Thomas' Approach
Thomas’ approach to piano education and personal growth is rooted in the belief that music is a powerful tool for holistic well-being. By emphasizing mind-body awareness, creative expression, and joyful learning, Thomas guides students to not only play the piano but also to discover their authentic selves through the transformative power of music. His approach fosters a deep connection between the player, the instrument, and the present moment, leading to enhanced musical abilities and a more balanced, fulfilling life.
The Piano Zen Method
A Journey of Musical Self-Discovery
What began as a personal practice technique for concert pianist Thomas Rheingans has blossomed into a revolutionary approach to piano education. The Piano Zen Method emerged from inspiration during one of Thomas's practice sessions, where he decided to infuse ideas from meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and Tai Chi into his piano practice. The results were so profound and intriguing that Thomas knew he had stumbled upon something special.
At its core, the Piano Zen Method offers a unique way to experience a harmonious mind-body connection through piano playing. It's not just about learning notes and rhythms; it's about embarking on a fascinating journey of self-discovery. From the very first lesson, beginning piano students explore music more personally, learning to quiet their minds and expand their awareness while at the instrument.
Piano Zen embraces mindfulness and multi-sensory awareness. Many of the audio lessons begin with a relaxation session, helping students soften and slow down their minds. This state of heightened awareness significantly enhances the effectiveness of piano training. By softening the mind, the body naturally relaxes, creating an ideal state for learning and expression.
Many beginning piano students practice with excessive tension, often becoming overly critical and analytical to the point where progress becomes challenging. The Piano Zen Method addresses this common issue head-on. Students don't just learn to play the piano—they learn to express themselves naturally, experiencing an overall sense of well-being through the balance of mind and body. The result? Smoother, easier learning and more natural, expressive playing that resonates with the soul.
Join this transformative musical journey and discover the magic of Piano Zen for yourself.
Work with Thomas
Embark on Your Piano Zen Journey
The Piano Zen Method offers a revolutionary approach to learning piano through a comprehensive online program. Here's how you can work with Thomas and experience the transformative power of Piano Zen:
Online Video Lessons
Access our specially designed 1,200-page virtual lesson book, integrating video and audio instruction with visual materials. It's like having a piano lesson blended with a Tai Chi or yoga class, all from the comfort of your home.
Personal Virtual Instructor
Meet William Longfellow Emerson, your guide through every step of your piano practice. His presence in the online video lessons creates an immersive, personalized learning experience.
Flexible Learning
Whether you're a young child (with parental guidance), a teenager, or an adult, our program is designed for beginners of all ages. Simply log in to your Piano Zen account and start your lessons at your own pace.
On-the-Go Practice
Download a PDF copy of the Piano Zen Lesson Book for offline practice, or order a physical copy for a tactile experience.
The Piano Zen Difference
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Slow Down to Learn Faster
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Piano Zen has a unique guided approach that incorporates mindfulness into your practice, accelerating your learning process.
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Change Your Expectations
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Experience the magic of self-expression by eliminating the pressure and anxiety often associated with learning a new skill.
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Enjoy Playing More Than Ever
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Achieve a balance between mind and body, leading to deep satisfaction and enjoyment in your piano playing.
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The Program
Piano Zen offers a unique approach that helps students tap into their internal inspiration and express it through their playing, resulting in smoother, more intuitive learning and beautifully expressive performances.
Discover the Program
The Program Structure:
Each level of Piano Zen builds upon the skills learned in the previous one, creating a seamless journey of musical growth. For the best experience, we recommend using an iPad or similar tablet connected to WiFi. Simply place your device on your piano's music rack and practice alongside our engaging video lessons. Each level comes with a downloadable workbook, perfect for offline practice when WiFi isn't available.
Please Note: To fully appreciate and benefit from the Piano Zen method, reading the PianoZen book before starting the lessons is essential. The online lessons are designed to complement and expand upon the concepts introduced in the book, providing a comprehensive and immersive learning experience.
