Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Gruber.
Debbie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I learned to play the piano starting at age 6. All my lessons were strictly classically based – note reading and classical music. When I was in high school, I learned to play popular music without reading notes. I wanted to learn to play by ear and to play using chords and embellishments. It wasn’t until I was 24 that I finally found a teacher who could teach me what I craved to learn!
I started EasyPianoStyles.com in 2007 because I wanted to teach other people like me to play the piano without years of lessons and note-reading. The purpose of the business is to teach people with little to no experience how to play all kinds of music including pop, jazz, and blues (except classical). To this end, I have written many instructional books, DVDs and CDs teaching chords, chord embellishments, blues, riffs, and lots more!
I teach one night Piano classes called “Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People” in adult education centers in and around Boston where people with a little background in piano learn a the method for playing popular piano.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The toughest challenges have been marketing on the internet. There are a lot of piano websites out there so it is a challenge to stand out and be competitive with other sites.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with EasyPianoStyles.com – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in three areas.
1) We teach people how to play popular piano, not essentially through reading notes but by reading chords, playing a melody, and embellishing upon the chords and melody line. The focus is on playing and not reading. This is a non-traditional method of playing piano. We have a class that is held at many adult education centers in and around Boston called “Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People”.
2) Lots of piano websites teach piano instruction only. We teach how to play to accompany oneself (or others) singing. When playing in this fashion, there is no note reading at all, just playing the chords in different rhythmic patterns between the left and the right hand. You can plan your first party with you as the entertainer leading a sing-a-long.
3) We have a new one night class called “Piano Nite”. This is for total beginners who know absolutely nothing about the piano. You learn one song in one night. Think “Paint Nite” for piano! This class is held in local restaurants and bars. You can learn more on Facebook page. A website is being constructed at present.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would like to grow the online EasyPianoStyles.com community. People can sign up to receive a free email newsletter called eNotes which contains weekly video piano lessons and access to hundreds of videos and interviews with highly accomplished musicians.
Also, Piano Nite will grow all across Massachusetts with thousands of people enjoying a night out with friends, eating, drinking and learning to play one wonderful song on the piano that they never thought they could play!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.EasyPianoStyles.com
- Phone: 781-799-6439
- Email: Debbie@EasyPianoStyles.com
- Instagram: @dgruber123
- Facebook: @EasyPianoStyles
- Twitter: @dgruber123
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
