History of the Rhodes Piano Method
Harold Rhodes is best know for inventing the Fender-Rhodes Piano, the instrument that was a standard with musicians for decades. In the thirties he had a national one-hour syndicated radio program to teach listeners how to play the piano. Then in World Way II he was commissioned to develop a piano method to teach the piano to rehabilitating soldiers. Through the
method he developed 250,000 soldiers learned to play the piano, and the method book used is on display in the Smithsonian Institute. Rhodes believed that the piano should be easier to learn than what is offered through traditional teaching methods. The method he developed couples improvisation with a traditional approach to music education. However, what really separates the Rhodes Piano Method are the amazing and proprietary visual tools he developed to accelerate student learning. Through these tools and the Rhodes Piano Method students learn much faster, and are able to play with both hands in a matter of the first ten weeks of lessons. This is nearly unheard of with traditional piano methods. Rhodes, Joseph Brandstetter (CEO of Rhodes Music Education, Inc.) hired a team of writers to develop a complete curriculum of teaching. The method was method was launched and tested through over eighty locations in 1998-2000 with over 3,000 students learning to play the piano. Rhodes Music Education, Inc. has continued to refine the method and the company has a deep passion for introducing students of all ages to the life-time enjoyment associated with playing the piano. Overview of the Rhodes Piano Method
The Rhodes Piano Method couples a traditional approach to music education with teaching improvisation. What separates the Rhodes Piano Method from other methods of teaching are the amazing and proprietary tools designed to accelerate the learning process for students of all ages. The Rhodes Piano Method is taught in groups of up to twenty students by Rhodes certified instructors. The Company generally assigns two instructors to every class to help ensure that each student receives the appropriate balance of individual attention. The one-hour classes cover a review of what of was taught at the last lesson and reviewing each student’s progress; introducing new music and theory using the Rhodes visual tools; playing musical games incorporating what the student has learned; and assigning “homework” to be completed before the next lesson. The Company believes that group teaching fosters an excellent environment for learning. Students enjoy learning with their friends along with the social interaction. Adults and Senior also find the social interaction stimulating and encouraging. Of course, the best way to judge the effectiveness of our approach is based on results. Students who are having fun and learning music they want to play will want to continue learning and playing! The method book, Rhodes visual tools, and supplemental materials are all included in the price of the tuition – there is nothing additional to purchase. Our teachers supplement the method book with popular music suited for each class. The reason is simple: students are highly motivated to learn music then know for their own enjoyment and to play for friends and family. This approach is proven to encourage practice (without “nagging”) and helps build confidence. Our curriculum is designed for beginners along with adults and seniors that may have taken lessons early in their lives. Following completion of the first year of lessons students have three options:
1. Continue with our Blues and Jazz course – group lessons
2. Continue with our Classical course – group lessons
3. Transfer to private lessons – Rhodes certified instructors. If you’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano and regretted not continuing with your piano lessons this course if for you! If you’re considering starting your child on piano we encourage you to enroll them in this course. Our students have fun and they definitely learn to play.
