FAQ

piano lessons

At the center of learning piano is the daily time spent at the piano by all pianists. It becomes a normal part of any piano student’s day.

To aid and encourage piano students, many take lessons with experienced teachers and pianists.

I give lessons to students of all ages and abilities, from beginners young and old, to transfer students, to adults coming back to playing after a long break, to coaching advanced pianists.

Lessons are one hour long once a week. Extra sessions can be arranged.

For young learners I request two sessions a week, 30-45 minutes each for the first several years. Retaining interest and consistency is much easier for both the student and his/her parents, progress is markedly faster, and it is easier to minimize the tendency to work toward teacher approval, as is normal when teacher and student meet less frequently, and encourage the student’s own sense of accomplishment through daily practice.

My pedagogical background is in the Frances Clark method and I use the Frances Clark Library for PIano Students books up into early intermediate level. Her teaching philosophy is also mine: that playing an instrument, and especially one as comprehensive as the piano—can play all parts—is a way to express those things close to our hearts that are intimate and non-verbal, even before language. Music is expression; a musician expresses.

Therefore, my job is to provide the tools—efficient physical technique, help understanding the languages of music, especially those for which the piano was invented, encouragement to listen closely…and widely, and help developing the particular learning skills that best serve this work of learning a musical instrument, work that is mostly done, and most wonderfully done, alone. I know I’ve been successful as a teacher when my students know in their bones who the teacher really is.

There will be two recitals each season. One in January and one in May. All pianists will play, both students and me.

Summer lessons are available when I’m in town.

payment for services

I charge for lessons based on a rate of $75/hour. As a way to encourage more meetings, choosing two lessons a week (30, 45 or 60 min each) receives a 25% discount. Payments are based on semesters, fall and winter/spring. (Details: the number of lessons in each semester are added and the sum can be paid in full or in equal payments at the beginning of each month, so four payments in the fall and five payments in the winter/spring. There are usually 13-15 lessons in the fall and 18-21 lessons in the spring.) Payment can be made by cash, check or direct deposit (various cash apps on smartphones or a bank’s billpay.

Special arrangements may be available.

Location of lessons and lesson times

All lessons are in my studio in my home at 3212 18th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407. There is a ca. 1927 Steinway B that was restored in 2008 making a joyful noise in the wonderful acoustics of a 1921 all plaster Prairie-style bungalow. There is also a waiting room with wifi.

Regular lessons are on weekdays. Weekends are reserved for make ups and special situations. Lessons can be scheduled from 7am until 9:30pm

arranging for lessons

Please call, email, text to arrange a meeting. If you can play a little (or a lot), you can show me, and we can discuss how to proceed. Or we can just go over the possibilities.

Expectations of the students

The only way one learns to play the piano…is by playing the piano. The great guide is listening. This is not an intellectual project, though the intellect plays an important supporting role. Being a physical activity, learning piano is most like learning a sport—when one gets at it every day progress seems to appear all by itself. Of course the sounds themselves, the written score and learning to read it, and the fact that one is always sitting, distract from the basic physicality of playing the piano and can make learning to play seem harder than it really is. Yes, it is a sophisticated and subtle activity, but through daily practice this comes without hindrance, though never quite as quickly as any of us would like!

So the student is expected to get to the piano every day for a minimum of 20 minutes, but more effectively for about an hour. S/he is not expected to work hard, only to give everything a try, and then another.

Beyond that the student is expected to come to every lesson whether s/he feels prepared or not.

My Qualifications

I have been playing the piano since I was five and performing since I was seven. I received an M.M. (Master of Music) in 1982 and D.M.A. (Doctor of Musical Arts) in 1991 from the School of Music of Yale University. I studied in Paris for two years (1978-80) with Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen on an ITT Fellowship. During my touring career I gave lessons and master classes across the US and in England, Taiwan and China. I’ve also taught at the Music College in Chita, Russia. I opened my teaching studio in 2000 in Minneapolis and have taught private lessons since then. As a concert pianist I’ve performed across the US including Alaska and Hawaii, China and Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia, England, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic.

Contact information

Studio and mailing address: 3212 18th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407-2323

Phone and text: 612-822-9520

Email: tgd108@usiwireless.com

Any other questions?

Please contact me.