The Piano Accelerator Program
A piano course for adults who want to learn more than what notes to play.
If you're struggling to learn piano, it's not because you are too old or lack talent!
Despite months or even years of trying, you're still finding learning new pieces slow and frustrating.
- music reading is slow
- you're unsure of where to place your fingers
- you can't get both hands coordinated
- you're not able to play without stopping and starting
- the pieces just don't sound "right" or expressive
It's not your fault!
You've tried method books, apps, and other courses, but they either present too much information at once, or they gloss over concepts
You're left feeling overwhelmed or confused and still having the same problems with piano playing.
You love piano and you don't want to give up on your dream, but if you don't start experiencing success soon, you will quit.
What most adult piano learners need is a step-by-step program that incrementally introduces new concepts that are fully explained.Adults don't want to just memorize where to place their fingers. They don't want shortcuts. They want to understand the music, so they can look at a piece of sheet music and be able to translate that through their fingers and play something beautiful.
The reality is that you're not progressing because you're not learning the music theory that helps you understand and effectively practice the pieces.
Unfortunately, most courses and apps don't include music theory beyond basic notes and rhythms, and most private piano lessons are too short to include theory instruction. OR, they become costlier because incorporating theory requires longer or additional lessons.
This is why I created The Piano Accelerator Program.
Go from having no experience to playing early intermediate classical pieces in just 24 lessons!
Only $397.00 when paid in full
24 lessons, 6 months of access to a live teacher, 12 months access to video and content, free downloadable PDFs of all sheet music
What my students have accomplished in The Piano Accelerator Program!
Jane D.
Jane quit piano three times before joining The Piano Accelerator Program. She tried a piano course once and private lessons twice. Despite playing flute in school, she couldn't figure out the bass clef or how to get her hands coordinated. After just six weeks in The Piano Accelerator Program, she was able to read the bass clef and play with both hands. After one year, she is playing early intermediate classical pieces!
Michael R.
When Michael started The Piano Accelerator Program, he wasn't too far along in his musical journey. He was brand new to piano and didn't know how to read music. He had watched a few videos on YouTube but found they didn't answer his questions. In just nine months after beginning the program, he branched out and began learning music that wasn't inside the program. He was confident enough to look at a sheet of music and try it out on his own!
Deb E.
Deb had years of private piano lessons, but she felt like she wasn't making progress despite her practice efforts. When she joined The Piano Accelerator Program, she started at the very beginning, even though she already knew how to read music some. One of her first comments to me was, "Now I understand rhythm. The note values were never fully explained to me!"
Hi, I'm Heather. I am a pianist and composer who has been teaching piano and theory to children and adults for over thirty years.
One thing I have noticed about adult learners if that they don't want to just be told what to do or how to play. They want to understand the underlying structure of music. As a composer, that's my specialty. I don't just teach songs. I teach music.
So, in my Piano Accelerator program, you will learn the theory concepts that will not only help you learn songs faster, but you will be able to apply this knowledge to any new song you want to learn.
My goal is to help you become a confident player, and I know I can get you there!
My compositions have been performed throughout the United States, and I am currently an adjunct professor of music theory and aural skills at Appalachian State University. If you'd like to know more about me, you can visit my website, www.heatherniemisavage.com.
What's Inside the Piano Accelerator Program?
The Piano Accelerator Program combines video instruction with access to a real, live teacher.
So, it's the best of both worlds! Learn at your own pace with videos you can rewatch anytime at your convenience. Have access to a live teacher through weekly group sessions so you are never left to learn on your own!
- 24 lessons across four phases that take you from a level of no-experience-necessary to playing early intermediate classical pieces
- A variety of pieces at every level that carefully progress through concepts and techniques
- Downloadable PDFs of sheet music for every song, including over seventy original pieces I composed for the program and many arrangements of familiar folk songs, hymns, Christmas tunes and more!
- Instructional videos that teach all the theory concepts needed to play the songs included
- Demonstration videos that teach you how to play every song
- Six months' access to weekly online live group sessions, aka "office hours," where you can get specific help when you feel stuck
- One year of access to the videos and lessons
1.
Foundation
- Proper posture at the piano to prevent injury and maximize comfort and stability while playing
- Basic rhythm & meter
- Note reading in Bass & Treble Clefs
- Playing simple melodies
2.
Stack Skills
- Playing both hands at the same time
- Harmony and intervals
- Musical movement
- Playing expressively (dynamics, tempo and articulation)
3.
Expanding Technique
- Pieces with a larger range
- Longer pieces using "musical roadmap signs"
- Block and broken chords
4.
