James Cortright
Piano lessons for all, with a focus on accessibility and fun, but also excellence through music
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James Cortright
Bachelors degree
/ 55 min
James - Your piano teacher
I've dedicated my life to teaching music, while constantly improving my abilities as a teacher and musician. For over 15 years of work experience I've taught lessons and ensembles, learned from some of the best teachers, and remained a life-long student of music pedagogy. My education includes a 4 year Bachelor's degree in music, and a 2 year certificate in audio technology. I've won first place as a performing member and a teacher with ensembles in world class international competitions, and received perfect scores in competitions as a soloist. Through all of this, I've learned that each student is a unique and special musical mind that requires adaptability from a teacher who has mastered their craft, but still has the ability to make the material understandable to a complete beginner. Thank you for reading this and considering taking lessons with me!
Your piano teacher skills
Scales and Arpeggios
Piano Repertoire
Music theory
Ear training
Piano Technique
Chord Theory
Rhythm and Timing
Improvisation
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 adults
Piano for beginners
Piano for kids
Piano for intermediate
Piano for advanced
Piano lessons at a glance
My teaching methodology is based on a combination of studying a variety of music education techniques such as Orff, Kodaly, and Suzuki, while also learning from first hand experience teaching thousands of students. I believe that there is no one right way to teach music, but instead it is best to have a large tool kit and extensive background of knowledge to draw from based on the needs of any individual student. From beginners to advanced, from elementary age to adults, there will always be some creativity and flexibility involved in how I go about conveying the information that will help a student learn about music and improve their abilities on their instrument. I incorporate lessons from all areas of the subject of music including music theory, history, and ear training, while drawing from a variety of styles including classical, jazz, and folk.
Trusted piano teacher for real results
88% students feel more skilled, confident, and ready to perform
Piano lessons that truly engage students
Parents report their children look forward to every class
Step-by-step piano lessons structure
Lessons break down complex pieces into manageable parts
Different types of piano lessons
Piano
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Jazz Piano
Classical Piano
Piano concepts taught by James
The Tutor and Student worked on piano technique, focusing on practicing scales in various keys (C, G, D major) and applying transposition concepts. They also practiced and analyzed challenging sections of "Ode to Joy" and "Simple Gifts," discussing strategies for efficient practice and error correction. The homework assigned was to continue practicing "Ode to Joy" and the scales in C and G major.
Conquering Hand Independence in Piano
The Art of Transposition: From C Major to G Major
Deconstructing Arpeggios: Fingerings and Stretches
The Practice Pyramid: Isolating and Integrating
Perishable Skills and Consistent Practice
The tutor guided the student through various guitar chord progressions, focusing on improving strumming consistency, chord transitions, and understanding Roman numeral analysis for progressions. They also practiced reading guitar tablature for "Ode to Joy" and the "Seven Nation Army" riff, introducing concepts like chord substitution and power chords.
Musical Technique: Muting and Finger Pressure
Reading Guitar Tablature (TAB)
Chord Progressions: 1645
Chord Voicings and Substitutions
The student and tutor reviewed piano scales and arpeggios, delving into concepts like natural minor, harmonic minor, and modes. They also practiced chord progressions for "Tiny Dancer," focusing on hand positions and smooth transitions. The student was assigned to practice playing along with the song's recording for specific sections.
Chord Voicings and Inversions
Musical Performance Practice: Warm-ups and Practice Strategies
Minor Scales: Natural
Harmonic
and Melodic
Circle of Fourths and Fifths for Scales
The student and tutor worked on piano technique, reviewing a musical piece, practicing scales, arpeggios, and chords in various keys, and refining rhythmic accuracy in "Simple Gifts." They also discussed strategies for learning new keys and improving coordination between hands.
Understanding Musical Notation: Vertical Alignment and Hand Coordination
Understanding Ledger Lines and Note Reading Beyond the Staff
Scale and Arpeggio Practice: Building Blocks of Musicianship
Melody Transfer and Coordination
Musical Phrasing and Flow: The Race Metaphor
Fingerings and Hand Position Adjustments
Accidentals and Key Signatures: Navigating Notes Outside the Scale
The student and tutor worked extensively on guitar playing techniques, focusing on reading and performing guitar tabs for specific songs, practicing chord shapes and transitions, and understanding musical progressions. They also reviewed methods for tuning a guitar and interpreting rhythmic notation on tabs.
Chord Progressions and Musicality
Guitar Tuning Methods
Hand Positions and Finger Economy
Note Articulation and Sustain
Guitar Tablature (Tabs)
The student and tutor focused on piano technique, practicing scales and arpeggios in various flat keys, and refining pieces like "Tiny Dancer," "River Flows in You," and "Simple Gifts." The student worked on chord transitions, fingerings, rhythmic accuracy, and managing distractions, with plans to continue focusing on these areas.
Approaches to Practicing Musical Repertoire
Musical Phrasing and Structure
Piano Fingerings for Scales and Arpeggios
Developing Piano Technique and Fluency
Approach & tools used in piano classes
DAWs
Backing Track Libraries
Looping Software
Virtual Piano Apps
Piano Tuner Apps
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Interactive piano lessons
Chat for quick help
Weekend lessons
Pets are welcomed
Parent feedback
Note taking
Piano teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.