Jerry G.

I love to teach keyboards of all kinds, particularly piano, but also organ, harpsichord, and various synthesizer versions of each.  I've performed in public since age 4, and was church organist at age 12; now I'm 65 and mostly retired, so you can see I have lots of experience! My first college degree was a Bachelor of Fine Arts with two majors, in Piano, and in Music Education. I have taught public school music, and given private lessons in homes, churches, schools, and colleges. I had my own studio/store for 10 years in Ohio, but was called to ministry.  I spent 50 years on an organ bench, have sung in several professional-level choruses, and also played piano in Big Band, Country, and Rock N' Roll Bands, as well as Praise Bands for churches. Income was also boosted, at various times, by performing solo for private parties, hotels, nursing homes, and so forth.

They tell me I'm very patient and truly like people.  Several of my former students are now teachers themselves!

Students take piano lessons for many reasons (some of which are their parent's reasons). As a trained educator, I start out finding what the student knows about music and what his or her goals are.  Then I devise a plan involving the physical aspect (muscle use), the  eye/hand coordination aspect, the listening aspect, the intellectual aspect (theory), and the creative aspect (composition). I ask parents to purchase whatever tools seem most appropriate for the particular student and goals (always one-at a time purchases, and I use whatever they already have as much as possible). I ask parents of children to listen but not watch until I ask them to; at the end of each lesson I go over with the parent what is needed between then and the next lesson (I find the most successful students are those whose parents understand what is needed and help the student achieve his or her goal).  I leave behind a list of things to be rehearsed.

I think children should be at least 4 before starting, and 7 is the BEST time to start. Adults, however, are better students, because they really want to learn and have more time for practice.  I especially welcome Senior Citizens.

The bottom line is that learning is student-centered and needs-centered.

Sacred from Organum to Rock, including Gospel and Bach.
Pop, country

Nelsonville (Ohio) HS - College Prep - 1956-1960
Ohio University - Music Education/Piano - 1960-1964
Kent State U - Library Science - 1965-66

music, Piano, organ, harpsichord - expert level
most others - beginner only