Fluency
- Advanced rhythm and meter
- Crossing Fingers
- Alberti Bass Line
- Using the Pedal
Here's how The Piano Accelerator Program compares to other options:
Private Lessons
- Most expensive option (Minimum average of $150 per month for four 30 minute lessons)
- Thirty minute is an insufficient time to cover both technique and theory
- You only learn enough to get through songs OR
- Your progress is slowed because it takes twice the time (and cost) to cover more concepts
- Most teachers require you to travel to them, costing you time, money and convenience
- Most do not offer recordings of lessons you can rewatch
- Most use standard method books that gloss over concepts
- Most method books offer only 1-2 pieces per concept, and you may not enjoy them
- Most do not include sheet music in tuition fees
Piano App (e.g. Simply Piano)
- Least expensive option
- Convenient
- Teaches songs, not music
- Playing along with a ticker does not help you develop an internal sense of time
- PDFs of sheet music are not included
- You don't learn how to play with expression
- You won't learn theory beyond basic note reading
- There is no teacher you can ask for help when you get stuck
- No one is checking your posture, hand shape or technique to prevent bad habits and injury
- The highest level of achievement is not equal to an early-intermediate classical level
The Piano Accelerator Program
- The best of both worlds
- All the instruction of private lessons, with more convenience and lower cost
- Watch videos in the comfort of your home at a time that works best for you
- Theory and technique are covered in depth
- Progress is sped up because you learn theory and technique together
- Progress is sped up because you can move on to the next lesson when you're ready, instead of waiting to see your teacher
- Cost is lowered because covering theory and technique does not require additional or longer private lessons
- Downloadable and printable PDFs of all songs are included
- 24 Lessons cover material equal to 2-3 average method books, but with far depth and many more songs to choose from
- Access to a real teacher via weekly online office hours and email
- You are learning on your own time, but not on your own
You can see immediate improvement in your piano playing today!
Go from having no experience to playing early intermediate classical pieces in just 24 lessons!
24 Lessons that include both technique and theory - $2,400*
6 months' access to weekly group sessions - $750
Time saved traveling to 24 weekly lessons - $600
Savings on gas driving to 24 weekly lessons - $100
Downloadable PDFs of over 100 pieces included - $100
Downloadable PDFs of Theory Worksheets - $50
Progressing through lessons at your own speed - Priceless
*includes 12 months' access to content
Total Value : $4,000
for
Only $397.00
when paid in full
less than the average cost of one semester of group piano class at a community college, after tuition and fees!
If you knew you could not fail, would you try?
Don't let another day go by on achieving your dream of playing the piano!
Try The Piano Accelerator Program risk-free! If you aren't satisfied with your progress in 60 days, get your money back, no questions asked.
Join and pay in full and receive six (6) months of membership inside The Music Hub for FREE (a $450 value) after The Piano Accelerator Program ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have experience playing piano or know how to read music?
NO. This program assumes no prior knowledge and starts right at the very beginning.
What if I already have some piano experience?
This program is designed for pianists who have not yet reached an early-intermediate level. If you have already had some experience with piano but need a refresher on basics, this program will be a great fit! You may find the earliest lessons a bit easy, but they may also help you fill in gaps of knowledge. You can always look through the lesson topics to find your best starting point. And, if you find this program is just not right for your needs, you can always ask for a refund within 60 days.
Do I need to have a piano?
Yes, you need to have regular access to a piano or a keyboard with full-size, weighted keys to practice on in order to see progress. If you don't know what to get, contact me here.
How soon will I get good at piano?
This is a complicated question because everyone's definition of "good" is different, and this also depends on prior experience, age, and other factors. You may also find some lessons easy and others more challenging. You will likely be able to start playing hands together in about 6-8 weeks. But every person progresses at their own speed.
Am I too old to learn piano?
What does this question even mean? Are you too old to become a concert pianist? Maybe. Are you too old to try something new and make yourself happy by pursuing a lifelong dream? Are you too old to have fun or challenge your mind? Are you too old to successfully play songs you enjoy? Absolutely not!
Why is learning music theory so important?
Music theory starts with note reading, but it is much more than that. It teaches you the structure of the music so you can recognize patterns and shapes which occur over and over again in different pieces. As they become familiar, this makes learning new pieces easier. You will be able to break down pieces into small, practicable bits so you're less overwhelmed. Understanding the structure of music can also help you play more expressively as you know what notes to bring out. If you're interested in writing your own music, it will help with that, too!
What happens if I finish all the lessons before the 6 months of weekly group sessions have ended?
First of all, that means you are on a ROLL and progressing very quickly! Congratulations! If you finish all the lessons before the 6 months weekly sessions have ended, you have two options. The first is that I can open up all the modules in The Music Hub to you for the remainder of the time, and you can explore the pieces and lessons in those modules while attending group sessions. OR, you can explore some pieces on your own, outside of what is in the program, and ask questions during the weekly sessions.
What happens if I don't complete all the lessons before the 6 months of weekly group sessions have ended?
If you don't finish all 24 lessons before the 6 months weekly group sessions have ended, no worries! You have two options. First, you can easily enroll in a monthly membership in The Music Hub to continue to have access to me, live teaching, and direct personal feedback via video submission. The second option is to continue to work through the lessons on your own. You have 12 months' access to the videos and material in The Piano Accelerator Program.
What happens after The Piano Accelerator Program has ended? Do I then have to find a teacher if I want to continue piano?
Once you finish The Piano Accelerator Program, you will have the option to continue working with me through membership in The Music Hub. Inside, there are many more modules with additional lessons in a variety of musical genres. You will continue to have access to weekly live "office hours," in addition to the opportunity to get private individualized feedback through the video submission portal. There is also an option for online private lessons.
