Stephen Ridley Academy - My Story and Review (2024)
I wanted to share my personal experience with the Ridley Academy, specifically regarding Stephen Ridley. I was skeptical about the legitimacy of the Ridley Academy, so I decided to see for myself.
From a young age, I had a strong passion for playing the piano. At the age of six, I took a few piano lessons but quickly gave up because it seemed incredibly challenging to learn.
Who is Stephen Ridley?
Stephen Ridley is a British pianist and former banker who has made significant contributions to the world of music. He is known for his unique approach to piano playing and his innovative online education platform, Ridley Academy.
Early Life and Education
Born in South Yorkshire, England, Stephen Ridley attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield. He later graduated from Durham University and started his career at the European Investment Bank. However, his passion for music led him to leave banking and become a street musician.
Career
Ridley’s career as a musician has taken him to over 60 countries, where he has performed in various venues. In 2016, he performed at the 15th-anniversary festival Summertime. He gained public attention for his distinctive way of playing the piano and singing. Ridley is also the founder of Ridley Academy, which teaches aspiring pianists how to play without traditional musical theory and terminology.
Personal Life
Stephen Ridley’s personal life includes his hobbies, interests, and philanthropic activities. In 2012, he played piano continuously for 24 hours outside Tate Modern to raise money for Cancer Research UK, motivated by his best friend’s mother’s breast cancer diagnosis.
Legacy and Impact
Ridley’s influence on the field of music is notable, especially through his online education platform that offers a unique approach to learning piano. His work has impacted many aspiring musicians and continues to shape the future of music education.
Stephen Ridley, the founder and CEO of Ridley Academy, has a diverse background that includes growing up in a small village in South Yorkshire, England. His journey into the world of music began at the age of 2 when he started playing the piano. Despite facing financial challenges after his father's death and a period of unhappiness working in the top team of a world-renowned Investment Bank, Ridley found solace and joy in playing the piano.
Driven by a desire to share the power of music with others, Ridley embarked on a global musical journey, playing in over 60 countries and participating in events ranging from private functions to the largest outdoor concert in Uzbekistan's history.
His experiences led him to recognize a common theme among those expressing interest in music—they often faced challenges or gave up due to traditional music education methods being confusing, boring, or time-consuming.
In response to this widespread sentiment, Ridley founded Ridley Academy, with the central mission of making music education more accessible and enjoyable. The result of nine years of research and experimentation is 'The Ridley Academy Piano Masterclass,' an online program that serves as the pinnacle of Ridley's life's work and passion.
The program is designed to address the shortcomings of traditional music education. It emphasizes speed, simplicity, and enjoyment in the learning process. Ridley acknowledges the challenges of learning the piano, particularly the tendency for students to feel overwhelmed, and he has developed a method that breaks down the journey into specific, manageable steps. Each practice session focuses on a single, targeted step, making the learning process both efficient and enjoyable.
Ridley's key principles behind 'The Complete Piano Masterclass' reflect his insights gained from over 30 years of playing, 10 years of professional artistic work, and nine years of educational research. He challenges the conventional approach to music theory, emphasizing the importance of practicality over unnecessary complexity. The program also aims to move away from memorization techniques, encouraging students to develop their unique artistic expressions.
Ridley Academy Free Masterclass
Aspiring pianists will have a unique opportunity to unlock their musical talents through an enlightening masterclass led by the distinguished concert pianist Stephen Ridley.
This illuminating session will introduce Mr. Ridley's acclaimed Ridley Method, a revolutionary technique designed to accelerate piano skills in just 21 days through brief 10-minute daily practices.
Appropriate for all ages and abilities, this inclusive method enables both seasoned musicians and novice players alike to realize their full potential at the piano.
Participants will acquire techniques to improve finger and hand coordination for effortless, fluid playing. Additionally, Mr. Ridley will divulge a remarkable strategy to memorize up to 40 new melodies in one hour, regardless of prior experience.
Through Mr. Ridley's insightful instruction and motivational guidance, this complimentary 90-minute masterclass will be an invaluable opportunity for blossoming pianists to transform their approach and accelerate their artistry.
