Book Guillermo Tomas - Piano coach near Coral Gables, Florida

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Reviews

Total reviews5

Average rating

5.0

Dennis

Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 20

“Studying with Guillermo Tomas was a game-changer for me. Before taking lessons with him, I felt stuck playing the same kinds of pieces over and over. Guillermo introduced me to new styles, especially jazz, and showed me how to really listen, interpret, and express myself through the piano. He has a way of making even the tough stuff make sense, and he’s patient without ever letting you coast. Every lesson felt like a step forward. Whether it was working on improvisation or refining my technique in a classical piece, he pushed me to play with purpose. I’ve never felt more motivated to practice.”

Matthew

Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 16

“Learning from Guillermo Tomas has had a huge impact on my development as a pianist. He has a rare ability to blend structure with creativity—every lesson felt focused, but also left room for exploration. Whether we were working through a classical piece or experimenting with jazz improvisation, Guillermo always knew how to push me just enough to grow without overwhelming me. He’s extremely knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely cares about his students’ progress. Thanks to him, I’ve become a more confident and expressive player. I’d recommend him to any serious student looking to take their playing to the next level.”

Alejandro

Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 15

“Guillermo Tomas is the kind of piano teacher who makes you excited to learn. He helped me improve not just technically, but musically—teaching me how to really listen, feel, and connect with what I’m playing. His lessons always had the right balance of structure and creativity, and he encouraged me to explore both classical and jazz styles in a way that felt natural. He’s patient, supportive, and truly passionate about music, and that energy comes through in every lesson. Studying with Guillermo has definitely made me a stronger and more confident pianist.”

Valentina

Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 10

"I had the privilege of studying piano with Guillermo Tomas, and I can confidently say he is an exceptional teacher. His ability to explain both classical and jazz concepts with clarity and patience helped me grow not only as a pianist but also as a more confident and creative musician. Guillermo always made the lessons engaging and inspiring, tailoring them to my interests while still challenging me to improve. He encouraged me to explore improvisation, technique, and interpretation in ways I had never experienced before. I'm truly grateful for everything I’ve learned from him!"

Maria

Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 8

“Taking piano lessons with Guillermo Tomas has been one of the most rewarding musical experiences I’ve had. He brings so much knowledge and passion to each lesson, and he really takes the time to understand where you are as a student. Guillermo helped me improve my technique, but more importantly, he helped me find my own musical voice. He encouraged me to explore both classical and jazz styles, and made every lesson feel creative and inspiring. I always left feeling challenged in the best way. I’m so grateful for his guidance and support throughout my journey.”

Piano with Guillermo T.New to TeachMe.To

How it works

Beginner training plan

Your first lesson🎹 First Lesson Plan: Introduction to Jazz & Classical Piano Goals: Introduce the piano layout and basic technique Explore differences/similarities between Jazz and Classical Start developing rhythmic and melodic awareness Spark excitement and curiosity 1. Welcome & Student Check-In (5–10 min) Introduce yourself and ask about their musical background, goals, and favorite styles/artists Share what they can expect from the course (both jazz & classical focus) 2. Piano Orientation (10 min) Introduce the keyboard layout (groups of black and white keys, C-D-E pattern) Identify Middle C, and the names of all white keys Basic hand position and posture Finger numbers (1–5) 3. Technique Foundations (10 min) Classical: Simple 5-finger exercise in C major (hands separately) Jazz: Call-and-response rhythm clapping or tapping on keys (using simple syncopation) 4. Sound Exploration: Classical vs Jazz (10 min) Play short examples of each style: A classical piece (e.g., Bach Prelude in C or a simple Mozart excerpt) A jazz piece (e.g., a blues or a swing-style improvisation) Discuss what makes them sound different (rhythm, harmony, feel) 5. First Pieces / Improvisation (10 min) Classical: Play a short pre-written piece like “Ode to Joy” (right hand only) Jazz: Try simple improvisation over a C major drone or basic C7 chord vamp Encourage using only the C major pentatonic scale for simplicity 6. Wrap-Up & Homework (5 min) Review what they learned: Note names Finger positions Two styles explored Assign light practice: 5-finger warmup in C Right-hand melody (e.g., “Ode to Joy” or “When the Saints Go Marching In”) Optional: improvise with 3 notes (C-D-E) freely

