About Mr. Isackson
I’m a pianist, composer, and teacher with degrees in Music Composition from BYU–Idaho and the University of Louisville. Over the years I’ve taught hundreds of students in one-on-one lessons and classrooms kindergarten through college, performed widely, composed for ensembles and soloists, and worked on the curriculum team at Hoffman Academy. Out of these experiences, I created the PIANO PRO Method, an exciting new approach that makes learning piano effective, efficient, and inspiring.
About PIANO PRO
A good piano method should be easy to understand, adaptable for students of any age and level experience, fully comprehensive in all areas of musical study, and most of all effective at creating musicians. All the other methods I’ve seen, both old and new, have failed to truly deliver. After years of experience and extensive research I found out why.
Keep reading below and I’ll explain what I call “The 6 Problematic Traditions and Trends” in the piano education community. I was guilty of most of these at some point in my career as a piano teacher, and maybe you or piano teachers you know are a little guilty too. But that’s NOT YOUR FAULT! It’s just the traditions we’ve all followed for decades. If you’re going to understand the PIANO PRO Method, it would help to understand, recognize, and then avoid these traditions so that we can begin to make piano education as accessible and effective as possible.
The 6 Problematic Traditions:
1. The Song-Based Tradition
Nearly every piano method relies almost exclusively on songs as the vehicle for learning. While songs have value and can be motivating, using them as the primary tool is like trying to learn a language solely by memorizing poems — you may recite beautifully, but you never truly master the fundamentals and become truly fluent. This approach often leaves students with gaps: some only learn to mimic their teacher without reading, others can read notes but lack musicality or technical control. Because each song has countless details to juggle, teachers can find themselves nitpicking and students become frustrated. A song-only focus leads to limited skills and shallow understanding, rather than a well-rounded musical foundation.
2. The Linear Approach
Many piano methods follow their own rigid, step-by-step sequence designed to cover all the necessary skills in some re-determined order. While structure can feel reassuring, it rarely fits real students, who learn at different speeds and in different ways. For some, the pace is too fast and overwhelming; for others, it drags and becomes boring — either way, frustration often leads to quitting. Teachers also struggle with transfer students, who may have gaps in some areas while excelling in others, making it nearly impossible to place them neatly into the sequence. In the end, a scripted, linear approach tends to create headaches for both students and teachers, rather than fostering a flexible path to true musical growth.
3. The Pile-On Approach
On paper, a pile-on method seems reasonable at first: teach one concept, then add the next, then the next, stacking skills as you go. The problem is that new elements are often added before students have had time to fully absorb the earlier ones. What begins as simple and manageable quickly turns overwhelming, as half-learned concepts pile up into frustration. Students may not know why it feels too difficult; teachers may think they are adding “just one more tiny thing.” Over time, this piling-on approach drives students toward burnout rather than steady progress. It is a problem that is almost inherent in every “song-based” and “linear” method.
4. The Fun-and-Rewards Trend
Many modern book methods and piano-learning apps rely on bright colors, cartoon mascots, points, trophies, and digital badges to keep students engaged. While usually well-intentioned, this kind of artificial fun often distracts from real learning and sends the message that music itself isn’t enjoyable unless packaged like a game. Worse, what feels exciting to a five-year-old may feel childish or off-putting to a teenager or adult, making the same “fun” approach into a deterant for some students. Teachers and publishers may work hard to manufacture engagement, but in practice it often gets in the way of genuine growth.
5. The Random Approach
Many online resources, from YouTube tutorials to smartphone apps, can provide a huge variety of content for all levels at once. While much of it is interesting or high-quality, it’s rather difficult to find content that is perfectly aligned with what a student actually needs to progress. Beginners may encounter material that’s too advanced, while more experienced learners may waste time on content that’s too basic. Without a structured pathway, students drift through lessons without building a coherent set of skills, making progress slow and inconsistent. The random approach may entertain, but it does little to ensure steady, meaningful development.
