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Piano Lessons with Howard B. Richman
“Howard Richman is a gifted and sensitive musician. Not only is he a phenomenal pianist and composer, but he’s also a gifted teacher. Howard teaches his students many things, but above all, he teaches them how to listen to their own inner voice and intuition. I’ve been a professional musician for over 20 years. I graduated from New England Conservatory with a degree in musical composition. I received great training at NEC, but I was shocked at what wasn’t taught when I was in school… things such as writing in different musical styles, writing in different emotions, and most importantly tapping into inner creativity. Prior to studying with Howard, I was working with another composition teacher. This teacher was a phenomenal musician, but he just wasn’t able to help me unlock the level of creativity that I knew was within myself. I decided that I wanted to study with a teacher out on the West Coast. I found Richman Music School. I actually intended to connect with a teacher other than Howard, but I had the opportunity to talk directly with Howard, and I feel that this was no coincidence. Just speaking with Howard I felt an instant trust and connection. I knew inside that this was the teacher I was supposed to study with. When Howard and I started working together, he first taught me how to write with my body and my heart and not so much with my head. This was difficult given all the years of intellectual training I had had. He suggested some basic exercises to get my creative juices moving and to get me tapping into my own innate intuition. I applied what he suggested, and sure enough, ideas started flowing that definitely wouldn’t have been there prior to Howard‘s guidance. As a higher level of creativity started to emerge, Howard taught me practical considerations such as how to organize my ideas and how to make my creative process more consistent. As I implemented Howard suggestions, he was always there to be encouraging. He was always letting me know that I was on my way. As an entrepreneur myself, I have the upmost respect for how Howard runs his business. He is completely sincere and trustworthy, and never tries to oversell. I felt throughout the process that he had nothing but my best interests in mind. I would highly recommend working with any teacher at Richman Music School, but, if you get the chance to study piano or composition with Howard, you’ll be grateful that you did.”
—Troy Lucia,
Conyers, GA
“’I feel good again’ is the song on the album that I wrote entirely by myself! I would never have been able to do that without the piano skills that you taught me! I am so grateful for you!”
—Brianna Haynes,
Singer/Songwriter www.briannahaynes.com
“I believe that every time I work with you I’m transported light-years into my future.”
—Pray Harper
Performer/Composer www.prayharper.com
“I am writing two more songs right now. This is a very exciting time for me, and your encouragement and support have been a vital part of this process. I am very grateful to have you as my teacher.”
—Claire Bloom,
Woodland Hills
“Howard’s awesome!!’ Those are the words our daughter, Michaela uses to describe her piano and music lessons with Howard Richman. We have found that she learns more with his method of teaching, and enjoys it more at the same time. Michaela’s classes with Howard have gien her great confidence when performing in front of audiences ranging from family to music producers. We love the way he tailors his lessons around the abilities and interests of his students. He shows great compassion in teaching his trade to others and bringing out the best in them. We would highly recommend Howard Richman to anyone, at any age, who wishes to add or improve the music in the lives.”
—Proud parents, Anchalina and Gregg Thurlow
“It’s such a joy to know our clients are in such great hands with you! Thank you.”
—Michael and Jennifer Goodrich,
Goodrich Vocal Studio http://www.goodrichvocal.com/
“I became Howard Richman’s piano student when I was 61 years old. I had played the piano as a kid, lost interest and gave up. 50 years later I determined to play again. Howard taught me to be proud that I could play. He gave me confidence. I became interested. His approach was adult: To ‘relax…there is no deadline.’ I learned, ‘the brain learns in short intense little bursts rather than long boring stretches.’ He increased my reading speed and fun: He explained, ‘It’s the space between the notes that’s most important.’ I’m now 83 years old and retired. I’ve got lots of leisure hours. I spend many reading music … playing new and old songs. Lucky me! I’ve always loved music and the sound of the piano… especially when it’s me making the music.”
—Gerry Trafficanda
San Clemente, CA
“Howard is a great piano teacher. I had been playing some Baroque music for a long time. All self-taught. Then I met Howard a few years back! Since then I attained a level of playing, I never thought possible, especially at my ripe age of 79 years. All thanks to Howard. His ability to tune into your needs and piano wishes are extraordinary and fascinating. Whether you are a child just learning to play or an accomplished pianist of jazz, pop or classical music, your playing will improve greatly with Howard’s guidance. The virtuosity and brilliance of his playing together with his deep understanding of music and teaching are very impressive. His method of teaching is highly unique, very thorough, sharply detailed, always fun and often wrapped in funny stories. Go learn play the piano with Howard. I highly recommend him.”
—Patrick the Elder
“Hey Howard — just want to say thank you for being the best piano teacher! You’re an inspiration and an amazing teacher. I love the piano cuz of you!!!”