Exciting Beta Testing Opportunity:
We're thrilled to offer our beta testing phase, allowing you to experience Piano Zen lessons at no cost. This is an incredible value, especially considering the high cost of private piano lessons. We welcome your feedback as we continue to refine and enhance our program.
Meet Your Virtual Instructor:
William Longfellow Emerson, the hero of the Piano Zen novel, continues his story as your adult virtual teacher. His presence throughout the website adds a whimsical touch to your learning adventure. Join this transformative musical journey. Whether you're a complete novice or have some experience, Piano Zen offers a path to not just playing the piano but also expressing your true self through music. Sign up today, and let the harmony begin!
The FREE Classes
LEVEL 1
The Foundation
(FREE)
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15 hours of comprehensive instruction for absolute beginners
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Build a solid musical foundation with essential skills
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Learn the Piano Zen approach to practicing with mind-body balance
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Covers music reading, song playing, music theory, rhythm practice, and basic improvisation
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Value: Equivalent to $750 worth of private instruction!
LEVEL 2
Deepening Your Practice (FREE)
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51 video lessons totaling over 32 hours of instruction
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Builds on Level 1 skills, taking your Piano Zen training to new heights
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Explore more complex, mature-sounding piano solos
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Advance your music reading and improvisation skills
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Perfect for Level 1 graduates or beginners with 4-6 months of prior training
LEVEL 3
Mastering the Art - Ongoing Development
(FREE)
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Intensified training with advanced concepts
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Dive deeper into music notation, theory, rhythm, improvisation, and artistic performance
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New lessons are released monthly, keeping your learning journey fresh and exciting
Important Note: Before embarking on the Piano Zen lessons, we recommend reading the book first. The lessons are closely intertwined with the story, creating a unique and immersive experience. Familiarity with the book will significantly enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the program.
The Program FAQs
What is Being Said
Join more than 1,540 students who have experienced the magic of Piano Zen lessons, transforming your piano-playing journey and improving your mind and body!
“The course is a very unique and fantastic way to learn to play the piano. This course provides an approach to learning the piano without the internal mental stress associated with such endeavors. It provides a foundation for exploring one's creative spirit and covers music reading through improvisation. The combination of lucid learning, meditation, and learning is deeply appreciated. I am looking forward to more courses from Thomas in the future and am thankful that I purchased this course. I now use this approach to learning and playing. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
~ Joe
“My personal experience with the Piano Zen Method was freeing and exhilarating. It permitted me to explore through sound, breath, feeling, and trust. After only a few lessons, I found myself 'playing' the piano with spontaneous enjoyment. While my family thought I was playing something I had learned, I was simply improvising and loving it! The Piano Zen Method is an empowering self-discovery tool that will guide you along such lines and offer you the opportunity to increase creativity and joy by making learning to 'play' the piano fun and meaningful.”
~ CJ
"I was lured to this class more for the meditation part than the piano...but I find myself enjoying it. Three weeks into this course, I am working through Inner Sojourn. I am not quite sure how to describe what I am learning in terms of piano playing, as I've had enough piano background to play that piece without trouble...but I think I am learning how to listen to what I am playing. What I am in love with, though, is the meditative approach and the sense of profound peace I get with each practice session. I never thought I'd be looking forward to practicing the piano!"
~ Vicky
Speaking Engagements
and Workshops
Thomas is available for inspiring talks, workshops, and demonstrations. Bring the magic of Piano Zen to your event, podcast, or organization. Thomas's engaging presentations blend live piano performances with practical mindfulness techniques, offering your audience a unique and memorable experience.
Thomas offers private consultations and custom Piano Zen programs for those seeking a more personalized approach. Whether for individual growth or team-building purposes, these tailored experiences ensure your specific needs and goals are met.
Start your Piano Zen journey today and discover a new world of musical expression and personal growth with Thomas Rheingans.