It’s a Musical Process
Whether you’re a parent looking for high quality instruction for your children, a young professional exploring your artistic side, or a retiree pursuing the piano with your extra time, I would love to guide each step of your development as a pianist. I offer piano lessons in the Hudson Valley in New York, including Westchester, Cold Spring, Beacon, and the surrounding areas. I’m happy to drive to your location and teach you in your home.
During my years at Boston University, I studied piano, played in jazz ensembles, and took classes in music theory and music history. Later, at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, I added conducting to my experience while I sharpened my other skills. Additionally, over the past seven years, I’ve studied with acclaimed pianist and pedagogue Seymour Bernstein.
I love passing on what I’ve learned on to my students, and I truly enjoy helping children and adults alike realize their dream of playing the piano. It’s never too late to start - I look forward to hearing from you.
- Dave Long
My Piano Teaching Philosophy
Pianist and Teacher Dave Long
As a musician, I try to engage with both the creative and re-creative aspects of music. I admire the creative spontaneity of jazz improvisation as well as the refined beauty of classical composition. I also have a deep respect for the art of faithfully performing written works as the composer intended them to be realized. Although we don’t always know exactly what the composer intended, I think it’s important to try to get as close as we can.
I have a variety of different interests when it comes to music, including studying, teaching, composing, performing, and writing about music. Recently, I’ve been focusing on classical piano. I’ve also studied jazz piano, saxophone, guitar, drums, and a few other instruments.
In short, the sum of my musical experience gives me a unique perspective on piano teaching.
My teaching goals are as follows:
To help you understand, appreciate, and love music more than you did before starting lessons with me
To give you a strong foundation that you can build on: you will learn the fundamentals of note reading, technique, and more
To create independent pianists: I want you to have the tools to practice and learn effectively even when I’m not around
To help pianists enjoy a pain-free life of music making: I’ll help you get rid of pain and excess tension while playing
The Services I Offer
In-Home Piano Lessons
I offer in-home piano lessons in the Hudson Valley area of New York. I am happy to travel to your location in Ossining, Croton-On-Hudson, Katonah, Mount Kisco, Harrison, Beacon, Yonkers or New Rochelle. I teach piano lessons in Westchester County and piano lessons in White Plains. Whether you are too busy to travel to your teacher’s location, don’t have a car, or your child learns best within the comfort of your home, we will make excellent progress at the piano with lessons at your home.
I generally recommend that students have an 88-key keyboard (digital or acoustic) with weighted keys that you can use regularly. You can’t make progress at the piano without regular practice!
Remote Learning In Real Time
If you don’t live in close proximity to a competent teacher, or if you have a non-traditional schedule that forces you to work with a teacher outside of your time zone, you can study the piano with me from anywhere in the world via video chat. Additionally, some people may prefer to meet virtually due to concerns about coronavirus (covid-19). I am comfortable using Zoom, Skype, Google, and Facetime.
Pricing + Trial Lesson
Piano Lesson Rates + Billing Info
I accept payments via PayPal, Venmo, cash, or check. If you need to cancel a lesson, I require 24 hours notice (cancellations within 24 hours will still require payment). Emergency situations are excluded. Lesson pricing is as follows:
30 minutes: $85
45 minutes: $115
60 minutes: $140
90 minutes: $210
Get a Trial Lesson
Hiring the right piano teacher is a big decision, and I completely understand the challenge. For that reason, I always offer interested students a trial lesson so we can get to know each other better. We’ll find a time to meet, and we can talk about where you currently are with the piano, what your goals are, and how I’d recommend proceeding. Trial lessons are billed at the normal rates.
Get In Touch Today
I’d love to hear from you - if you are considering taking piano lessons, now’s the time! Like a language, the piano takes consistent effort over a long period of time. The sooner your start, the sooner you’ll be playing repertoire, sight reading tunes, and enjoying a rich musical life. Please get in touch for more information.