5 Minute Piano Lessons

Predicting the Future is Usually Dicey but I Do See the Trends

I’ve been teaching piano now fulltime since October of 1987. I began as most teachers do – traveling to my students’ homes. Later, I found space to teach at a local piano dealership. A few years ago I decided to limit my practice to adult and teenaged students. This year I’m focusing my attention to the Internet. I give you this history to convince you that I might just be able to see “the handwriting on the wall” regarding piano education. Continue reading “Six Big Changes in Piano Education Coming” »

The proper priorities regarding chords and fakebooks can save time and improve your playing

Note: This essay is taken from my ebook concerning Advanced Chord and Fakebook Use. I felt it too important to limit it to that source.

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of what I consider Advanced chord and fakebook usage, I want to urge you to keep your priorities straight as you study. These priorities are stated in this essay’s title, at least as I’ve found them in 40+ years of successful piano performance. I truly believe it will be very worth your time to consider my reasoning before you embark upon the study of the rest of this ebook. Continue reading “Melody and Rhythm are More Important than Harmony” »

Understanding one’s preferences regarding art is always difficult

I’ve boiled it down like this. Continue reading “Why Does a Pianist Like Certain Styles?” »

Who Decides What Is or Is NOT Music – and Why You Should Care

I teach piano to adults. They love many different kinds of piano playing from show tunes and ballads to the classics. One thing many of them say when the subject comes up is “Rap is not music.” Most are then surprised when I explain why they should change their opinion – for their own good. Continue reading “Is “Rap” Music?” »

Creativity Demands Freedom to Choose Your Own” Muse”

Have you ever wondered why the “great” pianists, city symphonies,  and many new recordings on CD seem to be re-hashing the wonderful works of dead composers? Have musicians gotten stupid or something? Or have they all become the victims of the pop music culture? Why is there little or no recent “great” music? If you have wondered these things, I may have some answers. Continue reading “Enjoyment/Enrichment – Each Pianist Decides What that Means” »

“Mastery” is a common piano goal

Just today I came up with a short, easy way to explain the experience of mastery to other pianists and piano students. Of course, the concept applies to lots of things other than the piano, but THIS is a piano website, so… Continue reading “Mastery of Piano Music – How to Recognize It” »

An easy, but highly interesting timing “trick” every pianist should understand and master

Few words seem more mysterious than “syncopation.” Most piano students are given syncopated pieces at some point  When these are presented, however, the pianist too often just plays what the composer or arranger has written. They can hear the interesting sounds and fascinating timing but don’t really understand how that sound and timing is produced. They are just following orders, so to speak. I’d like to explain syncopation in the way my adult students, both live and online, have found useful and successful. Funny thing, it has always been my observation that the adult who understands what they play does a better job at it than the adult who only follows orders. Continue reading ““Sycopation” Basics for Pianists” »

YOU and YOUR Goals are the Very Essence of My Approach to Piano Instruction

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about teaching piano to adult students it’s that they’re interested in different things and thus require different materials and different styles of teaching. Consider a few students from my current crop:

1. A student who loves classical music and wants to play it well.

2. A student who already knows classical but wants to learn pop and rock well.

3. a student who knows nothing about piano except she wants to play it.

4. The student that prefers the many sounds and features of her electronic keyboard to that of a simple piano.

Obviously (at least to me) one size does NOT fit all. Continue reading “Making Piano Music “For Your OWN Enjoyment”” »

A few basic instructions can make learning this music much more efficient

I presented in my previous post the basics of ragtime piano and said that understanding those basics was important to being able to play this music well.  I’m now going to use the concepts I presented earlier to help you teach your hands the “tricks” that make up ragtime. Continue reading “3 Tips for Learning Ragtime Piano” »

This fun style of piano music continues to interest piano learners

The music called ragtime was invented in the late 1800’s, fell out of public favor, but was revived with the movie The Sting way back in 1973. Piano teachers of the era (I was a student myself back then) were probably deluged with requests to learn to play the movie’s big theme song, composer  Scott Joplin’s ragtime masterpiece The Entertainer. Today, almost 40 years later, this style of music keeps the interest of piano students, quite a number of whom tell me learning to play it is one of their reasons for “taking up piano.”

