Jim Holman Piano, Theory, Songwriting, And Improvisation Lessons
About
Welcome to Jim Holman Piano, Theory, Songwriting, and Improvisation Lessons, where we are dedicated to nurturing your musical journey. Based in Chicago, IL, our approach emphasizes personalized instruction in piano and music theory, tailored to your unique strengths and learning objectives. Whether you're a novice or seeking to refine your skills, our lessons are designed to inspire and enhance your musical expression. Join us to explore the world of music with a focus on creativity and foundational excellence.
Highlights
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
Kathy C.
Richard G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
BEGINNER PIANO:
Learn your favorite song. Learn how to play it. Understand what you play. Understand the song. Apply this understanding to help you more effectively express yourself.
INTERMEDIATE PiANO:
Expand on our understanding of the piece. Use lessons learned from previous experience to inform new projects. Further emphesis on theory and analysis of the musical information provided to inform how we address proper technique all to serve the emotional psychology of the work.
SONGWRITING/COMPOSITION:
If we are coming into writing music cold first, we need to look at music that we enjoy. We can see where scales and chords/harmony and rhythm are employed or are not employed. Looking at how broad issues like pulse, storytelling, text painting, tension and release, and arrangement inform the emotional arc of the peice. Then start writing- first with no theoretical thinking. Then we analyze what was successful and unsuccessful without negative judgement--just acceptance. Eventually we start writing with specific goals in mind. Again we examine what was effective and what was not.
IMPROVISATION (Jazz or otherwise):
Although theory is an integral part of studying improvisation, our primary reference is recordings of other improvisors. Here it is imperative to tie our understand with our aural training. We pick the music off of the recordings. Studying improvisation is made up of two very different areas of practice: 1.) uncreative/memorization, 2.) purely creative. In the creative realm of practice we should see the things we have internalized inform our process--but with no effort. We will learn how to become rigerous in our creativity. For Jazz piano an important thing we will cover is a system for chord voicings.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
MA Jazz Performance, DePaul
BA Music, University of Pittsburgh
What types of students have you worked with?
very young to very old
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
If you just "want to learn piano," great! But make sure whatever training you receive helps you develop a creative voice. There are plenty of powerful machines that can execute notes in real time flawlessly. Music is a Human enterprise. Be Human.