Welcome!
Have you ever wanted to learn to play the piano?
Now is your chance! Lessons for all ages are available from James Gilbert.
To get in touch with James and start taking lessons now, use the Contact form.
Scroll down and click on the links below for additional information.
If you are looking for sheet music, then visit our Music Catalog.
Want to chat about taking piano lessons? If I'm online, we can chat

Piano Lessons

Micanopy, Florida
Gainesville, Florida

FREE LESSONS ANYONE??
Now that we have your attention, we are looking for test subjects to test a new way of learning or continuing to learn how to play the piano. If you have a piano or keyboard and would be able to devote four to six consecutive weeks to participating in this experiment, please visit our Free Piano Lesson Application Page. We will be choosing a maximum of 10 people to participate in this one of a kind experiment. This is not a marketing gimmick or promotional. If you qualify, we will let you know and give you details.

RECITAL
View pictures and listen to the March 30, 2008 student recital. Recital pages

Piano lessons are offered for school-aged children, adults and retirees. All experience levels are welcome. Lessons start with the necessary fundamentals and then expand into all styles, including your favorite. Supplementary instruction in theory, composing/arranging, leadsheets, acompanying and more are also available.

Let your child experience the joy of music and expand their intelligence.

Maybe you wish you had never stopped taking lessons all those years ago or maybe you have had a lifelong dream of playing. It is never too old to start. Whatever your interest is - now is the time to start taking lessons. If you are the least bit interested in lessons, contact us today!
Scroll down for more reasons why everyone can benefit from taking piano lessons and tips on finding a teacher, even if you don't choose me.

Some tips about choosing a piano teacher:

Do not choose a teacher based on the cost of lessons. Cheaper is not always better, especially for your first teacher.
Trying to learn the piano by yourself is not the way to learn to play the piano.
Look for a teacher with a degree in music, from a School of Music. Avoid someone who does not have a music degree (even those working on a music degree).
Parents: Do not be brainwashed into thinking that recitals, competitions or group activities are a must for children. Too often they are of importance only to the teacher.
Avoid a teacher who teaches as a hobby or to earn extra income.
Choose a teacher with less than 45 students and avoid music academy type places.
Whether your teacher is involved in professional organizations or has advanced degrees should have no bearing on your choice.
Find a teacher that performs regularly, preferably separate from universities or academic organizations. Avoid teachers who have never performed with regularity at some point in their lives.
Talk to current students or parents of students. Ask people outside of your normal circle of friends.
You cannot learn to play the piano in a short amount of time. It takes time. There IS a right and wrong way to playing the piano and only a teacher can assure you learn correctly.
Young children under 5 or 6 should be given general group music lessons and should not start piano lessons. Let your pre-schooler be a pre-schooler. There are no 1/2 size pianos.

General Information

Lessons once a week
Each lesson 1/2 hour long
School-aged children all the way to Adults of any age welcome
All experience levels welcome
Emphasis on various methods and/or styles available
Competitive pricing
Experienced teacher
Locations: Central to most of Marion & Alachua counties
Performance opportunities
Recitals

Testimonials from our current students are available upon request.

Lesson Locations

Lessons are available in two locations, the town of Micanopy at the Episcopal church and at Lipham Music store in Gainesville.

Whether you wish to take lessons in Gainesville or in the town of Micanopy, the fastest way to reach us is to use the contact form to let us know today! picture of a piano

Available Lesson Times

Lesson times change so often that it is just about impossible to list them here. If you are interested in lessons, drop me a note and I'll let you know what times are available.
Please consider coming to Micanopy for lessons. There is a new grand-piano available for lessons in Micanopy in a concert-hall like setting. In Gainesville lessons are taught on a used upright in a sometimes noisy music store. It usually takes me less than 15 minutes to get from the music store to Micanopy, during rush-hour! Lessons are also cheaper in Micanopy, so any extra gas expense is probably covered by the lower cost. And if you were worried about taking lessons at a church, don't be, lessons will not be any different than anywhere else. In fact, with the grand piano, they probably will be better than most places in Gainesville.

Did you know...

An article in The Scientific American, July 2003 stated that children with training in music have better verbal skills than those who do not. The article suggested that students with better verbal memory probably will find it easier to learn in school. Also noted is that the longer one studies music, the more the verbal skills improve.
A recent study done by the National Association of Psychiatrists and Psychologists (NAPP) indicates that having hobbies such as ... music decreases the chance that one will be referred to a mental health practitioner by 24 percent.

Contact information

For more information, use the Contact form. Please make sure your spam filters (and those of your ISP) do not block email from me.
I can send you additional information on taking lessons or arrange to set up an appointment to meet (at no charge to you).

Testimonials, references available on request.

Costs
Micanopy (pictured on left): Only $60 per month. This is a flat rate per month.
Gainesville: $70 per month, also a flate rate.
The flat rate applies no matter how many weeks there are in a month.

About James

James has a Bachelor's Degree in Music (theory/composition/piano) from the School of Music at Stetson University - Florida's first School of Music - plus Graduate studies (studio writing and production) at the University of Miami's School Of Music. He has more than 30 years of experience as a performing musician and has taught piano lessons for most of that time. He is a nationally published composer/arranger and has released a solo piano CD as well as having co-produced 4 other CD's (on which he also played piano). Besides piano lessons, he is available as an accompanist, arranger, music typesetter, clinician, church organist or to play piano for various types of social events. He also sells his original compositions and arrangements at this web site's main page. Read more...

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