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Why GK Piano?

Breadth of Experience

 

     Many teachers may specialize in a single area, such as Classical or Jazz piano, for example. 

 

     However, with GK Piano, my goal is to say YES! regardless of your interest or personal goal.  While you can read about me and my experiences here, see below to see the wide range of topics and curricula that students of our studio have explored.

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Curriculum to Help You Reach Your Goals

 

Classical Piano

  • Exams: Certificate of Merit (CM), Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), ABRSM, and more

    • Students have completed up through the highest level in each exam system and with honors​

  • Competitions: US Open, US International Music Competition, CAPMT Honors Competition, and more

    • Including first-place prize winners!​

  • Concerti: Students have performed concerti, such as the Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2, in recital

  • Concert Repertoire: including Beethoven Sonatas, Chopin Etudes and Ballades, Liszt Concert Etudes, Schubert Impromptus, Gershwin, Kapustin, Brahms, Debussy, and much more!

  • Exploring local concerts to expand your listening

  • A visit to the SJSU Beethoven Center to play on historical instruments

  • Piano technique for fluency and physical freedom

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Jazz Piano

  • Utilizing resources by Jeremy Siskind

    • Jazz Piano Fundamentals (Books 1-3) for students​

    • Playing Solo Jazz Piano for emerging jazz piano professionals

  • Reharmonization Techniques by Randy Felts along with other books from Berklee Press

  • Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine

  • Jam to your own rhythm section using iRealPro

  • Exploring many resources and channels on YouTube along with listening to great jazz artists

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General Improvisation (for Classical, Pop, Worship, free flow, etc.)

  • Improv doesn't have to mean jazz! 

  • Utilizing resources by Forrest Kinney including Create First! and Pattern Play Series

  • Using a duet-to-solo approach to help you ease into it!

  • Working on not just the technical, but also the mental barriers to success -- help you create with confidence!

  • Use fun instruments like a kalimba, melodica, and otamatone!

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Arranging and Lead Sheets for Pop, Rock, Worship, Cover Artists

  • Learn to read lead sheets for more musical freedom

  • Use fake books of all levels and genres or find your own!

  • Learn to play with just lyrics and chord charts

  • Utilizing resources by Forrest Kinney including Puzzle Play and Chord Play Series

  • Also adding in general improv skills to spice up your arranging!

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Composition

  • Small or large: piano solos or full orchestral works

  • Free notation software like MuseScore or NoteFlight

  • Advanced notation software like Finale, Sibelius, and Dorico​

  • Publish your works on sites like Sheet Music Plus, SheetMusicDirect and MusicNotes 

  • Students have also placed in various competition competitions

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Electronic Music Production

  • Exploration through software like GarageBand

  • Advanced work through DAWs such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and FL Studio

  • Students have published tracks on streaming platforms

 

Sight Reading

  • Piano Marvel using MIDI connection

  • Sheet Music Direct PASS for unlimited access to today's music

  • Sight read lead sheets through fake books

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Music Theory (including AP Music Theory)

  • Combining traditional music theory textbooks with contemporary ones (including those written by YouTubers!)

    • Resources by Toby Rush, Nahre Sol, NiceChord, Adam Neely, Rick Beato, and more!​

  • I also prepare students for AP Music Theory exams, including the ear training and dictation

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Musicals & Movie Themes  |  Anime & Video Game Music

  • Explore how to make your own covers, especially when sheet music is difficult to come by

  • Explore how to play in a way that suits your skill level and comfort

  • If you sing, learn how to accompany yourself on piano while you sing!

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World Music

  • Explore how music of your own culture can fit into your current knowledge and skills of music

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Songwriting

  • Using your favorite artists, analyze both the lyric writing and songwriting and making melodies

  • Enter your finished lyrics and/or songs into song contests

  • Record your songs and have them published on streaming platforms!

  • If you are a singer-songwriter, learn how to sing and play the piano at the same time!

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Social Media / Artist Development

  • Start (or expand) your YouTube Channel!

  • Engage with audiences through social media platforms

  • Set up a website to promote yourself -- does not have to be just music, but something to include all things you are passionate about 

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New Perspectives

  • YouTube can be an excellent supplementary tool for so many topics -- check out a my current (and growing!) list of YouTube Music-Related Channels for learning

  • I always encourage students to see the big picture -- what is your relationship with music?  Music is powerful when it is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.  While we strive to create the best music we can, the process and journey are just as meaningful.

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