Frequently Asked Questions
Nik Answers The Most CommonQuestions About His Full Membership.
Or, text/call me directly: +1-951-805-1406
Why Choose My Lessons?
My course is VERY different and not a traditional curriculum. I focus on helping adults who tinker around with chord charts and playing by ear fill out their music to sound more professional. And if you've done your research you'll see that no one is teaching online the way I do; no sheet music and a heavy focus on rhythm/syncopation as the foundation to your full, natural sound!
The 3 proven effective tools you will learn how to apply to your playing are, simple syncopation, creative chord voicing & melodic fills and runs. Here's a small sample of the thousands of adults I've helped over the years:
The 3 proven effective tools you will learn how to apply to your playing are, simple syncopation, creative chord voicing & melodic fills and runs. Here's a small sample of the thousands of adults I've helped over the years:
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Are Your Courses For Beginners Or Advanced Players?
BOTH! I've had many people who were complete beginners use the course successfully. I've also had many seasoned pianists (some professional touring musicians even) take my courses and LOVE THEM.
The biggest thing you need to be comfortable with is, learning songs using chords charts. If you don't know chords, don't worry, I have a beginner's course to get you up to speed and lessons to build your technique if you're just getting started.
The biggest thing you need to be comfortable with is, learning songs using chords charts. If you don't know chords, don't worry, I have a beginner's course to get you up to speed and lessons to build your technique if you're just getting started.
Is There a Song List?
Yes, please find the tentative song list below. Also, once a full members, you can request songs by texting or emailing me! A song that is requested multiple times will make the list. Videos are uploaded weekly until I die (hopefully not anytime soon).
"Rock Classics/Pop"
"Let it Be" by The Beatles (Duration: 2 hours 39 minutes)
"Circle of Life" - Elton John (Duration: 3 hours 34 minutes)
"Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses (Duration: 3 hours 1 minute)
"Shallow" - Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper (Duration: 2 hours 26 minutes)
"Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond (Sept. 14)
"Hotel California" - The Eagles (Oct. 26)
"Another Rock Classic" (Dec. 14)
"Worship, Gospel, Hymns, Jazz"
"Amazing Grace" (Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes)
"What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong (Duration: 3 hours 2 minutes)
"Surrounded (Fight My Battles)" - Michael W. Smith (Aug. 31)
"Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder (Sept. 30)
"Georgia" - Ray Charles - (Oct. 12)
"Fly Me To The Moon" - Frank Sinatra (Nov. 30)
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" (TBD)
"Do It Again" - Elevation Worship (TBD)
"Country/Folk/Country Western"
"Country Roads, Take Me Home" by John Denver (Duration: 2 hours 41 minutes)
"Hallelujah" - Leonard Cohen (Sept. 28)
CURRENTLY RECORDING "I Will Always Love You" - Dolly Parton (July 20)
"The Gambler" - Kenny Rogers (Aug. 17)
"Rock Classics/Pop"
"Let it Be" by The Beatles (Duration: 2 hours 39 minutes)
"Circle of Life" - Elton John (Duration: 3 hours 34 minutes)
"Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses (Duration: 3 hours 1 minute)
"Shallow" - Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper (Duration: 2 hours 26 minutes)
"Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond (Sept. 14)
"Hotel California" - The Eagles (Oct. 26)
"Another Rock Classic" (Dec. 14)
"Worship, Gospel, Hymns, Jazz"
"Amazing Grace" (Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes)
"What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong (Duration: 3 hours 2 minutes)
"Surrounded (Fight My Battles)" - Michael W. Smith (Aug. 31)
"Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder (Sept. 30)
"Georgia" - Ray Charles - (Oct. 12)
"Fly Me To The Moon" - Frank Sinatra (Nov. 30)
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" (TBD)
"Do It Again" - Elevation Worship (TBD)
"Country/Folk/Country Western"
"Country Roads, Take Me Home" by John Denver (Duration: 2 hours 41 minutes)
"Hallelujah" - Leonard Cohen (Sept. 28)
CURRENTLY RECORDING "I Will Always Love You" - Dolly Parton (July 20)
"The Gambler" - Kenny Rogers (Aug. 17)
What Do You Teach in Each Song Title?
First off, you get a chord chart/lead sheet to help learn the basic form of the song:
Then, we'll cover the following for each specific song title:
1. Basic Song Structure
2. Coordination With Drum Loops
3. Simple Syncopation
4. Advanced Syncopation
5. Chord Voicing - Fill Out Your Melody Lines
6. Fills & Runs (Tasty Licks)
7. Soloing On The Fly
8. Supporting a Singer w/ Chord Voicing (Comping)
9. Chord Voicing (Nik's Creative Ideas)
1. Basic Song Structure
2. Coordination With Drum Loops
3. Simple Syncopation
4. Advanced Syncopation
5. Chord Voicing - Fill Out Your Melody Lines
6. Fills & Runs (Tasty Licks)
7. Soloing On The Fly
8. Supporting a Singer w/ Chord Voicing (Comping)
9. Chord Voicing (Nik's Creative Ideas)
How Are Your Lessons Different Than Classical Training?