Continue reading “Ragtime – Always a Favorite of Pianists” »

Some piano students make emotional trouble for themselves

Instead of focusing on the sheer enjoyment of making music which they love, they wonder if they are “doing it properly.” Similar concerns are too common as well. Such folks have been indoctrinated, often at a young age, that there is a right way and wrong way to make music. I’d say something different – that there is a way that makes the listener happy and a way that does not. By “listener” I include the pianist him/herself. Continue reading “Enjoying Playing and Practicing Piano” »

Learning to Use the Sustain Pedal is Crucial to Most Piano Music

When working with my best online student, I discovered I’d written a good essay about proper pedal work. I decided to reproduce it here in order to help others, as well as add some further instructions. Continue reading “The Basics of Pedaling for Piano Students” »

Piano improv is simply piano composing music done on the fly

The upside is that any mistakes are gone in an instant (unless you are so silly you call some attention to them.) The downside is that it requires some ability to play PLUS some measure of creativity. If your entire piano training has been “how to properly follow directions” then you are unused to exercising your own musical creativity. Perhaps some of this will help you “unleash the beast” of your “inner music monster!”

Continue reading “Nine Steps to Easy Jazz Piano Improv” »

Practicing Piano Scales is Most Worthwhile when Done Smartly

I don’t know why I was surprised when the site’s “analytics” (the statistics that tell me each week what folks have been interested in reading) told me that the “big draw” recently was practicing scales – something I only rarely assign to my piano students. This interest makes sense, however, considering that music teachers have been pushing scale practice for centuries. This is sad to me, because more time and attention is wasted on lousy and inefficient scale practice by aspiring hobbyist pianists than almost anything, other than lousy and inefficient practice routines in general. I’d like to set the record straight on this topic and hopefully save you readers time and frustration.

Continue reading “Scale Practice for the Amateur Pianist, Part One” »

Practicing Piano Scales is Most Worthwhile when Done Smartly

In Part One, I suggested you ask yourself three questions regarding piano scale practice:

“What will I, personally, get out of the effort that will help me play the music I want to play the way I want to play it?”

“If scales provide something I need, is there any other way to get the same skill/knowledge, perhaps in more enjoyable fashion?”

“Are all scales equally important?” meaning, “Which scales deserve the most attention?” and, “Are some scales not worth my time and effort?”

This essay deals with the first two questions, which are closely related.

Continue reading “Scale Practice for the Amateur Pianist, Part Two” »

Practicing Piano Scales is Most Worthwhile when Done Smartly

In this final essay regarding scales and scale practice, I’d like to answer the final (multi-part) question I posed in the first of these essays:

“Are all scales equally important?” meaning, “Which scales deserve the most attention?” and, “Are some scales not worth my time and effort?”

The simple answer to this question is “No” but such an answer doesn’t help much or even inspire much confidence in its correctness. Let me explain. Continue reading “Scale Practice for the Amateur Pianist, Part Three” »

Identify Your Confusion and Name it so You can Solve It

Some piano students find practicing piano, reading music, working on pieces “confusing.” At least, that’s the word they use at their lessons when trying to describe their problems. It’s a very broad, general word and, because it is so general, it’s almost impossible to “un-confuse” the student. If anything like this happens to you then read on, because I know a solution which will leave your path clear and obvious – and unconfused.

Continue reading “Are You “Confused” During Piano Practice?” »

This Popular Piano Style is Easy to Understand and Totally Fun to Play

The Blues is a chord progression, a “form” every bit as formal as “sonata-allegro” form for a symphony. Any person at all familiar with western popular music has encountered this form many, many time, usually without knowing that it was form that defined “blues.” That form is 12 measures long and goes like this: Continue reading “The Blues, a “Primer” for Piano Students” »

Ever Wonder Why So Little Attention is Given to Older Piano Learners?

