Classics By Ear – Student Reviews

Students are LOVING the Classics By Ear courses!
Now ANYONE can play their favourite classical pieces.

Pianoforall Classics By Ear Reviews

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Erik Satie →  |  Bach Preludes →  |  Moonlight Sonata →

Moonlight Sonata

THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN ABOVE MY EXPECTATIONS

“I never thought I would be able to play this piece, or anything as complex as this. But the way Robin Hall takes you literally by the hand and guides you step by step, it’s just amazing, I mean it works, all it takes is persistence and the results will come.
Of course, this is a complex and fairly difficult piece, it is not for novices but with Robin Halls’ guidance, someone with a few years experience, (let’s say, someone like me who has competed most of Robin Halls “Piano For All” course) can give it a go and with practice, the results will come.
Also, a suggestion: if you try this score/course and you find it difficult, do Robin Halls’ Bach Preludes course first or even his Satie course, both courses follow the same method with well written scores, keyboard diagrams and step by step guidance, and Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C major (BWV 846) and Satie’s Gnossienne No 1 are much simpler than the Moonlight Sonata Mov 1, this is what I did and as I said, the results have been above my expectations…”

George Theotokis
Moonlight Sonata

SO EASY TO FOLLOW

“I’ve always wanted to learn this piece of beautiful music when I first it when I was young. This course is so easy to follow and with a lot of practise and determination I can now play it through memory. The ability to just sit down at a piano and play this give me so much pleasure. I’m so grateful to you for sharing this. Thank you”

Peter Corrigan
Moonlight Sonata

HIS METHOD OF INSTRUCTION IS EXCELLENT

“This is the second course I have studied with this tutor. I find his method of instruction is excellent for my limitations. Having left and right hand coordination problems.”

Kenneth
Erik Satie

WORKS FOR BEGINNERS

“Great course and very good instructor, videos, resources. As far as I can tell this course also works for beginners if you are patient. I started learning piano six months ago (practicing 30-60 minutes per day) and started this course two months ago. Now I am already able to play Gnossienne no.1 quite well and just started learning number 2.”

Jochen S.
Erik Satie

AMAZING COURSE

“As an adult piano learner, I’ve studied playing piano with all kinds of methods for years. Yet I can only play two simple pieces. Following this course though, I learned the Gnossienne No 1 over a weekend(less than 10 hours).

It feels great! And I get more interested in music theory now (tried to study the chords and inversions once, but it hadn’t make much sense to me) as I can see how the chords work in action. Amazing course. Thank you for putting it together.”

Hua W.
Erik Satie

SO FAR FANTASTIC

“Just starting the course, but so far fantastic. Well organized, pleasing voice and just the right pace. I also have his pianoforall course on Bach’s Preludes which I can highly recommend if you enjoy the piano. Thank you Mr. Hall.”

Clyde F.
Erik Satie

GENIUS PIANO TEACHER

“Course Creator and Presenter, Robin Hall: Genius Piano Teacher!
A winning formula for teaching the piano with video, audio, and full written notes.
The course of three classical pieces by Erik Satie is well thought out. It Builds on earlier sessions. Essential skills are introduced, nothing is assumed.
It includes well designed camera work showing video of keyboard, music staff, hands, and fingering: with a second keyboard clearly showing (and naming) every note struck.
By knowing his subject thoroughly, Robin has structured his course from beginning to end to progress systematically until he reached his objectives.
Insights he has gained in his own studies enables him to teach … simply.
Resource downloads include the fullest PDF transcripts of material taught in video sessions with all music sheets available for printing. So, I was able to learn by watching, listening, reading, by making my own summary notes, and of course – by practicing daily.
A Brilliant Course Robin,
Thank you so much, John J”

John J.
Moonlight Sonata

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE COURSE!

“What an incredible course! That’s how piano should be taught. No oversimplifying and making false promises like most online methods. You need to engage with the material, not follow blindly.

Robin Hall teaches you the most effective/proper way to study every piece of music. No other teacher I ever had in private tutoring explained that well how one should learn the piano.

Thank you! P.S. Robin are you planning in making more step by step guides for other pieces that those already on the platform?”

Iason Katechis
Bach Preludes

ROBIN HAS A WONDERFUL WAY OF TEACHING

“I absolutely loved both Classics By Ear courses (Satie and Bach). Robin has a wonderful way of teaching, by breaking down the structure of each piece into smaller manageable bits that clarify the patterns and the changes. The way he teaches also makes it easier to memorise pieces, as I always want to be able to play them without needing to rely on my notes. His accent is a treat too. 🙂

Robin, I hope you will create more of these courses – maybe some Chopin? or Beethoven?”

Regine Lord
Erik Satie

I LOVED THIS COURSE

“I loved this course and the way the three musical pieces were divided into small easily digestible sections. You could quickly get a sense of achievement. The instructor’s calm voice, explanations and encouragements worked well for me too. I learned to play the pieces much faster than I expected for a beginner!”

Marie-France R.
Bach Preludes

THIS TIME IT’S DIFFERENT

“This course helped me get started with playing the piece straight away. I don’t have experience playing the piano or reading the sheet music, I only tried a few times with very modest results. This time it’s different. All the information and the commentary is really helpful; looking at the way chord progression is structured from so many angles helps to memorise it quickly. Overall, I’m very satisfied.”

