PRESCOTT – Thousands have learned the secret of how to play the piano without reading music. If you’ve ever wondered how it’s done, check out the Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People class taught by Craig Coffman. The class is being sponsored by Prescott Community Education and has been attended by over 33,000 students nationally since 1993. It has been sponsored by literally hundreds of colleges and universities, recreation programs and community education programs from coast to coast. 

Coffman’s approach reveals how the pros play. He has extensive experience as a professional pianist and music director. Having taught piano privately for many years, Coffman will share piano players’ tricks of the trade.  

“While the classical approach stresses discipline and precision in playing, this approach stresses enjoyment and getting great sounds early on,” Coffman said. “While precision is vital for classical music, this pain free method is more suitable for pop music of all kinds-from Broadway to rhythm and blues.”

The class is designed for absolute beginners and is partly hands on and partly lecture demonstration. For decades the class was taught live at colleges on campus, but now it is taught exclusively live online using Zoom. In this one-session, three-hour class, students will learn about the three basic types of chords on the piano and how to play from what is commonly called a lead sheet or “fake book.”   

Coffman promises that students who attend this class will leave the class being able to play simple songs right away with both hands. Students love taking the class online as they get to sit at home using their own piano or keyboard as they take the class. And because of the use of the mute setting, no one gets put on the spot. You don’t have to play in front of other students. You                  can find an introduction to the class at this link: youtube.com/watch?v=oizPNoht1Xo

The class includes a professionally recorded version filmed at a college along with an online book and online follow up lessons. An optional monthly question and answer session is also available at no additional charge. To register for the class (which is very affordable) contact Prescott Community Education, 307-754-6062.

If there is no answer, please email chordsarekey@gmail.com.    

Submitted by Prescott Community Education