6. The Perpetuation of Undefined-Terms
In the world of piano education, many musical terms — like technique, theory, and practice — have been passed down through generations with only a vague understanding. This tradition means that even experienced teachers or students may occasionally use these words without a fully precise definition, and that’s not anyone’s fault; it’s simply how the culture of piano teaching has evolved. The risk is that vague or inconsistent definitions can slow progress or cause misunderstandings if left unexamined. Being aware of this unfortunate tradition and striving for clarity helps teachers communicate more effectively with students and with each other, ensuring that everyone builds skills on a solid, shared foundation.
The Simple Solutions:
1. The Skills-Based Solution
Instead of relying on songs alone, a skills-based approach recognizes that playing piano is the integration of many individual skills — rhythm, technique, reading, coordination, expression, and more. By isolating and practicing these skills separately, students build a strong foundation that makes learning songs far easier and more enjoyable. This focused practice allows students to see quick progress, which is both motivating and confidence-building. For teachers, it also offers more flexibility in lessons: rather than spending all the time on one song, teachers can address several skills in a single session, giving students clear, targeted assignments to practice at home.
2. The Flexible Skills Framework
Instead of following a rigid, step-by-step sequence, a skills-based framework provides practice activities in multiple areas — such as sight-reading, technique, ear training, and notation — that can be tailored to each student’s level. Unlike songs, which come with a fixed level of difficulty, activities can easily be adjusted to be simpler or more challenging as needed. This allows students to track progress in each skill area independently while working on several areas at once. Teachers gain flexibility, and students stay engaged by focusing on the specific skills they most need to strengthen.
3. The Skill-Separation Solution
The answer to the pile-on problem is to separate skills rather than stacking them prematurely. Students need time and targeted practice materials to build mastery and confidence in each area before combining them. For example, a student might work on note-reading separately from rhythm-reading, with plenty of exercises in each, before combining the two into full notation. When skills are strong on their own, students are not overwhelmed by “one more thing” but instead feel ready and excited to take on the challenge of integrating them. This approach prevents burnout and ensures that progress is steady, balanced, and rewarding.
4. The Growth-Centered Solution
The answer to artificial fun and reward systems is to make genuine progress the source of motivation. When students focus on specific, well-designed skill exercises, they can see and feel their improvement in real time. That sense of growth is exciting and satisfying on its own, far more meaningful than points, stickers, or cartoon characters. Focusing on growth also simplifies everything: instead of being distracted by busy pages, game rules, or point systems, students can devote their energy to building real musical skills.
5. The Structured-Flexibility Solution
The best response to the random approach is a method that is carefully planned yet not rigidly sequenced, as well as a method that provides material in every skill area. The PIANO PRO method provides a clear checklist of essential skills, organized into parallel books so that students always know what areas to focus on. This structure prevents wasted time on irrelevant or mismatched material, while still giving the flexibility to move at each student’s pace. If a learner advances quickly in one area, the framework guides them to strengthen other skills that still need attention, ensuring well-rounded growth without the aimless wandering of random content.
6. The Clarity Solution
One of the most important steps teachers can take is to slow down and make sure they truly understand the musical terms they use, and that they use them consistently with students. I learned this lesson the hard way with the word technique. Well into my teaching career, I realized that although I used the word often, I couldn’t actually define it. After serious reflection, I arrived at a clear understanding, which changed everything: how I practiced, how I taught, and how I explained skills to students. The same problem can happen with other common terms, such as theory, composition, musicality, and practice. When we take the time to understand and use terminology carefully, we give students a stronger foundation and help prevent confusion from being passed on.
Clarity and Simplicity for Every Page in PIANO PRO Books:
Frequently Asked Questions:
About PIANO PRO:
What makes PIANO PRO different from other piano methods?
There is honestly so much that sets PIANO PRO from every other method. For starters it is the most flexible and effective go-at-your-own-pace method available. It meets you exactly where you are — not only at your current skill level, but also in your personal interests. Whether you love classical, jazz, pop, or just want to explore music casually, PIANO PRO adapts to your goals and style. It’s equally powerful for students who want to excel at a high level as well as for those who simply want to enjoy learning piano.
