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
Rhythm and Timing
Music theory
Sight Reading
Chord Theory
Improvisation
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Sight Reading
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Performance Skills
Improvisation
Ear training
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 intermediate
Piano for adults
Piano for advanced
Piano for beginners
Piano for kids
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
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
Classical Guitar Hand Techniques
Classical Chord Voicings and Numbering System
Introduction to the Cycle of Fifths and G Major Scale
C Major Scale Extension & Position Shifting
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.
Electric Guitar & Amplifier Setup
Basic Guitar Tuning
Holding the Plectrum & Basic Picking Strokes
Introduction to Guitar Tablature (TAB)
Fretting Notes & Pitch Changes
Student and Tutor worked on foundational guitar techniques, including chromatic warm-up exercises and an extended C major scale. They also practiced reading and playing several musical pieces from a book, incorporating dynamics like soft, loud, crescendo, and diminuendo. For homework, Student was advised to practice warm-up exercises, the C major scale, and specific pieces from pages 28, 29, and 30 of their book.
Chromatic Left-Hand Warm-up
Musical Dynamics: Expressing Softness to Loudness
Proper Left Hand Posture
String Muting Techniques
Double Octave C Major Scale with Position Shift
Advanced Dexterity Pattern
The Student and Tutor reviewed guitar practice from the previous week, warming up with A minor pentatonic and hexatonic scales for improvisation. They meticulously practiced reading tablature and playing "Creep" by Radiohead, focusing on bar chord techniques and transitions. The session also initiated an in-depth introduction to the CAGED system for fretboard navigation and mapping root notes. Homework includes refining the Radiohead song, practicing the expanded scales, and memorizing specific CAGED bar chord shapes.
Pentatonic Scale Expansion & Blue Notes
Tablature Interpretation & Barre Chord Application
CAGED System: Fretboard Mapping with Octave Shapes
The Student and Tutor engaged in a guitar lesson focused on practical playing techniques. They covered alternative chord voicings like F major 7 and C add 9, enhanced strumming techniques using finger-based downstrokes and thumb-based upstrokes, and explored rhythmic variations with quarter, eighth, and 16th notes, including muted strums and hammer-ons. The discussion also addressed the Student's goals of playing simple songs for family.
Optimizing Finger Strumming for Efficiency
Alternative F Chord Voicings & Fmaj7
Rhythmic Strumming Patterns: Quarter
Eighth
& Sixteenth Notes
Muted Strums for Percussive Flavor
The C add 9 Chord as a Smoother Alternative
Introducing Hammer-ons in Strumming
The Student and Tutor focused on fundamental classical guitar techniques, practicing the C major scale with both rest and free strokes, exploring rhythmic groupings like triplets, and forming and arpeggiating a C major chord. They also worked on music reading, practiced a short piece in 3/4 time, and discussed muting techniques and economy picking. For homework, the Student was assigned to practice the C major scale, arpeggiating chords, and reviewing specific pages in a music book.
Navigating Music Notation for Classical Guitar
Essential Practice Principles: Tension Release and Muting
Rhythmic Groupings: Quavers and Triplets
Right-Hand Techniques: Rest Stroke vs. Free Stroke
C Major Scale Fundamentals
Classical Guitar Chord Voicing and Arpeggiation
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Piano Tuner Apps
Looping Software
Virtual Piano Apps
DAWs
Ear Training Software
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Piano Tuner Apps
Backing Track Libraries
Ear Training Software
Metronome Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Record lessons
Parent feedback
Note taking
Chat for quick help
Mobile joining

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
about 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
almost 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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