—Christina Bellrose,
Woodland Hills, CA
“What a journey it has been for me and my music endeavors! I have come a long way since my first lesson and I would like to thank you for being so patient and encouraging. I have learned so much from you and you have taught me lessons in music and in life. I thank you for always believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. I know all that I’ve learned from you will definitely be applied to future projects. Thank you Howard, for everything.”
—Brian Cho, Chatsworth, CA
“I’ve always been really impressed by your ability to motivate me and to break daunting tasks down into smaller, tackleable skills. I’m glad to see so many others feel the same way! Thanks for being a great teacher!”
—Hayley Manion Smith,
Philadelphia, PA
“Thank you for everything you have done for me. I am so lucky to have you. I feel like I am improving monumentally.”
—Ben Felix Mironer
“Howard Richman is a wonderful pianist and composer…and he is a superb teacher. I studied classical piano from the age of 6 until I was out of high-school with a Juilliard graduate. She taught as she was trained; not geared to an individual student, not terribly thoughtful in her approach. I studied piano in college with several teachers, none of them particularly impressive. When our family moved from NY to Los Angeles I sought a piano teacher for my young son. I consulted UCLA and found Howard on the list of teachers they recommended. It was in observing my sons lessons that I became interested in studying piano again…with Howard Richman! I found my lessons with Howard exhilarating. My lessons were geared to my ability and my interests. Howard was thoughtful in his approach and made everything…from sight-reading to technique…easier. And best of all, he made it possible! I cannot recommend Howard Richman highly enough! If you want to achieve something at the piano, Howard is your man.”
—Margo Guryan
“Howard Richman is a very talented piano teacher and friend. He has the combined qualities of an intuitive child and the natural technique of an experienced old soul. He perseveres to enlighten his students without using any pressure other than an unwavering talent as a real coach”
—Gregor Hesse
“I have never met one teacher that is as dedicated as you. You make Sammy’s lesson challenging but add lots of fun for somebody his age. A lot of people are amazed about what Sammy can play on the piano. You come down to a kid size level of understanding and explain with fun and kid-appropriate comparisons. Never ever do you lose patience.”
—Tanja Samalya
“As a singer and songwriter I found Howard Richman’s approach to music study delightfully perfect. He stressed the importance of finding the vital balance between technique and emotion while taking my piano facility to another level. As an experienced concert pianist, Howard is also a great resource of ideas for combating stagefright and becoming a more powerful performer.”
—Rhian Benson, Singer/Songwriter www.rhianbenson.com
“Howard helped me gain the facility to play what I heard, both technically and creatively.”
—Starr Parodi, Film Composer/Keyboardist,
Arsenio Hall Show Band
“Howard gave me a good foundation to manifest my abilities in all forms of music.”
—Vonda Shepard, Recording Artist,
Singer/Songwriter on Ally McBeal
“Since our 7 year old daughter started piano lessons with Howard several months ago, both her interest in the piano and ability to play piano have blossomed. Howard is an exceptional teacher. He has a wonderful balance of firmness, patience and encouragement. He allows our daughter to express her own creativity at the piano, but still maintains control of the lesson. He is very good about meeting her at her level, while encouraging her potential. I would highly recommend Howard Richman as a piano teacher.”
—Michelle Tack,
Woodland Hills, CA
“Howard Richman has been a great piano teacher for my 11-year-old daughter. Prior to coming to Howard, my daughter had not really progressed after 6 months of lessons with another teacher. Now, under Howard’s teaching, my daughter is developing her ability to play piano and is motivated to learn more. Howard is extremely knowledgeable of the piano, is very patient and uses a lot of positive reinforcement. We are very happy with Howard Richman.”
—Shannon Mulhearn, Canoga park, CA
“Howard’s patience and teaching ability precedes him. When my son asked to learn piano, he found encouragement, patience, and learning tricks that only someone with years of honed teaching talent can provide. These new skills will are having a profound effect on his learning ability in general. As a parent, I couldn’t wish for more.”
—Cynthia Purcell, Calabasas, CA
“I just wanted to thank you so very much for being an amazing teacher and a huge inspiration in my life. I am learning to play my songs thanks to you.”
—Diana Wallace, Singer/Songwriter/Producer
“You are a great teacher. You have helped me in so many ways.”
—Rodney Borr, English Teacher
“It was really great to see you in this clip, because it brought back great memories of taking lessons from you! I wanted to thank you for being such a great teacher. I wish that I could have taken from you for a longer amount of time, but I did learn a great deal from you. Thanks again for being such an inspirational teacher and musician.”
—Lindsay Yegan, Nashville, TN
“My hope is that people who don’t know you, and are passing through your page for the first time, can begin to discover how brilliant you are and how much you have to offer them. One piano lesson with you and my life was changed… now three years later… wow… I even amaze myself on the piano sometimes, thanks so much to you. 😉 And I can not imagine recording the upcoming album with out you!”