Lesson 11+🎹 Lesson 11: Introduction to Chord Progressions & Musical Form Theme: "How Music Moves" – Understanding Progressions and Structure Goals: Learn basic chord progressions (I–IV–V–I and ii–V–I) Recognize and play musical forms (ABA, 12-bar blues, etc.) Develop phrasing and dynamics for expressive performance Continue improvisation with better voice leading 1. Warm-Up (10 min) Play C major and G major scales hands together Chord review: I–IV–V–I in C and G Add A minor and D minor chords Arpeggiate I–vi–IV–V (C–Am–F–G) 2. Theory Spotlight: Common Progressions (10 min) Introduce ii–V–I progression (e.g., Dm7–G7–Cmaj7) Discuss its importance in jazz and classical cadences Play it with simple LH block chords and RH melody or improvisation Ear-training: play progressions and ask students to identify resolution 3. Repertoire Work (15 min) Classical: Work on phrasing and form recognition in a piece (ABA structure) Discuss repeat signs, contrasting sections Jazz: Learn or continue a jazz standard or blues form Identify chord progression structure (12-bar blues or AABA form) Focus on voicing chords more smoothly 4. Improvisation Lab (10–15 min) Improvise over a ii–V–I progression using C major or C mixolydian/blues scale Experiment with: Call-and-response phrasing Melodic repetition with variation Playing over backing track or with teacher accompaniment 5. Wrap-Up & Practice Plan (5 min) Review Topics: Chord progressions: I–IV–V–I, ii–V–I Form: ABA, 12-bar blues Scales: C major, G major, A minor Listening assignment: identify form in a jazz/classical recording Homework: Practice ii–V–I in C and G Continue current pieces Compose an 8-bar melody using a chosen progression Improvise daily using one chord progression with different rhythms

Lesson 4-10Lesson 4: Hands Together & Intro to Arpeggios Focus: Play with both hands together confidently Begin arpeggios and broken chords Explore dynamics and phrasing in classical style Activities: Review: C major scale (hands together), C-F-G chords Classical: Begin a new two-hand piece (e.g., “Allegro” from Piano Adventures) Jazz: Improvise RH over LH arpeggios (C, F, G) Introduce dynamics: play phrases soft → loud → soft (crescendo/decrescendo) 🎹 Lesson 5: Rhythm & Swing Feel Focus: Deeper rhythmic understanding Introduce swing feel in jazz Learn dotted rhythms and ties in classical music Activities: Clap/tap rhythms: quarter, eighth, dotted quarter Jazz: Introduce swing vs. straight feel (listen & play) Classical: Apply dotted rhythms in a short classical étude Jazz: Blues melody (e.g., “C Jam Blues”), hands together if possible 🎹 Lesson 6: New Key – G Major Focus: Play in a new key Understand F♯ and key signatures Extend improvisation vocabulary Activities: G major scale (RH, LH, both) Classical: Simple piece in G major (e.g., “Lightly Row”) Jazz: Improvise in G using G major pentatonic Chord practice: G major, D7, C major (I-IV-V in G) 🎹 Lesson 7: Musical Storytelling – Expression & Phrasing Focus: Musical expression and emotion Phrasing like a sentence: where to breathe and shape Create original ideas from mood or imagery Activities: Classical: Learn a lyrical piece with phrasing (e.g., “Morning” by Grieg simplified) Jazz: Improv with emotional prompts (“play something joyful,” “mysterious,” etc.) Introduce pedal use (half-pedal and legato pedal for classical tone) 🎹 Lesson 8: Lead Sheets & Left Hand Patterns Focus: Intro to lead sheet playing (melody + chord symbols) Left-hand jazz patterns (stride, root–5th, walking bass intro) Activities: Play melody from a lead sheet (e.g., “Autumn Leaves” or “Summertime” simplified) LH: practice root + fifth bass movement in time Classical: continue current repertoire and refine phrasing, pedal 🎹 Lesson 9: Minor Keys & Blues Scale Focus: Introduce A minor & relative minor concept Use of A minor and C blues scale Discuss mood change in minor tonality Activities: A minor scale (no sharps/flats) Classical: short piece in A minor Jazz: Improv using A minor pentatonic and C blues scale Compare major vs. minor emotional feel 🎹 Lesson 10: Student Composition & Review Focus: Combine skills to write short piece Review all learned keys, chords, rhythms Perform for class or record Activities: Compose a 4–8 bar melody with chords (classical or jazz style) Perform 1 classical and 1 jazz piece Review: C & G major scales, A minor scale, chords C–F–G–Am Celebrate progress and give feedback

