Blues Piano Lessons in Portland
I teach Blues Piano lessons and other keyboard styles here in Portland, Oregon. Many beginners, long time pianists, musicians, self taught adults, and kids enjoy learning how to improvise. I love teaching Blues simply because it’s so much fun to play. It’s rewarding to watch students learn improvisation and stylize it their own special way.

Students derive a great sense of fulfillment from playing Blues Piano. Learning to play piano it is not a mystery, but something anyone can do. You just need a simple, effective method that’s presented clearly. Blues is a blast. I can’t think of anything more fun to play on the piano or keyboard.

Why Blues Piano?
Blues Piano will revitalize anyone’s playing with a refreshing new and unmistakable sound. It’s a fabulous way to expand your playing skills, learn to play by ear and become fluent on the keyboard. Students acquiring a basic understanding experience a new sense of freedom and ease. You’ll gain knowledge about music and discover a new way to express yourself.

Playing Blues Is Just Plain Fun
There’s no music to read, it’s relaxing, spontaneous, and imaginative. It frees you to be creative in a new way, and is a terrific way to improve your keyboard skills and develop your ear. As you play, you’ll discover the joy of moving your fingers without having to read music. Experimental, and with an outcome not always known until it happens, it’s pure musical freedom. Incredible fun for adults and children.

What is the Blues?
Blues is a uniquely American music although it has its roots in Africa. It’s improvisational, full of soul and possibilities. It’s an entirely different feel than reading music.

Twelve bar patterns repeat, expanding on what came before. There’s a distinct chord progression and an improvised melody. While Blues on guitar is generally slow and melancholy, on piano, it’s lively and vibrant, a swirl of imagination and beautiful textures.

There are many great styles of Blues Piano, Straight Ahead, New Orleans, Walking Bass, Ragtime, and Stride. And of course you can accompany other instruments or a singer with these cool formats. Beginners or more advanced students will find lots of interesting ways of putting it all together. In modern blues variations, it sounds a lot like Jazz. Though there are numerous ways to play Blues, it usually adheres to a 12 measure format with a series of dominant 7th chords.

Improvisation has influenced music for decades, and internationally loved and appreciated. Some popular players are: Oscar Peterson, Abdullah Ibrahim, Otis Spann, Dr. John, Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons, Professor Longhair, Barrelhouse Chuck. Constantly evolving through the years, Blues Piano music continues to excite, delight and captivate.

Sharing Music
From my experience as a piano teacher, I’ve had the pleasure to pass along the tradition of sharing music. Every student I work with is unique, and comes to lessons with a different musical background. I continue to learn ways of making music accessible to each of my students to provide them joy through the years.

I teach with a fresh, modern approach, and make lessons personal and responsive to each student. Jamming with friends or with family is fun and a great way to connect with people, but just playing for yourself and appreciating your new skill feels great.

Blues Lessons
Learning Blues Piano is a hands on experience. One-to-one training is effective, and the way to go. The way I teach has been developed over years, and I’ve taught hundreds of students to play. My approach is simple and straightforward. Students learn best when they are relaxed at the studio. Everything you need to master the basic form of Blues is presented in an easy to understand sequence.

It begins with a twelve bar Blues patterns in your left hand along with right hand melodies. I’ll teach you the necessary steps to begin improvising exciting tunes.

After a short time practicing the basics, you’ll be playing your very first original song. We’ll also learn some music theory. Lessons are presented to each student at a comfortable pace. 

Those who are just starting piano or already play will enjoy the freedom of playing without music.  If you’ve tried jazz piano, and found it too difficult, you’ll find that Blues Piano is much easier to learn.

If you like, we can also work on reading music, playing by ear, chords, voicings, melodies, rhythms, accompanying your singing, arranging, and songwriting. Each student is a unique individual, so the lessons will go where your interests are.

Your Lessons
Individual, private lessons make the most effective use of time. Classes are held at a comfortable, relaxed pace. Lessons can be 1/2 or 1 hour.