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 Repertoire
Music theory
Chord Theory
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Scales and Arpeggios
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 adults
Piano for kids
Learning Disabilities
Home schooled
Anxiety or Stress Disorders
Piano for beginners
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
During this piano session, the Student and Tutor worked on advanced piano techniques, focusing on scales and arpeggios, emphasizing wrist movement and speed development. They also thoroughly reviewed a musical piece, discussing memorization strategies, musical interpretation, and rhythmic voicing. For homework, the Student was encouraged to continue practicing the current piece, apply new memorization and technique strategies, and begin the Mozart piece.
Introduction to Transposition
Strategic Music Memorization
Melody-First Musicality
Arpeggio Finesse: The 'Swoop' Motion
Arpeggio Fluidity & Speed Development
Scale Dexterity & Wrist Control
Student and Tutor continued their piano lesson, addressing the Student's wrist pain and refining technique for scales and arpeggios, with a focus on wrist and thumb positioning. They also worked on musicality and dynamics in "Mad World" and "Fly Me to the Moon," exploring harmonic patterns and phrasing. For future practice, the Student was advised to continue working on current pieces and to begin the B major scale and arpeggio.
Wrist Health & Technique Correction
Scales Technique: Finger Independence & Wrist Neutrality
Arpeggio Technique: Soft Thumb Landings & Tension Release
Musicality: Dynamics
Phrasing
& Performance Nuance
Jazz Harmony: The Circle of Fourths & Creative Improvisation
The Student and Tutor focused on a piano piece, addressing a fundamental misunderstanding of note octave registers on the grand staff. The Tutor provided a detailed explanation of the C-numbering system for octaves and suggested a practical method using temporary stickers on the piano keys for improved memorization. The Student then practiced the piece with corrected registers, with homework assigned to enhance rhythmic precision and incorporate staccato markings.
Octave Registers and C-numbering
Optimizing Practice Methods
Understanding Staccato Articulation
Developing Rhythmic Precision
Navigating the Grand Staff and Note Identification
Student and Tutor focused on piano technique, addressing issues of unevenness, hand tension, and dynamics in scales, arpeggios, and Chopin's E minor Prelude. They discussed proper key engagement, pedal usage, and musical interpretation. The student was advised to memorize the first page of the E minor Prelude and to finalize the Bluebird piece by the next session.
Piano Technique: Arm Weight & Finger Independence
Scale & Arpeggio Practice Approaches
Achieving Chord Evenness & Dynamics (Black/White Keys)
Pedaling & Dynamics in Piano Pieces
Interpreting Musical Markings (Chopin Prelude)
The Student and Tutor practiced G minor scales and arpeggios, focusing on technique and musical connection. They then reviewed two pieces, "Goodbye, Heat" and "Hercules," discussing musicality, phrasing, and memorization strategies. The Student was assigned the first movement of a Mozart Sonata (K. 545) as a new piece, focusing on developing classical agility and interpreting new rhythmic elements.
Expressive Interpretation in Romantic Music
Effective Practice & Memorization Strategies
Introduction to Classical Sonata Form (Mozart)
G Minor Scales & Arpeggio Technique
The Student and Tutor reviewed advanced piano techniques, including specific scale accentuation, wrist movement for arpeggios, and trill execution, with a strong emphasis on relaxation and control. They also discussed strategies for managing performance anxiety and introduced improvisation over chord progressions as a method for developing harmonic understanding and confidence. The next session will be postponed due to the Student's upcoming surgery, with a plan to incorporate improvisation exercises in future lessons.
Improvisation Through Harmonic & Melodic Structure
Mastering Wrist Movement for Piano Technique
Advanced Scale Accentuation
Effective Trill Practice
Approach & tools used in piano classes
Virtual Piano Apps
PDF Sheet Music
Piano Tuner Apps
Backing Track Libraries
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Parent feedback
Weekend lessons

Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
