David's Studio has a unique methodology to train its students in understanding musicianship and succeeding in their respective goal pieces. I came on to train with David, being a beginner and having no previous experience playing piano. I can honestly say that my time spent with him through both private and group lessons has led me to rapidly excel in one of the more difficult classical and famous pieces of Fur Elise (a goal of mine for some time). I highly recommend David and his studio for pianolessons and training, regardless of level of talent. His patience and expertise are some of the many qualities that are worth both the time and commitment.
David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY
Miryam A.
I was looking for a piano teacher to help me get started again after a 10 year hiatus and I’m so glad I found David! I’m just 6 months, he was able to get me to perfection with my first goal piece. David brings a unique methodology that has helped me advance in my piano playing faster than I ever thought I could. Through my practice with him, I’ve learned more about piano theory, practice techniques, and classical music than I did in ten years of playing as a child. On top of that, David is a pleasure to work with. He’s extremely communicative, punctual, and accommodating. I look forward to my weekly lessons with David and participating in group recitals and studio classes for many seasons to come!
David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY
Ariana C.
I have been working with David for a few months now and I am so surprised and excited about the amount of progress I have made with him as my instructor in such a short period of time. I've also been enjoying the learning process and I look forward to my lessons each week.
When I started my lessons with David, I had not touched a piano in ~25 years (and I had only played the piano for ~6 months - ~1 year at that time). I presented David with a "goal piece" that was somewhat non-traditional - it's a piece of electronic music that has been transcribed for classicalpiano. David commented that it might be difficult - typically the type of piece that someone who was far more experienced would play - but was totally game to work with me on it if I wanted to stick with it. His stance is that if his students are willing to embrace his methodology and put in the work, they could be capable of scaling up very quickly. I have found this to be true. I really enjoy David's practical approach to learning the piano - it turns an experience that might otherwise be overwhelming into a manageable process, and I feel like this has allowed me to advance way more quickly than I could have imagined.
One of the other things I really love about working with David is how much he prioritizes the "studio community" and learning from fellow students. I was admittedly a bit skeptical when I first heard about "Strategic Teams" - could one instructor really teach multiple students in the same lesson and provide value to each student? But I have been SO grateful for my team lessons and the studio session with people of various musical backgrounds and abilities. I have learned so much not only from David's commentary, but from the other students who often provide helpful tips on overcoming certain challenges. I also appreciate the times when David asks me to provide constructive feedback about a classmate's playing because it enables me to better understand and articulate the different components that come together to create a strong performance.
David's emphasis on performance has been a game-changer for me - not just in terms of learning the piano but more generally in how I view myself as a person. I have a tendency to laugh nervously and/or harp on my mistakes and have trouble moving past them. But David views making mistakes as part of the learning process and puts a huge emphasis on his students' ability to push through their mistakes and continue through to the end of their performance. During one of our first lessons David said, "you need to learn to take yourself seriously as a performer" as in: don't make excuses for yourself, do the work, but also don't let one mistake define you or make you think that you're not capable of doing this. I think about this not only when I'm playing the piano but when I tackle anything in life that requires that I "show up" for myself.
David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY
Peter D.
Working with David was just what I needed to re-start my piano playing with earnest! I had played the instrument for years as a child (often begrudgingly) and while I had picked it up here and there over the past decade or so, I never had the discipline or accountability to really make progress. So, at the beginning of 2023 I decided it was time to buckle up and commit. The weekly lessons were a great form of accountability, and David's emphasis on performance for peers was an excellent motivator to practice and make progress.
I wound up selecting Opus 20 by Dustin O'Halloran for our first piece. It took a few months of dedicated study (often with an emphasis on performance and musicality), but, in the end, I was able to perform it for a group in Steinway Hall in NYC. It was definitely a highlight of the year.
Overall, I would say David is a good fit for folks who are serious about making progress and are ready to dedicate the time and effort it takes to advance on the instrument. His methods are a great accelerator and guidance for attacking a new piece - but, at the end of the day, there's no avoiding the need to practice, practice, practice! I found the structure to be incredibly motivating in terms of practice, and I look forward to sitting down at the piano everyday. He's also a good fit for folks who want to immediately start tackling more difficult pieces, rather than plodding through elementary learning books (which are rarely that compelling musically, particularly if you have an appreciation for more complex classical pieces). By focusing on a single piece and really breaking it down into small pieces, you may also develop a deeper appreciation for music as a whole.
David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY
Angad G.
I was referred to David by a former student of his in Jan 2019. In the past 4 months, I have had a great experience learning from David, and I am thankful to have made the choice to learn the piano with such a stellar professional. Over the first few weeks, as a total beginner, David patiently walked me through the basics of music theory, and even helped me out with picking out an instrument that I could afford. His best quality lies in being able to understand my level of understanding, guiding me through the various pitfalls in my learning process, and providing steady and thoughtful feedback. His method is a mix of traditional music teaching coupled with tips and tricks that he's learned along the way over his career. He is approachable as a teacher, and lets me ask questions that feed my curiosity. He is open to letting me pick up classical or popular music, and works together on goals to learn a few personal favorite pieces. He even helped me think through the process of finding time to learn during my busy schedule. He is quick to notice errors in my practice, but is also quick to give positive reinforcement on things that are working well. Technique, relaxation, memorization, problem solving mindset, musicality all come naturally to him during the course of his lessons. I recommend learning from David in whichever stage of your music career you are in.
David Chang Music - Online and Brooklyn, NY
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