Fedor Isakov
Moonlight Sonata

AN EXCEPTIONAL COURSE

“An exceptional course!. I managed to finish the material in about 2 months and can now confidently play the whole movement without sheet music!”

Pandula Weerasooriya
Bach Preludes

I COULDN’T ASK FOR MORE

“Your methods are totally accessible. I couldn’t ask for more, as someone who wants to play, has minimal time to learn, but will put the time and effort in for the result of beautiful pieces like this and those of your Satie course. Thank you!”

Justin Ruiz
Erik Satie

THE PACE OF THE SESSIONS IS PERFECT

“I am very much enjoying this course, it being well-structured. Although I can read music at a basic level, I find the various ways of remembering the left hand chords extremely useful. The pace of the sessions is perfect for me. I have a friend who plays a banjo and he can’t read a note of music and uses lyrics with chords written above. It shows just how important it is to know the ‘feel’ of the piece by listening carefully to it being played, just as you recommend.Thank you.”

Alan Norman B.
Erik Satie

THE MUSIC IS GORGEOUS

“My son, who is 10, has been learning piano through online courses and tutorials for about a year. We got him this one as he has been looking for some beautiful but challenging pieces. He absolutely loves it. It took him a few days to learn each piece. The instruction is clear and helpful, and the music is gorgeous. It’s amazing to see how he has grown with this course and lovely to hear him play these, with increasing confidence and feeling, throughout the day each day. As a course, we couldn’t recommend this highly enough. Our only suggestion would be to offer a follow-up to this one to teach the Gymnopedies. We would be the first to enrol!”

Lesia S.
Moonlight Sonata

ANOTHER EXCELLENT COURSE

“This was the most challenging piano piece I have learned so far. I have wanted to learn how to play this for a long time, and honestly wondered whether it was beyond my ability. Robin’s course, which broke it down into small manageable, logical chunks, showed me that it was indeed possible for me to learn this – with perseverance and lots and lots of repetition and practice! Thank you so much, Robin, for another excellent course.”

Moonlight Sonata

IT IS AMAZING

“Just up to bar 9 so far but it is amazing and I know already that I’ll be through with the whole song soon, but with the required practice on each bar. Feels like ONLY 60 bars to go :)”

Muhammad Haroon
Erik Satie

AN EXCELLENT COURSE

“This is an excellent course. I’ve finished Gnossienne #1 and am working on #2. Not sure if I will do #3 as I am a bit sated on Satie. But the techniques taught enable you to learn the pieces step by step until you perfect it to whatever standard you wish. For me, my playing of #1 is still a bit mechanical, but I can play it without looking at the music and really enjoy being able to. I don’t like to sound like the old guy but I’m 68 and have never played piano (or keyboard in my case) before.

NB I would recommend a piano if you have access. Electronic keyboards don’t do the piece justice. Although I’m a bit over Satie I hope there will some new pieces by different composers in the future. I would definitely want to do those. Highly Recommended.”

Derek B.
Bach Preludes

I MANAGED TO PLAY IT WITHIN AN HOUR

When I first heard the piece I never imagined I could ever play it. But thanks to the teaching method I managed to play it within an hour.

Ajnish Viswa Rai P
Erik Satie

WORTH EVERY PENNY

“It is an excellent way to teach someone how to play….I love the music and I want to play it. The instructor does a very thorough job of explaining a lot about the piece…from they types of cords, how to read the music, when to press pedals, its pretty amazing. I am very happy to have found this teacher and this course. Worth every penny!”

Heather P
Erik Satie

THIS METHOD IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE BEST

“This method is absolutely one of the best ones I have ever tried to learn piano with. thank you so much for putting all these lessons together and I can’t wait to learn more songs with this method from you, even the modern songs. thank you”

Ehsan G.
Moonlight Sonata

THE COURSES ARE SO ACCESSIBLE

“I really appreciate the approach you take – learning to play by ear is just so so rewarding but I now realise the 10,000 hours factor is so true -I need to practice productively everyday -which I am yet to achieve but will get there -I have purchased your previous 2 courses and found them most helpful(Classic/Eric Sate )-the courses are so accessible – many thanks much appreciated -I dream of playing Moonlight Sonata to my family -lets see if i can achieve that !!!!”

Mike Purtell
Erik Satie

YOUR COURSES ARE ABSOLUTELY SPLENDID

“Just purchased this course too. Couldn’t resist because your courses are absolutely splendid (and to be honest, WELL under-priced – thanks for the absolute BARGAIN!). So I am now the proud owner of all your courses so far, Robin. Looking forward to diving into this one too in the near future! (I might even tackle it along with the Bach if I’m feeling really daring). Yet more splendid tuition – and truly beautiful music – to look forward to… Great stuff indeed! And very addictive…!!! Thanks and God bless, Robin :-)”

Chris H.
Erik Satie

ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT

“Great Course – Absolutely Love it. I’m currently taking Robin’s Piano For All course, and I’m in the Classical Section, so this fits right in. Robin’s style and methodology is fantastic. I learned No. 1 in less than a week. Take both courses – you’ll be so glad you did. — A grateful student.”

Paul L.