Markas Michmel

Pop, Jazz, Classical Piano Lessons in Osdorp  

Hello! I’m Markas Michmel, a pianist, keyboardist, piano teacher and producer based in Amsterdam Nieuw-West/Osdorp. I teach piano to both teenagers and adults with great enthusiasm. I’m equally passionate about creating, improvising, performing live and recording new music. 

Focused on What You Want 

Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced player, the music that inspires you will be the starting point for our lessons. I work with a holistic approach, exploring your goals from different angles. It’s an excellent way to deepen your musical understanding and to improve your playing both technically and musically. 

A Classical Foundation for All Genres 

A solid classical foundation, something I specialise in, allows you to branch out into or focus on elements of pop, jazz, R&B, neo-soul, neo-classical, minimalism and improvisation. If we find music that excites you to learn, study, and put into your own practice, learning becomes fun, even if it’s challenging. 

Trial Lesson 

A trial lesson is a great opportunity to get acquainted. I’d love to hear what music fascinates you and what you hope to achieve at the piano. We’ll talk about your goals, your availability, and I’ll also listen to you play. This gives you a clear picture of what a lesson with me is like.

Playing Without Sheet Music? 

Would you like to learn the piano without reading music? No problem, I can certainly help. We start by learning your favourite pieces, pop melodies or simple classical works, entirely by ear. Step by step, you’ll learn the essential elements of each piece: the scale or key, the chords, the structure, and how to listen for them. This gives you the skills and understanding to play confidently by ear.

Prefer Using Sheet Music? 

If you want to learn to read notation, we can introduce it gradually, in a way that doesn’t hinder your natural musical flow. 

Beginners 

If you’re starting from scratch, I’ll introduce you to the classical fundamentals: note names, time signatures and rhythm. Basic exercises help you develop good hand posture, while we work on hand independence and sound production. 

Step-by-Step Method 

You’ll learn to play scales, understand keys, build chords and recognise chord progressions. We immediately apply theory to the pieces you play, helping you progress steadily and musically. 

Advanced 

If you want to learn to improvise, explore new styles, dive into jazz harmony, master pentatonic and other scales, refine your technique, or discover effective practice methods, I can guide you through all of this. 

Music Theory, Harmony & Composition

If you want to understand the inner workings of the music you play or compose, I offer practical methods for learning and writing. Learn more about chord voicing, re-harmonisation, how to arrange songs using different harmonies and how to make expressive musical choices. 

Music Production 

Would you like to use your piano skills to produce your own tracks or create interesting keyboard sounds with electronic synthesis or arrangements? I can guide you through building your live setup, working with microphones, MIDI controllers and specialist playback software. 

Where Do I Teach? 

I teach from my home studio in Langswater, Osdorp (Nieuw-West), easily accessible by tram 17 or 11 from Amsterdam Central Station. I can also travel to you if you have a piano or keyboard at home. 

About Me 

Born in Lithuania and raised in England, I am a pianist, composer, music producer and sound designer. From a young age I took part in several piano competitions, including the Around the Globe Music & Arts Festival. I completed a BA in Composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, exploring neoclassical, electroacoustic and experimental music. I also produce experimental electronic music in Ableton Live, drawing influences from IDM, braindance, ambient, glitch and minimalism.