Testimonials

Hi Rosa,

I've looked over your materials and I think you're doing and are going to do a great job with this! You obviously have a passion for it and communicate it clearly and effectively. I like the "CCI" concept as well and your ability to interject your personality in your writing in a very pleasing way.

I really like what you've done. It's very impressive! I like the personal tone you use which I believe will be just right. You present a lot of good music theory in a non-threatening manner. I've planned for a long time to write an improvisation book, and I think you may have inspired me with your very diligent and creative work.

Your book is done in a most excellent way! I highly recommend the creative and inspirational techniques of Rosa Suen for church pianists wanting to improve their improvisational skills for worship!

I want you to know that I think you are on to something and I pray that God blesses your work!

Sincerely,
James

James M. Stevens, DMA
Chairman of the Music Department
Free Will Baptist Bible College, Nashville, TN

Hi Rosa:

I am impressed by the amount of work you did. You've got a wonderful product there. You should be proud.

Robert Laughlin
Musician & Piano Workshop Instructor
Founder of New School of American Music
Chico, CA

Rosa:

You have obviously put a lot of work into your site and your book and it shows. The layout looks great and the instructions are clear and concise. Congratulations on such a great achievement.

Peter Friesen, aka Pete the Bean
Musician and Piano Instructor
Pop Piano Pro
Richmond B.C., Canada

Hi Rosa:

If we could only turn back time to the days when I first learned to play piano... this would be my wish:

To have available to me this wonderful book and DVD "Playing Piano with Rosa". This method would have enabled me to play piano the way I wanted to from the very beginning. But instead I learned music thru traditional methods and only in the last few years learned to play by chording and by ear or using fake books and being able to put my own rhythms and chords to the music.

This method will allow everyone, whether beginner or more experienced player, to learn about music theory and the traditional things that everyone must know, but it also allows you to make beautiful music right from the beginning. Rosa's Dvd has video clips, mp3 and midi clips so that you can see exactly what she is teaching and how to play it, plus you can play along with her as well.

Thanks to Rosa, Color Chord Improvisation Method teaches us, right from the beginning, how to play these hymns using the styles you choose to play them. Plus the really neat thing about this method, is that it applies to almost all types of music not just hymns. What you learn here you can apply to other songs as well so the fun really gets spread around to whatever you want to play. CCI Book 1 is just the beginning of where the fun starts as there are more to come.

Wonderful method, Thank you Rosa,

Alene Thornton
Retired Piano Teacher
Salem, Oregon

The greatest thing about your site and products is the great care, quality and thoroughness and especially the accessibility to all levels of players, which is a very rare thing! I honestly don't know of any other course that teaches everything musically from A-Z so well (and at such a reasonable price)!

Diane Mathison, aka Elssa
Online Piano Instructor
Learn Piano With Elssa, New York

Rosa is the first person that I have come across who appreciates how a beginner feels. Everything Rosa teaches has obviously come from the heart. Here is a lady who is honest enough to admit that it was a struggle for her at the beginning. Her Videos are beautifully presented and a complete beginner can play along wth Rosa in the comfort of your own home. Just like having a piano teacher beside you.

Should you need help, ASK and Rosa will provide without question. I have gained confidence and I can now do the the work and homework provided in this rewarding course. I feel I am now stepping forward.

Anna Cooper, Scotland

Piano with Rosa is simply the best Piano resource you can get on the web.

The Tutorials are outstanding, motivating and - best of all - personally supported and monitored. In contrast to many other web pages you get a very clear Overview what is in the course; not vague words but detailed content and example pages, not promising advertisements but thorough structures of course details and all the materials explained what is available.

Unfortunately I came only lately to Rosas Piano Tutorials, after having tried many other courses, more expensive ones and many unusable and boring courses. The loudest announcer does not necessarily offer the best courses.

