Helping classically-trained pianists improvise with confidence
Watch this video to learn about the Piano Brains MEMBERSHIP AREA!
Hi, I’m Raluca and I teach classically trained pianists how to improvise with confidence.
Will YOU be my next student?
For a limited time, you can join Piano Brains for a ONE TIME payment of $149. Join TODAY and get lifetime access to all future courses! :)
At this time there are THREE (3) courses available inside the Piano Brains membership area.
LEARN MORE about each course below:
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Twelve video lessons to help you brush up on your 12 major scales, primary chords, secondary chords, and key signatures.
PRE-REQUISITES:
• ability to read sheet music
• ability to play SATB hymns
• early intermediate classical background (Bach minuets)
COURSE CONTENTS:
• major scales
• arpeggios
• primary chords
• secondary chords
• common chord progressions
• 12 summary PDFs
• 12 transpositions of "Lavenders Blue" -
The original "Piano Brains" course. Chords are the building blocks to playing anything by ear. In this course I help you bridge your classical background to being able to make music without written-out sheets.
PRE-REQUISITES:
• ability to read sheet music
• ability to play SATB hymns
• intermediate classical background (Clementi sonatinas)
• scales and arpeggios in all major and minor keys
• key signatures
COURSE CONTENTS:
• Module 1 – Introduction to chords
• Module 2 – Identifying chords in classical repertoire
• Module 3 – Identifying chords in SATB hymns
• Module 4 – Developing RH / LH accompaniment patterns
• Module 5 – Brain hacks (shortcuts to help you think quickly) -
Learn how to write your OWN piano arrangements with this step-by-step approach!
PRE-REQUISITES:
• ability to follow chord charts
• ability to play SATB hymns
• late intermediate classical repertoire (i.e. Moonlight sonata 1st mvt)
• key signatures
COURSE CONTENT:
• Module 1 – Developing the melody
• Module 2 – Developing the harmonic layer
• Module 3 – Developing the bass line
• Module 4 – Form (giving your arrangement a good shape)
• Module 5 – Transposition + Modulation
• Module 6 – Reharmonization
• Module 7 – Final touches (extended chords, fill-ins, rhythm styles, genres)
GOT MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT PIANO BRAINS?
Fill out the form below and I get back to you in 24-48 hours!
Have you ever wondered how can someone just sit down and play piano… without sheet music? And no, they didn’t memorize that piece ahead of time. They’re just playing what it seems to be “by ear.” Do YOU wish you could do that too? Do you think that ability is only reserved for some musicians? And perhaps you've been told that you don’t have a good enough EAR in order to improvise with confidence?
While it is true that some people are able to pick up a new skill as if by magic, that doesn’t automatically mean that for you that skill is completely out of reach. It only means that you need a DIFFERENT approach, one that works well with how YOUR classically-trained brain understands the world of music :)
What if I told you your EAR was perfectly fine? When you play with sheet music, you can tell when you’ve hit a wrong note simply because your EAR is telling your brain: “Ding! Ding! Something’s off – move that finger to an F#!” You already have a GREAT ear! :)
Here’s the secret: it’s not the EAR that helps you play piano freely without sheet music; it’s your BRAIN. And no, you don’t have to be born with a special talent to play “by ear.” At the same time, you’re not doomed to a lifetime of sheet music. Even classically trained pianists can unlock that feature in their BRAIN in order to play piano freely.
I’ve spend over a decade teaching students how to play “by ear.” More specifically, I make sure they understand chord theory: from identifying chords in classical repertoire to playing piano on the worship team (where all they use is chord charts, not sheet music). And, to my surprise, this approach works!! My students are no longer intimidated by chord charts or lead sheets. Most recently, I’ve been teaching classically trained pianists how to arrange their own music!
You can also experience that same level of excitement!
Oh, I should also mention this – fear not – your years of classical piano training are NOT wasted!! Your classical knowledge and experience are in fact THE BEST foundation for ANY kind of music you want to play. Your prior experience will come in very handy (pun intended) in helping you play piano CONFIDENTLY without sheet music!
WATCH THIS VIDEO to learn about what it means to play “BY EAR”
Real students, real change
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– Michelle W.
