Private Piano Lessons with Mary Guess
I offer private piano lessons in my home for ages 4-adult. Lessons are generally once a week, for 30min. to an hour depending on the student's needs. I teach classical music, sightreading, and theory, as well as other genres, music history, improvisation, accompanying, and composition. I also teach sacred music (from hymn playing to contemporary Christian worship music) upon request. For adult students, recitals and competitions are optional. Otherwise, all of my students are strongly encouraged to participate in a recital at the end of each semester. There are many additional competition, performance and ensemble opportunities in the Fort Worth area for students who are interested. I am a member of the Music Teacher's National Association on a national, state, and local level. My students have access to our many and varied opportunities for performance, testing, and education.
Note: I am unfortunately not accepting additional students at this time. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list please fill out a Contact form.
I use the Piano Adventures method by Faber/Faber for my younger students, and the Faber Adult All-In-One course for adult students. I also supplement theory, sightreading, and performance music with other sources. I have my own curriculum for improvisation, sacred and otherwise, and the basic chord theory to go along with it. I encourage all students to participate in the selection of their music.
My approach to teaching centers around building a solid set of basic skills, and then branching out into more virtuosic repertoire. These skills include, but are not limited to, sightreading, improvisation, technique, and basic musical interpretation. I prefer to steer clear of reliance on finger numbers and hand positions in reading notes, choosing instead to emphasize a thorough knowledge of the staves and the ability to read intervals, as well as individual lines and spaces. One of my favorite parts of music teaching is watching my students grow into creative skills, such as composition. I love it when my students write beautiful music and we get to share in their artistry together! I also love introducing students to great music and great composers. I will teach pop pieces from time to time, and I really do love jazz and ragtime, but nothing will ever replace the classical piano literature for me.
I realize that statistically, few of my students will go on to play piano professionally. However, all students benefit from a solid foundation in basic skills and repertoire, no matter their goals. I would prefer the student's inclination to set the limits on their extent of pianistic study, not their instruction. I believe that excellence and thoroughness is essential in any serious study. And- we have fun! I love laughing with my students, and I love their delight when they accomplish their goals.
Note: I am unfortunately not accepting additional students at this time. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list please fill out a Contact form.
I use the Piano Adventures method by Faber/Faber for my younger students, and the Faber Adult All-In-One course for adult students. I also supplement theory, sightreading, and performance music with other sources. I have my own curriculum for improvisation, sacred and otherwise, and the basic chord theory to go along with it. I encourage all students to participate in the selection of their music.
My approach to teaching centers around building a solid set of basic skills, and then branching out into more virtuosic repertoire. These skills include, but are not limited to, sightreading, improvisation, technique, and basic musical interpretation. I prefer to steer clear of reliance on finger numbers and hand positions in reading notes, choosing instead to emphasize a thorough knowledge of the staves and the ability to read intervals, as well as individual lines and spaces. One of my favorite parts of music teaching is watching my students grow into creative skills, such as composition. I love it when my students write beautiful music and we get to share in their artistry together! I also love introducing students to great music and great composers. I will teach pop pieces from time to time, and I really do love jazz and ragtime, but nothing will ever replace the classical piano literature for me.
I realize that statistically, few of my students will go on to play piano professionally. However, all students benefit from a solid foundation in basic skills and repertoire, no matter their goals. I would prefer the student's inclination to set the limits on their extent of pianistic study, not their instruction. I believe that excellence and thoroughness is essential in any serious study. And- we have fun! I love laughing with my students, and I love their delight when they accomplish their goals.