Rosa in all her modesty offers not only her excellent Tutorials, widespread subjects in the meantime, but her forum is a wonderful source of help. Rosa almost immediately answers any questions around piano playing. In the beginning I hesitated to pose my silly questions, but Rosa always gave me an enlightening answer and made me even feel good about it.

I never have experienced such a helpful forum with such wonderful caring and supporting people around. Wherever you are in your Piano Playing - I am totally convinced, that you get the best that is needed for you!

Rainer Wilhelm, Switzerland

Hello Rosa,

I have your Module C on runs and fills and am excited to have just purchased your Module B on rhythm, which I know it's the 'missing link' in my playing, as my hubby tells me so! And I do agree!

I have posted some of my playing in your forum just so you can tell where I need further help. I think I don't play 'in the flow' as much as I should and hope to learn that more from you.

I really really love your rhythm approach and truly believe it's just what I need. I particularly love the way you say to 'feel' the beat... this is what I am aiming at in my playing. I believe I am so 'melody' centred that I put it before the rhythm which is where I know your course can help me.

The other thing I really like is that I have always been poor at improvising over a given melody but have started to do so in a simple way with your explanations and it's so freeing and great fun.

Rosa, thank you for this... I am excited. I see you've listened to my songs I posted on the forum - I just thought it would be good for me (and you!) to follow my progress.

Thank you,
Carole Rogers
Leicestershire, United Kingdom

The following review can be found on the piano review site:
MyTopPianoLessons.com/piano-with-rosa.

August 1, 2009

Rosa's course currently consists of 2 branches that can be studied simultaneously or separately:

Color Chord Improvisation (CCI) is suitable for beginners, adv. beginners to quickly learn theory, playing techniques, rhythmic variations to play from a lead sheet and sound very beautiful. Intermediate players will also pick up many useful ideas. I am an adv. intermediate play-by-sight player, and have gained many useful insights.

Play By Ear (PBE) is focused on teaching people how to play in all 12 keys using the Asian Notation System.

Both series are extremely well thought out, take you step-by-step and best of all is motivating and fun. There are extensive video and audio demonstration to go along with the courses. The details in the website is but a peek at the amount of excellent material in the actual courses.

Rosa's experience as an educator really shines through. And I like it that she always reminds students of the important essence of playing in the flow, and to listen, and to play from the heart. This is NOT your run of the mill course, but a course that is coming from a teacher who cares.

The free forum is an added bonus where additional coaching is given.

Rosanna
San Francisco, CA

Hi Rosa,

I am so pleased to work with you. I will follow your lessons, do the homework, and build my skills in a new way. My old way didn't work, no matter how hard I tried. Keeping one hand still and "hearing" the music in the other hand is new to me.

I have spent many years TRYING to play piano, practicing daily. I have been methodical and exact. Oops! Your right/left brain exercises revealed that I am strongly left-brained. This attention to detail has kept my focus on the mechanics and I don't feel the music. I have tried for years to "feel the music" but I think I have still focused on the mechanics because I didn't know any other way. I also spent many years on Hanon exercises. My hope is to finally feel the joy of playing my music. I know this will take time and a new way of thinking.

Thank you, Rosa.
Susan Mirau
Tunjunga, California

First I want to thank you for this wonderful course. I have downloaded both courses and am very pleased with the way you have explained every thing and showed how to use each pattern..... I played Old Rugged Cross, using the pattern for Day by Day. My husband liked it and said he liked how the runs sounds...ty for showing me how to make the music flow. I don't feel like I am just playing chords and notes now, I can feel the flow of the music. You opened up a new world of playing for me.

May God Bless and keep you in good health....

Once again Thank you,
Vickie Collins
OH, US

The most important aspect of teaching is not to regurgitate theory and formula but to motivate the student to learn the concepts and reinforce it with practical examples that the student can repeat and expand on their own ultimately achieving a great feeling of satisfaction and success in doing so. Your teaching method does exactly that without adding any extraneous material that is irrelevant for each given level of study.

I find your teaching method very relaxed and spot on. I have your 7 Secrets and A Mod and ordered B Mod the other day and will follow along with the others to support the good you are doing for others.

