As a late starter on the piano, I am trying to realise my dream of bringing my playing skills up to an appropriate level. Professionally, I have learnt how important methods are. In 2022, I came across the book "Klaviermethodik" by Professor Pohl, which had just been published by Edition Peters. 400 pages long, the book is very comprehensive and covers concepts, methods and practice models in great detail in various chapters. The flashcards that go with the individual topics are very innovative and can be used as a very helpful aid when practising on the instrument. The book is sensationally good - but I didn't study it very systematically. As a hobby player, I felt a bit overwhelmed to work it out on my own, so I was very pleased when Professor Pohl published his online course "digital piano methodology". I signed up immediately and familiarised myself with the content on methods, concepts, practice models and learning objectives. The structured course is great, taking me by the hand and familiarising me with piano methodology in a logical learning path. The individual learning videos are not too long and very comprehensible: I have the feeling that Professor Pohl is sitting opposite me as a very likeable private teacher and conveys the content very clearly in his calm manner with examples of sheet music and playing. The test questions at the end of a chapter to check my learning have proved very useful for me. This builds up lasting knowledge for me, which I test on my instrument. I have printed out the flashcards and use them on the instrument depending on the topic. I now also use the book regularly and benefit from it thanks to the structured learning videos: it comes to life in the videos. I can feel how my methodological skills on the piano are continuously developing and my structured practising is much more fun, takes less time and is more effective. I now have the right practice tools at my fingertips. I am doing the piano methodology course thoroughly and am still in the middle of the "basic level". It will take a few more months to reach this level. The opportunity to ask questions is great. I was very pleased when Professor Pohl answered my question about the practice diary in great detail. As Professor Pohl is constantly releasing new videos in the course, I will certainly stay connected to digital piano methodology for a long time to come!

Dr Heinz J. Klöpper

Passionate piano player