Lessons
The Freedom to Create
Composition and Improvisation Without the B.S.
Our goal is to enable you to play what you hear, to write your own pieces, to relax and create on the piano.
At its essence music improv and composition is just moving shapes around. And identifying the shapes that work together to create the sounds that you like. That’s it. It’s usually called “music theory”.
It’s meant to be a shortcut, a time-saver, a doorway to creativity.
Knowing theory gives you access to the sounds that work for you out of the infinite number of possibilities that would otherwise paralyze your brain with too many options.
But the way it’s almost always taught is all wrong. It’s not that hard!
My Method
After studying theory in high school, followed by two years as an undergrad, followed by grad school, it was still mostly a mystery, something you learned to pass a test. But when I got out into the real world and started playing from lead sheets with nothing but a bare melody and some chord symbols to work with, it all fell into place. I thought, “it’s not rocket science. Why didn’t they just (expletive deleted) say so?”
I like to cut to the chase. No outdated methods from centuries past like “figured bass” that
no longer serve our needs. No verbiage that no one uses in everyday music-making. Instead,
elegant, functional tricks used by session musicians and professional players to communicate what they’re doing to each other and to organize things as quickly and simply as possible.
Do I Need to Read Music?
I’ll introduce that gradually if there’s interest, with the intent that it will become second nature, not a chore. Reading music is an incredible skill that opens up worlds, but it can also be a hindrance to the freedom to play extemporaneously that you’ll have to overcome. Many great musicians can’t read (a former winner of the Van Cliburn international piano competition is actually blind). Don’t beat yourself up. It will come if you’re interested.
What styles?
Jazz, classical, folk, blues, Irish, country, African American gospel, or your own style you’ve made up.
Do You Teach Physical Technique?
Yes. Playing should feel like a massage to your hands, something pleasurable. I’m influenced by Tobias Matthay, Dorothy Taubman, and the Russian school of relaxed playing. To see how that looks when I do it, I suggest the ‘Video:Classical‘ link on the right.
Teaching background
Please see the ‘About‘ tab above.
Rate: $110/lesson, prorated for younger students that do best with shorter lessons. Lessons run an hour to an hour and a half, and I don’t expect them to be every week. In that regard, they’re more like coaching sessions. I load you up with things to try and you call when you’re ready for more.
For appointments, please contact:
ron.newman@gmail.com
505-204-8255
