Piano and Keyboard Lessons - Classical, Pop, Rock, Jazz Styles - Beginner/Advanced. Since 1975

I’ve been taking lessons with Howard for a few years now, and he has made learning the instrument incredibly easy to understand. His ability to break down complex concepts into simple, practical steps has really streamlined my progress and helped me improve much faster.

What I especially appreciate about Howard is that he doesn’t just focus on technique he also teaches you how to practice efficiently and understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. His lessons are thoughtful, clear, and always tailored to what will help you grow as a musician.

Howard is an excellent teacher, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their playing, deepen their understanding of music, and make real progress!

I have had the pleasure of being Howard's pupil for over ten years. I originally began lessons to rehabilitate my hand after surgery but quickly realized how much I enjoyed working with Howard. He is amazingly talented as well as a kind and patient teacher. Piano has become an important part of my life.

Judith C.

I have been studying piano with Howard through weekly lessons for eight years. As a senior and beginning pianist, I continue to have both ordinary and unique challenges. Howard is consistently and unfailingly patient and positive. He has a unique ability to solve problems creatively and gently, and with humor. My lesson with Howard is the highlight of my week!

I first met Howard Richman in 1994, shortly after graduating from USC Pharmacy School. Until then, I had always played piano by ear and had very little knowledge of music theory or the fundamentals necessary to truly understand, perform, and compose music.

Among the many instructors and musicians I have encountered throughout my life, Howard stands apart. He is exceptionally knowledgeable, precise, and serious about his craft. His attention to detail and level of perfectionism are remarkable.

What makes Howard an outstanding professor, however, is not only his musical ability, but his ability to teach. Even when I come to a lesson less prepared than I should be, he never discourages me. He always finds something positive to build on and a way to motivate me to improve.

Howard is honest, patient, an excellent listener, and extremely generous with his knowledge. When I struggle with a concept or technique, he always finds another way to explain it and offers insights that many instructors would not take the time to share.

He also has a unique ability to make learning exciting. He often tells me he is about to teach me something that will improve my speed, accuracy, or understanding. He makes me genuinely look forward to learning it.

The greatest testament to Howard’s teaching is my own progress. Things I once thought, “I wish I could play that well” or “I wish I could play that fast,” have become possible because of his instruction.

Everything I know today about playing and understanding music has been deeply influenced by Howard. He is an exceptional professor, musician, and mentor, and I recommend him without hesitation.

Howard has so much knowledge to share and is so positive and encouraging!! I enjoyed lessons with Howard and improved my piano playing! Highly recommend Howard for lessons!

Howard Richman is an exceptional piano teacher. He is a highly gifted pianist in his own right and a wonderful human being. In my time studying with him he brought patience, kindness and thoroughness to every lesson. It’s my pleasure to highly recommend him to anyone searching for a teacher who teaches students of all ages and skill levels, and who truly cares about their student’s progress.

Howard has been my piano teacher for almost two years, and I have made tremendous progress during that time. He has taught me techniques that no other teacher has ever shared with me, which have significantly improved both my playing and my confidence as a pianist.

Howard is patient, encouraging, and genuinely invested in his students’ success. He takes the time to understand each student’s needs and explains concepts in a clear and approachable way. Working with him has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and dedicated piano teacher.

I am so glad I found Howard and his piano methods. He has absolutely advanced and elevated my ability to play as well as his unique methods of instruction that cannot be found with another teacher. I would highly recommend Howard to anyone wanting to advance their skills and take their training to the next level.

I took lessons from Howard for a brief yet very effective period. I would go back to him in a heartbeat if I lived closer! I have had several teachers and my time with Howard is the fastest I've ever progressed in piano. He has his own distinct teaching methods that are very good in practice. Thanks, Howard!

Lessons from Howard have been really great for me! I started playing piano years ago but have been self-taught and never had a proper structured piano schedule. Howard has been really great in helping me fill the gaps of the important things that are missing in my playing. I highly recommend!

Howard became my piano teacher in 2008 when I retired back to music. He motivated me to learn both Broadway show music and classical piano music. He also showed me techniques for writing and composing. I ended up, under his guidance, writing 7 musicals, of which 6 ran off-Broadway, one for a year. What an amazing teacher and motivator. Great guy too. COVID closed me down. Too bad, as I was going great. Thanks to Howard. Mike Antin

My son and I have been taking piano lessons with Howard for several years. He is an exceptional piano teacher and he is very creative in his teaching methods, having developed unique materials to help learn to read notes, understand chords, etc. My son often practices without being reminded and I am very happy with how he has progressed during his time with Howard. As an adult coming back to piano after many years, I thoroughly enjoy my lessons with Howard as well. I highly recommend him!

Howard is a great and very professional instructor. I've known him for many years, and he dedicates individual time and demonstrates passion from his own experience and for those he's teaching.

Howard is an incredible pianist, but his true strength is his research on teaching styles, such as his unique and effective methods for teaching sight reading or piano mechanics to master piano classics. But his flexibility allows a student to develop their own passion in what they wish to play or compose. His teaching style promotes passion, not rote learning.

