Kirk Petty Music

About me:

I'm so happy you landed on my page, welcome! I have been a public school teacher for 20 years, and have experience working with elementary, middle school, and high school students. I've also worked with teachers extensively, so I'm comfortable teaching adults as well.  I retired from Poudre School District in 2015, and am now concentrating on my music career.

I have been playing piano for 55 years. My main emphasis has been on blues, rock, and funk playing. I am excited to share my love of music with students. My philosophy is to prepare students to play "off the page," without needing to have music in front of them. I play mostly by ear, and with chord charts, but musical literacy is important, so of course my students will also learn theory and how to read music.  My emphasis will be on getting students to be able to play well with others, how to back up someone who is soloing, and how to improvise and shine when it's your turn.

My short list of keyboard heroes includes Bill Payne (Little Feat), Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and more), Dr. John, Nicky Hopkins, Leon Russell, Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Professor Longhair, and Billy Preston.

I'm also available for gigs and studio work, just go to the Contact Me page, I'd love to hear from you!

My site is very much still under construction, but welcome to it!

Kirk

FoCoMX 2019- Hodi's Half Note

Photo Credit: Nicole Grisham