Lesson 2-3🎹 Second/Third Lesson Plan: Building Technique, Sound, and Style Goals Reinforce note names and keyboard geography Introduce basic rhythm and chord concepts Begin hands-together playing Explore melody & harmony in both jazz and classical 1. Warm-Up & Review (10 min) Review: Note names (quiz using keyboard) Finger numbers C 5-finger scale (hands separately, then together if ready) Rhythmic call-and-response (clapping or on keys) Add quarter notes and half notes (introduce notation visually) 2. Technique Development (10 min) Classical: C major 5-finger pattern, both hands Practice legato and staccato touches Basic coordination (parallel and contrary motion intro) Jazz: Left-hand simple rhythm (e.g., steady quarter notes on C) while right hand improvises freely on C-D-E-G 3. New Repertoire Piece (10–15 min) Choose one short piece from each style: Classical: Beginner piece like "Minuet in G" (simplified), or Alfred’s “Ode to Joy” both hands Jazz: 12-bar blues pattern intro (C–F–G chords), right hand improvises with C pentatonic/blues scale Teach the C major chord (C–E–G) and use it in basic rhythm 4. Harmony Introduction (10 min) Teach root-position triads: C, F, and G Show how chords support melody (play a melody + chord accompaniment together) Compare harmonic approach in classical (written) vs. jazz (interpreted/improvised) 5. Improvisation Game (5 min) Choose a rhythmic groove or background chord Student improvises right-hand melodies using limited notes (e.g., C-D-E) Encourage dynamic changes and rhythmic variation 6. Wrap-Up & Practice Goals (5 min) Review: C major scale (hands separately) Chords: C major, F major, G major Begin a classical melody and a blues/jazz groove Continue improvisation practice using limited notes Homework: Practice C major scale and triads Classical piece: hands separately, then together Try 4 bars of 12-bar blues with LH chords and RH improv Optional: write your own melody with 3–5 notes

Advanced training plan

Your first lesson🎹 Advanced Lesson 1: Technique Meets Interpretation Theme: “Precision, Personality, and Perspective” Goals: Refine technique through expressive and stylistic control Analyze and interpret advanced harmonic progressions Begin integrating improvisation and written music fluently Explore tone, articulation, and voicing at a high level 1. Technical Warm-Up (15 min) Focus: Control, Clarity, and Tone Scales in 3 and 4 octaves: C, G, D, A major and minor (harmonic & melodic) Vary articulations (legato, staccato, slurred groups of 4) Practice with dynamic shaping Arpeggios in hands-together octaves (root, 1st, 2nd inversion) Hanon or Czerny variation: with rhythmic and dynamic variation 2. Repertoire Development (20 min) Choose one piece from each style: Classical: Example: Chopin Prelude, Debussy Arabesque, or a movement from a sonata Focus: tone color, pedal control, phrase shaping Analyze form, thematic development, and key modulations Jazz: Example: “Autumn Leaves,” “Blue in Green,” or a bebop head (e.g., “Donna Lee”) Focus: voice leading in chords, phrase contour, swing feel vs rubato 3. Harmonic Study & Improvisation (20 min) Goal: Fluid improvisation and harmonic awareness Analyze ii–V–I progressions in different keys Discuss upper extensions (9ths, 13ths), altered dominants Practice improvising over: ii–V–I in 3 keys One full chorus of a standard Add left-hand shell voicings while RH solos Experiment with modal vs tonal improvisation (Dorian vs major) 4. Ear Training & Transcription (10–15 min) Sing and play chord progressions (recognize by ear) Begin transcribing a jazz solo or a classical motif Dictation: short melodic/rhythmic fragments by ear Encourage students to bring audio clips for analysis 5. Wrap-Up & Practice Planning (5 min) Focus Areas: Targeted technique (articulation or tempo goal) Phrase-by-phrase repertoire refinement Improvisation: new concept or solo segment Listening assignment: compare two recordings of the same piece (one classical, one jazz)