Mark Miller aka Marcus
Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

These are very helpful courses for those unsure of themselves in their playing. They provide a straightforward and logical approach to acquiring the essential skills needed to play music smoothly and confidently. I highly recommend them.

Graham
Victoria, Australia

The following letter is from my high school teacher, Mr Epp, in Killarney.

Hi Rosablanca,

I am impressed with your work and all the help your expert friends gave you. With all the effort so many people made, the book must be a masterpiece. The fact that you believe deeply in what you are teaching comes through clearly. You write passionately and vividly. I hope that many benefit both musicly and spiritually from your book. You have indeed embarked upon another major project. I admire your energy and drive.

I looked at your website. Very impressive. You have gone to great lengths to make this informative, attractive, and inspiring, and you have succeeded. Congratulations.

May the Lord continue to bless you as you minister and share your knowledge of piano playing with others.

Take care.
David Epp
Vancouver, British Columbia

Translation:

February, 2009

Mark 9:23 Jesus says: "Everything is possible for him who believes."

The Bible is precious because we can live out the truths of these words.

Last summer, I attended a piano workshop called "Playing Piano with Rosa." This began my journey to start learning piano. I discover that playing piano is a lot of fun. It gives me great enjoyment to be able to play piano with ease and to play songs from my heart to praise God. Although the workshop had only 6 classes, I was able to play 3 songs already in 6 weeks time! Rosa presented a very easy piano method for us to play well immediately.

I never imagined I would become a church pianist. After Christmas, I started playing a song I love very much, "Prayer of My Soul". I had never had piano lessons before so I memorized the melody of this song and asked Rosa to teach me how to harmonize the song with chords. After practicing for a month where I practiced half an hour to an hour each day, I progressed so well that with the encouragement from Rosa, I took up the big challenge to play the first time at church as a church pianist. I realize that practicing at home and actual performance are two different matters so I prayed and asked God to give me faith and strength.

Two weeks before the day I played at church for a full congregation, I thank some sisters for singing along with me as I play to help me feel what it is like to play when the congregation sings. I practiced a lot at home, I was very nervous. I would always hit the wrong note but as I practiced more, I gained confidence.

On the day when I played for the congregation, I committed the matter to God. When I sat in front of the piano, my heart leaped with joy and excitement. Even though my heart beat was racing, but as soon as my hands touched the piano keys, I felt freedom and music flowed out so naturally from my fingers that my heart was filled with thanksgiving. The congregation sang slowly, so I was able to play with even more ease, and by the time I played the second stanza, I was able to praise God from my heart through the song.

Lastly, I thank Rosa for training me.

Candy Siu
Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

Dear Rosa,

I bought your "7 secrets-course" and found it very useful. To learn to play the piano has been a lifelong dream of mine. The way you teach is so unique, simple, easy to understand and suits me so much I have decided to buy all 7-secrets courses...

The newest vids are all well done. I appreciate that huge amount of work you put into them.

I've read your story on your website and I can tell you are absolutely right. It's all about the flow, this is it, you offer us the philosopher's stone! Are you yourself aware of that?

Many, many people are looking for a whole lifetime - without ever finding it. And why not? Because their inner censors won't allow it. I know only too well! ...But I'm lucky because of you. Well, my censor is not. Now I got rid of it, gagged it and threw it out of my life...

You will send a mail when your next courses are ready?

Have a good day and may God send you many new online-students!

All the best
Karin Jaquet
Berlin, Germany

Hello, Rosa -

This is a very forthright and interesting presentation of not only your perspectives on piano - but also your philosophical position on many things. This open sharing will bring many people closer to you and therefore possibly open their minds to looking at learning piano in a new and different way.

You have done an absolutely marvelous job of putting this together! Bravo!!

