“In piano, we have this thing called the diploma, which is sort of like the black belt of the musical world. Traditionally, about 1% to 2% of students reach diploma level, and it takes them about 12 years. In our school, 96% reach it, and it takes them about four years,” says piano teacher Payam Khastkhodaei. He created the “Payam Method,” a language-based approach to learning that he says makes playing an instrument fun. To the skeptics who say becoming a pianist requires discipline, hard work, and rigor, Khastkhodaei says: “Nobody will become phenomenal at anything unless they actually put in the time and energy. But when you actually enjoy what you're doing, you don't realize that you're putting in the time for that. #piano #pianolesson #pianoplayer