Instruction
Somewhere along the way, Doris became a teacher of adult students and created a new way of teaching them to read music, play and understand chords and chord progressions, jazz, play from fake sheets, improvise, compose and play by ear. Her goal was to teach them how to have fun playing the piano.
Often when a student came to the studio for their first lesson, they hesitantly asked if they were “too old to learn” (and their ages ranged from their 20s to their 80s). Doris always replied, “You decided that before you rang my doorbell, so let’s play the piano.” Her motto was, and is, “You can’t do it any younger, so do it now!“ She has students with ages ranging from the late teens to their eighties.
When she first began to teach, most of the available instructional books for piano were geared to the mental level of children, and were unsatisfactory for adults. To fill the gap, Doris constantly wrote new material for her studio lessons and as the students progressed that eventually became her own series of books called “The Merritt Method." These books have previously only been available for her teaching.
When she began successfully instructing the students how to play by ear, so many people were interested that she wrote the book Play it by Ear and published it so that it would be available for sale to the general public.
Doris believes that everyone is given a special gift, but many people are unwilling to give the time and the discipline to develop their skills. They believe that if it doesn’t provide them with income, it has no value. The people that use their talents are usually happier, more satisfied individuals. They like and respect themselves for their accomplishments and their lives are fuller because of it.
Athletes are often “over the hill” by 40, and many professionals and business men burn themselves out by their 50s by the constant repetition of their jobs. But musicians—professional or amateur—can keep improving their skills, trying new sounds, and have a satisfying time playing their instrument for the rest of their lives. Famous jazz musicians are often playing professionally well into their 80s and 90s.
Music keeps your mind challenged, and can improve your mental abilities and physical well being as well as bring you years of pleasure and a sense of accomplishment. It’s a great way to unwind after a hard or stressful day or when you have a problem. It’s healthier than reaching for alcohol when you need to work off frustration, gives you a good feeling instead of a hangover and recharges your batteries. The love and joy of music truly is a wonderful gift so respect it, use it and reap the benefits.
Doris teaches piano to adult students in her Englewood (Denver area), Colorado studio how to:
- Read music
- Know chords
- Play in rhythm
- Speed read
- Use fake (lead) sheets
- Improvise
- Play pop and jazz
- Play by ear
- How to relax and have a good time playing the piano
All of this can also be applied to classical music and makes it much easier to read and play than the conventional method.
Many piano students come into her studio to begin lessons reading notes one at a time and have no concept of establishing a beat. She teaches rhythm on two pianos in her studio. The student feels her beat and learns how to establish their own. It’s a fun way to learn how to play in rhythm and make someone’s toes tap.
The lesson fee is $50 for a 45 minute lesson.To speak with Doris and ask any pertinent questions, call her at 303-761-6242. She will be glad to talk with you and give you whatever information you need.