What learners say about Classics By Ear — Erik Satie (Trois Gnossiennes): clear, bar-by-bar videos, simple practice notes, and an elegant sound that feels doable. Excerpts are lightly trimmed for length.
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“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.”
“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 :-)”
“I want to thank you for this course! I started to learn as a novice using old 61-keys synth with squeaking plastic keys. In three months I started thinking on buying a good piano and in eight months I recorded my performance using my own perfect instrument which I love so much and which, I believe, will help me to learn my favorite pieces. You can listen to me playing the “Trois Gnossiennes” if you want https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPva4d9vNa1lgZhDRSjbekaWYfTz8Jueh
I am an amator and do not take real music lessons with a teacher. Robin’s course helped me not only to learn to play three beautiful pieces but also pointed out many important things which you need to pay attention and this helps me to proceed with my studying as an amator.
I havent got rid of performance fear completely (do you think it is possible?), – even when just recording (alone) I perform worse then without recording. However some of Robin’s practics helps to be prepared to perform even when nervous from the beginning to the end with reasonable amount of mistakes.”
“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!!!”
“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”
“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!”
“I am a 70 year old advanced beginner who has never tried to learn anything on my own without an instructor by my side. This was also my first attempt to play classical music. I had a great time, enjoyed every minute of it and felt like I did have someone to guide me through all of the pieces. I thought the presentations were very well organized and easily understood. I would definitely sign up for more of these. A great way to enjoy sheltering in place. Thanks again.”
“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”
“Really enjoyed this course, it’s been so helpful in learning play Satie’s music. Very gentle, clear instructions and demonstrations on how to get the most out of the piece.”
“Robin provides a wide variety of creative and interesting strategies for learning this piece, so if you persist, you can succeed, no matter what your learning style is. It does take a LOT of time, but it is definitely possible to get pretty good at the piece.
I especially appreciate Robin’s motivation and advice for making practice time more effective. I’m using these practice strategies on other pieces, so my playing has become more accurate since taking this class!
I wasn’t too crazy about the Satie piece when I listened to the course preview, but I’m very glad I signed up for this course. I’ve come to quite enjoy this piece, now that I can play it. It’s very soothing. Plus, it’s a confidence booster, because the music actually sounds like it’s harder to play than it is.
I hope Robin will set up some additional classes like this, to help us master a few more fun and impressive pieces.”
“Because of its flexibility of use. You can match your own ability and time available that you have. Which means you are in complete control of your own progress. It has never been patronising. In order to gain from the course you do have to be disciplined to carry out regular study. I’ve found all the courses I’ve tried very well paced and logically presented with very clear instruction.
If anything I’ve signed up for more courses than I have time to concentrate on but I find I can drop in and out of your courses and easily pick them up where I left off and so far not been bored by any. They are in fact all related to my interest in becoming better educated about jazz piano.
I have been involved with music most of my life and I feel I’m making more progress than ever before. One thing my be of interest l’m 87 years old.”
“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”
“I am incredibly happy with this course it’s changed the way I look at Music. I was completely overwhelmed with the Satie sheet music, 4flats! Now when I approach a piece I’m looking for patterns, for how the whole thing is structured. I listen more and better as well because I understand more. Thank you!”
“Fantastic course to take a beginner like me through three beautiful classical pieces to the point that I can enjoy them from the perspective of a pianist (albeit a novice!) Thank you.”
“Just completed this course. I don’t think anybody make the lessons easier than this lecturer. Simply awesome and I think it’s a kind of psychological approach from the lecturer. If you learn to play classical piano, please go dive into this right away! ”
“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.”
“I enjoyed this course as much as any course I’ve taken. It is a good length and very focused–it teaches one thing and teaches it really well. It provides a step-by-step walkthrough for playing Erik Satie’s Trois Gnossienes on Piano. These are beautiful pieces and not too difficult to play, and Robin’s method makes learning them really straightforward. I can now play through these pieces consistently, more or less by memory. My ability to read sheet music for piano improved significantly, though that is only a secondary emphasis in the course. Highly recommended for an adult learner with a tiny bit of piano who wants to master one piece. I’m already moving on to Robin’s Bach course and looking forward to it.”
“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!”
“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.”
“Sounds daunting at first but is broken down in such a way as to make it do-able. The combination of sheet music, cheat sheets plus the verbal instruction and video is very effective. If I can play the whole thing in two weeks anyone can as I am definitely a novice.”