Frequently Asked Questions

The Stillpoint Method is a relaxing and meditative approach to the art of playing the piano.   The Stillpoint Method is a fascinating journey of self-discovery for piano students as they learn to see, hear, and feel their music in a very different way.  The journey begins as students learn to quiet the mind and expand awareness while playing the piano. 

The Method is taught via an integrated, multi-media experience that  combines video, audio, and printed materials together in unique ways. The first step is to download, print, and bind together all of the pages of the Stillpoint Piano Method Workbook. With the workbook ready to go, the student then can observe a specific video lessons on the Stillpoint web-site. After viewing the video lesson, the student downloads the corresponding audio lesson from the Stillpoint web-site.  This audio lesson, along with the Stillpoint Music Workbook, gently guides the student through their piano lesson every step of the way using the unique Stillpoint Method techniques.  

The  Stillpoint Piano Method began simply as a personal technique Thomas Rheingans developed so that he could practice the piano more efficiently and effectively.  However, the results were so remarkable and mysterious that Thomas began to look deeper into the process.  The Stillpoint Method enabled Thomas to draw a connection with his music and his own spiritual journey.   He began to realize that playing the piano offered a unique way to experience the mind, body, and soul connection.  It also became clear that this Method could help beginning piano students explore music at the piano in a more personal and profound way right from the start. 

The Stillpoint Method has evolved into another expression of the spiritual awakening that has spread throughout the world.  This shift in consciousness has gained momentum throughout the 20^th century up to the present.   Part of this shift was due to Eastern disciplines such as tai chi, yoga, qi gong, and meditation becoming more accessible in the West.  This spiritual awakening has inspired numerous books such as Richard Bach's Jonathon Livingston Seagull, Dan Millman's  Way of the Peaceful Warrior, and Eckart Tolle's The Power of Now. 

The Stillpoint Method embraces this expansion of consciousness with its own unique perspective. 

The version of the Stillpoint Method that is currently available on the internet is focused primarily on adult students with very little or no piano training at all. However, because many of the Stillpoint songs are improvisational in nature, even piano students with two years of traditional training might enjoy the chance to learn how to improvise at the piano.

Whether a student is a beginner or more advanced player, an approach like the Stillpoint Method is useful because it emphasizes a more holistic experience. It enables any  student to discover a mystical connection between internal inspiration and its physical manifestation through the art of playing piano.

A Stillpoint Piano Method book is in developed that will take an in-depth look into the philosophy and unique techniques of the Stillpoint Method. This book will be useful for beginners and advanced piano players alike.  

Unfortuntately, most beginning adult students practice the piano with an extreme amount of tension.  Adults can be so critical and analytical of their piano practicing that it becomes impossible to achieve the results they want.  Frustration and tension work against their goals of learning to play the piano well. 

The Stillpoint Method offers a different way to learn to play the piano.  It is a Method that embraces mindfulness and multi-sensory awareness.  Each Stillpoint audio lesson begins with a relaxation session that helps students soften and slow down their minds.  When the student softens the mind, the body slows down and relaxes too.

The Stillpoint audio lessons then continue on with very slow tai chi-like practice tempos so that students can experience their music with multi-sensory awareness.  This enables students to experience a deeper sense of relaxation and musical expression while they play the piano. 

Currently, a Stillpoint intermediate program is in development as well as a certification program. Both of these advanced training programs will be a bit more intense and thorough then the orignal introductory on-line Stillpoint course.  Upon successful completion of Stillpoint intermediate training, a student could continue on and choose to become a certified Stillpoint Piano Instructor.  As a Level I Stillpoint instructor you would be qualified to teach beginning piano students using the Stillpoint Method.  Yoga, tai chi, meditation, and other martial arts instructors may find it fun and rewarding to offer Stillpoint piano lessons to their current students.  Stillpoint students are welcome to take the advanced certification training to simply expand their piano skills as well.

The current introductory Stillpoint Method program serves as a great introductory course for beginning piano students.  If you prefer to continue your studies with a qualified local piano teacher, the unique and effective Stillpoint practicing techniques can serve as a solid foundation for your future piano training.  

The Stillpoint web-site eventually will provide information about where piano students can find more advanced Level II and Level III certified Stillpoint Method instructors in their local area.

Thomas Rheingans is the author of the Stillpoint Method. He has been performing and studying music for over 30 years and has served as an instructor of classical and jazz piano for over 20 years.  Mr. Rheingans has taught courses in classical, jazz, and music theory at several colleges in the United States.  Mr. Rheingans was awarded full scholarships for his undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance from the University of Illinois. He currently owns and operates Rivergoose Records - an independent record label and production company that also provides music education services. Mr. Rheingans has recorded ten albums in multiple genres including jazz, Broadway, classical, New Age and contemporary music. In addition to his performing career, he has composed and arranged music for plays, musical theater, and independent films. Mr. Rheingans has been the Artistic Director and featured performer for the Live at the Fries concert series for seven seasons in Vancouver, Washington. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his wife Amy and their two children.