extensively for the last 8 years in the Taubman Approach and continues to study with Robert Durso, co-founder and senior director of the Golandsky Institute. According to the Institute, “the Approach has proven to be highly effective in the resolution of technical limitations and playing-related injuries. The aim of the Institute is to provide musicians with a foundation that allows for full artistic expression and the development of virtuosic technical ability.” This means developing a healthy technique that is free of tension, pain, and fatigue. -Isidora’s ultimate goal as a piano teacher is to teach her students how to learn, practice, and express music effectively in a welcoming and collaborative lesson environment. She strives to actively engage students in their learning through discovery and problem-solving and make sure that they are developing healthy physical habits at the instrument. -“Isidora is teaching my 10 years old daughter piano for almost 2 years and we cannot recommend her highly enough. The atmosphere at her l lessons is encouraging, engaging and fun. In her teaching theory and ear training Isidora is using creative activities like simple improvisation and harmonization. Isidora was able to pivot and adopt to new reality using available technologies to make her lessons as effective as they would be in person -audio/video quality and setup of devices makes it easy to learn and understand. Her detailed lesson notes include what and how to practice and sometimes have linked audio recordings as practice aids. Overall, thanks to Isidora, my daughter is fluent in reading music notes and comfortable playing piano at her level. We are very happy with Isidora’s lessons.” “I have been taking lessons with Isidora for a few months now and have been thoroughly enjoying our work together. We work together online through video and have had no issues, both the sound and video are top notch. Besides being a wonderful pianists she is also a wonderful teacher. Lessons are always an easy going, stress free affair with clear instruction and good constructive feedback. I often send her videos during the week of myself playing for her opinion on how Im doing which I think is really great-it helps me feel like Im on track. She teaches using the Taubman approach with the aim to help pianists use their body in a more natural manner to facilitate ease and comfort at the piano. Overall, I cant recommend Isidora enough. Im looking forward to continuing my studies with her and learning as much as I can.” -“I'm very happy to be taking piano lessons with Isidora. She's very patient and encouraging during the lesson. If I don't understand something, she's creative in finding new ways to explain it. As an experienced teacher, she listens closely and gives very supportive and helpful comments. I always look forward to my lessons with Isidora--it's a pleasure to study” -“Isidora is a friendly, patient, responsive, and very skilled piano teacher. She has greatly improved my piano technique.” ***Private Lessons with Malissa*** -Lessons are $120 for 1 hour (around $480 a month), $99 for 45 minutes (around $396 a month), and $75 for 30 minutes (around $300 a month). -In July, Malissa will be starting her own strategic teams program closely patterned after my own. At that time, all private students will be transitioned into them. There will be two possible lengths of time for each team: 1 hour 30 minutes ($120 per person; around $480 a month) and 2 hours ($160 per person; around $640 a month). -Only reliable, weekly, long-term students are considered. Admission is based on interview. -Both online and in-person lessons (here in my Brooklyn studio) are offered for adults. In-person availability is currently limited to certain times on Sunday and Monday as well as other weekday mornings. Online availability is more flexible, particularly on Sundays and Mondays. -Malissa is no longer accepting children or teenagers at this time. -Born and raised in Brooklyn, Malissa holds a doctorate in collaborative piano and music education from Ball State University, a master’s in piano performance and piano pedagogy from Ohio University, and a bachelor’s in music education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. -Has taught all ages and abilities for over 15 years. -Currently teaching at the college level and is on the piano faculty of Mannes, the New School. -Has presented at numerous state and national music teacher conferences. Her recent acceptance was an international conference in Estonia through the College of Music Society presenting on a duet written by an Estonian composer utilizing extended piano techniques. -Has adjudicated for numerous piano competitions and festivals and helped organize and facilitate numerous conferences and piano competitions. Currently, Malissa is the Executive Assistant Director in the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition assisting in running a 5-day piano competition. -Malissa’s personal teaching style is about finding a balance in the discipline and the creativity of a student, similar to the balance needed between melody and harmony in playing. She writes: “Every student who studies piano has specific reasons to take piano lessons. Whether it is for the joy of playing piano, to learn a specific piece, or to pursue a career in piano, as their teacher it is my job to guide my students in fulfilling their goals and happiness whatever it may be.” -“As a teacher, Malissa brings a richly varied background to the table, teaching a wide range of ages and levels for well over a decade. Equally comfortable in Baroque through new music, Malissa’s musical curiosity leads her to choose composers and programs that are often stylistically diverse. Background training includes an undergraduate concentration in pedagogy, numerous pedagogy seminars at the MM level, and her doctoral dissertation took the form of a case study in piano studio teaching. Most importantly, Malissa loves teaching and is constantly striving to give students the best she has to offer.” -“Malissa was a fantastic piano teacher for our son for about 4 years.  She was kind, encouraging, and enthusiastic.  She sought to instill not only a love of piano but the art of practicing and playing music in her students. Truly a great music educator” -“Ms. Tong was my daughter’s piano teacher for 3 years, in person and online, and a music teacher for 2, and has left a life changing impact on the music skills and working habits of my daughter Marina. At first, Malissa was Marina’s piano instructor through Ball State, but then also became her music teacher at her elementary school. In both of those capacities, I recognized in Malissa the qualities of a responsible, caring educator. She was always well organized, strategic, and diligent. Moreover, she knew how to motivate young learners to develop their music interest and skills, and was always supportive of her students' creativity. Finally, I saw that the results of my daughter’s rapid improvement were the direct result of Ms. Tong’s positive reinforcement and teaching methodology. Ms. Tong has the pedagogical and personal skills, as well as passion to be an outstanding music teacher, and I recommend her without reservation.” -“We had an amazing opportunity to have Dr. Tong pouring love and music into our kids these last 3 years. She first started out as the music teacher at the school my students attended and then became the piano lesson for my son. My son started piano, but we had to stop because