Mike
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Alternative Piano Lessons: Learn by ear and have fun!

I teach Piano in a fun, laid-back and casual way, always structuring my lessons around the students' needs and tastes. Please note: I specifically do not teach piano with notations or scores of any sort.

My method of teaching is based on playing by ear, with emphasis on the music and the joy in playing it, rather than the theory. Notation is great and theory is important - I studied these myself; however, I have found that learning an instrument by ear is a far deeper, enjoyable and progressive way to get to know your instrument. I also place importance on technique and memorization, again tailoring these to the needs and wishes of the student. My methods have proven very successful and I'm confident your playing will improve quickly!

I teach both children and adults, teenagers and grandparents :-)

Maybe you already play, but would like some help improving your improvisational skills? Or perhaps you are a complete beginner and just want to find out, if this instrument is for you? Get in touch!

Some background to my instruments:

Piano: I initially taught myself the piano and took lessons later on. My main or favourite styles on the piano are: Blues & Boogie Woogie, Traditional Jazz, Rock n' Roll, Pop and Soul. I love many forms of Classical music as well.

Guitar: I taught myself guitar as a kid and play both acoustic and electric. My favourite styles on the guitar are, on the one hand, heavy Rock, Metal and Punk, and on the other gentle Jazz, Blues and ballads :-)

Drums: this became my main gigging instrument between '10 and '20. I mostly focus on funky grooves, hard Rock or Metal, Pop, Jazz, Swing; some rudiments, lots of grooves :-)

Extra information

Feel free to bring me any material, songs, or ideas you would like to practice and learn

Location

At student's location: Around Zurich, Switzerland

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General info

suitcase iconSkills:
Acoustic, Blues, Classical, Country & bluegrass, Electric, Folk, Funk, Heavy metal, Indie & alternative, Jazz, Pop, Punk, Rnb, Rock, Song & varieties
Age:
Children (7-12 years old)
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level:
Beginner
Intermediate
Duration:
60 minutes
The class is taught in:English, German

About Me

I'm Mike, a Swedish musician born and raised in Zurich, specializing in Piano, Guitar and Drums. I have been playing the piano and the guitar from an early age and started teaching back in 2000. Between 2008 and 2020 I lived in Brighton, UK, where I played in countless Rock, Pop, Jazz and Metal bands, mostly as a drummer. I started teaching drums in 2018.

I completed my IB (Gymnasium) music programme in '98 and my BA diploma in Music from Roehampton University in 2002; however, my strength is as a self-taught musician, learning and teaching by ear - I do not use any notes! - and encouraging the student to hear and feel the music. This is a wonderful and very progressive way to learn, it boosts creativity and helps you apply your skills to all kinds of music. My lessons have proven to be very successful and lots of fun, both for kids and adults, complete beginners or those who wish to further their interpretative skills.

I have been back in Switzerland since 2020 and quickly established my teaching project, "Alternative Piano, Guitar and Drum Lessons" . Aside from that, I run a musical theatre project for children with my partner ("SongCamp"), play as a session pianist and work as a studio producer.

Education

Music & Philosophy, Lunds Universitetet, Lund, Sweden
BA Diploma in Music, Roehampton University, London
American School Of Piano Tuning Diploma - certification

Experience / Qualifications

-Over 20 years gigging, playing, recording and teaching.
-Lots of experience teaching music to children
-English tutor, CELTA qualified

Reviews (7)

Expectations exceeded! Very cool lesson! :)
Translated by Google. Click to view original.
Very engaging class, adjusted to the level and organized. Highly recommend it.
Great, patient teacher. Very friendly and knowledgeable
Very pleasant, relaxed first lesson to clarify expectations/requests and do initial exercises. It was fun. Thanks!
Translated by Google. Click to view original.
Mike's style is fun and engaging and helps the process of learning the piano even more fun for our son. Highly recommend!
...
The guitar is a fun and social instrument and I believe everybody can learn how to play it! Using two guitars - one for the student and one for the teacher - we will go through some chords, basic finger exercises, strumming techniques and other little tricks. I am confident you will be playing a couple of your favourite songs in no time! We may use the occasional tabliature, but most of the lesson will be focused on listening, playing and repeating; and it will be fun :-) Please note: I specifically do not teach with notations or scores of any sort. My method of teaching is based on playing by ear, with emphasis on the music and the joy in playing it, rather than the theory. Notation is great and theory is important - I studied these myself; however, I have found that learning an instrument by ear is a far deeper, enjoyable and progressive way to get to know your instrument. I also place importance on technique and memorization, again tailoring these to the needs and wishes of the student. My methods have proven very successful and I'm confident your playing will improve quickly! I teach both children and adults, teenagers and grandparents :-) Maybe you already play, but would like some help improving your improvisational skills? Or perhaps you are a complete beginner and just want to find out, if this instrument is for you? Get in touch! Some background to my instruments: Piano: I initially taught myself the piano and took lessons later on. My main or favourite styles on the piano are: Blues & Boogie Woogie, Traditional Jazz, Rock n' Roll, Pop and Soul. I love many forms of Classical music as well. Guitar: I taught myself guitar as a kid and play both acoustic and electric. My favourite styles on the guitar are, on the one hand, heavy Rock, Metal and Punk, and on the other gentle Jazz, Blues and ballads :-) Drums: this became my main gigging instrument between '10 and '20. I mostly focus on funky grooves, hard Rock or Metal, Pop, Jazz, Swing; some rudiments, lots of grooves :-)
There are few things in life as fun and liberating as playing the drums! This instrument is at once basic and primitive, as well as highly complex - a wonderful exercise for body and mind! I teach drums in a fun, laid-back and casual way, always structuring my lessons around the students' needs and tastes. Please note: I specifically do not teach with notations or scores of any sort: My method of teaching is based on playing by ear, with emphasis on the music and the joy in playing it, rather than the theory. Notation is great and theory is important - I studied these myself; however, I have found that learning an instrument by ear is a far deeper, enjoyable and progressive way to get to know your instrument. I also place importance on technique and memorization, again tailoring these to the needs and wishes of the student. My methods have proven very successful and I'm confident your playing will improve quickly! I teach both children and adults, teenagers and grandparents :-) Maybe you already play, but would like some help improving your improvisational skills? Or perhaps you are a complete beginner and just want to find out, if this instrument is for you? Get in touch! Some background to my instruments: Piano: I initially taught myself the piano and took lessons later on. My main or favourite styles on the piano are: Blues & Boogie Woogie, Traditional Jazz, Rock n' Roll, Pop and Soul. I love many forms of Classical music as well. Guitar: I taught myself guitar as a kid and play both acoustic and electric. My favourite styles on the guitar are, on the one hand, heavy Rock, Metal and Punk, and on the other gentle Jazz, Blues and ballads :-) Drums: this became my main gigging instrument between '10 and '20. I mostly focus on funky grooves, hard Rock or Metal, Pop, Jazz, Swing; some rudiments, lots of grooves :-)

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Send a message explaining your needs and Mike will reply soon:
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Availability of a typical week

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from $111.46At student's home

Good-fit Instructor Guarantee


If you are not satisfied after your first lesson, Apprentus will find you another instructor or will refund your first lesson.

Online reputation

  • Instructor since September 2020
  • Phone number verified

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00) New York
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
0              
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from $111.46At student's home

Good-fit Instructor Guarantee


If you are not satisfied after your first lesson, Apprentus will find you another instructor or will refund your first lesson.

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