Tim Francis aka Balladeer
Kansas

Dear Rosa,

Thank you for the information on module D it looks simply great and I cannot wait until I can get to that point. I promised myself I would take each lesson in order starting with module A as I have purchased others over the years and skipped over the areas I knew and I will not do that this time. I love your lessons and am taking my time to master each one.

Kindest regards,
Joyce Oneil
Myrtle Beach, United States

Translation:

Since I was young, I loved playing the piano because I like to hear the sounds the piano make, and also love listening to good music. I took piano lessons for 2 years.

Since then, even though I was not taking lessons, I would play the piano, especially hymns. Through playing hymns, I feel that I am talking to God. It brings delight to my heart because when I am in difficulty, in weakness, playing hymns allow me to feel God's comfort and peace in my heart.

After I became a Christian, I wanted to serve as a church pianist. Even though I can read music, I find it very difficult to follow the score, so I hope to learn how to play chords and accompaniment to hymns.

All along I like listening to others play the piano, and when I heard Rosa play at church, her chords and arrangement sound so beautiful, I wanted to learn to play like her. I can tell that her playing is very rich and not stiff nor is it from the traditional style, so I asked her if she could teach me. But she encouraged me to attend another pianist training class. I attended a class and learned two types of chord accompaniments, theory, some fingers variations. The course was 9 months long, a total of 35 classes. Though I learned different accompaniments, somehow I could not play beautifully like the way I hear Rosa play.

Last year, Rosa announced that she was going to start a piano workshop to teach people how to play the piano. "Playing Piano With Rosa" has a total of 6 classes. People who don't know music nor play piano can attend this class and the goal is that we can use simple chord accompaniments to play 3 songs. When I heard this news, my heart leaped with joy. It's too good to be true because I had waited so long for this to happen and now I can learn the secrets from her.

After 6 classes, I can tell her method is different from the other piano training class I went to. Before, I only knew how to play a song in only one way even though there is different accompaniments and everything is very stiff. But now I can actually play a song with different chords and with different accompaniments, and be able to embellish the song richly. I now have the freedom to know how to choose chords to accompany a song. I finally realize why I enjoy Rosa's chord method. It's because she plays different accompaniments in their simplicity yet sounding elegantly beautiful.

Now I am so happy that I am a part of a group of church pianists in our church, to serve and to praise God.

To be a church pianist is not an easy task. When I sit at the piano bench, my heart pounds and my hands shake because it is very different from playing at home. So I need to practice so that the congregation can sing along.

Here I want to thank Rosa for taking the time to teach us easy chord piano playing. Under her guidance and teaching at the piano weekly, we are able to easily understand how to play hymns beautifully.

Agnes Yip
Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

Rosa has analyzed how beginners learn by building skills gradually and she has packaged this progression in her method. Her method is step-by-step and secure for beginners, not overwhelming or dazzling. Her method results in a solid joy at learning.

Michael Heim
Redondo Beach, California

Your courses show the objectives and teach the steps to attain them and also give the confidence all along.

Roger Berthelot
Huldenberg, Belgium

Dear Rosa,

With great thanks for all that you've done so far on creating your Piano Course from over 20 years of experience, and for the ability to share this God given gift you have. It is structured and creative and complements quite well with PMMO.

Your courses are very accessible and valuable to those who have the desire to learn to play piano, such as myself. Also you do such very good deals!

Many thanks and God bless!
Peter Luu
London, United Kingdom

Dear Rosa,

Thank you for the free videos. They are excellent and you are really revealing many secrets in piano playing. I am very much interested in your video course on Piano playing secrets.

Many thanks.

Regards,
Alphonso, India

Rosa, I really really really love your course. I can't wait to buy the rest of them.

Rosa, I have to say it one more time - you are brilliant!!! I enjoy your teaching soooooooo much. My only regret is: Why didn't I purchase her course earlier? I have to tell every one here, Rosa is a wonderful teacher. Whenever you need support, she will always be there. (To me, she is there almost 24/7.)