Unlike traditional methods, PIANO PRO is focused on growing every skill you’ll need to be a happy and successful pianist and musician. It’s about giving you the ability to learn any style you want, and song you want, without the constant need for a teacher or a tutorial to show you how. With PIANO PRO, you won’t just learn a song or two, you can become fluent in the language of music!
Is PIANO PRO suitable for absolute beginners?
Absolutely! PIANO PRO is designed to work from the very first step, even with young beginners as early as three or four years old. The activities and exercises can be easily tailored to different ages, making them both accessible and engaging. It’s also excellent for adult beginners because it focuses on building real musical skills — not on manufactured fun or gimmicks. The method starts with each skill area at true zero, so you can find your personal “starting point,” master the fundamentals quickly, and move forward at a pace that keeps things challenging but never overwhelming.
What age is best to start PIANO PRO?
PIANO PRO is designed for anyone, at any age, and with any level of background experience. Younger children will naturally progress more slowly — that’s true with any method — but PianoPro makes it possible to start much earlier than most approaches.
With other methods, students often need to be at least seven years old and reading confidently just to understand the instructions on the page. PIANO PRO is different. Because the activities are simple and visual, even pre-readers can jump in and succeed. I’ve worked with students as young as three and four, tailoring the exercises to their level — and they’ve thrived.
That said, there’s no rush. Starting earlier can be wonderful if the child is interested, the parents are supportive, and the teacher is willing. But PIANO PRO works just as well for older beginners (including teens and adults) who want to move at their own pace.
How long does it typically take to see progress using PIANO PRO?
PIANO PRO is designed so that students see growth right away. Because music is made up of many different skills, progress doesn’t always look like playing big impressive songs right away — but with PIANO PRO, students begin mastering varius specific skills within the very first lessons. This builds confidence immediately and gives them the tools to start teaching themselves simple songs much sooner than with traditional methods.
Within the first year, most students gain a much deeper understanding of the “language of music” than they would with other approaches. Parents notice not only faster skill development, but also more enjoyment and confidence — students are excited to practice, proud to show progress, and motivated by seeing entire skill areas of their books completed. While every student’s journey to becoming a great musician looks different, PIANO PRO ensures that growth is steady, visible, and rewarding from the very beginning.
Can advanced students benefit from PIANO PRO, or is it only for beginners?
Currently, the available PIANO PRO books are focused on beginners. However, the method is designed to expand into intermediate and advanced levels, and those materials are in development. Many advanced pianists already practice in ways that mirror PIANO PRO’s approach — breaking skills down, working on them separately, and combining them effectively. In that sense, PIANO PRO teaches the “secret” of high-level practice from day one. So while it’s currently best suited for beginners, it’s growing toward serving advanced players as well. So stay tuned!
Where's the lesson book? Where's the theory book?...
Think of playing the piano as a large web of interconnected skills. That web could be divided and organized any number of ways. Some traditional methods separate their materials into books such as Lesson, Theory, Technique, Performance, Repertoire, Sight Reading, and other books. There are several problems with this tradition.
First, publishers typically divide everything into too many categories that teachers and students typically don’t want to have to keep track of so many different books at the same time. So, they identify some of these as “core” books, and the rest as “optional supplementary” books. This gives the impression that some skills are unnecessary (not true!). The other big issue with how this is typically executed is that each book isn’t very focused toward its designated skill area. Aside from typical “theory” books, it’s really difficult to tell the difference between all the other books if you don’t look at the covers because they’re all essentially just songbooks. And theory books tend to be just a catch-all for anything that involves pencil on paper (even though music theory is best taught at the piano!).
When I designed PIANO PRO, I could have divided the method into three, five, or even more categories. But I landed on four because I find it’s the perfect manageable number of books for both students and teachers, without each book becoming too large and unfocused. Every necessary skill for pianists is covered in one of the four books, and each book has enough material to last many months. Together, the PIANO PRO books create a balanced, interconnected system of learning.
Does PIANO PRO include songs to play, or is it only exercises?
Yes, PIANO PRO does include songs, primarily in the Performance Skills books. These books are designed to teach students how to practice, prepare for performance, and develop confidence in learning any piece of music. Rather than just presenting a bunch of songs to memorize, the Performance Skills books break songs down into focused skill areas — such as memorization techniques, breaking down challenging sections of pieces, practicing for accuracy and expression, and collaborating in ensembles.