This week I was reminded of the essential difference between the teacher focusing on young (5 -10 year-old) piano students and the piano instructor, such as myself, who specializes in teaching “the older learner.” Unfortunately, what I actually refer to is the different that OUGHT to be there but too frequently is NOT, resulting in unhappy and poorly functioning instruction.
Continue reading “Adult Students vs. Children – the VITAL Difference” »

How to NOT be Frustrated with piano playing and practicing

There isn’t a bigger enemy to the piano student and pianist than frustration – and nothing is easier to defeat, if you wish it. All you have to do is change your mind. The key element, I believe, is keeping things in perspective. What is playing piano to you, dear reader? Life and death? Your family’s life and death? Your survival? The key to your happiness? Naw, of course not. For almost all piano students, playing piano is a source of enrichment, fascination, enjoyment, etc. In short, it’s their favorite HOBBY!

Continue reading “PLAY the Piano, Don’t WORK the Piano” »

Recession, Boom, Doesn’t Matter – Learning to Play Piano as an Adult is Worth It!

(Note: I originally wrote this in 2008, a troubled time in the American economy.)

Well, here we are, in another recession. I think this is the fourth or fifth since I began teaching adult piano. We always come back stronger than ever and history proves this. I have a couple of piano students old enough to have endured The Great Depression. These adults laugh at all the recent hair-pulling. However,  things are NOT hearts and flowers financially. Continue reading “Adult Piano Lessons are Your Best Deal” »

The Psychology Behind a Common Problem of Adult Piano Students

As almost all adult piano students know, “nervousness” remains a constant problem. I thought I’d share with you the exact psychology that underlies adult lesson nervousness in the hopes that some of you will find a new tool to help you enjoy your lessons more. I know it frustrates you – my personal piano students tell me about it several times a week. Continue reading “Are You Nervous During Your Piano Lesson? – Part One” »

More Explanation of the Psychology of Nervousness and Possible Solutions

There is more you should understand about the psychology of your nervousness at your piano lesson. I’ve been teaching adult piano lessons for over two decades and during that time, I’ve seen countless examples of the following “cycle of fear”  in adult students: Continue reading “Are you Nervous During Your Piano Lesson? – Part Two” »

A Further “Cure” for this Common Problem of Adult Piano Students

Every adult piano student knows that nervousness during the piano lesson leads to a lack of enjoyment for lessons. I’d even wager that many pianists reading this little essay are here looking into online adult piano lessons because “live lessons” with a piano teacher is just scarier than they can stand. Allow me to present another in my series of possible “cures” for the nervousness so many student feel before, during, and after their piano lessons. Continue reading “Are you Nervous During Your Piano Lesson? – Part Three” »

What YOU can Do to Create Faster, Better, and More Enjoyable Lessons

Once you’ve found a good piano teacher, someone you trust, someone who understands you and your needs, then almost all the rest depends on YOU. The piano student is mainly in charge during a series of piano lessons, for the simple reason that most of your learning occurs during your regular piano practice. Sure, your instructor can tell you what to practice and how to best practice it, but only you can follow those directions. Learning to play piano is something you do without the teacher present. Thus, anything that helps you do that would also make your lessons faster, better, and more enjoyable – right? Continue reading “Change Your Mind, Change Your Piano Lessons” »

Those Who Have Had Piano Lessons Before Will Find This Interesting

The essays in this series provide my personal viewpoints. I’m going to repeat my reasoning for this at the beginning of each essay in the the series.

My experience as a piano teacher has brought me into contact with many folks who have had past piano lessons. Too often, such lessons were NOT a joy and too often the piano student ended up blaming themselves for this unpleasantness. Such piano students often do not take further piano training, even though they still want to play the piano. Even when they do, they bring much “baggage” to their new piano lessons which hinders their progress. I hope to change some minds and thus help more people learn to play piano for their own enjoyment and that of others. Continue reading “Evaluate YOUR Piano Lessons – Part One” »

Those Who Have Had Piano Lessons Before Will Find This Interesting

The essays in this series provide my personal viewpoints. I’m going to repeat my reasoning for this at the beginning of each essay in the the series.

My experience as a piano teacher has brought me into contact with many folks who have had past piano lessons. Too often, such lessons were NOT a joy and too often the piano student ended up blaming themselves for this unpleasantness. Such piano students often do not take further piano training, even though they still want to play the piano. Even when they do, they bring much “baggage” to their new piano lessons which hinders their progress. I hope to change some minds and thus help more people learn to play piano for their own enjoyment and that of others. Continue reading “Evaluate YOUR Piano Lessons – Part Two” »

Those Who Have Had Piano Lessons Before Will Find This Interesting

The essays in this series provide my personal viewpoints. I’m going to repeat my reasoning for this at the beginning of each essay in the the series.