he did not enjoy his teacher prior to Dr. Tong. My son’s improvement at the piano was from night to day in about four months studying with Dr. Tong. Not only that, Malissa kept my son’s motivation going for many years and has left a last impression on him. She also supported my other children’s theater performances and has such a wonderful charm and charisma in her personality. Even as a parent, I want to learn the piano! I would highly recommend Malissa as your piano teacher.” -“Dr. Tong has innate gifts that enable her to connect to her piano students. For example, my son loves sports such as basketball and football, has ADHD, yet he has an ear for music. Dr. Tong planned personalized lesson plans that ignited curiosity about the piano, listened to my son’s interests, and composed pieces at my son’s level and interest. Dr. Tong’s work with my son was extraordinary.” *** I am a professional musician with a bachelor's degree in music education from New York University and a master's degree in piano performance from Manhattan School of Music. I have created many unique methodologies that detail how to learn and memorize music with maximum efficiency (much more information both above and a few paragraphs down). And of course, I show my students how to conquer technical and musical difficulties in order to develop into artists with their own voices. As a result, my students progress extremely quickly and attain very high levels of playing in a fraction of the usual time required. They also seem to truly enjoy the process. Lessons take place either online/remotely or at my studio in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (somewhat near the Barclays Center and Prospect Park), where I have a baby grand piano and three high-end keyboards for use in the lessons. I am a current Thumbtack Top Pro and Steinway Educational Partner and teach full-time. I was a recipient of the Steinway Top Teacher Award in both 2021 and 2022, which was awarded for my “hard work and dedication to music education” and for “the care and commitment with which [I] approach [my] piano students.” In person, I have had students come to me from as far away as Queens, upper Manhattan, the Bronx, New Jersey, and Long Island. Online, I am one of the most in-demand teachers throughout the country and have taught internationally as well. I offer two student recitals for all ages and four studio classes a year. Most of my current students are adults and they have expressed that they really enjoy the sense of community they experience as a result of meeting other adult learners. There are also numerous additional performance opportunities and events for more advanced students. I have taught students of all ages (3 and up) and abilities for over 20 years and have prepared students for ABRSM exams, NYSSMA exams, specialized middle school and high school auditions, pre-college programs, college auditions (to major in music), other auditions, guzheng (古箏) exams, competitions, and all types of performances. I have also served as a judge for both NYSSMA and piano competitions. Of course, I have also taught many students who are learning just for themselves. If you are a beginner and/or don't know how to read sheet music, I can definitely help you! If you are interested in learning how to play the piano while singing, I can definitely help as well. Finally, I also welcome serious students of piano who are thinking about making classical music into a career choice. Additionally, I also offer both pedagogy and business training to prospective or current piano teachers who want to improve their teaching and/or are trying to expand their own piano studios. I have helped many other professional pianists and teachers who have inquired about my methodologies (both for themselves and for their students) and my students include and have included those who are piano teachers themselves. And as one of the most in-demand piano teachers on Thumbtack throughout the United States (one of the top even amongst the Top Pros), I am happy to share my business expertise as well. My teaching methodologies include how to learn and memorize with maximum efficiency (I have spent years specifically researching and creating many methodologies); how to solve technical / mechanical / relaxation issues (including how to achieve much greater speed and control); how to achieve extremely high levels of musicality, nuance, and expression; how to express yourself musically and connect with your inner self; how to rapidly gain autonomy and independence from the teacher; how to practice physically, mentally, and emotionally; how to set and achieve goals; how to use both motivation and willpower to your advantage; and much more besides. One of the unique components of my lessons is that I teach very specifically what I like to think of as the art of practicing itself (derived from the methodologies I created). I coach students on how to logically solve all technical and musical difficulties (at least the aspects of music that CAN be logically solved) and then train them to be as independent of me as possible. This helps to unlock the door to true musical expression. I have performed at such venues as Steinway Hall, Lincoln Center, Leith Hill Place (Surrey, UK), WeArts Theatre (Shanghai), Parsons Music Performance Center (Shanghai), Fazioli Piano Center (Taipei), Marc A. Scorca Hall of the National Opera Center, the Bitter End, Soapbox Gallery, Sullivan Hall, Flushing Town Hall, Molloy College, James C. Colgate Hall, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of New York, the Tenri Cultural Institute of New York, Black Box Theatre (NYU), Frederick Loewe Theatre (NYU), the Skirball Center (NYU), Goldmark Hall (Mannes), Pforzheimer Hall (MSM), Greenfield Hall (MSM), Yamaha Piano Salon, Prague Conservatory, Jan Deyl Conservatory (Prague), the Jazz Dock (Prague), the Centro Municipal Integrado El Llano (Gijón, Spain), and the Centro Municipal Integrado Pumarín (Gijón, Spain). I have participated in both the Gijón International Piano Festival (Spain) and the International Keyboard Institute and Festival (New York), and have played in masterclasses for Robert McDonald, Yuan Sheng, José Ramos Santana, Nina Lelchuk, Gabriele Leporatti, Alexandre Moutouzkine, Amy Gustafson, Anthony de Mare, and Eduardus Halim. My teacher was José Ramón Méndez. In 2018, I gave solo piano recitals in both New York and Taipei. In 2019, I was the featured performer at the Manhattan International Film Festival. Also in 2019, I gave four solo piano recitals in New York, Shanghai (where I gave a masterclass as well), and Surrey (UK). In fall 2019, I performed in the New York Arabic Orchestra. In 2020, instead of giving recitals, I conducted more extensive research into learning and memorizing massive amounts of repertoire with maximum efficiency. As part of my project, I learned and memorized the complete Chopin Études in the latter six months of 2020. In 2021 and 2022, I started my strategic teams program as well as hired and trained a number of truly top-caliber teachers in my unique methods in order to reach and help many more people. Please feel free to message me with any questions you might have. I am genuinely passionate about teaching and sincerely care about each of my students. And if you are a part of my studio, you will find that I am very responsive and willing to help however I can. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Thank you!
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Current Top Pro