The goal is to teach students how to teach themselves to play any song. Students learn strategies for interpreting, improvising, and even transposing music, so they’re not limited to simply playing notes on a page. In other words, songs are used as tools for skill-building rather than being the sole focus, giving students the freedom and confidence to explore their own favorite music and express themselves creatively.
In short: PIANO PRO includes songs, but it’s intentionally not just a songbook. The focus is on developing the skills to play any song, and even create music independently.
Can PIANO PRO be used for students with special learning needs or different learning styles?
Absolutely! In fact, PIANO PRO is one of the most flexible methods I’ve used for students with special needs for many reasons. For one, the exercises and activities don’t have to be completed all at once, unlike traditional songs. If a student has a short attention span — which is common in younger children, with or without special needs — we can start an exercise, work for a minute or two, and then switch to a different activity if needed, returning later if they’re feeling ready for it.
The method offers a wide variety of activities at any given time, so there’s always something that fits the student’s current focus and energy level. Many students benefit from the simple, clear instructions and step-by-step guidance that PIANO PRO provides, which prevents overwhelm and keeps learning accessible. Additionally, because PIANO PRO tracks progress in every skill area, teachers can easily see which skills need more attention and adjust lessons accordingly, making it adaptable to every student’s needs and learning style.
Does PIANO PRO prepare students for classical repertoire, popular music, or both?
Great question! Traditional methods often lean heavily toward classical repertoire, while a few focus more on popular music. Unfortunately, very few truly prepare students for both. PIANO PRO is different. It’s designed to help students become fluent in the language of music itself, so they can move comfortably between genres.
For example, classically focused students benefit greatly from skills often emphasized in popular music—like improvisation, transposition, and rhythmic flexibility. Likewise, students drawn to popular music are much stronger when they also develop sight reading, theory, and technical precision, which are often emphasized in classical traditions.
PIANO PRO equips students with all of these skills, giving them the versatility to pursue classical, pop, jazz, or any combination they choose. At the end of the day, dividing pianists into “classical” or “pop” camps is a false barrier created by tradition. A truly fluent musician should feel natural and confident in any style—and that’s exactly what PIANO PRO prepares students to do. With PIANO PRO, students don’t have to choose a style—they gain the skills to play them all.
Will PIANO PRO help with improvisation and composition or only reading music?
This is a great question, because part of the false tradition that many traditional methods have fallen into is focusing almost exclusively on reading music. While sight reading is extremely helpful, it’s far from the only skill a well-rounded musician needs.
PIANO PRO intentionally develops improvisation, composition, playing by ear, arranging, and transposing—alongside strong reading skills. These skills give students freedom at the keyboard, rather than leaving them dependent on sheet music alone.
I’ve had so many friends and colleagues tell me how envious they are of my ability to improvise, transpose, and adapt music in different styles. Or, other friends that are skilled with pop and jazz similarly express their longing to be able to sight read. This is because their training was influenced by these old traditions that was limited to only reading notes on the page or playing by ear. PIANO PRO exists to make sure the next generation of pianists can do all of these things with confidence, creativity, and joy.
Is PIANO PRO available in digital format (PDF or app), or only as physical books?
Presently, there is not a digital version of the PIANO PRO books (PDF, e-book, app, or otherwise). But since you asked…
One of the original plans for PIANO PRO was to be in a web or mobile app format. Being not at all tech-savvy, I decided to start with book versions. It turned out that I really quite enjoy using the books with my students and I’m happier about how they turned out than I expected. As PIANO PRO books are written, demonstration and practice-along videos will be added to the “PIANO PRO Videos” page.
There will likely be a place for an app of some kind in the future, but I’m also certain that physical books will never go out of style. So, the current plan is to keep going with the books until they reach the most advanced levels.
Parents:
How is PIANO PRO different from how I learned piano as a child?
