Covid-19 Update: Private Lessons Via Zoom For DK Subscribers & Fans

Welcome! If you’ve come to this page because you’ve enjoyed one of my free YouTube tutorials, please know that I—Bruce Siegel, aka DoctorKeys—am alive, well, and eager to support you in your musical journey. The video you saw probably came from one of my online courses, the first of which, Play & Sing, is in its 10th year of helping students get off to a great start at the piano.

So if you’re tempted to subscribe but wonder if I’m here to answer questions, to deal with technical issues (rare), and to celebrate with you as you experience the thrill of achieving your musical goals, the answer is—absolutely! I invite you to sign up and join the thousands of other subscribers that my videos have helped over the years, many of whom have been generous in expressing their gratitude.

But I have another reason for posting today: a new dimension to my online offerings—private lessons via Zoom.

Actually, my experience in teaching live one-on-one sessions remotely began years ago when I received an email from a Play & Sing subscriber named Mary, who lives in Canada (I’m in Los Angeles). While taking my video course, she became interested in the possibility of receiving more individualized instruction from me. Mary’s a wonderful singer and had been unable to find a piano teacher near her with experience in teaching students to accompany themselves on pop songs.

So, knowing that I teach private lessons in L.A., she asked if I might be interested in helping her remotely via Zoom. We talked it over, and though neither of us knew for sure that the arrangement would work, we decided to give it a shot.

Well, that was the start of a student-teacher relationship that lasted over two years, ending just recently (at least for now). We’re both wildly excited by what she has accomplished over that span. Starting as a complete beginner, she began by learning to play simple (but gorgeous) accompaniments for ballads like The Rose, I Will Remember You, and Someone Like You. By the time we were done, she had worked her way through advanced arrangements of Desperado, Bridge Over Trouble Water, and finally, even the flashy, uptempo piano part to Walking In Memphis.

(Keep in mind that what I just described is but one musical journey. Many of my students prefer classical repertoire—which is my my first love—while yet others combine a variety of genres in their playing/practicing. What matters to me is passionate involvement regardless of style, and since my own tastes are eclectic, teaching this way suits me to a T. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I relish it when someone sends me a Youtube link to a song or movie theme I’ve never heard, and asks, can you teach me this?)

Getting back to Mary, her experience proves that lessons at a distance can be just as effective as those in which both parties are present in the same room. And the timing couldn’t have been better for me to learn this. For just as Mary’s musical adventure was winding down, coronavirus came on the scene, making in-person lessons impossible. Suddenly, all my students have become Zoomers.

I’m grateful to have had the last couple of years to get my remote teaching act together. Thanks to my experience teaching Mary, the transition has been smoother than I would have thought possible. To the point where now, months into the new routine, it’s become clear that nothing of importance has changed for my students and me. Except that some of them, with more time on their hands than in pre-covid-19 days, are actually advancing more rapidly.

My teaching rates

If you need help in these difficult times, I’ll do what I can to make things easier. While my fee is normally $90 per hour (typical for top-tier instruction here in L.A. where the cost of living is high), if this doesn’t work for you, let me know. We can talk about:

• 50% reduction for the first month.

I know from experience that weekly lessons are essential for at least 4 weeks. And because of the comprehensive nature of my instruction, less than an hour is insufficient. If my usual rate is too steep, I will cut the fee in half for that period, knocking it down to just $45 per hour.

• After that, lessons every other week (at my usual rate of $90 per hour)

For many years, bi-weekly lessons have been a common arrangement with students who have already mastered the basics with me. While I prefer to extend weekly lessons beyond four weeks, this quick “weaning” will likely work well for some, though it may not be appropriate for others. So if you’re considering this option, you’ll need to think about how comfortable you are with a more independent learning style.

• Group lessons

Zoom lends itself to sessions with multiple participants. So if you know someone who might like to study with me, and if the two of you (or three or more!) share similar musical interests as well as being at about the same level, you can split the costs.

Once again, at this unique moment, I want to assure you all that I am thriving and eager to be of service. And that’s true whether you’re looking for an online video course (still the most economical option, obviously), or private lessons, or a combination of the two. While my experience is primarily in teaching students over extended periods (years), I look forward to helping you even if you want just a lesson or two. And rest assured that my half-price offer for the first four lessons applies regardless of the expected length of our relationship.

Thanks for stopping by, and be well!

——Bruce Siegel (aka DoctorKeys)

BruceSiegel.com (Site for my private instruction.)