Ryan Krause
Train with a Columbia College Chicago graduate guiding you through a comprehensive musical journey.
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Ryan Krause
Masters degree
/ 55 min
Ryan - Your piano teacher
I'm Ryan Krause, a seasoned Piano tutor with over 5 years of experience. Holding a Masters degree in music, I offer personalized Piano lessons for kids, beginners, adults, and all levels of expertise. My specialities include Chord Theory, Ear training, Improvisation, and more. I aim to make learning engaging and supportive, fostering creativity and patience in mastering the art of music. Whether you're delving into the fundamentals or seeking a deeper understanding of advanced concepts, my guidance has led many to success and fulfillment. Ready to unlock your musical potential and embrace the joy of music? Let's embark on this incredible journey together. Book your session today, and let's create beautiful music harmoniously.
Meet Ryan
Ryan graduated from Columbia College Chiago
Your piano teacher skills
Piano Technique
Piano Repertoire
Pedaling Techniques
Rhythm and Timing
Scales and Arpeggios
CoTutorAI 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 adults
Piano for kids
Learning Disabilities
Home schooled
Anxiety or Stress Disorders
Piano lessons at a glance
As a piano tutor, I offer a unique teaching approach that integrates music theory, performance coaching, creativity, technique enhancement, and ear training into engaging and motivational lessons. I specialize in teaching a wide range of subjects including classical piano, jazz piano, digital piano, and more, catering to students of all levels from kids to adults. I utilize a variety of tech tools such as DAWs, ear training software, metronome apps, and virtual piano apps to create interactive and personalized online learning experiences. By combining these tools with a tailored curriculum based on individual student needs and preferences, I ensure that each student receives a customized learning plan to help them excel. My teaching style is supportive and patient, focusing on enhancing students' skills and confidence while providing constructive feedback. I aim to make lessons fun and interactive by incorporating backing track libraries, chord & scale reference apps, and looping software to keep students motivated and engaged throughout their piano learning journey.
Different types of piano lessons
Piano
Grand Piano
Player Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Jazz Piano
Piano concepts taught by Ryan
The Student and Tutor worked on advanced piano technique and music theory, analyzing the Schumann piece for phrasing, dynamics, fingering, and pedaling. They delved into improvisation concepts, discussing harmonic decisions, predominant chords, and different types of cadences. The Student also practiced arpeggios and received a new technical assignment: Czerny etudes, with a follow-up task to research cadences.
Efficient Technique: Wrist Movement & Fingering
Musical Phrasing & Dynamic Control
Fundamentals of Harmonic Improvisation
Predominant Chords & Harmonic Substitution
Understanding Cadential Harmony
Introduction to Czerny Etudes
Student and Tutor discussed proper piano technique, addressing hand pain that might stem from typing habits. They reviewed scales and arpeggios, focusing on achieving smooth execution and relaxed hand posture. The session also involved working on musical pieces, including an E minor prelude and a Beethoven sonata, with emphasis on dynamic control, musical interpretation, and voice separation. The Student will continue to practice these areas with a focus on relaxation and voicing.
Hand and Joint Health for Pianists
Refining Scale Technique: Evenness Over Speed
Developing Fluid Arpeggio Technique
Dynamic Storytelling in Musical Interpretation
Voicing and Layering in Complex Piano Music
Optimal Piano Seating Position
Student and Tutor worked on Piano. They reviewed C minor scale and arpeggios, then introduced the G minor scale (natural and harmonic) and G minor arpeggios, focusing on wrist movement and control. They addressed two pieces: "Mrs. Magic," where they practiced octave technique and dynamics, and a Mendelssohn song, for which they discussed fingering, blocking chord practice methods, and musical interpretation. The Student needs to practice the new scale and arpeggios, and apply new fingering and practice strategies to both pieces.
Mastering G Minor Scales & Arpeggios
Dynamic Interpretation in 'Mrs. Magic'
Advanced Octave Fingering & Practice Strategy
Voicing and Musicality in Mendelssohn
The Student and Tutor reviewed rhythmic tapping exercises using a metronome, focusing on beat subdivision and consistent timing. They practiced D major scales, specifically addressing correct descending fingering and register awareness. The session concluded with applying dynamics and correcting note registers and rhythms within a musical piece. The Student's homework involves practicing metronome work at 40 BPM, refining descending scale fingerings, and incorporating dynamics into the musical piece for the next session in two weeks.
Rhythmic Accuracy and Metronome Mastery
Correct Fingering for D Major Scale (Descending)
Efficient Fingering for Musical Passages
Dynamics and Text Painting for Musicality
Register Awareness & 8VA Markings
The Student and Tutor engaged in an in-depth discussion on advanced music theory concepts, including chord identification, non-chord tones, secondary dominants, and harmonic analysis of pieces like "To a Wild Rose" and Chopin's E minor prelude. They also covered effective practice strategies for complex piano pieces and explored avenues for finding a musical community. The Tutor assigned a music theory course for the Student to review, and they plan to cover arpeggios in the next session.
Non-Chord Tones: Passing Tones & Suspended Chords
Chord Qualities in Major Keys
Secondary Dominant Chords (V/V)
Dominant V Chord in Minor Keys
Contextual Music Analysis & Interpretation
Optimized Practice Strategies
Student and Tutor focused on foundational piano skills, specifically rhythmic accuracy and note reading. They reviewed the importance of equal beat division, the difference between ties and slurs, and introduced a linear method for reading notes on the staff. The Student will apply these concepts to re-learn a piece of music for the next session.
Differentiating Ties and Slurs
Slur (⌒) - Connects **two or more different notes** (though sometimes the same note if other notes are between them). - Indicates that the notes should be played smoothly (**legato**) without any breaks or articulation between them
often under a single breath or phrase. - Each note under a slur is played separately
but connected seamlessly. - > 📝 **Example:** A curved line over D-E-F indicates playing D
E
and F smoothly
flowing from one to the next without interruption.
Eighth Note Counting & Equal Division
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
PDF Sheet Music
Piano Tuner Apps
Ear Training Software
Virtual Piano Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Weekend lessons
Parent feedback
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
