Testimonials
I respect my clients' requests for privacy. To reach out to a past client who has not provided their e-mail, please contact adam@acole.net and I will connect you with them!
“Adam Cole has written an informative and eminently practical book on the ins and outs of learning to play the piano well. His exceptional insights grow out of his background that spans many fields: performing, teaching, writing, composing, and practising the Feldenkrais method. His ingenious interweaving of mental strategies and physical practice regimes will have you playing at a much higher level in no time.”
Dr. Alan Fraser, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
“I love this book. It is kind, encouraging, practical and wise - full of really good ideas to help performers, teachers and students - or even those who just like to explore music in their own way. I find Adam’s thoughts on improvising, memorising and sight reading particularly inspiring - with ideas that leap out at you and are capable of dissolving musical ‘hang-ups’ one might have suffered from for many years. Reading this book can only make you better - whatever your status in music.”
Richard Beauchamp, Head of Keyboard, St. Mary’s Music School, Edinborough
“Playing Well by Adam Cole is a book full of down to earth and common sense strategies for learning any instrument. Oddly, it is fundamental common sense ignored by many teachers and students. Attention is given to Improvisation, an art very pertinent to the development of self expression. And fun! Close to my heart was the Chapter on Counting. So many music students do not count. Why, because they can’t. If you cannot play and count aloud, then your rhythm is usually astray. This books offers lots of ideas to correct this deficiency. Memorization, so scary for many, is given some logical and useful tactics. For many, memory does not come easily or naturally, and this book gives useful strategies and advice. Lastly, the subject of nerves and stage fright. Many musicians suffer from nerves. The task is to overcome. Again, Adam Cole supplies some very down to earth techniques to get over the “shakes” and to actually enjoy performance in public.
“I highly recommend Adam’s book to all parents, teachers and students.” Dr Micheal Giddens, Ph.D, B.Mus, Licentiate. Examiner AMEB Australia.
"I love these beautiful insights in bite-size format, because each idea makes me excited to get back to practice, to apply it for my own self-study. I highly recommend this for anyone who's already started on the path to mastery.”
Derek Sivers, Musician, Entrepreneur, Author
What My Students Say
“In my professional capacity, I routinely observe instruction in settings across the country. I can say with confidence that Adam is one of the best teachers I have ever observed! Adam creates an environment where it is safe to fail, while holding high expectations for quality. Adam expects honesty from his students, but gives advice about the power of discipline and commitment without ever seeming to judge."
Doannie Tran
“Adam gave me many insightful ideas and structure for working through my difficulties…He also presented a method for getting started with improvisation that was approachable and fun. I feel I’ve advanced in both of these areas in ways I’ve found very rewarding.”
Melinda Withers
“I wanted a vocal coach because I had absolutely no confidence in my singing voice. Mr. Cole is very good at explaining things, better than most of or all of my teachers at school…He is patient and encouraging as well…The results I’ve seen are day and night, honestly. My singing voice has improved tremendously, and I now sing confidently with my band. My piano skills also shot through the roof from where they were.”
Harrison Halicki
Performance and Confidence
“Adam got quickly to the heart of some issues I was having in preparing for my presentation – not just techniques for shaping and structuring it, but also approaches to procrastination in writing it, and what was driving that. He was clearly drawing on a breadth of experience and knowledge as a performer, creator and teacher. I found the sessions very useful.”
Tim Bailey, Coach and Writer
“I contacted Adam when I was searching how to level up my confidence in public speaking. Adam definitely delivered! He worked in a very efficient manner, tackling down the challenges in a precise way and taking into account different aspects of public speaking that can create uncertainty. I now have a detailed, concrete plan in my mind and I feel more confident in saying ”Yes!” to even bigger speaking opportunities in the future. If you want to waste no time, I certainly recommend having a coaching session with Adam!”
Maarit G., Psychologist, Psychotherapist