Introduction  -  My background

How are my lessons different?

Private vs Group Lessons

Learn.....YOUR choice of music

On YOUR instrument  -  At YOUR home or my studio

  Lesson Locations  -  FREE Intro lesson  -  Rates

Introduction

My name is Jim Buist and I would like to help you have FUN learning to play the keyboard. Music is something you learn for recreation, enjoyment, or your peace of mind. Whatever your reason for wanting to learn, you want it to be fun. That's why I emphasize the FUN in FUNdamentals.

Learning to play a keyboard is more than just reading music or knowing which keys to press. It includes, even more so, feeling the music, sensing the beat, and allowing the instrument to become part of you.

With all that in mind, you'll find that lessons with me include clapping, tapping, and, sometimes, singing. Plus, for organ, portable keyboard, and digital ensemble piano students, we'll work on "registrations". This includes picking rhythms and accompaniments, tempos, and sounds. Additionally, you'll learn how to use the features on your instrument such as intros/endings, fill ins, variations, and more.

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My Background

As long as I can remember, I was playing the organ and piano. I first learned to play "by ear" and later learned how to read music. I believe learning this way gave me a better sense and appreciation for my music because I had to really listen to, and feel, it.

In 1990, I began playing and singing at my church in Kalamazoo, MI. Later that year, I went to work as a keyboard salesman and soon began teaching both group and private lessons on piano, organ, and portable keyboards. In 1999 I moved to Kansas City where I directed two church music groups. Then, in 2003, I returned to Michigan to become the music director at St. John's church in Albion.  In 2006, I returned to private teaching.

Over the years, I have worked as a flight instructor, salesman, music instructor, retail store owner, church music leader, and more. However, no matter what my "job" is, music is always a part of my life because it is so rewarding and fulfilling. That fulfillment is something I hope to share with you while coaching you to become the keyboard player you want to be.

For more info, check out the "About Me" link at the top of the page.

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How are my lessons different?

My lessons are different because my focus is different. I like to focus on you having fun with music, helping you to make your musical recreation more enjoyable. You'll learn more than just the notes and the theory. We'll focus on how your songs sound and how they feel. We'll attempt to make your instrument become an extension of you. We'll use your instrument's features to make your songs sound better. And, we'll do all this using the written music as a road map giving us general directions but also taking some detours based on what sounds good to you.

Some of my students had previous musical experience while others had none. Most, however, had never experienced lessons that encouraged them to feel the music as much as they were expected to know all the theory. While you do need to know the "rules", my main focus is on helping you to enjoy the music you play.

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Private vs Group Lessons

Both group and private lessons are fun. Group lessons can be a great way to learn some of the very early basics of note reading, timing, rhythm, and playing. Within four to six weeks, though, each individual in the class begins to learn and grow at a different pace and needs individual help and attention that just can't effectively given in the group format. However, in Private lessons, my attention will be 100% on you. Therefore, you'll ultimately learn more and faster in private lessons. Plus, if you already know some of the basics, you will find that I can tailor your private lessons much more towards your particular needs and wants.

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Learn YOUR choice of music

Some people have had the bad experience of having a teacher who would not allow them to play what they wanted to play. Lessons for those students became unenjoyable. Think about it; who are you learning to play for, you or your teacher? YOU, of course, and that is why you should play what YOU enjoy. Sure, sometimes we'll do some exercises in addition to your songs, but we'll concentrate on the music you like so that the lessons are both productive AND FUN.

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Learn to play YOUR instrument

Every instrument is different. Whether you have a piano, organ, or portable keyboard, no two models are exactly the same. Because you will be playing primarily on your own instrument between lessons, it makes sense to learn how to use its features and to apply those to the songs you learn during your lessons. So, whenever possible, I encourage learning on your own instrument.

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Lessons at YOUR home or my studio ***

Because you will do most, if not all, of your playing at home, that is where you will be the most comfortable. Taking you out of that environment for a lesson introduces a variable that you don't have when you normally play. Time and again, students who come to a studio tell me that they don't play as well there as they do at home. They're right. When they go to a studio, students may feel stressed and they realize that the music sounds different because of the acoustics of the room and/or the instrument is different from their own.

On the other hand, some students are more comfortable going to a studio for their lessons rather than having a teacher come into their home each week. They may simply enjoy getting out of the house for such an activity. Plus, for lessons at my studio, there is a cost savings.

So, the choice is yours. I will gladly teach you in your home or at either of my studios.

***  Please note that because I have just relocated to the Indianapolis area, I do not currently have a studio available for lessons.  Thus, I am only offering In Home lessons at this time.  If you desire lessons in a studio, please still contact me as I anticipate having studio space in the reasonably near future.

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Lesson Locations

Because of a very recent move to the Indianapolis area, I currently only offer "In Home" lessons, which means that I will travel to your home to teach you at your location and on your own instrument.  In the future, I will also offer lessons in a regular studio.

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FREE Intro lesson for new students

Take advantage of my offer for a FREE introductory lesson. During the lesson, we'll review your experience (if any) and determine a plan of learning that is appropriate for YOU. By the end of the introductory lesson (about 45 minutes), most students who have no experience leave playing a song with BOTH hands together!

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Lesson Rates

Please note that rates are subject to change.

Studio rate:  $ 25 per half hour; 30, 45, and 60 minute lessons available

In Home rate:  Same as studio rate plus $25 travel fee per trip;  Note that for multiple lessons in the same home (such as for multiple students in the same family), only one trip fee applies per travel day

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