Simon OKeeffe
Join piano sessions where musical expression and professional polish come together in a supportive space.




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Simon OKeeffe
Masters degree
/ 55 min
Simon - Your piano teacher
With over 15 years of experience in teaching piano, I am Simon O'Keeffe, a dedicated tutor with a Masters degree in music. Specializing in various aspects of piano playing, I offer a wide range of subjects including Grand Piano, Jazz Piano, and more. My specialties include Chord Theory, Ear Training, and Performance Skills, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. From beginners to advanced levels, I cater to all, including kids and adults. I focus on Finger Placement, Improvisation, and Music Theory to enhance skills. Additionally, I emphasize Pedaling Techniques and Sight Reading for a well-rounded approach to playing the piano. Let's embark on a musical journey together!
Your piano teacher skills
Sight Reading
Chord Theory
Improvisation
Improvisation
Ear training
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Piano Repertoire
Scales and Arpeggios
Rhythm and Timing
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Music theory
AI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
Zero Risk Guaranteed
15-days refund
Free tutor swap
No cancel fee
1-yr validity
24/7 support
Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for beginners
Piano for advanced
Piano for kids
Piano for adults
Piano for intermediate
Piano lessons at a glance
As a Piano and Keyboard tutor, I specialize in teaching students of all levels, from kids to adults. My teaching style blends expressive musicality with empathetic guidance, focusing on technique and performance coaching. I use a curriculum tailored to beginners, intermediates, and advanced players, covering various piano styles from jazz to classical. I integrate tech tools like DAWs, metronome apps, and virtual piano software to enhance learning. With a vast repertoire of subjects including Grand Piano and Electric Keyboard, I offer personalized lessons to over 200 students. My approach emphasizes creativity, encouraging students to explore music with confidence and skill.
92% students praise the teaching style
Student appreciate the way lessons are conducted by the teacher
Piano classes tailored to individual learners
Parents appreciate how lessons are adjusted to each student’s style
Step-by-step piano lessons structure
Lessons break down complex pieces into manageable parts
Different types of piano lessons
Piano
Grand Piano
Player Piano
Digital Piano
Jazz Piano
Electric Keyboard

Piano concepts taught by Simon
The Tutor and Student began by warming up with G major pentatonic and A mixolydian scales, focusing on adding blue notes and flat 7s for a bluegrass sound. They then reviewed a 1-4-5 chord progression and tackled a new song, "Willow Garden," emphasizing 3/4 time signature and rhythmic notation. The Student was encouraged to practice these scales, rhythmic patterns, and reading notation, with the Tutor providing WhatsApp notes for revision.
Scale Application & Open Strings in Different Keys
Perception of Scales based on Chord Changes (Intervals)
3/4 Time Signature & Rhythmic Patterns
G Major Pentatonic Scale & Blue Notes
1-4-5 Chord Progressions & Bass Movement
Student and Tutor focused on guitar dexterity and technique, including diagonal warm-ups and different right-hand picking methods. They practiced sight-reading various melodies from a book, discussed arpeggios, intervals, muting techniques, and the importance of recognizing scales within musical pieces. The Student was encouraged to continue practicing the learned material and focus on muting.
Guitar Warm-up & Dexterity Techniques
Intervals and Movable Shapes
Advanced Fingerpicking and Muting
Contextualizing Music: Scales
Patterns
and Sight Reading
Student and Tutor covered various guitar techniques, including pentatonic and Dorian scales, specific picking patterns, and dexterity exercises. They also delved into bluegrass fundamentals, such as reading rhythms, open chord use, and the distinctive bass-chord alternation pattern, exploring it in G and A major keys. Homework includes practicing the A-D-E chord progression with a focus on clarity and dynamics, and exploring the metronome's time signature functions for practice.
Metronome Usage for Time Signatures
Dominant 7th Chords & Chord Extensions
Music Notation & Rhythm Reading
Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar Fundamentals
Three-Note-Per-String Scales (B Dorian)
Warm-up & Picking Technique Refinement
Student and Tutor covered slide guitar techniques, including hand positioning, muting, intonation, and vibrato. They practiced various slide licks, explored bluegrass concepts like the minor-major third interplay, and briefly reviewed the CAGED system for fretboard navigation. The next session will delve deeper into bluegrass licks, integrating slide techniques, and follow-up material will be sent for practice.
Slide Guitar Fundamentals
Linear Pentatonic Scale on One String
Slide Triads & Riff Building
Minor to Major Third Interchange (Bluegrass/Blues)
CAGED System: A
E
D Shapes for Fretboard Mapping
Student and Tutor discussed guitar technique, including right and left-hand positioning and posture, for classical guitar. They practiced the C major and G major scales, with a focus on integrating the thumb rest stroke for bass note projection. The session also introduced harmonic concepts like the Cycle of Fifths and chord numbering while beginning work on "Ode to Joy," with a plan to continue practice. The next session will be extended to compensate for connection issues.
Guitar Posture and Relaxation
C Major Scale Extension & Position Shifting
Introduction to the Cycle of Fifths and G Major Scale
Classical Chord Voicings and Numbering System
Classical Guitar Hand Techniques
The Student and Tutor commenced an introductory electric guitar lesson, focusing on instrument setup, proper holding, and connecting the amplifier. They then moved on to manual guitar tuning by ear, practiced basic plerum techniques including downstrokes and upstrokes, and began learning to read guitar tablature by identifying strings, frets, and open notes. The session concluded with the student successfully playing a simple riff from tablature, with a strong recommendation to obtain an electronic tuner for future practice.
Fretting Notes & Pitch Changes
Introduction to Guitar Tablature (TAB)
Holding the Plectrum & Basic Picking Strokes
Basic Guitar Tuning
Electric Guitar & Amplifier Setup
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Backing Track Libraries
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Virtual Piano Apps
Piano Tuner Apps
Metronome Apps
Metronome Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Ear Training Software
Ear Training Software
Looping Software
Backing Track Libraries
Interactive piano lessons
Parent feedback
Note taking
Open Q&A
Pets are welcomed
Record lessons

Reviews and Ratings for Simon
Jorge Villegas
Trinity Park, Durham
about 1 year ago
Simon has a way of making piano lessons both fun and focused. My teen, who had lost interest, is now genuinely enjoying playing again. It’s refreshing to see his excited about lessons once more.
Evelin Hodge
West Side, El Paso
over 1 year ago
Finding the ideal fit for my teenage son was a concern of mine after moving to the West Side. Simon utilises a hybrid digital piano to educate him, emphasising artistic components such as pedal use and phrasing. Now, he makes his own covers.
Marisa Wade
Athens, Georgia
over 1 year ago
My recital pieces benefited greatly from Simon lessons of how to time my pieces and understand my dynamics. he really helped me grasp the methods for the cresendos and decrescendos as I practiced on my upright piano. I can honestly say that he has taught me a lot!
Mollie Santana
South Bend, IN
almost 2 years ago
With each of his piano lesson, my daughter’s confidence in performing has grown. It’s been amazing to watch his steady progress with Simon and he now plays with a sense of ease and assurance.
Karissa Russell
New Territory, Sugar Land
about 2 years ago
I was living in New Territory when I came across Simon piano lessons. His encouragement and attainable objectives made it simpler for me to balance my obligations to my family and job with my musical studies.
Jabari Ballard
Biltmore Area, Phoenix
about 2 years ago
In the Biltmore Area, I found exactly the right fit for piano instruction. Simon blends strong classical training with a creative spark, turning every lesson into a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

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Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
