Contact: joemacphail@gmail.com

Joe MacPhail (Oberlin College ‘15, BA in Musical Studies) is teaching Private Piano & Keyboard Lessons. Durham, NC, 27713. Ages 9 and up. Mondays.

Joe uses an approach that includes Classical, Jazz, Blues, and Popular Music. Correct technique is emphasized in a context-based manner, The approach includes multiple notational systems including Western Sheet Music, Jazz Lead Sheets, and the “Nashville Number system”. This holistic approach is used in hopes of encouraging a growth of general musicianship, reducing burnout, and creating transferable general musical skills. Students will learn how to perform written and improvised music, which will lead to confidence and facility over time.

Joe is also able to teach keyboard performance techniques for vintage keyboards, Hammond B3, Analog and Digital Synthesizers.

Joe has played the piano for 20 years. He has 10 years of Classical lessons, 5 years of Jazz Lessons, and 7 years of experience as a professional musician performing a wide range of popular genres. Joe learned Classical with Marianna Matinyan, learned Jazz from Ed Paolantonio, Dan Wall, Jake Silverman (aka Button Masher), and Eric Krouse.

Joe has also worked with the nonprofits BUMP: The Triangle, Arts In Action, which equips Joe with a large range of pedagogical techniques. These pedagogical tools include positive affirmations, call & response, using leading questions that require the students to think through the answer, and finding/designing material that challenges the student.

In addition to fully in-person lessons, Joe is available for virtual lessons.