Hired 177 times

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22 years in business

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This pro accepts payments via Venmo and Zelle.

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2023

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2022

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2019

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Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

132 reviews

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pro avatar
Yehan Z.
Nov 30, 2023
·

Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I started working with David in September 2022 during my senior year in High school. At that time I was looking for a piano teacher who I feel is very professional, trust-worthy, experienced, reliable, and is suitable for my learning style, and I found David on this platform. I started learning the piano at a young age, but I stopped taking lessons since High School. I was always just play for fun and for my own enjoyment, but when I decided to apply for Berklee College of Music, I realized that I should go back to taking lessons in order to advance my musical ability in a more efficient and systematical way. (I'm now studying BM in Berklee College of Music) I never enjoyed the "Traditional" step-by-step kind of teaching, because it's too "boring" for me and I didn't feel I was really improving. David's educational method worked really well for me. We first decided on the song list that I wanted to play, and directly went into the song I chose and learned during the process. The first song I chose was Departures arranged by Animenz, which is a pretty advanced piece. I wasn't feeling too comfortable reading more complicated music score, because I was mostly playing for fun and by ear before, and Departures was for sure a challenge for me. However, I really enjoyed playing and learning it, and improving with David's feedbacks and suggestions. David teaches strategies to help me practice in a actually effective and efficient way. I use to practice the same phrase again and again and tried to get it perfect every single time. But after working with David, I learned that it is actually better if I get it right, play it through, and then allow myself to forget it and move on, (because the process of learning- forgetting-and then learn again can actually help people to remember things faster and better. I was able to play Departures in about 9 months without having to spend hours and hours everyday practicing, and I performed in Steinway Hall in New York in May 2024. Talking about performing in Steinway Hall, I think another thing that is really amazing other than David's teaching is the community and opportunities when learning with David. David organized quarterly recitals online and offline, and his students would have the opportunities to perform in Steinway Hall for the recital because David is a Steinway parter teacher. I think that is truly amazing because a lot of times having chances to perform and having a community to share your music with can be crucial in being motivated and setting goals. I really appreciated the experience performing for others during the recitals, and my ability to perform and playing advanced so much during the process. Having the chance to perform also encouraged me to learn the piece, and to be more disciplined because I wanted to be able to get it ready and not miss the chance. Due to personal reasons I have stopped taking regular lessons with David recently. However, I highly recommend David if you are looking forward to learning the piano and incorporating playing the piano into your lifestyle and daily life. I have improved substantially during the time that I was working with David, and I was able to play pieces that was challenging for me and would probably take me years if I wasn't taking lessons with David. I had a great experience working with David, and I highly recommend him. Hope you have a great time playing the piano :))

Details: 18 - 25 years old • Yes, the student can read music • 2 - 4 yrs of formal training • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has a piano • 60 minutes • Remotely (phone or internet) • My home, venue, etc.

