Another teaching method - gospel

[dave brum]

Not having touched my piano for over four months, I was this week offered a free taster lesson by this guy from Brum:

www.novalsmith.com

He uses British and American Gospel rather than traditional methods, and sight reading is near the bottom of the list. Because he concentrates on the enjoyment factor rather than the rudimentary stuff, his approach interests me greatly.

I know Markymark plays gospel and other Black music in his church, and I was wondering what he thinks about learning that way, if he's looking at this?

[Gill the Piano]

Doesn't matter; if it works for you, go for it! And ignore sightreading - just do the bits you think relevant to you.
I'm glad you're back...I was starting to worry about my erstwhile Welsh teacher!

[markymark]

I know Markymark plays gospel and other Black music in his church, and I was wondering what he thinks about learning that way, if he's looking at this?

I've never heard of him but I noticed that his DVD has just come out this July.
Dave, to be honest, these sort of DVDs are very commonly found on youtube. There is also Rocket Piano, Yoke Wong to mention two and they provide free lesson examples.

Dani Rhodes from the Expert Village channel on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-3YvF2Fns
This one is quite good too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg9PUFbHqgI
Yoke Wong has some free lessons on Youtube too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bB8-fFuyZU

Try those out and see what you think.

[dave brum]

Had my free lesson with Noval. He's young and so full of vim and vigour and brims with love for the music he plays and teaches. His approach couldn't be different from the one I'm used to, he's also a songwriter and he does a lot of what I call 'jamming', so he knows about chord relations. He had me playing 'Hero' by Mariah Carey in half an hour!

I'd happily recommend him to any parent struggling to get their kids to do their piano practise. He does charge £35 for an hours lesson and I'm sure I'd enjoy every minute I'd spend with Noval as I did the other day, however my heart seems to be in conflict with my bank balance yet again, which means a definite no. But his DVD is worth saving up for though.

[Gill the Piano]

£35 an hour is actually quite reasonable...keep putting your small change in a pot and it'll soon tot up! So glad you've found a method you can 'click' with!

[dave brum]

I do hope so Gill, the interest will never go away but as far as learning the bloody thing goes that's a different ball game. I'm looking for Barenboim, all I'm getting is Meldrew.