Thank you, Rosa.
JoyJane
San Gabriel, United States

Hey Rosa,

This is exactly what I need and your personal touch through your writing, expression, and video clips are A1. Everything is so clear. Much better than what many people offer out there. Your heart is in this, I can tell. Rosa, you're doing good.

Pat

Hi Rosa;

The Videos are great. The sample pages from the book look like they would be a big help to everyone too. Like the others have said, you have done a fine job setting this all up. Nice to find this kind of help in our Piano journeys.

Dale Crossland, aka bigbeardale
Pennsylvania

Hi Rosa,

EXCELLENT is the ONLY word to describe your Website --your Instructions--and your Playing. You will be helping a LOT of New Students (and old) gain some New Understanding in playing the piano.

I wish you ALL the BEST and Congratulate you on a JOB VERY WELL DONE!!

Rusti Smith aka Honeycomb
Arizona

The following review can be found on the piano review site:
MyTopPianoLessons.com/piano-with-rosa.

Piano with Rosa is fantastic

Jeremy Morgan

March 5, 2009

Hi Rosa,

Wow, Rosa, I really like your new website... just spent quite a bit of time looking at everything and I'm impressed. I love the design of it. Also all the FAQ section is really good.

Your videos are a great demonstration of how easy it is to play any song in different keys. I like how you play it slow enough that everyone can see the notes played matched to the Asian Notation system. As you know, I have been using this notation system since a few months ago when you first taught it to me and I love it. I use it for all kinds of music as well as the hymns. Notating a song with this system is SO easy as you have the scale numbers, plus the timing, and location of the octave on the keyboard, all in one easy method.

I notice on your FAQ page that people are asking about which books to purchase regarding their playing level. I want to add something here. I have all your books. Of course, all beginning piano students will start with book 1 of both methods, CCI & PBE. My concern is that people with prior piano experience will by-pass Book 1, of either method, because they think it isn't advanced enough. Even tho they may have prior experience there are SO many gems in the book 1 of CCI or PBE that even advanced players will find things of interest.

I want to say something to people who are considering which book to buy. If you have always played from sheetmusic, then Book 1 of CCI will give you many, many rhythm patterns to choose from as you will be creating your own left hand accompaniment to the lead line melody and Rosa demonstrates these with some easy patterns for beginners but also some more advanced techniques for the experienced players. Also she teaches how to improvise so you won't want to miss out on that and theory is also explained in detail, nothing is left out.

In the PBE book 1 the Asian Notation system is taught so this will be totally new to most people and there are important theory lessons in this book too. Even if you are a play by ear pianist, this book is valuable to make playing in all keys a simple thing to do and the Asian notation system is so easy to learn but works wonders for playing in all keys easily. If you only play by using fake books, then Book 1 still has many gems that you can learn from. I find that when I'm playing in a fake book and find a song that I particularly like, then I jot it down in the Asian Notation to create my own lead line, put these in a folder so I don't have to hunt them up again when I want to play them. This way I have a folder containing the songs I want to play and can play in any key that I prefer instead of just the one it might be written in.

In my experience, I have never seen so much valuable information gathered together in these books that Rosa has put together. It's important to begin with the Book 1 of either method no matter what the playing level is as there is something for everyone, not just beginners.

Alene Thornton
Retired Piano Teacher
Salem, Oregon

I have never taken any other lessons which were so motivating and gave me consistency for playing and learning. The structure is wonderful, clever and consequent. The forum offered for all kinds of problems, statements and ideas is wonderful; very nice and helpful members and Rosa is there, responding/answering almost immediately. A wonderful device and support for the user.

I feel like having personal lessons. I almost cannot wait for the next lessons to download - sigh - such a long week to wait!

Rainer Wilhelm, Switzerland

Hello Rosa,

Well I am finding Mod B to be my preferred module by a long way - I'm really enjoying that and have gone through all the exercises and videos now. I try to do a little most days. I did find at the start that 'skipping' some of the right hand melody notes was really hard, but I am finding it quite simple now, after practising. The benefit I am finding is that I am definitely starting to 'feel' the rhythm more in my body when I'm playing generally - hubby has even commented on my rhythm improving.

