Piano Instruction
The author of ten books, more than thirty published articles, and 500+ PDFs on jazz piano, piano technique, jazz harmony, and music theory, Bob is a consummate and dedicated educator with almost five decades of experience. Read more here.
Experience
Bob Hinz has been teaching piano since 1975, mostly in the Huntington and Plainview areas of Long Island, New York. Bob has also held a full-time music professorship at SUNY Fredonia, near Buffalo, New York, and served on the music adjunct faculties at Nassau and Suffolk Community Colleges. He also taught piano and harmony at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York. Bob’s current student roster includes beginning through advanced pianists of all ages, mainly in classical and jazz idioms. Bob holds a student recital every one to two years for all of those who wish to participate.
Testimonials
“Bob Hinz is one of the most knowledgeable teachers I have ever had while studying music. It amazed me how every week Bob would be able to show me new concepts and techniques at the keyboard. I feel that a major reason why we were able to cover a ton of information over the course of our lessons is due to his deep and thorough explanations of the topics he wanted to cover. I benefited from the multiple teaching methods he used: aurally by actually showing me on the keyboard and conceptually by talking it out. Studying piano with Bob was crucial in my seeking out a career in music as I attend Berklee College of Music.”—Michael Weberman, Syosset, NY & Boston, MA
Questions?
Q: At what age should a student begin formal instruction in piano?
A: Although it depends somewhat on the individual student’s level of skill and maturity, most students are ready around six or seven years of age. That’s not to say that a student is incapable of learning music and piano at a much earlier age. Parents and siblings can get a younger child involved with music through listening, and started at the piano if the child seems ready, willing, and able. Nevertheless, in order to achieve the most from formal instruction, it is perhaps best to wait until the child as at a level where he or she can be attentive on a consistent basis.
The Benefits of Instruction
Piano Lessons Help Children Develop Many Skills
Music Helps children develop as they grow. In preschoolers, music promotes coordination of words and actions, builds memory, verbal and non-verbal skills, boosts confidence to perform in public, and helps teach cooperation and other social skills. In school age children, music performance develops precise control of smaller muscles in the arms and hands, builds accuracy, speed, timing, coordination and memory, and helps teach teamwork.—New York Magazine
NYSSMA
NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) affords students an opportunity to measure their ability and progress outside of the weekly lesson. NYSSMA is a yearly public school event (usually in the Spring) where students sight-read and play scales and pieces for an adjudicator. Students are judged according to their performance (technique, rhythm, interpretation, etc.) and awarded a grade.
Policies
Students who must cancel lessons are asked to kindly give at least twenty-four (24) hour notice prior to the lesson time. The best time to reach me is in the morning, in the afternoon to 1:30, and between 9:30 and 11:00 p.m. in the evening. Please leave a message if there is no answer. If you become aware of a future lesson that must be cancelled, please let me know as soon as you can. Since some of my teaching is done on the road, often in areas that are far from my home,
