Dave Long is the Hudson Valley’s Piano Teacher
Dave Long has been a musician for his entire life. In addition to studying music at the collegiate level and taking lessons with world class pianists, he’s sought a well-rounded education by learning from professional conductors, composers, and music theorists as well.
In addition to his studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music, he studied extensively under acclaimed pianist Seymour Bernstein.
You will enjoy a holistic and fundamentally sound piano education when you work with Dave, and he can help you or your child learn classical playing, jazz, composition, theory and more.
Hudson Valley Piano Lesson Information
Skills and Principles We Will Cover
You can learn every aspect of piano playing in my studio. My goal is for students to play confidently, comfortably, and independently. I also want my students to achieve their personal goals, whether they are interested in playing jazz, classical, pop, rock, or blues.
Firstly, we’ll learn the basics of piano technique. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pianist, we need to make sure your hand position, posture, physical movements, and breathing are working together in proper balance. We also need to make sure that you’re not playing with excess tension. Bad technique can cause physical issues like carpal tunnel or soft tissue strains, and it can cause musical issues too - you won’t be able to achieve speed, a beautiful tone, or dynamic contrast.
Secondly, we’ll focus on piano basics like note reading in both clefs, intervals, forte and piano (loud and soft), accidentals (sharps and flats), key signatures, time signatures, and so much more.
As you progress, we will dig into the deeper aspects of music theory, composition, musical interpretation, and more. We’ll identify challenging pieces of piano music that you love, and I’ll teach you exactly how to practice at home so that you maximize progress.
Piano Lessons For Adults and Kids in the Hudson Valley
Piano Lessons For Kids
I enjoy helping children, middle schoolers, and high schoolers achieve a high level of proficiency on the piano. I have a great deal of experience working with young students, and I recognize that different things excite each student - I’m always happy to include their favorite music or artist in lessons. We’ll focus on a solid, fundamental education, and we’ll build on that by exploring your child’s unique interests. Students will learn to read music fluenty, play that music on the keyboard, and practice independently at home.
Piano Lessons For Adults
Adults often join my studio with specific goals in mind, like learning the music of a particular band or learning to sight read Bach. I’ll always help you work towards your goals. If you simply want to “learn to play the piano,” that’s great too! We will start with reading music on the staff, playing scales, putting both hands together on the piano, and so much more. You’ll be amazed at the progress you can make with 20-30 minutes of practice at home each day.
Do You Need a Particular Piano at Home?
There’s no requirement for any particular kind of piano for my students, but I do recommend a full 88-key keyboard with weighted keys and a realistic pedal. 61-key digital keyboards are popular these days, but they limit your ability to improve.
There’s no need for a grand piano if you would rather not make the investment, but you can always find great deals on used grand pianos online. Yamaha, Kawai, Steinway, and Baldwin have particularly good value on the resale market - Steinways are usually among the most expensive pianos out there. If you’re interested in purchasing a Steinway or one of the other top-tier pianos such as a Bluthner, Fazioli, or Bosendorfer, I can advise you on your options and help you to make a decision about your investment.
Acoustic upright pianos can also be a great option. Yamaha and Kawai pianos are really good choices here, as they make good-quality and affordable instruments. If you have any questions about what piano to buy, you’re always welcome to reach out.
What Travel Radius Do I Serve in the Hudson Valley?
I travel to student homes in Southern Dutchess County, Orange County, Putnam County, and Westchester County.
Piano Lessons in Southern Dutchess County
In Dutchess County, I travel to areas including Poughkeepsie, Wappingers Falls, Fishkill, and Beacon. I don’t usually travel as far north as Rhinebeck or Red Hook, but if you are “on the fence” or interested in online piano lessons, please feel free to get in touch.
Piano Lessons in Putnam County, NY
From Cold Spring to Mahopac, I teach students throughout Putnam County, NY. Service locations include Garrison, Putnam Valley, and Nelsonville. I’m often able to schedule teaching routes that include parts of Putnam County and Southern Dutchess County on the same day.
Piano Lessons in Orange County, NY
I have a pocket of students in Newburgh, but I’m also happy to drive to New Windsor, Cornwall, Woodbury, and the surrounding areas. Particularly if you live near highways I-84 or I-87, it shouldn’t be an issue to schedule in-home lessons.
Piano Lessons in Westchester River Towns
For information about my piano lessons in Westchester County, please get in touch! I’m happy to travel to the river towns in Westchester such as Peekskill, Croton-On-Hudson, Ossening, and Dobbs Ferry.
Schedule Your First Lesson With Expert Pianist Dave Long Today
Get in touch if you are interested in scheduling a trial lesson anywhere in the Hudson Valley - I’d love to hear from you. We can find a suitable time for you, discuss your at-home piano setup, and talk through your goals and aspirations on the piano.