Musical Summer 2023

Online Musical Summer Program Intensive (July-August 2023) of Playing Piano by Chords and by Ear

Musical Summer 2023 is is appropriate for anyone who has a basic familiarity with the piano keyboard - note reading is not required! - and also wants to
learn to play by chords and play with style in a short period of time!
Yes, you can learn to play by chords in just two months!

Registration link:

I value versatile musicianship. While classical training helps build discipline and expression, playing by chords/ear expands the repertoire that we can play effectively and quickly. Understanding the practical music theory behind playing by chords also develops sight reading and music sense that will in turn strengthen classical training.

Here's a sample, fun medley I did awhile back:

https://youtu.be/q4bAhmb4e08

We will be exploring this topic by utilizing our technologies to facilitate in-depth instruction, coupled with dynamic, frequent, interactive and group learning.
Classes will run from July 6 through August 29.

Program Outline

Song List. Students will individually create a list of songs they'd personally like to learn by chords/ear this summer, and aim to learn one song/segment per week. Our Song List Submissions will happen the week prior to the first day of class (can be changed at any time)

We will meet TWICE each week in LIVE ONLINE GROUP CLASSES:

Technique Classes on Tuesday mornings at 9am or 10am PST
Repertoire/Song Classes on Thursday mornings at 9am or 10am PST
Each class will last 45 minutes, for a total of 90+ minutes of live instruction each week.

Our Tuesday Technique Classes will introduce new technical and kinesthetic skills each week, and we will practice them together, and set out a plan for practicing these simple skills on our own daily and memorizing them, as we begin incorporating these skills into our individual songs each week when we meet for our Thursday Repertoire/Song Classes. The Technique skills will generally build on each other week to week, to enable us to employ various strategies to playing by chords with style.

At our Thursday Repertoire/Song Classes, students will rehearse what their individual songs sound like using these practiced skills and learn from each other.  Seeing how other students incorporate these skills to figure out their songs, can inform and teach each student how s/he can do the same, or do things differently. There is tremendous learning potential from peers in this forum and method, where we are applying similar skills and strategies to learn different songs, and thereby enrich our own playing! Students may be grouped by ability.

Video Exchanges and Feedback all week. In addition, students will also Exchange Videos of their own songs and progress with me throughout the week via the Marco Polo app, so that I can help with their ongoing progress and answer any questions. This way, students can receive additional feedback and idea exchanges with me throughout the week.

Recorded classes available for viewing.  Because it is summer, I am assuming students may miss a few classes, so I will record all of our group classes so that students who miss any are able to view the recording and practice on their own, if they choose to. Or, they can skip that week and catch up as they go along.

Tuition. Summer 2023 tuition for the two months of July-August is $800

Register here:

Frequent and Interactive

By connecting frequently, I will be able to provide ongoing instruction and help students master new kinesthetic skills specific to this topic, and learn new songs quickly. Compared to classical pieces which require months for mastery, learning and playing by chords can happen quickly if students practice specific skills and apply them to new songs each week, with guidance.

Interactive. Students are able to not only learn from me, but learn from one another, as we practice the same skills but apply them to our various, individual songs. Seeing is believing! And having a front row seat to others' learning can inspire our own learning and development to new heights.

Students will require a piano/keyboard with a laptop/iPad for this summer course.

Program Summary & Registration

Musical Summer Program: Playing by Chords Intensive

Program Dates:
July 6 thru August 29
Tuesday Technique Group Class
9am or 10am PST (45 minutes)
Thursday Repertoire/Song Class
9am or 10am PST (45 minutes)
Video Exchanges throughout the week for additional feedback and ideas exchanges with me
Program Goal:
By the end of summer, students should be proficient in knowing how to play any song they like by chords, using various techniques and strategies to play with style!

Registrations
Registration will open on June 6th using this link:

Class registrations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.