CURRICULUM:
THE DIAMOND PIANO METHOD
The "Diamond Difference"
The Diamond Piano Method (DPM) is the curriculum used here at Family Piano Academy.
Most Piano methods and teachers can help you learn to read music and play piano with proper technique.
Diamond Piano does this and:
The music theory taught through Diamond Piano Method also increases a student’s math, literacy, and critical reasoning skills, helping a student in developmental areas outside of music.
Learning an instrument teaches discipline and responsibility. Our online practice piano portal, MIDI Assessor, and comprehensive curriculum encourage students to be self-motivated, independent learners.
Most Piano methods and teachers can help you learn to read music and play piano with proper technique.
Diamond Piano does this and:
- Teaches you to improvise, arrange, and compose
- Teaches you college-level music theory understandable at any age
- Provides an at-home virtual teacher who is with you 24/7. This virtual teacher has:
- Over 1,000 instruction videos
- Distinct music theory games each with 37 levels
- Worksheet answer keys
- Self-checking tests
- MIDI Assessment of your piano playing in real time with instant feedback!
The music theory taught through Diamond Piano Method also increases a student’s math, literacy, and critical reasoning skills, helping a student in developmental areas outside of music.
Learning an instrument teaches discipline and responsibility. Our online practice piano portal, MIDI Assessor, and comprehensive curriculum encourage students to be self-motivated, independent learners.
Where it all began
When Gerry Diamond arrived at Berklee College of Music to begin his composition study, he was dismayed to discover that he knew very little about music theory. He doesn't fault his piano teachers for this because, for centuries, piano instruction has been focused on performance. However, as Gerry studied key structure, scale structure, and chord structure in his Berklee composition classes, he discovered that his piano playing improved dramatically. Suddenly, he was able to see written music in "chunks" rather than individual notes. Perhaps even more satisfying, Gerry found that his ability to improvise at the piano was greatly enhanced.
Years later, when Gerry began his teaching career, he found that the piano method books available to his students largely ignored the music theory that had proven so helpful to his own playing and enjoyment. At first Gerry supplemented the method books his students were using with handouts in order to address fundamental music theory concepts. Although this worked well in some ways, Gerry often found himself wishing the pieces his students were playing had been written with the teaching of theory in mind. Gerry started writing his own short compositions that plainly showed each concept being put into practice, complete with goofy lyrics to draw the students in. After a while, Gerry realized he had enough compositions tested and enjoyed by his students to start compiling his own books.
That was in 1995, and was the birth of the Diamond Piano Method. Since that time, Gerry has continued to grow and develop his curriculum. The method currently includes 37 Pods and teaches students improvisation and composition in addition to the more traditional method of teaching sight-reading, music literacy, technique, and musicianship.
Years later, when Gerry began his teaching career, he found that the piano method books available to his students largely ignored the music theory that had proven so helpful to his own playing and enjoyment. At first Gerry supplemented the method books his students were using with handouts in order to address fundamental music theory concepts. Although this worked well in some ways, Gerry often found himself wishing the pieces his students were playing had been written with the teaching of theory in mind. Gerry started writing his own short compositions that plainly showed each concept being put into practice, complete with goofy lyrics to draw the students in. After a while, Gerry realized he had enough compositions tested and enjoyed by his students to start compiling his own books.
That was in 1995, and was the birth of the Diamond Piano Method. Since that time, Gerry has continued to grow and develop his curriculum. The method currently includes 37 Pods and teaches students improvisation and composition in addition to the more traditional method of teaching sight-reading, music literacy, technique, and musicianship.
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In 2010, Gerry introduced an Online Practice Portal.
Each student receives a personalized 3-ring binder in which they are able to keep the Pods they are currently working on, as well as access to a personalized account on the Online Practice Portal. The Practice Portal is just that: an online tool to help the students enjoy practicing, as well as making the most efficient use of practice at home to allow them to get the most out of their weekly lessons. |
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