I took 17 years of classical training, so my teaching and playing style is influenced by that. But I realized something very quickly while taking classical lessons: it does not teach you how to flow freely, improvise or play creatively. Your eyes are glued to reading notes and many adults don't understand that the very thing keeping them from reaching their piano goals, (of playing some Elton John with a natural and full sound) is the sheet music in front of them.
So, my courses are different than classical training in that they do not focus on reading notes. Instead, my lessons focus on using chord charts and filling out your sound creatively, with feeling, using my 3 proven effective tools: syncopation, chord voicing and melodic fills/runs.
So, my courses are different than classical training in that they do not focus on reading notes. Instead, my lessons focus on using chord charts and filling out your sound creatively, with feeling, using my 3 proven effective tools: syncopation, chord voicing and melodic fills/runs.
My Technique is Bad, Where Should I Start?
It's no secret that some of us have questionable technique and bad habits when it comes to piano. So, if that is you, don't worry. I developed courses in the membership to help you build better technique as you learn about the 3 powerful tools to fill out your songs/playing. I cover finger strength, the basics of chords and fingering, coordination training, hand independence exercises to develop control of your hands, etc.
I'm "Old" Will This Work For Me?
This is easy to answer. Regardless of your age, if you are willing to put the work in AND pay careful attention to my direction, you will get results. Plain and simple. Your age does not matter.
As a matter of fact, 90% of my students are over 50 years old. My oldest online student is 97. You're never too old to enjoy the piano.
As a matter of fact, 90% of my students are over 50 years old. My oldest online student is 97. You're never too old to enjoy the piano.
How Does "Mentoring" Work?
Mentoring happens in a private student Facebook group. There are currently 840+ students in that private group. Here's a short 1 minute video of how mentoring works:
Is this membership right for me? Meaning, will it work for me?
OK, so everyone's situation is a little bit different, but let me ask you one question: Do you currently know how to play piano without sheet music? If not, why haven't you learned? Why can't you enjoy the piano and JUST flow without sheet music? In the membership I give you the EXACT formula for success with free-styling, my best tips that NO ONE else on the planet is teaching, and step-by-step hand holding (with my mentoring).
That being said, the membership is definitely right for you if:
You want to learn piano but just don't think you have the time. I assure you that you won't get a more efficient program than this.
Or...
If you've tried to learn piano before with traditional lessons and sheet music but it didn't "stick", this program is for you.
Or...
If you've plateaued and feel stuck, then this program is for you.
Or...
If you want to have the ability to play your favorite songs then "noodle" and improvise in the middle of them and REALLY enjoy playing freely, this program is for you.
Or...
The key requirement I'd say is learning how to play songs using just chords and a simple melody lines (fake book).
The membership is definitely NOT for you if:
You want to play classical pieces since my methods focus on FLOWING and playing without sheet music.
You are expecting overnight results with very little effort/work involved this, my friend, this is not for you. I wish I could offer some magic pill, but unfortunately you do have to put in a little effort. I've made the piano learning process as simple as it can possibly be without using sheet music, but you still need to have the willingness to trust me and actually complete all the lessons.
If you have a negative, crappy attitude, please don't become a member. Life is too short and we probably won't get along, hehe.
That being said, the membership is definitely right for you if:
You want to learn piano but just don't think you have the time. I assure you that you won't get a more efficient program than this.
Or...
If you've tried to learn piano before with traditional lessons and sheet music but it didn't "stick", this program is for you.
Or...
If you've plateaued and feel stuck, then this program is for you.
Or...
If you want to have the ability to play your favorite songs then "noodle" and improvise in the middle of them and REALLY enjoy playing freely, this program is for you.
Or...
The key requirement I'd say is learning how to play songs using just chords and a simple melody lines (fake book).
The membership is definitely NOT for you if:
You want to play classical pieces since my methods focus on FLOWING and playing without sheet music.
You are expecting overnight results with very little effort/work involved this, my friend, this is not for you. I wish I could offer some magic pill, but unfortunately you do have to put in a little effort. I've made the piano learning process as simple as it can possibly be without using sheet music, but you still need to have the willingness to trust me and actually complete all the lessons.
If you have a negative, crappy attitude, please don't become a member. Life is too short and we probably won't get along, hehe.
How Do I Access The Lessons?
The lessons are all online and available through your account on the site. That means, no need to pay for shipping or wait on a physical CD. When you sign up on the site, remember your email and password because that is the way you will login to your account and watch your lessons.
Nikolas, what if I buy and want a refund? What's the policy?
If I can't teach you how to fill out your playing so you sound less basic and more PRO on the piano, then I don't deserve your money. That has always been the case at ImprovPianoTips. Within 90 days of signing up for the full membership ($199/year), just let me know the course isn't for you, I'll refund you every penny.