Shocking News for Piano Students: Note Reading Not the Best Way to Learn Piano?

March 11, 2012 - PRLog -- So many piano students would love to be able to just sit down at the piano and play without having to read sheet music. At least, that’s according to pianist/composer Edward Weiss.

Weiss, owner and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons believes anyone can play the piano. And he does it all without note reading.

Weiss explains…

“Most piano students assume they must learn how to read music before they attempt anything creative. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I encourage students to speak the language of music first through chords before learning how to read it.”

This ‘backwards’ approach isn’t really backwards at all according to this teacher. When asked why he teaches piano this way, Weiss says:

“We learn our native language first by speaking it. This is a normal and natural thing. Why not music? Note reading should be the last thing taught. As students become more and more comfortable with ‘speaking the language’ of music, the need to play what other’s have written and produced decreases.”

The workbook Weiss provides with his online course includes chord diagrams, charts, and the introduction of a special chord position known as ‘open position.’ The open position chord structure enables students to use both hands right away to create music with.

Here’s what this ‘New Age’ piano teacher has to say about it…

“The open position chord gives students a modern sound right away. Most piano teachers start students off with the humble triad. And while triads are still used, they aren’t very modern sounding. By starting with this unique chord structure, students are able to quickly express themselves in a modern musical language.”

Weiss is currently offering a free piano lesson at his website called 'Summer Morning.' It promises to show the beginning student how to improvise with both hands right away. Find the lesson at http://www.NewAgePianoLessons.com