I am also using my Tim Richards book on Jazz, and can now turn the piano sound off, as suggested, so can play along with the drums and cymbal, which is great fun and really helping too! Thank you for your forum - I think you do a wonderful job and are very patient!!!

Warm wishes,
Carole Rogers
Leicestershire, United Kingdom

The following review can be found on the piano review site:
MyTopPianoLessons.com/piano-with-rosa.

I am so keen to learn to play the piano by ear. I have very small hands and that is a problem if you are trying to play octaves with tones in between. I was not very sure what to do and I just kept thinking my hands would stretch, as I used them trying to play. Needless to say they did not stretch and I was at a loss.

I then discovered Rosa's Website and I asked her advice. I can't believe that I have found an answer through Rosa. She has experience of all your problems as she has already taught students with the same. Rosa has a plan for me and for all her students.

The work she has put in to produce such a wonderful website is beyond belief. Rosa has simplified everything for your journey whether it be playing by ear or reading music. She is so understanding and enthusiastic, and if you want to ask a question your answer will be there in double quick time.

Here is a very gentle and happy site where you can have fun and comunicate with all your fellow students.

Rosa is a blessing.

Marianna

Anna Cooper, Scotland

Hi Rosa,

I am thrilled with my playing today! I am applying the octave splashes to more songs and following the timing/rhythm. I HEAR and FEEL the beautiful music. That makes my heart smile. LH is broken chords, arpeggio, arpeggio with 10th, block chords - what ever works and keeps time. RH is single notes, octaves, octaves with 3rd or 5th + octaves splash for long notes. I am so happy!

Thank you for your help. I know I am already making progress and feeling my music. The octave exercises are flowing in major and minor keys.

Sincerely,
Susan Mirau
Tunjunga, California

Hi Rosa,

Just want to let you know that I used the Asian System to notate my very first composition! It's a breeze! Thumbs up!

Rosanna
San Franciso, CA

The following review can be found on the piano review site:
MyTopPianoLessons.com/piano-with-rosa.

If you are like me and thought it was so difficult to play the same song in 12 different keys without using sheet music then the Play By Ear course using the Asian Notation will be a wonderful surprise to you, as it was to me. With this course you can either play by ear or a lead sheet and using Rosa's teaching of the Asian Notation it is so easy to play your favorite songs in any or all keys.

The Color Chord Improvisation books have lots of different patterns and fills for right and left hands and some beautiful hymns. Not into hymns? It really doesn't matter as these same principals apply to any type of song you might want to play.

Both these courses are the best I have seen for any level... something for everyone with more books to come in this series. The videos are wonderful and Rosa demonstrates them slowly, and enough times that you aren't left wondering what to do.

Very reasonable price for such high quality material. You won't be disappointed!

Alene Thornton
Retired Piano Teacher
Salem, Oregon

I really was on the point of giving up with my small hands and you know what I am talking about. It is funny but my left hand can stretch an octave quite easily and Rosa had me doing tenths and I loved it with Trust and Obey. I am very happy here and Rosa is a wonderful teacher and friend.

Anna Cooper, Scotland

Hi Rosa,

I am really enjoying Mod D! My playing is making much more sense, sounds better, and I'm relying on written music less. I'm hearing which chord to use and hearing the melody by ear. This is so much progress and so satisfying! I'm not secure in my new skills but an making progress and am discovering my own creativity.

Thank you, as always, for your continued guidance.
Susan Mirau
Tunjunga, California

Dear Rosa,

Module A was a refresher and re fortification for me but I did learn from your tips. Years ago I purchased a book of scales and learned them but this became boring so I gave up. Now I think I was meant to take your lessons. You make it fun. I did buy Module B and am working in the second week and I must admit I am enjoying every minute of these lessons. Looking forward to the next step.

Kindest regards,
Joyce

Joyce Oneil
Myrtle Beach, United States