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Hello,

It was suggested I post in this non-classical category instead:

I love Tom Waits & the way he plays piano. Does anyone have info on how he learned? Is he classically trained?

If I were to take lessons and be able to play at a similar level would I choose a classical teacher or what? Any recommendation, what would be the best approach to learning a similar style to his? Any specific method or approach?

Thank you.

Thanks!

I don't have an answer for you, but because you brought up Tom Waits, I'll share my favorite piano-moment in his vast Oeuvre- "The Piano Has Been Drinking" (There are many other great non-piano moments as well):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPPtrqvHGEg

Paging Dave Frank! We have a new master class to consider.

[censored] off Ron.



hehe

Think of the fun topics to cover: triad inversions, alternating roots in octaves in left hand, use of the sustain pedal, and most important: whiskey, lots of whiskey.

I waits to do that one

I'm curious about this too. Found something, the only allusion to Waits taking piano lessons I've yet to find (from tomwaitsfan.com, http://www.tomwaitsfan.com/tom%20waits%20library/www.tomwaitslibrary.com/anecdotes.html):
Ray Bierl (2007) on Waits taking piano lessons from a female classical teacher, ca. 1971/ 1972: "He took it pretty seriously. He said he was able to tell her the kind of thing he was interested in learning which was not just your basic classical music. She was somebody who really saw what Tom was after and helped him on a lot of chord theory and the kind of thing that shows up in his early compositions on the piano" (Source: Ray Bierl interview May 30, 2007 as quoted in “Lowside Of The Road: A Life Of Tom Waits" by Barney Hoskyns. Faber/ Broadway, 2009)

I've also read that he's self-taught, but he said himself that "Truth is overrated." Waits is a huge fan of Thelonious Monk and Ray Charles, so maybe it's worth studying THEIR playing style, as well. Oh yeah, and every now and then, you could wear pointy shoes and bang the keys with your foot to emphasize groove. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LySDkDuqLCE

I remember reading an interview with him, where he said that his mother saw a Steinway hanging in a pawn shop window, and came home with it after the store had closed that evening, and that is how he started playing the piano.