David Story, Online Piano Lessons from Toronto
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Adult Lessons
  • Jazz Workshop #Eleven March 5, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Children's Winter Concert 2023
  • My Story
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources

My Teaching Philosophy

    Philosophy: Happy students who play well
Each student's curriculum is based solely on their needs and desires. After an honest discussion we will set realistic goals, create a learning plan, and get started. The main question I have for you is: "how will we know you have succeeded?"

Piano lessons are professional, supportive, enthusiastic, multi-modal, and guilt-free. 
Picture
Canadian Youth Synthesizer Orchestra in 1989 with my co-founder Drew Smith.
​Adult education and goal setting
Adults lead complicated lives, therefore what happens between lessons depends on their goals and time available. For a few adults 8 hours of practice a week is realistic, others 8 minutes. I’m happy either way. The main thing in music study for recreational players is devotion to practice in the time available. However, for ambitious students both devotion and time is required.  

A personal note on practicing and realistic goal setting
Before Covid-19, my wife and I attended ballroom dance classes. Practicing was confined to class. We were happy because our goals and expectations were congruent with the time available. After two years of showing up, I was able to erase the Left and Right chalk marks on the toes of my shoes.
Inspired by the drummers I had worked with in my previous life, I took up the study of drums and mallet percussion to explore Anders Ericsson's theory of "deliberate practice". Over the last 13 years I've devoted at least one hour a day to this experiment. Furthermore, I've spent a small fortune on percussion gear, weekly lessons, books, and travelling workshops around the world. The result? I'm a drummer! It worked. My next goal is to be a better drummer.
                                                ©2022 David Story
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Adult Lessons
  • Jazz Workshop #Eleven March 5, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Children's Winter Concert 2023
  • My Story
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources