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Piano
Lessons in Portland Oregon
Fun
& Relaxed Piano &
Keyboard Lessons
Children
& Adults • Beginners
Welcome
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• A
Rewarding and Profound Musical
Experience
•
An
Avenue for Self-Expression
•
Creativity, Individuality, and Achievement
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The
Right
Piano Teacher, Portland Oregon
Finding the right piano teacher is
essential.
A piano teacher should be a good listener, design every lesson to
accommodate the progress of each student, and make sure students are
comfortable with the pace. The piano instructor should create a
supportive, relaxed learning environment. Students should feel free to
ask questions, be inquisitive, and express themselves. Creativity and
individuality are encouraged. Many of my new students arrive without
any piano background, and this is perfect When we start piano or
keyboard lessons from the beginning, we can cover everything that the
student needs in a relaxed time frame. Each aspect of playing piano
will be covered. I begin students as young as 4, and have had students
in their 80's begin lessons as well. Any age is a great age to begin
piano lessons or keyboard lessons.
There is
a considerable difference in piano studios in Portland Oregon.
Some piano studios do group piano lessons. While this might be useful
for children under 4, kids really need the personal attention of
private piano lessons. I never do group lessons. All piano classes are
one on one. Private, individual lessons result in learning rates so
much faster than group lessons.
Learn how to play piano with private lessons. It is simply a much more
effective way to learn to play.
Some
teachers
present lessons as if we are still in the 17th century. Not here!
Students will find a modern, effective, and fun teaching
environment. Many studios in Portland are owned by corporations, and
farm the students on to different piano teachers. Look for a teacher
who runs his own business and his own studio.
The easiest way to get started is to
jump right in. Call and
set up the first
month of lessons. You'll quickly get a sense of the process of learning to play piano. Or
you can call to schedule a
time to come down to the piano studio to meet me. We can then discuss
your,
or your child's specific interests in music. I'll show you
how I
teach piano and keyboard and answer questions you have. A lesson
can be 1/2 or 1 hour each week.
Call me at 503-253-7222
to make an appointment.
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Piano
Lessons or
Keyboard Lessons
Many
people own keyboards instead of pianos. A
keyboard can be
a fine substitute for a piano. Learning is the
same on a piano or keyboard. Probably half my students own pianos, the
other half keyboards. If you don't yet own an instrument, I can make
some useful recommendations.
By
blending
traditional materials with modern teaching
methods, my
lessons
explore a
global music perspective: European
Classical, American Blues,
Jazz & Gospel,
Modern Pop, New
Age, Rock, World Music, and Folk Songs from
around the
world. When you learn to play piano or keyboard,
in addition to your playing skills, you
will gain a
knowledge of all aspects of music.
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Inspiration
& Creativity
A
private piano
lesson provides a unique and
personal experience.
I
primarily teach
beginning and intermediate students and
encourage
creativity and individual expression.
Students will learn when they are
inspired by playing
music they enjoy. As a result, students stay
motivated,
and
seek out new
challenges.
A piano studio should be a place where inspiration and imagination create an adventure. Lessons
should be fun and students should feel a sense of accomplishment.
I do not hold piano recitals. Students are free to decide how best they
can express their skill: playing music with some friends or family,
performing at school or a talent show, or composing an original piece
of music and making a recording and CD. The lessons are for the each
student.
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Fun
& Enjoyable Learning
Learning
to play piano should be
a captivating
adventure.
Over the years, teaching piano has rewarded me with chance to get to
know many wonderful people. I am always intrigued by the way each
student takes on the challenge of learning to play piano. Every student
brings a unique personality to the lessons. Individual interests make
the lessons fresh and new, and new skills follow. Curiosity about all
things musical makes piano a continual learning experience. I have one
rule; have fun. This makes all the difference in learning to play the
piano.
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Learning To Play Piano
Can Seem Like A Mystery
...This
Is How We Unravel The
Mystery
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Reading Music

Music
reading skills are fundamental to
playing piano. There
is so much
wonderful music from
all over the globe.
Students can choose
from a wide variety
musical styles: Classical,
Popular, Blues,
Jazz,
Gospel, New
Age, Contemporary,
Rock, World, Ethnic and Folk music.
You
can play pieces from many composers; Bach,
Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Scott Joplin, Ellington,
Brubek, T.Monk, Enya, Billy
Joel, Beatles, and dozens of other composers. Each
student can progress at
their own comfortable
rate, and will quickly acquire
proficiency
playing.
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Playing By Ear