My experience as a piano teacher has brought me into contact with many folks who have had past piano lessons. Too often, such lessons were NOT a joy and too often the piano student ended up blaming themselves for this unpleasantness. Such piano students often do not take further piano training, even though they still want to play the piano. Even when they do, they bring much “baggage” to their new piano lessons which hinders their progress. I hope to change some minds and thus help more people learn to play piano for their own enjoyment and that of others. Continue reading “Evaluate YOUR Piano Lessons – Part Three” »

Those Who Have Had Piano Lessons Before Will Find This Interesting

The essays in this series provide my personal viewpoints. I’m going to repeat my reasoning for this at the beginning of each essay in the the series.

My experience as a piano teacher has brought me into contact with many folks who have had past piano lessons. Too often, such lessons were NOT a joy and too often the piano student ended up blaming themselves for this unpleasantness. Such piano students often do not take further piano training, even though they still want to play the piano. Even when they do, they bring much “baggage” to their new piano lessons which hinders their progress. I hope to change some minds and thus help more people learn to play piano for their own enjoyment and that of others.. Continue reading “Evaluate YOUR Piano Lessons – Part Four” »

A Comparison of Live Adult Piano Instruction and Online Adult Piano Lessons

Adults all want to learn to play piano faster and have more fun doing it. Some adult piano students are beginners, perhaps folks who always wanted to play but never got around to it. Other adults are already  pianists but seek adult piano lessons to learn new styles of playing piano. Continue reading “Find the BEST Adult Piano Lessons” »

Get a Greater “Return on Investment” of Money, Time, Effort, and Hope

In order to increase ROI (“Return on Investment”) from your piano lessons, we first must start with describing what a piano teacher does for us. We can then proceed to figure out how to maximize these benefits while minimizing the amount of our investment. I know this is not the usual approach taken by piano teachers. Most teachers want you to practice more, spend more time and effort to get what you want. This is not only an admission of inefficiency but probably won’t happen with busy adult piano students. The time and effort simply isn’t there in their lives. Continue reading “How to Get More from Piano Lessons – Part One” »

Get a Greater “Return on Investment” of Money, Time, Effort, and Hope

In the last essay in this series, we set out to discover how we could get more value from our piano lessons. I used a business term “ROI – Return on Investment” to take the discussion out of the emotionally charged world of music My first points were defining the role of the piano teacher in order to maximize the value to you, the adult piano student, of that worthy individual. Continue reading “How to Get More From Piano Lessons – Part Two” »

Get a Greater “Return on Investment” of Money, Time, Effort, and Hope

The purpose of these essays is to “WIN (be successful) at piano lessons.” Of course, saying this means nothing unless we fully and carefully define what we mean by “success.” We could say that it means different things to different people, and to some degree this is true. However, for the vast majority of piano students, “success” means the ability to play various pieces of music they like in a reasonable manner after a reasonable amount of piano practice. Continue reading “How to Get More From Piano Lessons – Part Three” »

How to Overcome Your Fear of Piano Lessons

Do you have a creeping anxiety that comes on as lesson time draws near? Have you actually used those evil words during your piano lesson, “I played it so much better at home?” Many, maybe most, piano students suffer from this dread affliction to some degree. Some start lessons with an advanced case and some develop the infection as lessons go forward. Either way, a fear of piano lessons makes instruction less than joyful and something you tolerate rather than something you look forward to. Wouldn’t it be great to lose that fear? Continue reading ““I Played it So Much Better at Home”” »

Two Keys that the Adult Piano Student Taking Lessons Can Totally Control

One major key to success when taking adult piano lessons is opening your mouth! Yep, an open mouth with words coming out of it is more important than what you do with your hands and fingers, at least as far as having successful piano lessons. The reason is simple: if your piano teacher doesn’t know what’s happening with you, your teacher doesn’t know how to help you learn to play the piano properly. Continue reading “Make Your Adult Piano Lessons WORK” »