Piano Lessons
pro avatar
David t.
Oct 30, 2023
·

Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I've always dreamed of being able to play the piano. However, I was discouraged just thinking about the traditional way of learning a new instrument. When I first learned about David Chang Music program, I knew this was something that I didn't know I was looking for me to realize my dream of playing the piano. Starting was simple. David ask me to pick a song that I wanted to play. I chose Cannon in D. After the 4th month in taking lessons with David, I was able to play by memory over 60% of the 5 page sheet music. David has a lot of different methodologies that can help anyone problem solve through any difficult sections of your playing. I would highly recommend anyone wanting fast results in learning to play the piano. Get results in 6 months in the time it would take you years of traditional piano lessons.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • Yes, the student can read music • No formal training; some self-taught experience • Classical • Yes, the student has a piano • 60 minutes • Remotely (phone or internet)

Piano Lessons
pro avatar
Adam N.
Oct 22, 2023
·

Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I had no musical background and no prior lessons before starting piano lessons with David. I expected to start with a long program focused on theory, but I was surprised that one of the first things David asked me was to write down my goal pieces, and I chose to start with an arrangement of one of my favorite Frank Ocean songs. Using David's logical methodology, I was able to play this piece end to end end in only a few months while learning how to read music as well as some music theory along the way. I was surprised at the pace of my progress and, in particular, by David's ability to give just the right cue to unblock progress in moments of frustration. David, through the new Pianist Collective program/platform, has made himself generously available and responsive to me at any moment that I have a question. I travel a decent amount, and having a platform that enables us to collaborate remotely has been important to my ability to maintain progress. Overall, it is hard to imagine that I would have made such progress without David and his specific methodology for teaching piano. I look forward to continuing my piano journey with David and the Pianist Collective community he has brought together.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • No, the student cannot read music • No formal training • Classical • Yes, the student has a keyboard • 60 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)

Piano Lessons
pro avatar
Cobe L.
Sep 9, 2023
·

Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I've been taking piano lessons since I was a child, but I'll admit, I was never the most diligent student. Practicing once a week was my norm, and progress was slow. However, since joining David Chang's strategic teams, my entire approach to the piano has transformed. David's unique teaching style, combined with his innovative tools, has not only made practicing more enjoyable but also more consistent. With his guidance, I've found myself practicing more frequently, and the results are evident. My technique has improved, and I've been able to achieve my piano goals much faster than I ever imagined. I wholeheartedly recommend David Chang Strategic Teams to anyone looking to elevate their musical journey. Whether you're a beginner or have been playing for years, David's approach will undoubtedly bring out the best in you.

Details: 18 - 25 years old • Yes, the student can read music • 4+ yrs of formal training • Classical • Yes, the student has a piano • 60 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)

Piano Lessons
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Peter D.
Sep 5, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Working with David was just what I needed to re-start my piano playing with earnest! I had played the instrument for years as a child (often begrudgingly) and while I had picked it up here and there over the past decade or so, I never had the discipline or accountability to really make progress. So, at the beginning of 2023 I decided it was time to buckle up and commit. The weekly lessons were a great form of accountability, and David's emphasis on performance for peers was an excellent motivator to practice and make progress. I wound up selecting Opus 20 by Dustin O'Halloran for our first piece. It took a few months of dedicated study (often with an emphasis on performance and musicality), but, in the end, I was able to perform it for a group in Steinway Hall in NYC. It was definitely a highlight of the year. Overall, I would say David is a good fit for folks who are serious about making progress and are ready to dedicate the time and effort it takes to advance on the instrument. His methods are a great accelerator and guidance for attacking a new piece - but, at the end of the day, there's no avoiding the need to practice, practice, practice! I found the structure to be incredibly motivating in terms of practice, and I look forward to sitting down at the piano everyday. He's also a good fit for folks who want to immediately start tackling more difficult pieces, rather than plodding through elementary learning books (which are rarely that compelling musically, particularly if you have an appreciation for more complex classical pieces). By focusing on a single piece and really breaking it down into small pieces, you may also develop a deeper appreciation for music as a whole.

Details: 26 - 44 years old • Yes, the student can read music • 2 - 4 yrs of formal training • Classical • Yes, the student has a keyboard • 60 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)

Piano Lessons
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David Chang