Many
students wish to be
able to play by
ear, either to
figure out songs without
the need
for sheet
music, to learn how
to improvise, or
simply because it's
fun. Some students
are interested in
learning to
accompany themselves when
singing, or learn
how to play Blues
and
jam with friends.
Students will learn
the way musicians
do. Ear training,
and music theory is
used to develop
the ability to hear
notes and be able
to play them.
Melodies and chord
voicings are studied
to see how songs
are created and
assembled. We can create
our own
arrangements, alter sheet music
to accommodate our
playing style,
or transpose a piece
into a different key.
We also learn about
rhythms and how they
contribute to
various styles and genres
of music.
Understanding how music is
put together creates
a strong sense
of musicianship.
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Song Writing

Songwriting
develops creativity and
original
thinking.
Students at any skill
level are encouraged
to work on
original music.
Starting with the basics,
we
explore the
fundamentals of songwriting
by writing simple
melodies and putting
them together with
chords. We can play
the song on the
studio keyboard, and
with
notation software & computer,
print
a
score.
This helps students
easily understand
how notation works.
As a songwriter
myself, I especially enjoy
working with
students who wish to try it.
If we want to record
the music, we can
make it a simple
piano piece,
or expand it one
instrument at a
time until we have
an entire orchestral
score. It's a great
feeling to compose a
piece of music and
have a printed score
or CD at the
completion.
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Every
student is unique. In addition
to
traditional piano study, here are
some things for students
to make
their experience special:
•
Learn
To Play
Blues
• Learn
How To
Accompany Singing
• Study
How To
Play By Ear
• Arrange
A
Song And Print Out The Score
• Compose And
Record A CD
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Children have
natural musical
ability
and
delight in playing the piano.
The key is to
make music a part
of their world.Learning
to play piano
develops
physical
coordination, and visual,
aural, timing and
language skills.
A typical
lesson
begins at the piano
where we work
on
reading music.
We may then
move on to
arrange or
record a song,
learn a
special piece,
or write an
original
tune. Younger students
might make a
recording from “The Lion King”
building an
arrangement with sounds of piano,
bass, drums,
and marimba. Students feel
a grand sense
of accomplishment when
they take home
a CD and printed score of
a song they've
recorded themselves.
A variety of
learning material will engage
a student,
make the lessons fun,
and inspire
him to continue.
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Adults often
find,
that by the time they
have decided to
play the piano, they
have been thinking
about
it for years,
perhaps decades.Many
of my
adult students
start beginner
piano lessons
with no
prior instruction. Beginning
piano lessons
is the first step.
A patient
teacher, and
private piano lessons,
will
give each
adult
the attention they need
to accomplish
what they want.
Adults
find
that a comfortable and
casual
environment is ideal when
learning to
play piano. Students are
introduced to
songs that are stimulating
and inspiring,
and as the mysteries of
music are
unraveled, they rapidly master
the basics.
Most students enjoy exploring
several
different musical directions.
The
lessons
are yours, and you may
decide how you
want to use your time.
Here are a few
things that adult
typically work
on: beautiful
classical
music, contemporary popular
music, Blues
improvisation,
jazz tunes,
theory and harmony.
If you like to
sings, learn how to
use chords to
accompany your voice.
Or
listen to a
track
from a film score,
and see how
the different instruments
fit together
to create a special mood.
Perhaps, you
would
like to try composing
some music, be
it a simple piano piece,
or something
more complex.
The learning
process can be fun and a
rewarding
personal experience.
Students
are
encouraged to help
choose
the direction of their own piano
lessons and
create musical some goals.
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My piano
studio is
a great environment in which to
learn
music. Private lessons
afford each
student maximum attention.
Classes are
held at a relaxed pace.
There are two
acoustic pianos, a keyboard
and computer.
Through the use of modern
teaching
methods, students can easily visualize musical
ideas
that evade traditional methods. In addition,
students can make the connection
between music we play at
the studio,
and how professionals evolve
this
into recording on CD, film,
and
television. Parking is
conveniently
provided, there is a
large waiting
room, and a coffee shop just
down the
block.
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Norm
Zarr |
Norm
Zarr has
been a piano teacher
since 1978. He studied
and received his
degree in New York
City. As founder of
a Digital Horizons
Corp, he pioneered
early development of
music education and
professional music
& midi software products.
His background in music education, composing,
and technology has given
him an extensive
understanding of the requirements for
successful music education.
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Norm
Zarr
has been
awarded two Platinum
Records,
and has performed
professionally. As a composer
& song writer, he has
worked on film
scores,
and
television music. Most
recently, his music has appeared on:
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Norm
Zarr |
5 0 3 . 2 5 3 . 7 2
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