Lesson 11+🎹 Lesson 11: Advanced Improvisation – Motivic Development & Thematic Variation Theme: “Building Stories from Small Ideas” Focus: Developing improvisations from small motifs Techniques: sequence, inversion, augmentation, diminution Applying motivic development to jazz and classical phrases Activities: Extract a motif from a classical or jazz piece Improvise variations using rhythmic and melodic transformations Compose a short improvisational piece based on a motif Analyze how famous soloists develop motifs in their solos 🎹 Lesson 12: Extended Techniques & Tone Colors Theme: “Expanding Your Sonic Palette” Focus: Using pedaling creatively (half pedal, flutter, syncopated pedaling) Touch and articulation variations to create color Inside-the-piano effects (muting strings, sympathetic resonance) Activities: Experiment with different pedaling on a lyrical piece Practice dynamic shading with varied touch and articulation Explore inside-the-piano effects in an improvisation or composition Record and evaluate tone color choices 🎹 Lesson 13: Advanced Jazz Harmony & Reharmonization Theme: “Transforming the Tune” Focus: Substitutions (tritone, diminished, modal interchange) Altered chords and chromatic approaches Reharmonizing standards with personal voice Activities: Analyze reharmonizations by great jazz pianists Practice reharmonizing a simple tune (e.g., “Autumn Leaves”) Improvise over substituted changes Compose a reharmonized version of a standard 🎹 Lesson 14: Classical Modernism & Impressionism Theme: “Beyond Tonality” Focus: Study impressionistic harmony (Debussy, Ravel) Explore modal, whole tone, and synthetic scales Analyze modern harmonic language and texture Activities: Play and analyze impressionist excerpts Compose a short piece using impressionistic techniques Improvise using whole-tone or modal scales Compare impressionist and jazz approaches to harmony 🎹 Lesson 15: Composition & Arrangement Theme: “Your Musical Voice” Focus: Structure and thematic development in composition Arranging jazz tunes for solo piano or small ensembles Combining jazz and classical elements creatively Activities: Compose an original piece or arrangement Present and perform compositions for feedback Analyze scores of jazz-classical crossover works Develop a practice plan for integrating composition into daily work 🎹 Lesson 16+: Masterclass & Performance Theme: “Confidence and Communication” Focus: Preparing for public performance and recordings Stage presence, set programming, and audience connection Masterclass format: peer feedback and self-evaluation Activities: Perform pieces and improvisations in lesson or recorded sessions Critique and refine performance habits Plan a recital or recording project Explore live or virtual collaboration opportunities

Youth players

Working with kidsAdapting Lessons for Kids 1. Simplify Concepts Without Dumbing Down Break complex ideas (like reharmonization or polyrhythm) into bite-sized, relatable pieces. Use storytelling or imagery (“Let’s imagine the chords are colors painting a picture!”). Focus on one main idea per lesson rather than multiple complex topics. 2. Make It Playful & Interactive Use games, flashcards, or apps for ear training and rhythm practice. Turn improvisation into “musical conversations” or “call and response” games. Incorporate movement or clapping exercises for rhythm and pulse. 3. Shorter, More Varied Activities Kids have shorter attention spans—break lessons into 10–15 minute segments with different focuses. Mix technical drills, listening, playing, and creative activities. Include frequent positive feedback and celebrate small wins. 4. Use Repertoire They Love Include familiar tunes, themes from movies, cartoons, or kid-friendly jazz standards. Encourage creating their own melodies or simple compositions to boost creativity. 5. Visual Aids & Physical Props Use colorful charts for scales, chords, and forms. Use stickers or markers on keys for new patterns. Bring in rhythm instruments (like shakers or small drums) for multisensory learning. 6. Incorporate Stories & Character Associate musical concepts with characters or stories (e.g., “The Jumping Scale,” “The Sleepy Chord”). Turn exercises into adventures or challenges. 7. Adjust Technical Expectations Focus more on musicality and enjoyment than perfect technique initially. Use technical exercises that feel like games rather than drills. 8. Encourage Group Play or Duets Partner work or small groups help maintain engagement. Duets teach listening and timing in a fun, social way.

