Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will it take me to start seeing results with your program?
A: You’ll learn songs and be able to actually read and play most of the notes on the treble clef in the first lesson! Each lesson adds several concepts and within a few weeks, even your family will be impressed by how much you can play after taking these piano lessons for beginners.
Q: How long and how often will I have to practice piano?
A: We ask that you practice with our course for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Q: I have difficulty practicing every day because of my work and other activities. Does this matter?
A: I wish I could say it didn’t matter, but it does. The more consistently you practice during these piano lessons, the faster you’ll see results. Actually, if you practice the way we teach you to, you’ll find great joy and excitement in your progress and you’ll want to arrange your schedule for “me time” lesson practicing.
Q: What is the youngest a person can be and still participate in this method?
A: I started on this method when I was 5 years old. I think the best age to start someone is when they want to learn the piano and are willing to practice.
Q: What makes the Reading Keyboard Music (RKM) method different from other teaching methods?
A: RKM doesn’t use the standard letter names (A,B,C,D,E,F,G) to teach you to play the piano. Letter names actually slow the process down. RKM calls the note exactly what it is so you don’t have to remember a random name to play. RKM is designed to teach great reading skills and encourages above and below the staff reading much sooner than the other methods. Additionally, because letter names aren’t used until near the end of the 16 weeks, the bass clef is learned phenomenally faster than in the other methods. The bottom line is you learn faster, play fun songs and use the majority of this amazing instrument in a 16 week time span!
Q: What can I expect from a 50 minute RKM lesson?
A: Well thought-out lesson plans that are FUN! You’ll be learning and not even realizing it. The time will fly by.
Q: I’m a beginner. Does this course teach me to read sheet music?
A: This course is designed for beginners and will absolutely teach you to read music! However, you must do your part of 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Q: I only have a keyboard, not a real piano. Will your course work for me?
A: While it is optimal, a keyboard will work just fine. In fact, we taught the course using an electric piano.
Q: Do I need to have the TV and the DVD player in the same room as the keyboard or piano?
A: Yes. The DVD player shows me, your teacher, and you want me in the same room with you… 🙂
Q: Do I have to have a background in music to be successful with your program?
A: No. The course is designed for folks who don’t know anything about piano or music but are excited and willing to learn.
Q: Will I really be able to play after 16 weeks?
A: YES! If you practice the way we teach you, you’ll be thrilled with your progress in 16 weeks. The students on the DVD gave a recital at the end of their 16 weeks and their families and friends were amazed with how well they could play.
Q: What is Merrilee Webb’s background in teaching?
A: Merrilee Webb received her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music Education from Brigham Young University Provo where she was chosen as the Most Outstanding Musician of 1983. Merrilee started her own piano studio (using the RKM method) at the age of 16 with 30 students. Since then, she has taught piano successfully to hundreds of students of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, she taught choral music in Jr. High and High School for 12 years where she created very successful choral programs. She had 650 students in her last high school choral program at Bountiful High School in Bountiful, Utah. Merrilee taught for three years at Brigham Young University Hawaii where she taught the Men’s and Women’s choirs, Music Education, Group Piano and Theory Courses. She currently teaches at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah. Merrilee has been an Associate Director for the Young Americans since 1994 and has had the opportunity to travel the world and teach kids from all backgrounds. Merrilee has also served as guest clinician for MENC and ACDA conventions.
Q: What makes Merrilee Webb such a qualified teacher?
A: Besides all of her training and experience, she has a genuine interest in each student and she wants to share her love of music with as many people as humanly possible. With Reading Keyboard Music, she says that her goal is to teach the world to play piano.
Q: What are some of the things I will have learned by the end of the 16 week course?
A: If you do your part in practicing, you will know how to play all the notes, basic music theory, technical exercises, and how to figure out a piece of music you’ve never seen before.
