Phred Piano Expression

Specialties

Phred Piano Expression is an innovative approach to learning to play the piano that is simple, clear, and most importantly… fun. It is equally effective with both children and adult, beginners and advanced. The weekly or twice-​a-​month lesson is divided into three parts: Touch, sight-​reading and Sound-​Logic.

Touch

The ability to create a beautiful tone and play with feeling is the single most important aspect of piano expression. Without it, the most sophisticated harmonies and polished technique will sound pedestrian. With it, the simplest folk tune with primitive harmony will reach or «touch» the listener.

Sight-​Reading

The ability to sight-​read music is taught with a carefully graduated series of piano pieces. The student is led on an adventure through popular and classical music that ends with the joyous ability to sit at the piano and sight-​read any piece of music he/​she chooses.

Sound-​Logic

Contrary to popular belief, playing the piano by ear, or the ability to hear a song and then reproduce it on the piano, can be learned and developed. Starting with picking out a single note melody with one finger and then with simple rules of harmony, develop that into a full-​bodied arrangement with rich, beautiful chords and fill-​ins. The goal of the Sound-​Logic study is for the student to be able to play popular music and jazz without the aid of sheet-​music. With this training the student ultimately develops his/​her very own Personal style of piano expression.

History

Established in 2000.

Phred, as he prefers to be called, is a pianist extraordinaire. «People always ask me, ‘How can you play the piano and talk to someone at the same time?’ It’s like anything else-​practice.»

A typical lesson with Phred, or one of his assistants, is broken down into sound logic, sight reading and touch. For most adults and children, what sets these lessons apart is the approach taken by the teacher.

Phred is well aware of the diversions kids have these days. «I try to make it easy and as fun as possible, but at some point they have to put it over playing Nintendo and watching TV. It’s got to be important enough to put it somewhere in the weekly schedule.» But, Phred advises, parents shouldn’t expect children to practice piano for hours at a stretch. Ten minutes, three times a day, will do just fine, thank you.

Meet the Business Owner

Phred M.

Business Owner

Attended UCLA and graduated in Theatre Arts/​English while studying piano privately with noted Hollywood pianist/​teacher Sam Saxe. Moved to NYC to pursue acting and numerous credits include understudy to Dudley Moore in Beyond the Fringe on Broadway and Ryan’s Hope on television. Continued piano studies with John Mehegan at The Julliard School and Hall Overton at the Manhattan School of Music. Worked as a singer/​pianist for 30 years in NYC supper clubs. Founded Phred Piano Expression in 1985, which has grown to be the largest piano instruction group in Bergen County. Creator of «Fun ‘N’ Easy» Piano Course and author of piano instruction text Sound Logic. Founder/​Artistic Director of the NYC International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. Founder/​Chairman of Piano Expression Ltd. Recital Series in NYC.