Working with teenagersAdapting Lessons for Teenagers 1. Connect to Their Interests Include repertoire and styles that resonate with their tastes—film music, pop-jazz crossover, contemporary classical pieces, or popular jazz tunes. Let them pick some pieces or improvisation styles that excite them. 2. Promote Ownership & Creativity Encourage them to set some goals and reflect on progress. Include composition and arrangement tasks that let them express their personal voice. Use improvisation as a creative outlet, not just a technical exercise. 3. Keep Lessons Challenging but Manageable Break complex topics into smaller, digestible chunks, but don’t shy away from theory or technique. Teens can handle abstract concepts if explained clearly. Provide practice strategies for managing difficult material over time. 4. Use Technology & Resources Incorporate apps for ear training, recording, and practice tracking. Encourage them to record themselves for self-evaluation. Introduce useful online resources like transcription tools or backing tracks. 5. Encourage Critical Listening & Analysis Assign listening homework with focused questions (e.g., “How does this pianist phrase the melody?”). Analyze different versions of the same piece or solo, discussing style and interpretation. 6. Create a Collaborative Environment Include occasional group lessons, masterclasses, or jam sessions to build social skills and motivation. Offer opportunities for public performance, recording, or sharing on social media. 7. Build Independence & Time Management Help them develop a realistic and personalized practice schedule. Teach problem-solving strategies for technical or musical challenges.

Lesson 4-10🎹 Lesson 4: Advanced Voicings & Texture Theme: "Voicing the Story" Focus: Drop 2 voicings, close vs. open voicing Classical texture: polyphony, voicing inner lines Activities: Practice Drop 2 chords on ii–V–I in 3 keys Classical: Analyze Bach or Brahms excerpt – bring out middle voice Jazz: Comp with varied textures (rootless LH, RH clusters, two-hand voicing) Improvise using just chord tones and upper extensions 🎹 Lesson 5: Modal & Tonal Contrast Theme: "Exploring Color Through Modes" Focus: Modes: Dorian, Mixolydian, Lydian Classical modality (Debussy, early music influence) Activities: Build and play modes from a single root Improvise over modal vamp (e.g., D Dorian, C Lydian) Classical: Play and analyze modal phrases in Debussy or Bartók Compose a short modal improvisation or motif 🎹 Lesson 6: Contrapuntal Thinking & Independence Theme: "Two Hands, Two Minds" Focus: Develop LH/RH independence for contrapuntal clarity Bach, fugue excerpts, jazz counterlines Activities: Practice simple 2-part inventions or original two-voice exercises Jazz: Add counterlines under melody (Wynton Kelly-style) Create your own two-voice groove or line Transcribe 4 bars of a contrapuntal passage from jazz or classical source 🎹 Lesson 7: Advanced Form – AABA, Sonata, Through-Composed Theme: "Architecture of Sound" Focus: Analyze and navigate complex forms Internalizing form through listening and performance Activities: Break down a jazz standard (AABA) and classical piece (Sonata form or binary) Map improvisation over each section with contrast and development Classical: Play and mark formal cadences and themes Jazz: Solo with clear contrast in each section (melodic, rhythmic, dynamic) 🎹 Lesson 8: Polyrhythm & Metric Modulation Theme: "Rhythmic Play" Focus: Cross-rhythms (3 over 4, 5 over 4) Classical: metric ambiguity in Chopin, Ravel Jazz: modern rhythmic improvisation (e.g., Mehldau, Tyner) Activities: Polyrhythm exercises (hands in different meters) RH triplets over LH eighths – slow and controlled Classical: Ravel rhythmic displacement Jazz: improvise with rhythmic motifs that shift time feel 🎹 Lesson 9: Interpretation vs. Innovation Theme: "Where Tradition Meets Voice" Focus: Explore interpretation in classical performance Jazz: innovate within a tune, reharmonize, change time feel Activities: Play one classical piece traditionally, then interpretively Jazz: reharmonize a standard or shift to 3/4 or Latin groove Compare two recordings of the same piece (rubato, voicing, etc.) Compose a short variation on a known piece (classical or jazz) 🎹 Lesson 10: Final Project & Performance Prep Theme: "Integration & Personal Voice" Focus: Performance readiness Showcase of style, technique, and creativity Activities: Final polish of one jazz and one classical piece 2-chorus improvisation over complex changes Original composition or arrangement (can combine styles) Optional recording for feedback and review