Most adults learned piano by starting with simple songs and gradually adding more notes and rhythms, often forgetting much of the theory along the way. PIANO PRO is different: it breaks every skill into small, focused micro-skills, so students learn by doing. Sight reading, rhythms, finger numbers, intervals, chords—all are practiced individually. You can work alongside your child, and in the process, you’ll likely refresh your own piano skills too.
What if my child loses interest, can PIANO PRO help them regain their interest?
Absolutely! Many children lose interest when what they’re practicing is either too easy or too challenging. PIANO PRO is designed to always meet students at their level, keeping exercises challenging but achievable. It also empowers students to learn their favorite songs—either from sheet music or by ear—so they can stay engaged and motivated without feeling stuck or bored.
What age is best to start my child on PIANO PRO?
PIANO PRO is designed for students of any age and any background. Younger children naturally progress more slowly, but PIANO PRO makes it possible to begin earlier than most traditional methods allow—even with pre-readers as young as three or four. For very young beginners, teachers and parents can tailor activities to the child’s level, making it both approachable and fun. That said, there’s no rush to start early—beginning at seven or older works beautifully too. Ultimately, the best time to begin is when both the child and the parents feel ready, and PIANO PRO is flexible enough to meet them at that point.
How do I know if my child is practicing correctly at home with PIANO PRO?
There are several ways to be reassured that your child is practicing correctly with PIANO PRO. First, the activities and exercises are simple and easy to understand. In addition, there are video explanations on the PIANO PRO website where I demonstrate each exercise, explain the skills to focus on, and offer tips on how to make exercises more challenging, easier, or more varied to keep practice engaging. If you have further question, please reach out to me on my “Contact” page and I’ll try to answer every question as quickly as possible.
How can I support my child’s learning if I don’t know music myself?
Good news—you can learn music right alongside your child! The PIANO PRO method is designed to be natural and intuitive, so helping your student with the exercises is a learning experience for you as well. Many parents and grandparents who sit in on lessons tell me they’re learning more now than they did when they took piano lessons as children.
Teachers:
Can PIANO PRO be used alongside other piano methods?
Yes! While PIANO PRO is designed to be a complete, core method for developing all the essential piano skills, it’s also flexible enough to be used alongside other methods when desired. For example, if a teacher enjoys their current method but wants to give students extra support in a specific area, such as sight reading, the Sight Reading Skills books from PIANO PRO are a perfect complement. Similarly, the Composition Skills books can enhance learning for students who are particularly interested in creating their own music.
Because PIANO PRO is organized around four core skill areas rather than a rigid sequence of songs, teachers can mix and match exercises or books to supplement their current method if needed — though many teachers find that the more they use PIANO PRO, the more it naturally becomes their core method due to its comprehensiveness and effectiveness.
Are there teacher guides or supplemental materials included?
Yes — the PIANO PRO books that students use include clear instructions and tips for teachers on every activity. While the student pages are kept simple and uncluttered to encourage hands-on learning, the teacher notes explain how to use each exercise, what skills to watch for, and how to adjust the activity to suit different levels. There are also video demonstrations for each exercise in the “PIANO PRO Videos” page. And if teachers want further guidance or instruction, they can book a time to meet with me remotely on the “Training” page. I’m also happy to answer specific questions that you want to send me via my “Contact” page.
Currently, there isn’t a separate teacher’s manual. If demand grows, a dedicated teacher guide may be developed in the future.
Can I tailor PIANO PRO exercises for individual students?
Absolutely — flexibility is built into every activity. Unlike songs, which are difficult to adapt without leaving out key elements, PIANO PRO activities and exercises can be adjusted in countless ways: slow or fast, partial or complete, repeated as needed, or even reversed so the student “teaches” the teacher. Many can be done at the piano or away from the keyboard, with clapping, with movement, or other ways. This adaptability makes it easy to keep activities fresh, interesting, and at just the right level of challenge for each student.
Is PIANO PRO suitable for group lessons, or is it only for one-on-one teaching?
I have used PIANO PRO for group classes as well as one-on-one lessons and it works very well in either setting. The exercises are highly flexible and can easily be adapted into group activities, allowing students at different skill levels to participate together. Because each exercise can be adjusted to be easier or more challenging, teachers can meet the needs of every student in the group without slowing down or holding back others.
