"The Flow Method helped me to feel more confident reading music than when I first began. Learning the piano helped me to be more disciplined, and I'm proud of what I've achieved."
Rachel Barron
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I explore how Music Makers can cultivate a mindful approach to piano practice. This method shifts focus from perfecting technique to embracing the journey, fostering creativity and personal growth. Welcome to the art of becoming a Mindful Musician.
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Learning the piano as an adult opens a door to profound self-expression and personal growth.
Making music can become a 'practice' - a space where your imagination and creativity flourish naturally.
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You might be drawn to quick results in your piano journey. While it's possible to learn some songs rapidly through imitation (much like we first learn language), this path rarely leads to true musical understanding.
Without a solid foundation in reading and practicing music, the ability to play the pieces you really love - and truly enjoy the process - remains just out of reach.
You'll find a maze of learning options: YouTube tutorials, online memberships, group classes, traditional private lessons. While each has merit, a crucial question often goes unasked:
Does the method foster independent learning?
Even in traditional one-on-one lessons, you can become dependent on your teacher's approval to "complete" pieces.
Learning any song to a high level of competence requires understanding the stages of completion - something that imitation alone can't reliably provide.
If you're unable to complete songs reliably, you'll likely grow frustrated, leading to less practice time and moving further from your initial dreams of playing.
Without being taught how to learn songs confidently and independently, you'll always feel reliant on teacher guidance. This is unfortunately common, but it doesn't have to be your experience.
The key lies not just in what you learn, but in how you learn it. This fundamental aspect of piano education is often overlooked.
My focus is on equipping you to become an independent learner. By understanding how to practice, develop, and create 'sound art' (music) on your own, you'll continually build the confidence to fully realize your musical potential.
This confidence naturally leads to more time in the flow state - that magical space where music-making feels effortless and joyful.
You don't have to experience the frustration that makes practice feel like work rather than play. There's a better way forward.
Over two decades of teaching hundreds of adult learners, I've developed the FLOW Method (Faster Learning through Optimal Workflow), which embraces four essential elements.
The FLOW Method consists of:
This method cultivates independent learning, making every session at the piano productive and meaningful.
When you understand how each element (notes, rhythms, dynamics, etc.) of music works together, you can approach learning with confidence rather than relying on shortcuts.
"The Flow Method helped me to feel more confident reading music than when I first began. Learning the piano helped me to be more disciplined, and I'm proud of what I've achieved."
Rachel Barron
When you work with the FLOW Method, you'll discover how to:
The FLOW Music Series accompanies this journey, offering thoughtfully composed pieces that introduce musical elements gradually.
This progressive approach gives you time to absorb each concept before moving forward, acknowledging that music-making is inherently multifaceted.
As you gain familiarity with each element, you'll naturally develop the ability to manage multiple aspects of music simultaneously. This organic growth leads to greater mastery and confidence at the piano.
"I was new to the piano, but after working with Don, I learned how to read in about 2 weeks; a lot faster than I expected. The Flow Method made learning songs less overwhelming as reading became more fluid."
Jackie Del Castillo
Learning the piano in adulthood is a unique opportunity for self-discovery. Many find that this journey brings unexpected gifts - from enhanced cognitive function to emotional well-being.
Research shows that even amateur musicians have significantly more brain activity in both hemispheres compared to non-musicians.
The Musician's Mindset is central to this growth. Throughout your journey, you'll develop an approach that:
The path to becoming a musician is deeply personal.
While quick-fix methods might promise immediate results, they often leave gaps in understanding that become barriers to true musical expression.
Over twenty years of teaching hundreds of adult learners, I've seen how a thoughtful, structured approach leads to lasting musical ability.
The FLOW Method combines solid fundamentals with mindfulness techniques that make each practice session rewarding and enjoyable.
