skype lessons

Remote Piano Lessons are something new that's never been done before. Because people are busy, coming and the thought of meeting with a music teacher each week never seemed like a possibility, many people set aside their desires to play piano and never really find an avenue to pursue it.

Now, piano lessons are available piano online, some one in SanFrancisco can take piano lessons from me as easily as someone who lives up the street.

How does this work?

• Through the use of a computer and camera it's now possible to meet with students remotely. There is still a weekly meeting time but we meet on Skype not in person.

What do I need?

• Firstly you'll need a piano/keyboard to practice on, secondly you'll need a computer with a camera that is able to be setup next to your piano. Thirdly you'll need a Skype account so we can video chat.

Seeing I don't live anywhere near you, How do I pay?

• Simply log onto www.shinypiano.com and pay for piano lessons with you credit or debit card.

If you're interested in learning more about 'Skype Lessons' please email me at joel@shinypiano.com

you're gonna die

support the 'red couch' project

on may 24th i'll break ground on my new full length recording project entitled 'red couch serenade'.

for those interested and have maybe expressed interest in the past to contribute to this project, i've set up an avenue to do so. you can either sponsor a full day, half day or one or more hours in the studio. every gift goes to help cover the thousands of dollars this project requires.

if you're interested in supporting this project you can do so via credit card below or if you prefer mailing a check please email me at redcouchserenade@joelslater.com and i'll reply a mailing address to you.

each level of giving receives a gift from me.

thank you for your support
js

finn fotos

rocket suit

mum, dad and finn

mum and finn

afternoon nap

Piano with dad

it's a boy

introducing finn rocket slater. born march 24th @ 6:12pm. 7p.15oz and 21" long. mum and baby are doing great.

credit card option

in an effort to make things easier or at least to offer another method of payment for those who prefer it, i've added a credit card payment option to www.shinypiano.com. this is not taking the place by any means of checks or cash for those paying for piano lessons if either of those are your preference, just simply another way to pay.

when you pay through CC my records will be updated that you've paid, you'll be emailed a receipt and you're good to go, try it out next time round if that's you cuppa tea.

FYI...there's a small 50 cent per lesson fee associated with the credit card option, this adds up to $2 if 4 lessons are purchased.

yamaha UX-2

as you most likely know, i am selling my yamaha UX-2 piano. this is a bitter sweet experience for me seeing i wrote my upcoming album on this particular piano so there is definitely a sentimental attachment to it. i've decided to upgrade to another yamaha piano in the form of a grand which will be great as i move into the future and truth be told if i could keep both i would. however due to our space limitations i have to sell this one to accommodate the next.

i bought this piano 4 years ago after extensive looking, looking and looking. i wouldn't call myself a piano expert by any means but have been around enough and played enough pianos to know when it's a good one or not. i have settled comfortably on yamaha as a brand which sits well within most peoples price ranges and the quality is amazing especially throughout the 'U' models and beyond. i like yamaha so much in fact that i own one in australia, and upon moving here there was no question i wouldn't buy the same model again.

it's called a 'UX-2'...the'U' is the name of the model, it's the best piano you can pretty much buy before upgrading to a grand piano. The 'X' refers to the frame structure. if i had super strength i'd turn the piano around and show you

that on the back there is a huge 'X' that goes from the top to bottom in a diagonal fashion hence the 'X'. this 'X' frame gives the piano strength if it was to be moved around a lot (school or church) but even in a home sense it gives it strength to hold it's tune better than those without.

The '2' refers to the size. if you research it you'll find a U1 is 48" tall, the U2 is 50" tall and finally the U3 is 52" tall. the U2 is snug in the middle of these two and has plenty of power to give a nice rich sound to fill a house but also works perfectly for the subtlety needed within townhouses and apartments.

The design on the front of the cabinet (slots) allows the sound to flow and not be muffled by the cabinet. to look inside you see black material that matches the black ebony finish but allows the sound to escape. most pianos don't have this feature, but it is nice to find one that does.

this piano is still covered under a warranty which i'd say is not necessary but a little piece of mind is always a good thing when buying a piano and 100% transferable to the new owners.

i'm looking around $4200 for this beauty or a bigger house so i can keep both but i don't think the latter is a possibility right now :)

feel free to pass this along to whoever may be interested and mention there's free piano lessons included too.

happy new year

i hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

this coming week piano lessons are back in full swing so everyone get your practice on :)

it's a four lesson month for all tuesday, wednesday and thursday students.

see you this week.