It is normal to be nervous to participate in coaching. So, let me put your mind at ease. 

Coaching is easy-going and fun. Students on the coaching session are really helpful and supportive of one another. If a student wasn't, they would get booted off the session by me.

I've never had to remove a student from coaching. Everyone is supportive!

If you're nervous to begin coaching, try joining a session and just watch the first few times to get a feel for the session.

Remember, you do not need to share your camera or audio during the session if you don't want to. Sometimes students join in while doing other things so they turn off their camera and just watch and listen to the session.

Having worked with hundreds of students in coaching, I have the unique perspective of being able to see just how much online, real time coaching helps students to improve their playing.

Group Coaching is held most Thursdays* and is the place for HomeSchoolPiano members to ask for advice on their playing. During coaching, students submit a video of their playing via chat.

Am I at the right level for coaching?

• You can be at ANY level to join in on coaching. I answer all questions, whether beginner or advanced. You'll always learn something new and get new ideas, even if the person I'm working with at the moment is above/below your playing level.

How do I submit my video for feedback?

• It is suggested that you upload your video to YouTube and mark it as either 'public' or 'unlisted'. Private videos can only be viewed by you. How to upload to YouTube.
• After your video is on Youtube, you then share your video link in the chat area of Zoom.

Video submission details:

• You are welcomed to play anything you are currently working on, have mastered, or you're looking for feedback on. This can be a lesson, an arrangement of yours, some improvising, a song you've learned elsewhere, any of the lessons on the Jazzedge site, etc...
• Your playing does not need to be perfect! Some students prefer to wait until they have a piece down well before submitting, while others will submit videos of their ongoing process, mistakes and all. Either is fine and is left up to the student to decide.
• Submitted videos should be 2 minutes or less. Due to the time of watching the video live and getting my feedback, I need submitted videos to be 2 min or less please!
• Videos can not be submitted ahead of time and should be submitted via the chat window in Zoom during the coaching session.

Is there a replay of coaching?

• Yes! Every coaching session is recorded and put in the Live Training section of the Community Forum.

Do I need to join every session? What happens if I miss a session?

• LOL, this isn't like school. No attendance is taken and coaching, while structured, is also very loose and fun.
• You are not require to come to ANY coaching, office hours or live training sessions.
• Alternatively, you can also come to ALL coaching, office hours and training sessions if you wish.
• No other site (that I've seen) offers this level of live interaction with the main teacher ("The Guy") where you can get 1-on-1 feedback. If you miss a session, you can always catch the replay in the Community Forum.

*schedule subject to change, please always check the calendar for updated dates and times.

I want to welcome you to HomeSchoolPiano.

A common question I get almost daily is "Where do I start?" Sometimes students write in and tell me their piano history and ask which lessons would be best for them to take and in what order.

HomeSchoolPiano has been designed to be extremely user friendly, and the program is structured as such:

Levels - there are 3 levels, sometimes referred to as "books"
Units - each unit contains 6 lessons
Lessons - are broken down into technique, rhythm, music reading, songs, improvisation and bonus sections
Quizzes - are at the end of each unit and passing the quiz earns you a certificate of completion

Every week I hold my Group Coaching sessions where you and other students can share their playing in a supportive environment and I give feedback and suggestions.

Coaching is really the best way for me to suggest a course of practice for you. If you prefer a more private, 1-on-1 setting, I do offer private lessons.

See you in the lessons!

I want to welcome you to HomeSchoolPiano. The lessons are broken into 4 courses: CorePiano and Levels 1, 2, and 3.

In these lessons you'll learn fun songs that will teach you how to read music, improve your ear, learn chords, rhythm, improvisation and even how to arrange and compose your own music.

While you'll learn a bunch of fun songs (listen to some on our main HomeSchoolPiano page) the focus of the site is to teach you not only how to play the piano, but how to tap into your creativity and unleash the musician inside.

Be patient. It takes most students a couple of years to complete HomeSchoolPiano. If you get stuck, join me each week in coaching and I'll be happy to help!

To get started, I would suggest:

1. Watch the orientation video to the right
2. Start with CorePiano if you are new to the piano, if not,
3. Jump into Level 1 (Download the music then click on Unit 1)
4. Join in on Coaching to get feedback on your playing, meet other students and ask your questions!
5. Join the HomeSchoolPiano Facebook Group and Youtube channel

The following PDF file is a great summary of what you'll learn in each book and unit.

• Download HomeSchoolPiano Unit Summaries (PDF)