I began playing the piano when I was seven years old.  I studied piano theory under: the late Herbert A. Anderson, Mishawaka, Indiana; the late Ms. McNease at the Witmer-McNease Music Co. Inc., South Bend, Indiana; Keith Paraska, South Bend, Indiana; and Frank Puzzullo at Ball State University; and my late great grandmother, the master of rag-time honky-tonk, Esther Ruffner.

At a young age, I taught myself how to "play by ear" to the point where I listened to something once or twice, sat down at the piano, and played it.

I have been playing for 26 years.

My musical style is centered around blues piano, played on a classic Fender Rhodes 73 or 88.

My influences are many, but I would have to say Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Lavelle, Ed Harsch from the Black Crowes, and by listening to the great southern blues and rock-n-roll guitarists have influenced my style and helped to give me the edge that I continue to hone.

If you know the basics of piano theory, but you are looking to develop your style, I will teach you how to run 12-bar and standard I-IV-V blues chords with my own version of the minor-blues-pentatonic scale.

I have played in several bands across the USA and in Europe.

I can teach you how to play the blues.

Call me, and we can arrange your schedule of lessons.

I charge $75 for a one hour lesson.  The number of lessons you will need to learn my method of minor-pentatonic-blues depends on your current level of piano theory and dexterity, combined with your desire to learn.

Thanks,

David (Kawika)