Experienced tutor in Piano in Portland, Norm offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Norm Zarr is a really great piano teacher. Piano is an important part of my week. I am an adult beginner. After over a year of lessons I am really seeing the results of my hard work. I can sit down and play songs without struggling. I have a number of pieces that are my favorites that I play every week, along with the new ones I am working on.

I am so glad I found a teacher who is so knowledgeable and enjoys teaching so much. The lessons move at a rate that is comfortable to me. I never feel rushed or stressed. Norm understands that practicing always has it’s challenges. If a week goes by that I haven’t gotten much done, then we do some good review at the next lessons, or maybe learn some new theory or technique. I throughly enjoy it all.

“Our son is doing great. Loves his piano lessons. Our son started lessons less than two years ago. He hit it off right away with his teacher. He is doing terrific and he’s progressing well. He loves going to lessons here. His progress is very good. They work on lots of fun songs, Star Wars, Lion King, Ode To Joy, Pink Panther, Minuet, and more. He likes to play classical and popular pieces.

He absolutely loves recording music. He and his teacher compose original music. He then gets to make a recording. Soon he will have enough songs to complete a CD. Obviously, he is really excited about it.

Our teacher has an excellent understanding of our child and what he needed. He has lots of experience working with kids and makes each lesson an adventure in learning. He gives him the time and space to progress at his own comfortable rate. He makes the lessons fascinating and lots of fun. We are so happy with our choice of teachers.”

“My two kids love taking keyboard lessons. Their progress is rapid. ‎They really have taken to it, and have put a lot of energy into learning (wish they would do that with their homework at school. They have been taking lessons her for about 2 1/2 years. My son is 8 and my daughter 10. They have been studying popular, classical, folk music, new age, blues and lots more too. To help with learning rhythms, they get to play drums. Also, they record their own music and make videos.

Tommy is now playing a great arrangement of ‘Lion Sleeps Tonight’ and he is so into it! Their teacher is an accomplished composer and my kids get to do recording studio projects, just like the pro’s do. This helps them see the overall picture of how music can be such an important part of their lives.

I often notice how a lot of parents want to start their kids on piano lessons, and just don’t get around to it. I’m really pleased that music will be a special skill that they will always have, and I’m glad that we finally started lessons.”

“Piano is just plain fun, thoroughly enjoying lessons. I have been playing now for about a year. I have an 88 note keyboard. I find it so relaxing to play, that I find time just about every day, even for a short time. I've always liked music but never thought I would be able to create it myself. I’t a challenge, but the rewards are worth it. I wish I had started when I was younger, but my focus now is letting the process unfold and enjoying it all.

I generally like slower, pensive pieces. Some of my pieces are new age, and some are classical or folk. Just finished a piece by Bach and one by Bob Dylan. Playing music is such a contrast from what I do in my everyday life. I think that’s why it’s so intriguing to me.”

“Great choice for piano teacher, she loves the lessons. Our daughter is taking piano lessons here. Her teacher is really patient and encourages her a lot. It makes such a difference in how excited she is about doing lessons. She loves to play the keyboard at home. She played for her grandparents this week, and they were just thrilled.

Besides learning to read music, she is learning to play by ear, compose her own songs, and enjoys finding out about composers, and the world of piano music. She gets to play music from around the world. Brazil, Africa, Canada, Poland, France. I like that she is about the world too. It’s a complete music education, that goes beyond just piano lessons.”

“My kids really like piano. Super teacher, very skilled working with children. My two daughters really like playing piano. They are intrigued and fascinated about all the various things you can do with music. I love how the lessons function as a confidence booster for my kids. What a treat for me to to see them so excited about their accomplishments. I like that they work at getting better for themselves, and there is no competition. They have become more decisive and responsible since starting lessons.

In addition to learning to read music, they like to do recording projects. They record the pieces that they have been learning and sometimes sing along and record that too. Our older daughter has just completed making video at the studio which she is very proud of. The lessons are great fun and my girls and I make an outing of going to lessons and then having a snack.

Their teacher is so skilled working with kids. He is so patient, gets great results, and my kids are quickly mastering the skills that I thought would take much more time. He makes learning to play piano easy and fun. My kids had wanted to do lessons for a couple years. I am so glad that we started when we did. They will now have this enjoyable skill in their lives.”
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“Super piano lessons, great music. These are the perfect piano lessons for me, interesting and inspiring. I am learning lots of great music. Piano lessons don’t have to be so serious and structured that make lessons dry and boring. I really like our lessons. He’s so patient with me, has a great sense of humor, and takes time to explain things to me. No question is ever too silly to ask. I feel totally comfortable, and that makes my progress even better.

Have been doing lessons now for about 3 years. We work on some fun stuff, classical & modern music, blues improvisation, chords, melodies and more. Finally I can say that I understand music. I always wanted to play piano, and I am so happy I started when I did. The music is challenging at times, but my teacher is always encouraging. I played for some friends the other day, and they were so impressed, especially my blues improvisation which amazed them.”

“Fun inspiring piano lessons and my teacher is really patient. For about two years, my daughter and I have taken piano and keyboard lessons here. We interviewed several teachers and found the best teacher for us. He has a great sense of humor and takes the time to explain things well. He is very encouraging to us.

I am gaining confidence each week and enjoy playing all sorts of music. I am now working on playing by ear, and doing duets. My 11 year old daughter gets fun music that she loves to play. She also gets to write her own songs. She has recorded several videos and is so excited about it. Is that cool or what? The studio is a relaxed place and comfortable for learning. I am so thrilled with the lessons.”

“Great piano lessons. My teacher is terrific. He’s very patient with me, and lessons are stress free and fun. My teacher is very professional and skilled at matching each lessons to where I am with my progress. I started lessons as an adult beginner 2 years ago. Learning piano has been a joy. I am progressing much faster than expected, and am already playing Enya, Beethoven, Billy Joel, all sorts of great music.

There are so many things to learn. I recently started to learn to play by ear, and am doing some blues improvisation. What fun. I was 49 when I started lessons and had been considering it for over 25 years! I am so glad I started when I did instead of waiting and putting it off.”
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I started playing Piano with Norm in April of 2019.
Before this I had been trying to teach myself for years, literally years. My skill set did not seem to improve.
Fast forward to now.
After enjoying a dedicated hour lesson with Norm once a week- I can play!!
Not only has he taught me how to read music, but to understand the importance of the rhythm & beats; we have moved on to playing by ear, playing improv blues (way cool!!), he allows me to be festive and 'tap out' of what we're working on to play holiday music every fall.
He is incredible to say the least! I would love to connect a USB and transfer his knowledge. I'd call him a musical genius.
If Norm was not enjoyable to work with, I would not still be playing with him, and I do not plan on going anywhere until he retires on me.

Whether you are looking to pick up a new skill or improve on what you can already do, Norm is the Man!!

Norm is a terrific piano teacher. For almost a year, my daughter has been doing remote lessons, which have been super. No driving, rushing, traffic etc.

Norm is really patient encouraging. That makes such a difference in how excited she is about doing lessons. She loves playing the keyboard. This weekend she played for her grandparents, and they were thrilled.

Besides learning to read music, she is learning to play by ear, and enjoys learning about composers. She likes to play songs from around the world. We are totally pleased.

Norm is a great piano teacher. He’s very patient. The lessons are relaxed and fun. Playing piano has been a terrific experience for me. I am progressing faster than expected. Now working on Beatles, Bach, New Age, and Blues.

I began lessons as an adult beginner a year ago. I had thought about lessons for over 25 years, so I am glad I started finally.