“I am so thankful to you Howard! You have made my move to LA SO worth it. Because of you, I am a musician — an ever-growing one. I am so grateful for your wisdom, your dedication and your thoughtfulness.”
—Kaiulani Kimbrell, Singer/Songwriter www.kaiulanikimbrell.com
“Thanking you so much for everything!”
—Genevieve Yang, http://www.genevieveyang.com
“I want to thank you for everything! Seriously, you’re such an awesome teacher and I’m so blessed”
—Danielle Keaton, Actress
“Having studied since age 6 with a Julliard-trained teacher, and later with several of the Boston University faculty, where I obtained my Bachelor of Music degree, I continued to experience pain in my forearms when executing fast passages. After studying with Howard Richman, I learned relaxation techniques that allowed me to achieve the desired speed with greater control—and no pain!”
—Margo Guryan Rosner, Teacher/Composer
“Dear Howard, I just wanted to say thank you again for all of the help and support you’ve given me. You helped me to regain the modicum of confidence that I had lost — plus much more than that. Thank God that your way of teaching actually makes sense compared to the traditional way, and that you are open to the special needs of each individual student. It’s frightening to think about how many people may have given up on learning or improving on their sight -reading/piano skills out of sheer frustration. It’s sad, really. Anyway, I thank God for you.”
—M. Leah Klaver, Lyric Soprano
“I want you to know that our lessons have been invaluable as it has given me direction where I was lost before. For the first time, I have started to have a ‘feel’ for the music that I play from the fake books. It has allowed me to improvise while getting an understanding of the melodic relative pitches and the chords that accompany them. I hope that you will feel free to give my name and number as a reference to future potential students. I can guarantee that they will receive nothing less than adulation as to your abilities.”
—David Schneider, Attorney, Beverly Hills, CA
“I’ve known Howard Richman over 20 years, as both a friend at UCLA, and later in my life, as the fabulous piano teacher, and pianist that he is today. Having studied under many big name teachers myself, gaining musical insights, I became a professional player in the hotel circuit in Los Angeles. While at UCLA I noticed something curious — Howard displayed the finest technique of any student and so I followed his career. From the beginning, Howard wanted to become a great teacher of piano. He did a huge amount of research which I saw once encompassing many volumes on subjects such as physical problems and their solution at the piano. The book, “Super Sight-Reading Secrets” is a masterpiece and to my knowledge the only book of its kind dealing with the problems of technique and sight-reading.
Fifteen years went by. Something wasn’t clicking. I was frustrated. I wasn’t able to play the things I wanted to. I remembered Howard and called. Since that time, Howard has given me the tools that were missing. He has taken me on a journey which has included privy information in the tradition of the masters — secrets of playing transferred from great artist to artist. Howard will one day soon receive a call from the Juilliard School begging him to be on their faculty! His genius in transmitting exceptional facility at the piano ranks him with the finest teachers of our day. With his book alone, my sight-reading more than doubled in speed. Having Howard as a teacher was the best move I ever made to further my career goal as a virtuoso pianist in the jazz and classical genres. I only wish I had studied with him sooner!”
—Evan Sachs, Pianist/Teacher/Composer, Mission Viejo, CA http://www.misterevan.com
“I’ve been playing professionally for 26 years. About a year ago I realized that my technique was holding me back from executing the ideas that I was hearing. After beginning lessons with Howard, I was seeing results in my playing immediately and the progress is constant. It’s also a pleasure to study with someone who actually enjoys what he is doing instead of just being in it for the buck. Howard has touched and shown so many the beauty of being able to realize, through their fingers, what they hear in their head. I strongly recommend Howard Richman for anybody. Through studying with him you will be able to play like you’ve never played before.”
—Chris Hardin, Keyboardist/Composer/Conductor
“I really believe that you were the doorway into my spiritual life and into my having some kind of spiritual awakenings. I feel that I was very lucky to have been your student. I think that music, and the study of it, became transformed through your guidance, as it should, into a greater vehicle for experiencing life, especially at the level of the soul—and I wonder sometimes if that isn’t somehow part of your greater mission on the planet.”
—Alx Utterman, pianist, composer, actress,
poet, lecturer, dancer, author, spritual guide
“Howard, I want to tell you how much I appreciate your ability and willingness to recognize indiviual learning styles and modalities. This ability enables piano students to harness our strengths and challenges, and to maximize our potential — whatever that might or might not be.”
—Laurie M. Savage, Program Director,
Spondylitis Association of America, Sherman Oaks, CA
Also recommended by: Michelle Pfeiffer, Actress, Peter Horton, Actor, Frank Dookun, Synclavier programmer.
