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
Erik Satie

SUCH A BRILLIANT COURSE

“I’ve mostly completed the first Gnossienne. This is such a brilliant course that is well-organized, very thorough and detailed. I used to learn to play piano but I really like this new way of learning. I’m looking forward to other courses like this one. Thank you Robin for making these great lessons.”

Nguyen D.
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.
Moonlight Sonata

THE COURSE IS GREAT

“I bought this on july 16, never played piano before and I managed to finish this course and learn the whole piece by the time I’m writing this review, which is approximately 3 months. I have to admit there where a few weeks a didn’t practice at all x) but the course is great and now I’m gonna continue with his next course =)”

Julio Vergara
Bach Preludes

EXCELLENT BREAKDOWN

“Excellent breakdown technique. This was an excellent match for me. I tend to want to jump ahead before I have mastered a section completely. This kept me on track and I could go back and work on any section I needed too work on.
I am 70 years old and memorization has become difficult but I was able to stay focused and work through each section at my own pace. I realize that this was not a complex piece but I will apply the technique to other songs. Thank you.”

Cynthia P Jones
Erik Satie

WELL STRUCTURED AND EASY TO FOLLOW

“Really good, finished 1st gnossienne. The lessons are well structured and easy to follow! I hope Robin will do more music pieces from different composers in the future! I highly recommend his “pianoforall” course as well, that is truly an incredible value for money where you will learn, rythm, blues, ballad, classic, sight reading and get plenty of practice improvising.

Robin also has a fantastic way of teaching where you both learn to play AND understand what you play as you follow.”

Jakob L.
Moonlight Sonata

VERY PLEASED WITH THE CONTENTS

“This is the second piano course I’ve taken with Robin Hall, and I have been very pleased with the content of the courses. Robin clearly understands how to convey his knowledge of the piano to his students. Whether someone is a beginner or intermediate student, Robin addresses the course content for all. I am impressed with the level of information, which includes video content and pdf music sheets, that Robin includes with the courses. Clearly a lot of work for him! Thanks for offering these piano courses, great value for the money and time spent. Thanks to Robin, I am back to playing piano and staying with it, and very pleased with my progress.”

Joseph Burke
Moonlight Sonata

THIS COURSE WAS EXCELLENT

“Best course on not only learning one of the greatest classical songs of all time but also incredible for learning to play the piano. As someone who has only a few months of piano experience, this course was excellent in guiding, explaining, and illustrating how to correctly play each cord. There will be frustration on your end because of inevitable struggle but if you stick through with it, your future self will thank you. Don’t give up!”

Russell Lopez
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
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

FANTASTIC COURSE

“Fantastic course. I can read sheet music – but followed the instructions and learned the piece much quicker than if I was just reading alone. Also learned how to pick out particulars in different performances I listened to that I would like to add to my own interpretation. The videos, audio and pdfs are excellent. Really great experience!!!”

Angela A.
Moonlight Sonata

TRULY INSPIRATIONAL

“It is a truly inspirational course for me. I am making progress !!! Just in time I have found the words of encouragement and support. So important to have those. Great teacher. I am really grateful for the clear and easy to follow visual instructions that I needed most as I am studying without a tutor by my side.”

Sergio
Erik Satie

SO CONSISTENT AND WELL THOUGHT OUT

I’ve been working on other pieces and just getting back to the Gnossiennes again. The courses are so consistent and well thought out, it’s easy to resume learning.

John M.
Moonlight Sonata

IT’S JUST GREAT

“I’ve been wanting to play this for years but thinking it was too difficult, not with this way of teaching. its just great. I could play bars 1 to 5 but within days of having this course I am working on bar 10 top marks.”

Christopher Wheeler
Bach Preludes

THE COURSE WAS FANTASTIC!

“The course was fantastic! I was amazed at how many different materials provided and approaches provided to learning this piece. Not simply the sheet music, but cheat sheets and other tools to help me learn the piece. I have successfully memorized and completed the piece in around 2 weeks.”

Matt Beech
Moonlight Sonata

EASY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTION

“This is great course! I never thought I could play this piece and understand it in such an easy to follow instruction. Excellent instructor!”

Felipe Oceguera
Moonlight Sonata

THIS COURSE HAS HELPED ME TO FILL IN THE GAPS

“I love your soothing, calming voice. This course has helped me to fill in the gaps. Thank you for breaking it all down in bite size pieces.”

Jasmin Jinn
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
Moonlight Sonata

THIS IS THE BEST COURSE I’VE EVER HAD

“This is the best course I’ve ever had. The teaching technique, simple and helpful explanations, duration of sections, … Everything is just perfectly adjusted.

Thank you so much.”

Gizem Aktuğ
Bach Preludes

COULD NOT BE MORE PLEASED

“Finished the Prelude in C major. Could not be more pleased with this course. If you love the piano and are just beginning your journey, please try it. You will not be disappointed.”

Clyde Fisher
Erik Satie

IT FEELS AMAZING

“Great course. I learned to play the first Gnossienne from start to finish in less than a week by watching this course and I have only been learning classical piano for a couple of months.

It feels amazing to be able to play along with some of the classic Satie recordings and feel that not only do I get the notes right, but I’m also starting to add expression to my playing. Looking forward to future courses applying the same method!”

Jaakko H.
Moonlight Sonata

THIS TYPE OF TEACHING IS EXACTLY WHAT ADULT BEGINNERS NEED

“Clear & informative. I teach piano improvisation & musicality. I create my own material as Piano books give the student too much information in one go, making them stressed out and confused. This type of teaching is exactly what adult beginners need.”

Benita Laakso
Erik Satie

HAD THEM ALL DOWN IN 3 WEEKS!

“I’ve only been playing the piano for about a month, and I was able to play the first piece fairly well after just a few days, and had them all down in 3 weeks!
I wish I could learn all new songs with this format”

Kevin S.
Erik Satie

ONE OF THE BEST COURSES OUT THERE

“I’m quite impressed how an online course can be actually better than a presenting course. I didn’t expect much of this, but I’m 100% satisfied and do believe is one of the best courses out there. At least is working really well for me.
Also, my aunt is taking another course from this teacher and she’s enjoying a lot.
Thank you”

Alex C.