Introduction to your teacher

First let me say clearly: I am not really a piano teacher. I don’t have a degree in music. I do not even play all that well. But I have been playing piano for over 60 years. Maybe experience counts for something. Also, I have studied music all that time, and I play several instruments. (Bass guitar, guitar, alto, tenor, baritone sax, soprano and bass clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola, string bass, keyboard, all to varying degrees. But who’s counting?) I’m an engineer, and apply engineering practices to music. I’ve played in bands since high school. And I can teach. I once taught a young black man to rap. I once taught Arabic to a Muslim. Do I know either of those things? No. But I can teach.

Well, to be honest, what I can do is guide you in your learning. If you want to learn, if you are curious and willing to work, you will learn as a result of the time we spend together (and the time you spend with your instrument). I don’t have any magic. Playing a music instrument is emotional, intellectual, and physical. Pro athletes know you have to repeat your movements, skills, and exercises until they become second-nature body memories. In that respect, playing an instrument is a sport. Practice makes perfect.

No, no. Perfect practice makes perfect. Do it wrong over and over, and you get good at doing it wrong. So be careful to practice correctly so you develop good habits.

Slow and even is good. Fast and erratic is bad. It’s not about how many notes per minute you can play. It’s about playing smoothly and evenly. This will become quite obvious the first time you try to play along with anyone else.

My goal is to help you play whatever kind of music you want to play as well as you want to play it. I never intend to criticize or make you feel bad. I always want you to get better, and to feel good about yourself. I have been told that sometimes I am a little intense. You should feel free to let me know when I am coming on too strong. Remember, this is all about you. You learn at your pace. I just want to raise you up from where you are to where you want to be. Ask all the questions you want to ask. The only dumb question is the unasked one. And if I don’t explain it right or clearly the first time, ask again. No doubt someday you will play better than I do. And I’ll be your biggest fan!

Mike [;-}>