Another benefit of PIANO PRO is that it makes it easy to track progress in every skill area for each student. In a group setting, this allows you to give targeted attention to students who need extra help, while more advanced students can continue practicing independently. The method provides structure and clarity that supports both individualized growth and a dynamic, engaging group learning environment.
Do I need special materials beyond the books to use PIANO PRO?
Not at all — PIANO PRO is designed to be fully functional with just a piano or keyboard. Before developing PIANO PRO, I used to rely on lots of extra materials, like flashcards, dice, charts, or even stuffed animals, I’ve found that with PIANO PRO, I need them far less — and I don’t even miss them! The method is so comprehensive that students get everything they need directly from the activities and exercises in the books.
That said, some teachers or students may occasionally find additional tools helpful. For example, a whiteboard and dry-erase markers can be useful for group activities, or dice and flashcards can add variety if desired. One big advantage of relying on PIANO PRO itself is that the exercises students do in the lesson are the same ones they’ll practice at home. This consistency helps them build confidence and independence without requiring extra materials. Although, it’s still fun to toss the stuffy around in a group class once in a while 
.
Can PIANO PRO be used for remote or online learning?
Yes, absolutely. I teach many students remotely using PIANO PRO, and it works just as well as in-person lessons. As long as the student has their own book and I have a copy too, we can easily stay on the same page together during the lesson.
One of the strengths of PIANO PRO is the variety of activities it offers. With younger students, I often alternate between piano-based activities and floor activities to keep their attention moving. In online lessons, this can still work very well if parents are able to set up a device (like a tablet or phone) that can be moved from piano to floor and back again. When that’s possible, students get the same engaging variety they would in person. If moving the device isn’t practical, lessons can still work perfectly well by keeping everything at the piano.
Older students, such as teens and adults, usually don’t need that back-and-forth, so they do just fine staying at the piano for the whole lesson. Either way, PIANO PRO’s flexible design makes it a natural fit for online learning.
Students:
Do students need a teacher to use PIANO PRO effectively?
Students don’t need a teacher to get started with PIANO PRO — the exercises are clear and simple enough that motivated learners (and even young children with a parent’s help) can begin building real skills on their own. In fact, some families like to start this way to “test the waters” before committing to lessons, and PIANO PRO makes that easy.
That said, every student will benefit from having a good teacher. Nothing replaces the personal guidance, encouragement, and expertise that a teacher provides. What makes PIANO PRO unique is that it works beautifully in both settings: with a teacher, lessons can be short yet highly productive, and at home, students can continue making meaningful progress because they know exactly how to practice. Compared to other methods, this means more learning happens outside of the lesson — and students advance more quickly overall.
Do I need a piano at home to use PIANO PRO, or is a keyboard enough?
Great question! Today there’s a whole spectrum of instruments, from high-end acoustic pianos to affordable beginner keyboards, and everything in between. The truth is, the better the instrument, the more enjoyable and motivating the learning experience will be—because it will sound better and respond more naturally to your touch.
That said, PIANO PRO works with both acoustic pianos and digital keyboards. A good-quality digital keyboard with weighted keys can be an excellent choice, especially since many models now include helpful features like headphone jacks, recording functions, and even backing tracks. On the other hand, very inexpensive keyboards or poorly maintained pianos can make progress harder because they don’t respond well to the student’s playing.
Minimum recommendation: A full-size (88-key) digital piano with weighted action, or an acoustic piano that is kept in good condition with regular tuning and maintenance.
In short: PIANO PRO doesn’t require one type of instrument. But the higher the quality of your piano or keyboard, the more fun, inspiring, and effective your practice will be.
How much practice time is recommended with PIANO PRO?
Lots of practice is important, but it’s also important to be realistic — every family has their own busy schedule. The most important guideline is consistency: practicing something every day is far more effective than doing a long session once a week.
PIANO PRO is designed around multiple skill areas, so practice can be broken into small, focused activities instead of long, continuous sessions on one or two songs. Research shows that shorter, targeted practice on specific skills is more effective than long, “blocked” practice. Students can work on different skills at each practice session and can spread exercises across the day/week, which keeps learning fresh and avoids fatigue.