Lesson 2-3🎹 Advanced Lesson 2: Chord Color & Interpretation Theme: “Harmony as Expression” Duration: Goals: Refine use of extended chords and voicings Deepen harmonic analysis in both classical and jazz works Improve interpretive decisions based on harmony and form Develop left-hand control in both solo and accompaniment settings 1. Technique Warm-Up (10–15 min) Arpeggios with extended chord tones (maj7, min9, dom13) Practice scales in 6ths or 10ths (e.g., C major, A melodic minor) Articulation focus: staccato in one hand, legato in the other 2. Repertoire Refinement (15–20 min) Classical: Focus: harmonic tension and release, e.g., Chopin Nocturne, Beethoven Sonata movement Practice shaping a phrase by following chord direction (dominant → tonic) Jazz: Analyze voicings in a tune like “Misty” or “My Funny Valentine” Explore rootless LH voicings (guide tones and tensions) 3. Harmony & Voicing Lab (15 min) Build lush voicings with 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths Apply to a tune’s progression (e.g., "Autumn Leaves" or “Body and Soul”) Practice comping with varied textures (block vs. broken chords) 4. Improvisation (15–20 min) Improvise over ii–V–I in multiple keys Use upper chord extensions purposefully Challenge: build solo that grows dynamically and harmonically 5. Wrap-Up & Assignment (5 min) Transcribe 4–8 bars of a favorite pianist’s voicing/phrase Record and critique your voicing choices over a ballad Practice 3 tunes: 1 classical, 1 jazz, 1 for sight reading 🎹 Advanced Lesson 3: Rhythm, Pulse & Independence Theme: “Time Feels and Phrasing Across Styles” Duration: 60–75 minutes Goals: Develop rhythmic precision and flexibility Understand polyrhythms and rubato in interpretation Improve coordination between hands for rhythmic independence Explore groove and phrasing in solo and group contexts 1. Technical Warm-Up (15 min) Scales in polyrhythm (RH triplets, LH duplets) Hanon/Czerny with rhythmic displacements Left-hand rhythmic ostinato while RH plays melodic lines 2. Classical Focus: Rubato and Flexibility (15 min) Piece with expressive tempo control (e.g., Chopin, Ravel, Debussy) Practice controlled rubato: stretch and return Shape a phrase without losing pulse integrity 3. Jazz Focus: Swing & Groove Depth (15 min) Explore jazz phrasing behind/on/ahead of the beat Analyze a solo that plays with rhythmic displacement (e.g., Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson) Comp with subtle rhythmic variation (avoid mechanical comping) 4. Rhythmic Improvisation (20 min) Start solo with rhythm only, then add pitch Restrict pitch set (e.g., C blues scale) and vary only the rhythm Advanced challenge: improvise using rhythmic motifs over multiple chord changes 5. Wrap-Up & Practice Challenge (5 min) Practice shifting time feels: straight → swing → Latin Assignment: create a 4-bar phrase that contrasts rhythmically with the LH Listening: study rhythmic feel differences in Bill Evans vs McCoy Tyner

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Get a free trial lesson with Guillermo

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Frequently asked questions

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Piano with Guillermo Tomas

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