Piano Lessons for Portland, OR

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man. Sing us a song tonight Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody And you’ve got us feelin’ alright If you’ve ever visited a piano bar, you may understand what Billy Joel is singing about in his legendary song, “Piano Man”. For a piano man, sheet music is not always part of the equation. Lounge patrons often call out the names of songs they would like to hear, and the pianist is expected to quickly comply and keep the patrons happy and in

Love to play the piano, but want to take a break from scales and Hanon exercises for a bit? Here are some ideas from New Paltz, NY teacher Cheryl E...   It happens to all of us: we get in ruts. Whether you're bored with your practicing routine or your repertoire, we've all been there. But instead of giving up on playing the piano, take action! Here are 10 fun ways to spice up your playing. 1. Put your own spin on it! Try taking a straight song and swing it. Here’s a great example of

Is your child struggling to stay focused when they're practicing the piano? That's normal--it just means it might be time to add something new to the routine! Get some great ideas for music games for kids in this guest post by Santa Cruz, CA teacher John S... Did you know that kids can learn to play the piano at a young age? It’s true! In fact, there are many benefits to learning to play music. Not only does it help with hand-eye coordination and math skills, but it also helps with focus

Computers and technology have changed the way we get news and information, communicate with friends and family, and even learn new skills. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano, today there are more options available to achieve your goal than ever before. There are hundreds of free piano lesson videos available online, websites dedicated to providing tips, tricks, and private lessons, online games that teach music theory, and sites offering sheet music for any song you can ima

No matter how much you love playing the piano, it can also drive you crazy! Can you relate to these common piano problems? 1. When you're practicing and you need to turn the page. Someone please invent a way to turn the page without having to stop playing! Luckily, if you own an iPad, a music app like forScore can help organize your music and turn the pages while you play. 2. When your fingers won't listen to you. Sometimes you know in your head exactly what you need to do t

Are you looking for a new digital metronome app for the piano? Below, we'll list the 10 best digital metronome apps for expert and beginner piano players. Metronomes are great for developing a strong internal beat and testing yourself on how accurately you play music. Traditional metronomes, however, can be bulky and a pain to carry around. Luckily, there are digital metronome apps that you can download right onto your smartphone or tablet. Digital metronome apps provide many benefits

No two piano students are the same. As a teacher, it's important to take a unique approach to teaching different age groups. Below, piano teacher Rhonda B. shares some helpful tips on how to teach piano to every age group... Imagine a department store where every item of women’s clothing is labeled size small. The store’s designer has decided on a certain ideal, and that’s what’s offered. If you don’t like it, you’re obviously ignorant of good taste. As silly as this seems,

Happy National Piano Month! To celebrate this September, why not spend some time making some easy art projects for kids that will add some pizazz to your music room? Crafting together is a great way to bond with your kids and get them interested in learning more about making music on the piano. It's a win-win! Origami Piano For even more fun, try using decorative folding paper with interesting patterns and colors! Finger Puppets Kids love making fun finger puppets, and these

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to buy your first piano. Buying a piano can seem overwhelming, but knowing what to look for and which questions to ask can make this once-in-a-lifetime purchase an incredibly exciting experience! Where Do You Start? Before you even begin your research, consider the following: • What is your budget? • How much space do you have in your home - is a piano reasonable or should you purchase a keyboard instead? For your first piano, do som

Playing fast is cool. Audiences love to see fingers flying fast over the keys, effortlessly and in perfect control (or even out-of-control!) It provides a sense of exhilaration and danger, and taps into our love of exhibition and speed. The pianist themselves also enjoy playing fast, as the effort and exercise is satisfying once grasped. But despite the love of playing fast, the practice and journey to gain this ability is actually very much slow practice. There is a famous story of a co