Learn Piano
Premium Piano Lessons in NYC
With Jonathan Baker
Expressing Yourself in Music
For motivated adult amateur pianists, from complete beginners to advanced, eager to attain the next level.
I collaborate with serious amateur pianists who pursue fresh perspectives on interpretation, as well as those with questions about how to master the technical challenges they encounter.
My students come from all walks of life; many are professionals in medicine or finance, while some are currently college students. All of them want to use their limited time as efficiently as possible to make the most progress, and I focus on the most effective methods to attain results.
Recognized for professional excellence for 35 years, The Baker Piano Studio on Manhattan’s Upper West Side near Lincoln Center is unsurpassed in mentoring aspiring amateur pianists. I focus on providing highly supportive guidance tailored to each student.
Did you take piano lessons years ago but don’t know where to begin again?
Many pianists spend years struggling with challenges that could be easily overcome with the right guidance. But there’s always a solution at hand! I'll share proven methods to help you make progress toward your musical independence.
Your Next Move…
You can take your piano playing skills to the next level by learning to play the music you love. That way, you develop your technique and musicianship directly through the music you love to play, and have it as a reward for your efforts, and if you choose, play it for others.
Alternatively, some students feel more comfortable with progressive method books that provide systematic, objective markers of their musical progress as positive goals.
Either approach is valid and will yield successful results when pursued consistently.
I often ask students to write down their dream list of pieces they would love to learn as the starting point of their musical journey.
What You Can Gain
Technique
I illustrate proven methods to help you improve finger articulation and develop speed, flexibility, strength, and poise. With consistency, your technique will definitely accelerate!
Expression
Expand your expressive potential with tempo rubato. Learn to phrase melodies to reveal their beauty, project sonority, and create nuance and grandeur.
Music Theory
Instead of tedious theory-book assignments, I integrate that knowledge smoothly into the music you love to play, for an effortless understanding that makes learning quicker and more secure!
Sight-Reading
I will share effective sight-reading methods upon request, drawing on my decades of experience as a music director and accompanist to show you how to make it an enjoyable skill.
Pedaling
Anton Rubinstein described the pedal as “The soul of the piano.” Using the pedal produces rich tones and smooth legato. My innovative techniques will enhance your playing, allowing your melodies to soar with both grandeur and subtlety.
Success
Most importantly, I share successful practice strategies so you can gain the best results for your time and energy. Knowing how to practice accelerates your progress for faster results.
About Jonathan
A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music B.M, M.M., Jonathan has performed hundreds of times and taught hundreds of piano students for over thirty-five years.
Having made his orchestral debut playing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto in C minor with the San Diego Symphony at Sherwood Hall in La Jolla, Jonathan subsequently has performed throughout North America.
His teachers included Florence Stephenson, a renowned chamber music specialist at USC, who studied with Tobias Matthay, Wladimir Jan Kochanski, a concert pianist and student of Rosina Lhevinne, and Adele Marcus of Juilliard before earning his Master’s at the Manhattan School of Music. First Prize winner of the Pennington Competition, he also was awarded the Ceravalo Prize for excellence in the performance of the music of J.S. Bach. He performed in masterclasses with John Browning and Earl Wild.
For Jonathan’s Bio visit here.
Baker Piano Studio
31 West 69th Street, NY, NY, 10023
Situated in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, just steps from Central Park, the Baker Piano Studio provides a welcoming environment that makes learning both enjoyable and productive.
Near subway stations: 1 / 9 / 2 / 3 / B / C.
This location is perfect for easy travel, and you'll find plenty of charming coffee shops and restaurants right in the neighborhood, making it a convenient and delightful spot to visit.
Online Lessons are available upon request. Our guide for Online Setup.
“I’ve had many music teachers, from private lessons to college professors, but your methods rank the highest. Your ability to articulate solutions, remain patient, and provide positive feedback makes the learning process successful. It’s rare to find someone with great playing and teaching ability.”
- Stephen Cho
“I started piano lessons at age five and stopped cold at age twelve. With great sensitivity, patience, and creativity, Jonathan Baker helped me get back on track as a pianist after decades away from the instrument. From our first lesson, his warm manner and courtesy put me at ease. He has taken my aspirations seriously and encouraged me while creating the appropriate program to develop my skills. Working with Mr. Baker has been a delight.”
— Annette Gordon-Reed, Pulitzer Prize for History, National Book Award for History
“I had never played piano before. After two months, I could play my favorite tunes. Jonathan is a great teacher and gives one hundred percent to his students. Lessons are always a pleasure, and I am forever grateful to Jonathan for helping me follow my dream. I do personally recommend him. He is the best piano teacher.”
- Jana Casas
“I cannot think of anyone today who knows more about the piano and its methods of instruction than Jonathan Baker. A brilliant pianist, Jonathan is thorough, kind, patient, and above all practical - meeting you where you are and giving you the tools to get where you want to go. Whether a student plays for their own pleasure or aims for a professional career, I highly recommend him. “
- Daniel Shigo
"Jonathan Baker is a true Maestro. He is a master pianist and a master music teacher and taught our son George Erich. He is a great person who is patient, kind, and incredibly dedicated to his students. His love of piano and music is a true gift.
— Birgit Gill
Private Lesson Advantages over Apps
Private piano lessons offer more effective and insightful feedback than apps, helping you progress faster. Personalized attention makes your learning more engaging, productive, and successful. Here are the benefits…
Solutions
I give practical solutions tailored to your questions - something no online app can replicate. With my quick feedback, grounded in decades of performing and teaching experience, you can avoid months or even years of frustration spent searching online in vain for answers.
Hand Positions
Many pianists may not realize that their hand positions, fingering, and overall posture are sabotaging their progress. While no app can detect these problems, I will quickly notice them and offer practical advice to accelerate your progress.
Flexibility
Apps run on preset, mechanical instructions, but you are not a machine! I have the flexibility to customize lessons to fit your unique needs, so you know you are supported every step of the way.
Visibility
Unlike any app, a knowledgeable teacher sees you as an individual, values your talents and aspirations, foresees your growth, discusses practical plans, and offers moral support. Every pianist needs feedback from a skilled, interactive, and appreciative instructor.
Choices
Unlike any other piano app, a teacher can instantly demonstrate for you a variety of musical choices for expression and various solutions for technical challenges. These are skills that no app can begin to match. This extraordinary variety of creative choices available to you enhances your learning experience and helps you develop your distinctive artistic voice.