For young students (under 10), try about 15 minutes a day as a minimum. Older students can often handle longer sessions, and motivated students can absolutely practice for 30–60 minutes or more. The key is to practice regularly and consistently across the different skill areas in PIANO PRO — even a few focused minutes daily will lead to steady progress.
Can PIANO PRO be used for self-teaching as an adult beginner?
Absolutely! PIANO PRO is designed so that adult learners can get started on their own, with clear instructions that guide practice and skill development without a teacher present. Adult learners often do very well independently because they can focus on the exercises at their own pace, revisit areas they find challenging, and track their progress carefully.
That said, having a teacher can still be very helpful. Even occasional check-ins can make a big difference — a teacher can spot areas for improvement, answer questions, and offer tips that might not be obvious from the exercises alone. For adult students who are mostly self-taught, I offer online lessons on a flexible schedule, including one-off sessions whenever you’re ready, rather than requiring weekly appointments. This makes it easy to combine self-guided learning with professional guidance when you need it, ensuring faster progress and a more confident, enjoyable learning experience.
How soon will I be able to play my favorite songs?
How soon you’ll be able to play your favorite songs depends on how difficult those songs are and how much mastery you want over them. Every song—whether classical or pop—can have easier or more advanced versions. The great news is that PIANO PRO prepares you to play any song you choose. By focusing on building and mastering all the essential skills, you’ll have the tools to learn your favorite songs confidently, no matter the style or difficulty.
Does PIANO PRO prepare me for recitals, exams, or competitions?
Yes, absolutely! PIANO PRO doesn’t just teach you songs—it teaches you the language of music so that you can confidently prepare for any type of performance. Whether it’s a casual jam with friends, a recital, or a competition, PIANO PRO gives you the skills to understand, practice, and perform music on your own. In other words, it trains you to prepare yourself, no matter the setting.
Can I skip ahead in the books if I’m progressing quickly?
Absolutely! The PIANO PRO method is designed so that within each skill area, exercises gradually increase in difficulty. Once you master an exercise, you can check it off and move on to the next one at your own pace. You are in charge of your progress, so if you feel confident, you can try something more challenging. Just keep in mind that skipping entire sections or books isn’t recommended—you want to make sure you have a solid foundation in every skill area so you don’t get stuck or frustrated later.
What if I’ve already taken lessons—should I start at Book 1 or a higher level?
Short answer: Even if you’ve had piano lessons before, starting at Book 1 can be the best way to make sure you have a solid foundation in every skill. PIANO PRO lets you move ahead in the areas you excel at while still strengthening other skills at your own pace. Your past experience will actually help you progress faster, so starting at a lower level is really just a smart way to get even better.
Longer answer: It depends on your current level and how many years of lessons you’ve had. I’ve had students who had several years of prior piano lessons but still started at Book 1—and it was still the perfect choice, because most other methods skip over many of the crucial skills that pianists should be learning. Even if some exercises are easy for them, there are always important skills that they may not have fully developed in previous methods. Starting at Book 1 allows them to solidify those foundational skills while quickly moving through the exercises they already know.
One unique aspect of PIANO PRO is that students don’t have to be at the same book level in all four skill areas. For example, a student could be using Sight Reading Skills Book 2 while still working in Book 1 for Instrumental Skills, Composition Skills, or Performance Skills. If a student excels in a particular area, they can move ahead in that book without it hindering their progression in the other areas. The method is essentially a constant assessment in every skill area, allowing students to progress at their own pace in each area individually.
For students who have truly mastered all of Book 1 in certain areas, moving on to Book 2 is easy. A teacher familiar with the PIANO PRO method can help assess the best starting point by observing a few key exercises in each skill area, which only takes a few minutes. This ensures that no skill gaps are overlooked.
The great thing is that starting at a lower book doesn’t mean starting over—it means building a rock-solid foundation. With PIANO PRO, your previous experience actually helps you progress faster, giving you confidence and mastery that will make all subsequent books feel even more rewarding.
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