PopJazzKeys Piano Lessons with Thomas Gunther
Don't miss out on this very special offer for first-timers!
Receive a FREE trial remote lesson and consultation with Chicago-based jazz-pop pianist/keyboardist Thomas Gunther – no strings attached!
Taking Action is the First Step To Success!
Are you looking for a way to improve your playing faster?
We all have busy lives with no time to waste. I will be happy to help you find a practice strategy that works for you, regardless of your playing level!
Click to play
The pain of not knowing what to practice
My biggest frustration with practicing pop-jazz piano can be summed up in one simple dilemma: What should I practice?
Classical musicians don’t usually have this problem. They pick a song and start learning it. They also typically have a warm-up routine and a set of very specific technique exercises that they routinely perform.
For jazz musicians, that’s very different. We want to learn how to create music spontaneously, which requires a completely different approach to practicing.
I bought many books that promised to improve different aspects of my piano playing. They soon filled half of my bookshelf.
Unfortunately, having all these great resources made my decision about what to practice and how not any easier; in fact, it made it even worse.
Every time I would have time to practice, I wondered what I should be working on. There were so many things I wanted to get better at. But even after I finally decided on what I wanted to practice, I still was unclear about how to practice it efficiently. Instead of practicing something of value, more often than not, I would end up jamming over a tune I already knew. This was fun, but it didn’t really improve my playing. I can’t count all the hours I wasted just noodling around instead of practicing methodically.
The decision that put me on a better path
In my frustration, at age 14, I finally decided to take lessons with a jazz piano instructor at our local music school. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my pianistic career. He quickly figured out what my deficiencies were, both musically and methodically speaking. He quickly devised a regiment of specific exercises for me, along with a practice plan, that made me improve my playing incredibly fast. On top of that, he reinforced my belief that I am talented and capable. It was an amazing experience. Yes, it cost me some money, but it was so worth it.
After three months of weekly lessons, he told me I was ready to see him only twice a month. We did this for two months. After that, we decided that I should set up an occasional lesson only when I felt I needed his guidance. I will be forever grateful for having him take me as his student. I still benefit from his advice today, and I have used much of it in my lessons to help my own students.
Still trying to decide about scheduling your free trial lesson?
Check out what some of my students say about me.
Check out what I am doing professionally at
Thomas Gunther News➡️
Check out these two piano video tutorials where I share valuable insights into music. They showcase my teaching style and approach, giving you a glimpse of my passion and expertise. While I'm presenting solo without a student, you’ll still experience the enthusiasm and depth of knowledge I bring to my lessons. Enjoy!
What defines a great teacher?
For me a great teacher is someone who has the ability to instantly see what your strengths and deficiencies are. Based on those findings, he/she devises a practice method and directs you to resources that are perfectly tailored towards your personal needs, so that you can get better fast. The ability to do this takes years of experience derived from teaching many students with all kinds of backgrounds.
Characteristics of a great instructor
There are of course many characteristics a great instructor possesses. Here are some:
Why I Am This Kind Of Teacher
With decades of experience teaching contemporary keyboard classes and private lessons to students across all ages and backgrounds, I am confident in my ability to be an effective piano teacher for learners at any level!
Thomas Gunther with his students at Columbia College Chicago
What I would be able to do for you
Find the practice method that's right for you
It's a fact that every person learns differently. This means that a practice method that works great for one person might be a waste of time for someone else. An experienced teacher can quickly discover how you learn most efficiently so you don't waste time practicing in a way that doesn't suit you.
Give You Constructive Feedback
Another important advantage of taking lessons with a real person rather than, for example, watching a YouTube video is that you get instant feedback.
For example, whenever you play for your instructor, a new deficiency that needs to be addressed may surface, which you may not have noticed on your own.
Motivate You
A great instructor motivates you to work harder. Receiving praise from a person you respect can go a long way. A great instructor has a way of letting you know when you are not doing well in a way that makes you want to overcome your deficiencies rather than becoming discouraged. Again, it takes an experienced instructor to find the right balance, as every student is different.
When to Schedule Lessons: Regularly vs. On-Demand
Regular lessons
From my experience, less experienced piano players benefit greatly from taking lessons on a regular basis. Here is why. Above all, when taking lessons on a weekly basis under the guidance of a great instructor, you will learn how to practice methodically and develop an efficient practice routine, which is the ticket to improving quickly! After you have taken lessons regularly for a few months, you might expand the time between lessons from once a week to once every two weeks, and so on.
Lessons On-Demand
If you are an advanced player, you might prefer taking lessons on demand. For example, you can take a lesson to address a specific problem and won't return until you have another one that needs to be solved.
Post that might interest you:
Benefits Of Taking Jazz Piano Lessons