Common Queries

: Why do you include popular/ jazz pieces in the lessons?

A: Because they are relevant to the students. I believe that music study is more fun and enjoyable when the pieces are familiar, the motivation to practise increases. For the very beginners, I usually start with the pieces that are familiar, such as Disney pieces. Then I start including the pieces from the RCM list.

For the intermediate and advanced level students, there are also many benefits to add popular pieces to the lessons. I use popular pieces to explain the various chord progression and harmonies. This approach connects what they learned in Theory lessons into practice. It bridges the dry Theory study to actual playing.

For more advanced students, being able to play jazz pieces and understand jazz harmonies are especially practical. Rich harmonies used in jazz can enhance the students the ability to understand the harmonies of Romantic and Impressionistic pieces. Playing Jazz pieces also provide the opportunities to learn about the swing style.

Fortunately, they are many popular and pieces that are well graded and it is easier to choose pieces that are technically the right level for each student.

: Why is having a jazz lessons with you is better than learning off Youtube or learning from a different “ Jazz” teacher?

A: My background was classical and I started learning jazz during the last years of my doctorate of music in piano performance. As I was learning jazz in the jazz program at the University of North Texas, I realized that there are many challenges that classically trained pianists face. Improvisation is something most of the piano majors are not taught in university. So, even improvising in 12 bar blues can be challenging.

There are many excellent Youtube videos teaching jazz. But I found, for very beginners, learning jazz via Youtube videos can be confusing. The terminologies often vary from one instructors to the other and there is no feedback on your progress so it' if you are doing right.

It has been over 25 years since I started playing jazz, I have had to learn every step of the way as an adult. Because of this I have been able to build a successful approach that can guide a classically trained pianist through each step in a building block well sequenced curriculum.

Where do you hold your lessons?

Enter the answer to your question here. Be thoughtful with your answer, write clearly, and consider adding examples.

: Why do you include popular and jazz pieces in the lessons?

A: Because they are relevant to the students. I believe that music study is more fun and enjoyable when the pieces are familiar, the motivation to practice increases. For the very beginners, I usually start with the pieces that are familiar, such as Disney pieces. Then I start including the pieces from the RCM list.

For the intermediate and advanced level students, there are also many benefits to adding popular pieces to the lessons. I use popular pieces to explain various chord progression and harmonies. This approach connects what they learned in Theory lessons into practice. It bridges the dry Theory study to actual playing.

Fortunately, there are many popular pieces that are well-graded and it is easier to choose pieces that are technically the right level for each student.

: Why is having jazz lessons with you is better than learning off YouTube?

A: My background was classical and I started learning jazz during the last years of my doctorate of music in piano performance. As I was learning jazz in the jazz program at the University of North Texas, I realized that there are many challenges that classically trained pianists face. Improvisation is something most of the piano majors are not taught in the university. So, even improvising in 12 bar blues can be challenging.

There are many excellent Youtube videos teaching jazz. But I found, for beginners, learning jazz via Youtube videos can be confusing. The terminologies often vary from one instructor to the other and there is no feedback on your progress so it's hard to know if you are doing right.

It has been over 30 years since I started playing jazz, I have had to learn every step of the way as a classical pianist. Because of this, I have been able to build a successful approach that can guide a classically trained pianist through each step in a building block well sequenced curriculum.

: What are your core studies in the lessons?

A: There are 4 areas that I focus in order to build a solid musical foundation.

Technique: Some elements of piano study is a “ finger gymnastics”

Students need to have the solid technique (agility, speed, ability to play evenly/ smoothly, ability to vary the tone colours, etc.)

Reading skill: Very practical skill. Ability to sight read and learn pieces quickly.
Musicality: Beautiful tone qualities, phrasings, stylistic understanding.
Creativity: Ability to improvise and arrange existing music.

: What is the prerequisite for the jazz piano?

A: Written jazz pieces are included in the lessons starting RCM Grade 3 level. Students are introduced to swing 8th feel at this level.

For the jazz piano lessons, I recommend students have at least RCM Grade 8 level skills.

: How much do we need to practice piano?

A: It depends on age and level. Also, it is the QUALITY of the practice time not the QUANTITY that matters. It is important that each practice is PRODUCTIVE.

That being said, the recommended minimum practice times are as follows.

Up to RCM Grade 3 level 30 min a day 2hrs - 3 hrs a week.

RCM Grade 4 to Grade 7 45 min a day 4hrs - 5 hrs a week.

RCM Grade 8 to Grade 10 1 hr a day 5hrs - 7hrs a week

ARCT 2 hr a day 14hrs and more a week