Use Analogies to Grasp Key Concepts

Creativity and Expressiveness - examples from a child’s lesson

“Listen to the musical line   What do you hear?”

Anyone can just “press” a key …

– Let’s learn to really make music and be an artist!   

“Monsters!  Fast monsters, slow monsters – kids can always play a monster.  It’s a confident sound, a steady marching sound.”

-  Learning control creates steady rhythms.

“Make a sound like a bunny.  It’s a round, gentle, fluffy sound.  Keep your fingers curved (don’t poke the bunny).  Try a baby bunny – so quiet, peaceful, rock-a-bye.”

  - Learning balance creates beauty.

“Let’s play a beautiful rainbow – starting soft, growing louder, becoming soft again – Oh, so peaceful and glorious”

-  Learning to shape phrases creates artistry.

“It’s a soccer song – feel the energy, focus to hit that ball, run fast but stay in control, loud voices, it’s a wonderful, fun day!” 

- Learning to make the sound fit the mood creates the story.

“The fairies have landed – hear their wings sparkle?  Hear their wings flutter?  No – not monster wings!  Little fairy wings beating quickly in the warm sunshine.  The warmth and love come from your heart.  Let it out into your music.”

-  Learning to musically express emotions brings joy.

Music Notation - It’s A New Language

Music notation includes the staff, clefs, note values, rhythm, dynamic markings, touch markings, Italian expressions that make up music.  It is a language in and of itself.

It’s how we share our music with others …

It’s how we pass music down through the generations …

- Learn to read and write it!

Develop Grit - Passion Meets Perseverance

It’s more than just having fun.   Passion plus great coaching equals success. The combination or rigor, grit and passion develops real self-confidence.  You can truly be proud of yourself!  You’ve earned it!!

- Learn how to practice effectively and efficiently.

Music From All Genres - Explore It!

Discover the world of music – classical, popular, jazz/blues, folk music, kids’ favorites, ragtime, holiday music, patriotic music, songs from other nations, etc. 

- Lessons are customized for each student based on their interests, goals and learning styles. You get a well-rounded musical education.

Adult Lessons - You Can Do This!

Many adults desire to fulfill a lifelong dream of learning to play the piano.  Some are brand new to piano, others regret having quit lessons as a child (btw – it probably wasn’t your fault that you quit!) 

Learning a new skill like piano can be great for your brain health.  The physical and mental challenges of learning an instrument have been proven to increase neuroplasticity.   Plus, it’s really fun! 

- I have a great quick start program for adults. Come for a trial lesson and see how easy it can be!

Recitals - Look At What I Can Do!

Why Piano Before Other Instruments?

Piano is THE best place to begin learning music.

Start with piano then branch out to other instruments with ease.  The piano keyboard’s layout is fundamental in learning how to read music, understand harmony and grasp music theory.   The keyboard shows the whole picture.  Notes in bass clef and treble clef are visually laid out in a way that makes sense.  You can easily see and understand how music notation works as you look at this big picture.  You learn to read and write the language of music. 

Learning another instrument is easy once you have piano skills.  Instruments like violin, cello, flute, trumpet or oboe require you to think harder about how to make a sound.  Having already learned the language of music, you can focus on sound production.   

Piano skills are so important that music conservatories require piano literacy for all music performance majors – whether it’s trombone, clarinet, violin or percussion!  Every college music student has a piano class requirement.