Learn to Play Pop music on Piano
Increasingly students wish to play a favourite song or piece of music which isn’t available in sheet music. There are music books and you can find sheet music online but often these pieces are either too hard or simplistic. Another problem is that the people who arrange these songs for piano solo try to put all aspects of the song (vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass) into one arrangement which results in a disjointed version. It is possible to find youtube tutorials of other songs, but these versions are only as good as the people who make them and are often too hard for a beginner.
I take the songs you would like to play and split them into harmony and melody. I can write them in ‘cheat music’ rather than sheet music and will show you how to play it and record it on your smartphone if you wish. From here you can learn the simple version and then how to elaborate on it by using a series of increasingly advanced left hand techniques.
Once you’ve learnt these techniques you can adapt them to use on other songs, meaning once you have learnt the technique for one one song you will be able to use the same methods on future songs. I also show people how playing by ear works, beginning with the melody and progressing to the harmony and basslines. Please see my youtube link to Silent Night versions.
Lessons from home
With these unprecedented times I have introduced virtual piano lessons using the platform of your choosing. Hold a lesson from home over Zoom, Skype, Whatsapp or Facetime. Homework is sent following lessons and I’ll send you video recordings of pieces and techniques to you practice between lessons.
I teach from a dedicated room at our home near Luddenden / Wainstalls. I have a Knight upright piano and a Roland electric piano for those who prefer it. Prices start from £15 per half hour with your first lesson free.
I have a Knight upright piano and a Roland electric piano for those who prefer it. Prices start from £15 per half hour with your first lesson free.
I have studied piano since childhood, mostly classical but a few lessons in blues and jazz from my music teacher at school. After passing grade 8 I went to Leeds University where I graduated with a BAhons in Classical Music Studies. Since university I have continued to have lessons and achieved the DipABRSM and LRSM diplomas in Classical Piano. You can find out more about my skills and experience in the “Piano lessons” section.
For pleasure I play jazz, blues and pop music. Before lessons I learnt to play by ear with help from my dad. This helps when understanding students who have also learnt to play without structured lessons or those who do not wish to learn to read at all.