PIANO & KEYBOARD LESSONS. IN DENVER, COLORADO.
MAKE MUSIC YOU LOVE ON THE PIANO RIGHT AWAY.
I offer beginner, intermediate and advanced piano and keyboard lessons for kids and adults. Instruction is geared towards your specific interests and tastes, and I teach you how to play songs you love.
I focus on teaching piano in a modern, accessible style of playing verses a classical methodology. Think of it like learning folk or rock songs on guitar verses the steep learning curve of staff notation and technique that goes into playing classical music. That being said, if you desire, I can get you started with music reading, theory and classical too.
Piano was my first instrument. I was fortunate to have a family friend let me play her beautiful Yamaha baby grand. I was deeply intrigued by the sound, and taught myself how to play chords and to improvise. I soon bought an Ensoniq keyboard and started writing 80's electronic-ish pop music. And later, I learned more formally, and started college with piano as my primary instrument.
I strive to make your piano learning experience fun, engaging and fulfilling. And get you playing music that you love as soon as possible. You can read a lot more about how I teach on the Lessons Overview & Teaching Philosophy page.
A student, Tami, playing the bass.
John has been teaching my 12 year-old son since he was 8. Under John's tutelage, my son became skilled enough to enter Denver School of the Arts as a guitar major. More than just the skills he taught, John kept my son engaged and nurtured in him the passion for music that took him where he is now.
~ Bill U. - Petroleum Landman ~
PIANO SPECIFIC THINGS YOU'LL LEARN
- PIANO CHORDS: Easy chords for starting songs, piano chord construction & advanced chord technique
- RHYTHM: Starting with easier. Moving to more complex. And then more improvisational.
- LEFT & RIGHT HAND TECHNIQUE: Lots of ways to use both hands for variety musical options.
- PIANO TECHNIQUE: The ins and outs of piano, finger dexterity and scales as needed.
- PIANO SOLOING: Learn to improvise on the piano. It's much easier than you might think. And a lot of fun.
LESSON SPECIFICS FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS
Instruments I teach: acoustic & electric guitar | piano & keyboard | bass guitar | ukulele + singing~voice~vocal
- YOU PICK THE SONGS: We learn the songs you want with guidance from me to help you learn progressively.
- YOU PICK THE STYLES: We learn the styles you like. Folk, rock, blues, pop, country, soul, heavy, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, world, starter jazz, starter classical and anything else.
- EASY, ACCESSIBLE MUSIC READING: We use simple, low-learning-curve forms of written music, instrument technique and memory-based learning. You'll be playing music you like right away.
- MUSICIANSHIP SKILLS: We learn the ins and outs of "musical intelligence" and playing with clear intention.
- CREATIVE PLAYING: We learn various tips and tricks to bring creativity, connection and semi-improvisational skills to your playing.
- SINGING & PLAYING: It's much easier than you think. And even if voice isn't your focus, though it's not required, I encourage everyone to sing as makes your practice and playing experience more engaging.
- USEFUL PRACTICE EXERCISES: Rather than focus on busy-work and unhelpful systems, we use only practical, directly applicable practice exercises and methods to improve musicianship skills and dexterity.
- USEFUL MUSIC THEORY: We explore practical, relevant-to-you music theory/mechanics that will expand your skills and musicianship.
- COACHING & PRACTICE STRATEGIES: We make sure you are on a clear path to reach your goals and have effective strategies to get there.
- BLUES (OPTIONAL): Blues is the foundation of a lot of modern music, and we can explore the ins and outs of soloing and/or accompanying.
- IMPROVISATION (OPTIONAL): We can more deeply delve into improv for both soloing and accompaniment.
- JAMMING (OPTIONAL): We can focus tips, strategies and theory to play confidently, creatively and improvisationally with other people.
- SONGWRITING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you the tools, tips and theory to write your own songs. I also teaching songwriting in small groups: songwriting (in person & online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
- RECORDING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you techniques and practices to start or improve your home recordings. I also teaching recording in small groups: home studio recording (online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
- OPEN MIC & PERFORMANCE (OPTIONAL): I can help you with your goal to do open mics as well as enhancing your live performance abilities.
- AUDITION PREP (OPTIONAL): We can greatly improv your chances of a successful audition for a musical, a band or a music school. I've helped several students reach those goals.
- VOICE TIPS (OPTIONAL): I also teach robust, practical singing~voice~vocal technique, and if you want to improve your voice along with your instrument, we can go whatever depth works for you.
- COMPLEX MUSIC READING (OPTIONAL): We can learn to read standard staff notation and sight reading.
- WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO LEARN: I can help you learn whatever else you'd like to learn.
» MORE ABOUT LESSONS & TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
» REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS
» LESSON PRICES, STUDIO LOCATION & TEACHING HOURS
» SCHEDULE A FREE INTRO LESSON
I have been working with John for almost a year now and have seen my progression with guitar, piano, and voice. He allows you to choose your journey and makes it possible with any background. Putting everything together is such a wonderful feeling.
~ Paul R. - Physician ~
A student, Sherry, playing piano & singing.