Howard is a fabulous teacher and his teaching made a huge difference in my Piano playing.

How lucky we feel to have Howard as our daughter's piano teacher! He is incredibly kind and patient, and his method has worked wonders. Over the years, our daughter has made great progress, and she always looks forward to her lesson. It is a rare gift as a teacher to be demanding of the student while maintaining the joy of learning intact. We cannot recommend Howard more to anyone who wants to learn piano!

Howard is a tremendous teacher with years of experience and an uncanny ability to immediately read into a student’s needs and address those needs accordingly. Howard cares not only about what is being taught, but how it’s learned, and with that information constructs a uniquely personalized approach to the needs of the student.

I first met Howard in 2015, when I retired and decided to learn how to play the piano. Under Howard, I learned much, much more: music theory, compositional skills, multiple musical styles. I particularly appreciate how he was able to work around my vision issues and permit me to advance. Howard is gifted music instructor, and I recommend him without reservation.

Howard is a piano maestro. One of the greatest piano teachers alive in my opinion.
To learn from Howard is not just learning piano… it’s learning from a true master who’s not only mastered his craft, but mastered the teaching of the craft.
He helped develop and build my capacity as a pianist in ways I could not have imagined, which have changed both my life and career over the years.

I’m so grateful to him, and would recommend anyone from any skill level who’s serious about the piano, to run, not walk to him for lessons.

He truly is the best.

I took piano lessons with Howard for several years, and my playing improved considerably during that time. Howard is not your typical piano teacher who simply takes you through scales and technical exercises. Instead, he helps you develop your technique naturally while learning pieces of music that you genuinely enjoy and feel connected to.

What I appreciated most about Howard’s approach is that the emotional connection with the music comes first. From there, he helps you deepen your understanding of the music and develop the technique needed to express it at the piano. This made learning much more enjoyable and meaningful for me.

I highly recommend Howard as a piano teacher. He has a wonderful approach to teaching that I believe can work equally well for children and adults, whether they are just beginning or looking to take their playing to the next level.

Howard is a gentle & very patient piano teacher with a big heart. He makes you feel very comfortable going at your pace.

Howard has been teaching piano for 50 years, and his experience truly shows. I’ve been working with him for a little over two years, and he is incredibly thorough. He has developed thoughtful techniques that make playing more efficient by eliminating unnecessary movements and helping me use my hands and my mind more effectively.

Howard doesn’t just teach me how to play a piece; he teaches me how to approach the piano and understand what I’m doing. He pays close attention to the details that can make a real difference.

I also value the supportive relationship we’ve developed. I can tell him when I’m frustrated or struggling, and we can talk through it honestly and keep working. He is patient, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to helping his students learn. I’m very glad I found him.

I was Howard’s student. Howard is a devoted and intuitive teacher. He keeps finding ways to improve your playing skills until you master the challenge, and he does it in a fun way that makes the experience emotionally safe and pleasant. Thank you, Jerzy

I am 76 years of age. I have 2 masters degrees and sold a successful company in Los Angeles in 2020. I tell you these things not to brag but to tell you that I have had a variety of experiences in my life. I can honestly tell you that having known Howard Richman for 25 years, he is the finest and most gifted teacher I have ever encountered. In my opinion, he is not only the finest music teacher, he is the finest teacher I’ve known in ANY field. He is simply brilliant and if you invest in Howard, it may be the best investment you will ever make.

Every now and again we are fortunate enough to cross paths with a teacher who surpasses all that we thought we wanted. Howard’s approach to piano instruction is based upon a respect for student, instrument and craft, as well the patience required to navigate the challenges as the three converge. Highly recommended.

Howard is an incredible piano instructor. Brilliant, kind, efficient, reliable, honest, and a truly talented musician. His approach is uniquely masterful, and I highly, highly, recommend him.

We got to know Howard when he started to teach piano to both our girls. Howard is an amazing teacher, caring, thoughtful and with great knowledge about piano and all relevant techniques. We moved out of state and he continued teaching them online for years.
We definitely would recommend Howard to all our families and friends.

Howard taught our son how to play piano from scratch and the end result was that our son now plays beautiful classical piano after a few years. I play piano myself so I understood the journey and saw the build-up take place. The key point was, for me, how much our son enjoyed spending the time with Howard - that was a big contributing facter to make it seem not as a "chore" but something he wanted to learn because Howard was never judgmental and always patient. Even after we moved, he and Howard continued their lessons over video and that worked really well also. Howard is special - outstanding as a teacher and a loverly human being.

I recommend Howard as a piano instructor.

Howard is a great instructor. He doesn’t waste a second of your time, and is absolutely dedicated to getting the very best out in f his students.

If you can dedicate 20 minutes of practice four times per week, you will improve rapidly with Howard.

Howard is an awesome teacher and is very positive and encouraging! I highly recommend him because he has so much knowledge and experience and an inspiring teacher who takes difficult things and makes them so much easier to accomplish!! Loved working with Howard!