Join The Free Masterclass by Ridley Academy
Now let’s proceed with my story…
The Frustrating Quest for Piano Mastery
For many years, I completely abandoned my pursuit of playing the piano. However, when I turned 24, I decided to pick it up again as a hobby. I bought a piano and studied music theory by reading two or three books. Despite my efforts, I still struggled to understand the relationship between chords and scales.
I dedicated a lot of time to learning various songs, particularly rock 'n' roll. I vividly remember spending six months practicing Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" to master it. I practiced for about 30 minutes every day for two years. Unfortunately, my progress was slow, and I had difficulty reading simple music sheets, often relying on memorization.
The Journey Through Various Learning Platforms
After two years, I eventually gave up. However, eight years later, I stumbled upon a YouTube channel called HD Piano while I was in Los Angeles. Intrigued, I purchased several of their courses to revisit music theory. The channel also had videos with falling notes that helped me learn songs. I spent months learning and playing "Let It Be" and "Imagine," two of my all-time favorite songs. Initially, I played them well, but after two months of not practicing, I completely forgot how to play them.
I began to believe that the key to learning music was consistent daily practice. However, I started to doubt my ability, as I consistently forgot songs if I didn't play them every day.
I also had many questions about scales. One of my biggest confusions was transposing songs to different keys when playing with a band. This required relearning everything from scratch. I couldn't comprehend how professional piano players effortlessly changed the key of a song and remembered all the notes.
To make matters even more confusing, I had a friend who wasn't particularly skilled as a performer but somehow managed to write a new song or melody every week.
I also heard about people who could learn songs by ear. The whole topic completely baffled me.
But I was determined to keep going. About six years ago, I came across an app called Simply Piano. It allowed users to gradually learn songs and play them on their piano. By connecting the app to the piano using a MIDI cable, the app could detect mistakes and prompt users to play the song again until they hit the right notes.
I spent two years using that app and made it through at least 20 levels. However, I became even more frustrated because I lacked a true understanding of what I was doing. It was all based on muscle memory and memorization, which I despised. Eventually, I gave up, convinced that I would never be able to learn the piano because I simply wasn't intelligent enough.
The Turning Point: Encounter with Stephen Ridley
Two years ago, while I was still in Los Angeles, I heard about a public concert featuring an artist named Stephen Ridley. My daughter had been raving about him, claiming he was incredible.
When the concert started, Stephen stood on his chair in front of the piano, leaned down, and pressed a key. He repeated this motion, pressing another key. And then, like a zorro, he jumped onto the piano and started playing with an incredible amount of emotion. I had never seen anything like it before.
Most piano players I had seen were great, but I often became numb to the music, perceiving it as mere background noise. However, Stephen was doing something completely different. He played with varying dynamics, going from loud to soft, using volumes and rhythms like I had never witnessed.
In fact, I had only experienced a similar level of performance twice before. The first time was when I was in my twenties and watched the movie 'Great Balls of Fire,' with Dennis Quaid portraying Jerry Lee Lewis. The other instance was when I saw Elton John play.
This concert was absolutely mesmerizing. Despite attending several concerts, such as Paul McCartney playing with the Beatles at Stade de France and Robbie Williams at Parc des Princes, I have to admit that I felt just as much, if not more, emotion from watching this one man play the piano. It was an intimate and incredibly powerful experience that made me feel like I was having an out-of-body sensation.
The Ridley Academy: A Paradigm Shift
After the concert, I stayed to talk to Stephen and we had a conversation. I told him that my dream was to play at least 1% as well as he did. His response was, 'I hear that all the time.' He had recently spent months recording a complete class with a new piano teaching method that allowed people to play much more than just 1%.
He said something that really struck me and became a significant realization. He said, '95% of music theory is useless. If you have a solid understanding of music, you don't need all these complicated Italian and Latin words.' I had spent so many years trying to learn those terms, only to find out that they weren't necessary.
I was thrilled to hear this revelation. I got a hold of the class he mentioned and started watching it. Each lesson was simple yet eye-opening, clearing up years of confusion. I realized that I had been overcomplicating the subject.
Immediately, I started playing and composing music. It was a major breakthrough for me. Composing turned out to be surprisingly easy. Scales became super easy once I truly understood music.
As I write this article, I'm about halfway through the Ridley Academy, which Stephen likes to call 'level 3.' It has been incredibly enjoyable. I am fully confident that I will never need another app or piano lesson because now I have the tools to create and play the piano just as I always wanted.