Very much enjoying the Piano Brains course! After a little chord types refresher I'm identifying chords in classical repertoire. Can't wait to get into the next module with SATB music!
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– Bonnie M.
Raluca's holistic approach to teaching piano has been such a gift to my 14 year-old, taking her musical education from just rote memory of notes to a true understanding of the structure and form of any piece she's working on. We'll be listening to music in the car, and my daughter Nora is easily able to evaluate the chord progression of a song, even some of the more obscure chords in pop music! Raluca's approach has also given my daughter more confidence in her playing, singing, and—most importantly—her song writing, which has been a joy to be a part of. I highly recommend her for her solid and unique method to teaching pianists how to learn and love music for a lifetime!
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– Courts F.
I enjoy the videos, you’re very animated which is rather appealing to those with ADHD (you’d know, ha!) and your passion is very evident. It makes a rather intense and course packed with information much more manageable
NOW YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THESE VIDEOS (and PDF materials) FOR ONLY $149!
And you get LIFETIME ACCESS, so you can re-watch the videos and reference the PDFs as often as you want!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Click below to join the fun!
I’ll see you on the other side:)
Raluca
PIANO BRAINS
The course where I (a classically trained pianist), will help YOU (fellow classically trained pianist) play piano without sheet music!
FAQs!
Still have questions about the course? Feel free to reach out to me directly here.
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Not necessarily, but its helpful to practice! Watch the course modules on any device, anywhere, uninterrupted and internalize the content. While the videos don’t require you to sit at a piano and practice while you watch them, it would help to have access to one in order to practice the new skills.
Then, when you have access to a piano, practice with the course worksheets and video replays.
If you have access to a church piano or a high school piano, then you should be fine to take the course!
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Absolutely, that's fine – you can still learn the concepts on a keyboard. When the time is right, you may want to upgrade to a weighted keyboard simply because it will help you shape your dynamics and articulations better. And as far as the pedal goes, again, it's not required for you to learn the concepts from the videos, but it will be a nice additional touch as you grow in your musical skills :)
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Some of the audio examples may sound confusing if you play the video and try something out at the same time. So, if you want to try things out WHILE watching videos, then I suggest you get it tuned. If you separate the two activities (you watch the videos away from the piano, then you go back to your piano to practice what you've learned), then it's not a big deal.
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Ideally yes, but you can also learn them inside the Piano Brains membership area. "Foundation Station" is designed to help you learn / brush up on your major scales!
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Absolutely! The online videos are easy to watch simply by clicking play and all documents are available to download with the click of a button. For technical help, simply reach out to raluca@ralucabojor.com and a member of my team will gladly assist you!
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Ideally yes, or at least an iPad with an Apple Pencil (or similar device). The worksheets are designed so that you can also interact with the music in writing, not just by playing the piano. Trust me – it will help your brain solidify the concepts!
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Join the facebook group or email me at raluca@ralucabojor.com
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It depends on what option you select when you register. You have two options:
Option 1 – a one-time payment of $149 (discounted rate)
Option 2 – three monthly payments of $53 each ($159 total after the third month) -
Yes, you need internet access to watch the video content. However, you can download the PDFs to your computer and use them at any moment, even when on airplane mode! :)
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Start small! If you’re a church pianist, grab a hymnal (or go to hymnary.org where you can download thousands of public domain hymns) and play the melody in the soprano line with your right hand (the top note of the treble clef).
Then add the alto line (you play will two notes in the right hand). Then practice the left hand separately, learning the bass notes first (the lowest), then add the tenors. Then play hands together one phrase at a time :)
If you were classically trained, go back to the basics – minuets from the Anna Magdalena Bach notebook, Czerny etudes op. 599 (start with Etude No. 11), Schumann’s “Album for the Young” or look at piano literature collections such as Bastien’s Piano Literature Volumes 1 and 2.
If you can comfortably play from volume 2, you’re ready for Piano Brains :)
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You need to know the following fundamentals in order to benefit from the Piano Brains membership area:
• all the notes in the treble clef
• all the notes in the bass clef
• time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8)
• key signatures (and / or the circle of fifths)
• note durations (quarter notes, eighth notes, rests)
• intervals (seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths)