Brenda Wright Sheppard
My earliest memories involve music. My dad played piano, guitar, and sang. There were always rehearsals and impromptu gatherings around the piano when I was growing up. The name “Wrightings and Lessons” is in honor of Dad’s side of the family.
I began playing piano when I was ten years old. I played at church, in gospel groups, weddings, and school events. Dad taught me basic chords. I continued to learn to play by listening to music and figuring out how to play the chords and styles that I heard.
When I went to college, I studied music. Most of my classmates read music well. I could barely read the notes and literally had to count lines and spaces, but once I figured out the notes, I could analyze the music because I understood chord relationships from playing by ear.
I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music in 1991. In 1993, I completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA). I taught Business Management courses to adult learners in career colleges for ten years.
I rarely used the music degree in my occupation until starting this business in 2015. I’ve used it on a regular basis serving in church and in my community. Living in Nashville, offers a unique opportunity to work with very good players. Thanks to musicians such as Glen Dickerson (see more about Glen in the Endorsements section), I learned to read and write charts using the Nashville Number System.
“Wrightings and Lessons” blends my background as an instructor and musician. I also write blogs about music and about life. I write about my current music endeavors and also about life experiences and thoughts.
The Teaching Method
- Brenda Wright Sheppard
The method that I use to teach piano is not normal. I do not incorporate reading music notation into my instruction.
In the first lesson, I teach the basic concept of the piano scale and how it relates to the number system. The student also learns the chords that correlate with the scale. During the first lesson, the student plays their first song with block chords. In future lessons they learn more scales, how to play in other keys, chord inversions, and much more music theory.
During the lessons, I ask students to tell me songs that they want to learn. A new song is typically learned during each lesson.
The student plays with songs on YouTube or a playlist. I transpose the keyboard to the key the student is learning to play in at the time. Because most of the students have keyboards instead of an actual piano, they transpose the keys when they practice at home while playing with YouTube or a playlist. They also can change the settings on the keyboard to play strings, organ, or a combination of instruments. The students enjoy playing along with their favorite bands and music. I think it keeps their interest in learning the instrument and they have fun.
If a student is wanting to learn to sight read or play serious music such as Bach Inventions, I will refer them to a more traditional instructor. If, however, a student wants to play styles of music such as pop, country, or Christian, I can teach them using my methods. While I do not teach music notation, my teaching method does not compromise or conflict with standard music theory. I am not a good sight reader of music notation, but I did well in music theory in college because I understood chord relationships.
If you are interested in learning to play, contact me at wrightingsandlessons@gmail.com. I currently have openings for lessons and would love to work with you.