What is The Ridley Method?
The Ridley Method, is a unique and innovative approach to piano education that forms the basis of 'The Piano Masterclass' offered by RidleyAcademy. The method is the result of Ridley's extensive experience as a musician, artist, and researcher, with the aim of making music education simpler, faster, and more enjoyable. Here are key aspects of the Ridley Method:
Simplicity and Streamlining: The Ridley Method prioritizes simplicity and streamlining in the learning process. It recognizes the potential for student overwhelm, especially in the complex nature of piano playing, and aims to break down the learning journey into specific, manageable steps.
Enjoyable Learning Journey: Ridley emphasizes the importance of making the learning process enjoyable. Traditional methods that may be confusing, boring, or time-consuming are re-evaluated, and the Ridley Method seeks to provide a rewarding and motivating experience for students at each step of their musical journey.
Specific Steps in a Specific Order: The method organizes the learning journey into very specific steps, ordered in a particular sequence. Each practice session focuses on one targeted step, allowing students to concentrate on mastering one thing at a time. This principle is designed to make learning more efficient and less overwhelming.
Little and Often: The Ridley Method employs the principle of "little and often." Practicing for short durations, ranging from 3 to 15 minutes per session, is believed to be more effective than longer, less frequent sessions. This approach encourages consistent, regular practice.
Hierarchy of Importance in Music Theory: Ridley challenges the traditional approach to music theory by emphasizing a hierarchy of importance. He shares insights gained from his own experiences, indicating that not all aspects of music theory are equally crucial for practical musical application. This insight allows for extreme simplification in the learning process.
Moving Away from Memorization: The Ridley Method advocates moving away from memorization techniques. Ridley defines an artist as someone who can express individuality through music, and this involves moving beyond rote memorization to true understanding and expression.
Creative Potential and Soft Skills: The method recognizes the creative potential within every individual and seeks to tap into this "inner artist" through proper piano education. Additionally, it acknowledges the importance of "soft skills," such as emotional expression and individuality, in the development of a well-rounded and capable student.
Illusion of Complexity: Ridley challenges the illusion of complexity in piano playing, noting that achieving seemingly complex outcomes is a result of mastering many small, manageable steps. The method aims to demystify the learning process and make it accessible to a wide range of individuals.
In summary, the Ridley Method is a comprehensive and holistic approach to piano education that reimagines traditional methods, placing emphasis on simplicity, enjoyment, and a structured yet manageable progression through specific learning steps.
Benefits of the Ridley Method
What sets the Ridley Method apart from traditional lessons? Here are some of the biggest benefits:
Comprehensive, Step-by-Step Approach
Ridley's structured system covers everything from posture to complex songs. By breaking concepts down, it prevents students from feeling overwhelmed.
Simplicity Over Music Theory Complexity
Ridley focuses only on the music theory that's essential. There's no tedious memorization of concepts that don't directly translate to piano playing.
Short, Frequent Practice Sessions
Daily practice is encouraged in short bursts of 3-15 minutes. This spaced repetition helps concepts stick better than long, occasional practice sessions.
Develops Creativity and Expression
Ridley doesn't just teach rote memorization - he helps students become expressive, creative pianists. Improvisation and composition are encouraged.
Self-Paced Online Delivery
You can access the Masterclass anytime, going at your own pace. No need to schedule lessons or commute to a piano teacher.
Money-Back Guarantee
For extra assurance, the Masterclass comes with a 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Ridley Method Review: Conclusion
For piano students frustrated with traditional lessons, the Ridley Method offers an appealing alternative. By emphasizing simplicity and practical skills, Ridley makes mastering the piano more accessible and enjoyable.
While no teaching method can guarantee success, Ridley's structured video system gives you the tools you need. With short, frequent practice sessions, creativity-building exercises, and a satisfaction guarantee, it's a low-risk way to start playing piano.
The only course that can compare to Ridley Academy is PianoForAll, an exceptional online piano course that offers a wealth of resources, including eBooks, videos, and audios, all compiled in a way that can catapult your piano learning journey, and is much more affordable.
Ridley Academy Pricing and Discount
Ridley Academy Coupon
You can get the Ridley Academy's Complete Piano Masterclass with a steep discount here.
