A while back I got chastised for being too negative about musicians I see at the summer concerts. That was the best thing that could have happened to me. He was right. The musicians, in my opinion, ARE subpar, but.....I spend too much time complaining about their “subpar-ness!:

His remarks prompted me to focus and work on becoming a better keyboard player instead of “moaning and groaning” about the world around me.

So, my two choices were.....work on learning the PA3x, or work on improving my piano skills, and then.....work on the PA3x.

So I backed off everything except music in some form.....even neglecting getting my car repaired or sometimes brushing my teeth even. Even the Internet except for studying Youtube keyboard tutorials.

And, at the same time, I called a brilliant pianist/teacher I met a few years ago and started lessons with him. Expensive but worth every penny. Been at it a few months now. My God, the stuff he’s teaching me. How a jazz musician plays, chord substitution, altered chords, extended chords, suspensions, open chords, runs, improvisation, 11ths, 13th’s, etc. It doesn’t stop there. How to practice effectively for maximum results. Practice should be multi-sessions of half dozen short ones daily instead of one long practice session. How to listen to pre-recorded music, note by note, to learn how other instrumentalists “ride” and emulate what they’re doing (I slowed down Santana’s Smooth and figured out he’s only playing variations on scales). and so much more.

I consider myself a good player, but I’m amazed nowadays at how much I DIDN'T know about the in’s and out’s of making music. That was the best thing I ever did.....start piano lessons. I highly recommend it. Not only educational but really rejuvenating learning new chords structures, putting them together.....just plain playing differently for a change! Really refreshing. I wish I did it years ago.

Thanks for sharing Mark. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you, and what section of the US do you live? In my experience, many teachers won't take adults because it's more difficult to make grown-ups unlearn their bad habits, than it is to teach children as novices.

I hear you. I'm a "senior" living in the Northeast.

This is why I never took piano lessons. Couldn't find a competant teacher. My case though was unusual. I was already advanced on the accordion. Teachers didn't know how to teach an advanced accordionist but a beginner pianist. Add to that, most teachers take the easy route....kids. When I met this fellow years ago, he impressed me so much I kept his number all these years. I was so happy to find he's still around. A really fine pianist and a great teacher.

This might help. In the end (back then) I had to teach myself. I bought many books on how to play the piano but nothing clicked until I bought this book and read it repeatedly from front to back.

"How to Play the Piano Despite Years of Lessons"



AMAZON: How to play the piano despite years of lessons

I still have my original book!!!

Here’s another great resource for piano study that I am using

https://m.youtube.com/user/pianocareer

Mark, you have inspired to go back and start piano lessons again, thanks.

You wrote:
My God, the stuff he’s teaching me. How a jazz musician plays, chord substitution, altered chords, extended chords, suspensions, open chords, runs, improvisation, 11ths, 13th’s, etc. It doesn’t stop there. How to practice effectively for maximum results. Practice should be multi-sessions of half dozen short ones daily instead of one long practice session. How to listen to pre-recorded music, note by note, to learn how other instrumentalists “ride” and emulate what they’re doing (I slowed down Santana’s Smooth and figured out he’s only playing variations on scales). and so much more.

Mark, I have tried to bring that subject to SynthZone with no response. You have brought methods of improving one’s ability to play music – and the fantastic story of what can be done with chords.
Mark this is one of the best posts for improving self that I read, thank you.

John C.

yes, piano teachers are invaluable

I startd piano lessons about 5 years ago, because the need to improve my left hand technique..
I made huge improvements, but still haven't cougth up to my right hand by a decade or two..

But indeed the most you learn is by discussing music.. and diving deeper in techniques and theory
Altough there is a huge amount of youtubers on the internet that teach these parts of the playing..

I'm a beginner jazz pianist. Most of my visual training comes from YouTube but sometimes it's really hard to find what you're looking for. I might just get me a real teacher this year.

Well.........Bill Lewis gave my piano lessons the "coup de grace." I might add thankfully!

Yes, piano lessons WERE the best thing I could have done...it really woke me up. But Bill mentioned something that kind of sobered me up. It was something like: "jazz piano with it's substitutions, altered chords, etc will not make you any more money or get you more jobs." I thought how right he was. I stopped my lessons. I was having fun playing around with the notes, but.....there's only so much time. It needs to be spent productively. Studying jazz piano is not productive unless you're looking to be a headliner!

But......fun while it lasted!

What I would give if I could return to my teen years when playing a piano would have been such a treat. Unfortunately, it was not in the cards financially and all of us had to work after my Dad died. After retiring, I was introduced to Arranger Keyboards by a talented friend and my creative juices were re-ignited.

You are 100% correct about the value of experiencing a great Piano teacher. No, I've not had the pleasure... but watching a Jazz or Classical Performer in action... and realizing the complete joy they experience... is so inspiring. Au Contraire... my friend Mark. Studying jazz piano is not a waste of time. It enhances your appreciation of those who go on to excel at improvisational jazz and provide us with such treasures.

Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective.