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Piano lessons near me in Oakland, CA
Sharpen your piano technique with skilled mentors

Best piano lessons in Oakland
Free trial lesson
★ 4.8
(32)
$17
$16
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.8
(32)
$16
$15
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.7
(75)
$16
$14
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.2
(36)
$18
$17
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.7
(67)
$18
$17
/ 30 min
Popular
Free trial lesson
★ 4.7
(75)
$14
$14
/ 30 min
Student Favourite
Free trial lesson
★ 4.8
(32)
$17
$16
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.3
(39)
$19
$18
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.8
(32)
$17
$16
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 5
(113)
$18
$17
/ 30 min
Student Favourite
Piano teachers in Oakland with top specialities

Recently taught Piano lessons in Oakland
Real lessons. Real students. Real teachers.
Otha taught James 26 days ago
Mr. Lewis taught James B about Lo-Fi music composition, focusing on jazz chords, chord symbols, and voice leading. They troubleshooted MuseScore issues, reviewed exercises, and experimented with triads, inversions, and parallel 11th chords to create smooth transitions and explore new harmonic possibilities. Mr. Lewis emphasized voice leading principles and assigned practice exercises in MuseScore, with plans to discuss cadences next session.
Voice Leading
Cadences
Parallel 11ths
Chord Inversions
Musecore Input
Emily taught Pavel 28 days ago
On July 5, 2025, E Li gave Olivier Best a piano lesson, reviewing Hannon exercises, scales, and a Tchaikovsky song. E Li provided feedback on technique, fingering, and accuracy. They then began working on Clementi's Sonatina in G major (Op. 36 No. 3, 3rd movement), focusing on fingering, articulation, dynamics, and a specific challenging bar. Olivier will practice, and the next lesson will cover pedaling, scheduled for the following Friday at 6 PM, pending E Li's availability.
Contrasting Dynamics
Pedaling
Relaxation and Finger Technique
Note Grouping
Timing Accuracy
Formula Patterns (C Harmonic Minor)
Held Notes
Ryan taught Deana about 1 month ago
Ryan Krause led Christian through a piano lesson focused on improving technique and addressing specific challenges in a Beethoven piece. Christian worked on arpeggios, scales, rhythm, and note accuracy. Ryan assigned written homework from the textbook and encouraged independent practice using the techniques discussed.
Scales and Arpeggios
Reading Time Signatures
Dotted Notes
Playing with Arm Weight
Backward Learning
Otha taught Jeff about 1 month ago
Mr. Lewis led Jeff Feldman in a piano lesson centered around Czerny exercises (Opus 500 and 599), analyzing rhythm, technique, and musical structure. They specifically worked on Opus 599 No. 1, addressing issues and exploring concepts like "call and response" and parallel/contrasting motion. Mr. Lewis recommended a new edition of the music and modified practice methods for the left hand, particularly for Alberti bass figures in Opus 599 No. 2.
Fingerings
Phrasing Discretion
Principal Notes
Efficient Memorization
Contrasting and Parallel Motion
Otha taught Lauren about 1 month ago
Mr. Lewis assisted Lauren in refining her piano practice by introducing targeted warm-up strategies and rhythmic techniques using the "watermelon" method. They analyzed a piece, focusing on pattern recognition and memorization, and Mr. Lewis assigned the goal of memorizing the second line of the piece for the week. They rescheduled their next lesson for Monday at noon due to the upcoming holiday.
Pattern Recognition in Music
Metronome Use for Rhythm
Food Words for Rhythm
Memorization Techniques
Warm-up Strategies
Daniela taught James about 1 month ago
Daniela taught James how to memorize and play "Catch a Falling Star" on the piano, emphasizing note recognition, memory, and hand placement. James was assigned homework to practice reciting the notes, memorizing the song, and using a metronome for scales. They agreed to skip the lesson on July 4th due to James' travel plans.
Metronome Use
Focused Practice
Note Memorization Technique
Memory Training
Piano classes in Oakland for adults, beginners and kids
Free trial lesson
★ 5
(120)
$22
$20
/ 30 min
Student Favourite
Free trial lesson
★ 4.9
(115)
$13
/ 30 min
Popular
Free trial lesson
★ 4.6
(47)
$19
$17
/ 30 min
Popular
Free trial lesson
★ 4.4
(39)
$15
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.6
(51)
$16
$16
/ 30 min
Student Favourite
Free trial lesson
★ 4.8
(84)
$16
/ 30 min
Popular
Free trial lesson
★ 4.7
(76)
$18
$17
/ 30 min
Popular
Free trial lesson
★ 5
(98)
$14
$13
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.8
(32)
$17
$16
/ 30 min
Free trial lesson
★ 4.9
(106)
$25
$23
/ 30 min
Popular
Piano teachers near Oakland offer advanced training
Start strong with beginner-friendly music classes

Reviews and Ratings
What makes our Piano lessons a student favorite in Oakland, CA
4.55
129 ratings of
Piano lessons Oakland
Expertise
4.48
Engagement
4.31
Reliability
4.41
Results
4.56
Value
5
Aliza Cross rated Terence
Rockridge, Oakland
6 months ago
As someone who began piano later in life learning with Terence in Rockridge has been a turning point for me. his unique approach blending technical skills with musical expression has given me the understanding and self assurance I was missing before.
Quincy Bell rated Samuel
Dimond District, Oakland
7 months ago
My daughter used to have a hard time with rhythm and keeping time but after only a few weeks of piano lessons with Samuel in the Dimond Distric he has made amazing progress. Now he claps along confidently and is really starting to connect with the music in a whole new way.
Madilynn Bullock rated Gilbert
Crocker Highlands, Oakland
8 months ago
Under the guidance of Gilbert my child was able to succeed with Trinity Grade 2. In just three months his piano lessons in Crocker Highlands gave my child the confidence and the skills which he needed the most.
Kolby Sutton rated Peter
Piedmont Avenue, Oakland
9 months ago
After a 15 year break Peter has played a key role in helping me get back to playing the piano. his Lake Merritt studio is welcoming and he designs lessons that move at just the right speed for my learning.
Kasey Yoder rated Arthur
Jack London Square, Oakland
10 months ago
I initially joined Arthur piano lessons in Jack London Square for some light learning but found myself continuing for months. his improvisation exercises are not only enjoyable but also incredibly helpful even for an adult learner like myself.
Yareli Decker rated Ambrose
Oakland, CA
11 months ago
My child has grown so much in confidence thanks to Underhill piano lessons she always look forward to each lesson because they are enjoyable and engaging. I strongly recommend her to anyone considering Piano lessons.
Alan Estrada rated Isadora
Oakland, CA
about 1 year ago
Learning classical piano has always been a dream of mine and with Chadwick guidance I am now able to play comfortably and confidently.
Brendon Carroll rated Stanley
Montclair, Oakland
about 1 year ago
Under the guidance of Stanley my son has transformed from being easily distracted to playing the piano with real focus and purpose. I am genuinely amazed by the progress he has made. I am so happy to see the progress of my son in Montclair.
The People's Keys!: How Oakland's Piano Forged a Legacy from Protest to Performance

In Oakland, the piano’s story is not one of silent concert halls; it’s a story told with soul, rhythm, and a powerful sense of purpose. This is a city where the piano and keyboard became tools for social change and the conversational heart of legendary music scenes. From the gospel hymns that fueled a movement in West Oakland to the smoky, improvisational notes filling the air on 7th Street, the eighty-eight keys have always been tuned to the city's unique, uncompromising beat. The journey of the piano here is a journey through the very heart of Oakland's cultural identity.
The Activist’s Instrument
In Oakland, music has always been intertwined with the fight for justice, and the piano and keyboard were essential instruments of empowerment. During the civil rights movement, the uplifting chords of the gospel piano echoing from local churches provided the spiritual fuel for change. As the decades progressed, the electric piano and clavinet laid down the irresistibly funky basslines of the city's signature soul and funk anthems music that was not just for dancing, but for building pride and delivering a message. This tradition of the keyboard as a tool for social commentary continued with the rise of conscious hip-hop, where sampled piano loops became the foundation for powerful storytelling, cementing Oakland's reputation as a city with something to say.
Intimate Legacy of the 7th Street Lounge
Long before the funk era, West Oakland's 7th Street was celebrated as the "Harlem of the West," a vibrant corridor of legendary music venues. In intimate clubs like Slim Jenkins Corner and Esther's Orbit Room, the piano was undeniably king. Here, the piano was the center of a musical conversation, where masterful pianists would blend sophisticated jazz chords with the raw emotion of the blues. A gifted piano player didn't just play music; they told stories, their hands flying across the piano keys. This intimate lounge setting, with an upright piano often tucked into a corner, created a legacy of authentic, piano-led music that was immediate, personal, and deeply connected to its audience.
Where the Beat Goes On Today
The powerful legacy of both protest and performance lives on vibrantly in Oakland today. The undisputed modern temple of the city's jazz piano tradition is Yoshi's, a world-renowned club in Jack London Square that hosts the highest caliber of international and local talent, carrying the torch of the historic 7th Street scene. You can also hear the influence of Oakland’s diverse keyboard heritage on the stages of the beautifully restored Fox Theater and amidst the creative energy of the Oakland Art Murmur, a monthly street festival where funk, soul, and hip-hop are celebrated. The piano here remains what it has always been: not a distant, classical relic, but the soulful, rhythmic heartbeat of "The Town."


Frequently asked questions
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