The Keys Coach Podcast

Dennis Hamm is a Los Angeles-based keys player with over 30 years of professional experience. Known for his virtuosic chops and incredible versatility, Dennis has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music industry. For the past decade, he’s been the keyboardist for Thundercat and the musical director for Alice Smith. He’s also played in over 50 countries with legendary artist...

Oli Howe is a keys player, producer and prominent figure in the UK scene and has shared stages with the likes of Yoland Brown, Omar Lyefook, Tortured Soul, Freak Power, The House & Garage Orchestra, Billy Cobham and Taylor McFerrin while drawing sold-out houses with headline shows at top UK venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Brighton Jazz Festival and most recent...

Nicky Brown is a keys player and producer, and a highly respected figure in the music industry, known for his exceptional talent as a Musical Director. He has worked with artists, including Emeli Sandé, Michael Bolton, Tom Jones, Earth Wind and Fire, and Madonna, among many others.   In this episode, Adam and Nicky chat about: Nicky’s incredible career in the music industry Why it’s so important t...

In this solo episode, Adam explains how the Podcast is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever before, ready for the launch of Season 2... and we need your help!   CLICK HERE to fill out the Podcast Feedback Survey.   The podcast returns for the remainder of Season 1, next Thursday with the awesome Nicky Brown.

David Bennett is a pianist, composer and YouTuber. With a following of almost 1 million subscribers, his videos use music theory to analyse and appreciate some of the most revered music of the last one hundred years. David's first love is composing. His style is meditative, minimalist and, very much, piano-focused. In 2024, David is set to release a new collection of original songs.   In this epis...

Howard Lawrence is an incredible songwriter, producer, singer, keys player, and bass player. He is one-half of the amazing electronic music duo, Disclosure. Disclosure are one of the biggest bands in electronic music, having collaborated with artists such as Sam Smith, Kelis, Gregory Porter, The Weeknd, and Nao, to name just a few! Their latest album Alchemy was released in July 2023.   In this ep...

Nate Williams is a keys player, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He has performed with Jamiroquai, Joss Stone and Steve Winwood amongst many others. His latest EP, ‘Chapters’ was released in 2023 and features an incredible line-up of musicians.   In this episode, Adam and Nate chat about: Why tension and release are crucial The awesomeness of plagal cadences Why Nate doesn’t care if a chord doe...

Bryn Bliska is an LA-based keys player, composer, producer, and MD who frequently collaborates with artists & producers across many genres, including Jacob Collier, Karol G, Maggie Rogers, Olivia Rodrigo, Rozzi, Lawrence, Sofi Tukker, Jackson Wang, Tegan & Sara, YUNGBLUD, Ruth B., and ford.   In this episode, Bryn and Adam chat about: Why adding a ninth to a major chord is the ‘Secret Sauc...

Dani McGinley is a keyboardist and vocalist with over 12 years of professional experience. Originally from London and now based in LA, she has worked with a wide range of artists, including chart-toppers such as MARINA, Daya, Rachel Platten, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, James Bay, and Bea Miller. She is currently on tour with Niall Horan.   In this episode, you will learn: Why the Korg Kronos is...

In this episode, Adam sits down with singer, songwriter and pianist, Julian Velard, best known for his unique blend of music and comedy. Based in LA, Julian has a decade-long presence in the US music and comedy scenes and has also become a cult sensation in the UK and Europe. He has received notable accolades from The Guardian, Time Out London, and The Sunday Times which propelled him to a major l...

The Keys Coach Podcast is currently on a short-break, and gearing up for its return on Thursday 18th January with an incredible episode featuring the talented Singer-Songwriter, Julian Velard. See you then!

Join Adam Saunders and Simeon Smith for Part 2 of the The Keys Coach Podcast Xmas Special. Get in the festive, pre-New Year mood as they round up the year and chat all things Piano, Harmony, Practice and lots more! Plus special guest appearances from Fraser Churchill, Pete Churchill and Joe Webb.   In this episode, discover: Simeon's secret routine for keeping in shape on the piano Why the chord s...

Join Adam and Simeon Smith for a special edition of The Keys Coach Podcast. Get in the festive mood as they round up the year and chat all things Christmas, Piano, Keys, Chords, Gear and much, much more!  Plus special guest appearances from Janette Mason and Oli Rockberger.   In this episode you will learn: Why perfect pitch can be both a blessing and a curse How Simeon learned to play classical p...

Adam Dennis has performed with Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, Tony Christie and Freya Ridings amongst many others. He’s a regular in the West End, the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room, as well as the house band for live TV shows, including Strictly Come Dancing and the Royal Variety Performance.   In this episode you will learn: The importance of being adaptable and versatile as a keyboard player How Adam...

Phil Merriman is a pianist, keys player and arranger. He is equally at home playing classical, pop and jazz and has a huge love for Gospel music. He has performed with artists such as Andrew Small, Brendan B. Brown, CeCe Peniston and Polly Gibbons amongst many others!   In this episode you will learn: Why John Taylor was such a huge influence on Phil Why Phil records every gig he does, and then li...

Conor Albert is a South London-based keys player, guitarist, songwriter and producer. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist he started making beats at the age of 8, finding an audience for his early demos on SoundCloud. It was listening to FKJ and Jordan Rakei whilst learning piano in his teens that encouraged him to make soulful, jazz-influenced, beat-driven music.     In this episode you will lear...

Louis Querelle is a piano and keys player who has performed with Niall Horan, Olly Murs and Amy Macdonald amongst many others.   In this episode you will learn: What it’s like touring the world in Niall Horan’s band What Louis practises to keep match-fit on the piano while on the road Why the Nord Stage is Louis’ go-to keyboard What it was like playing for President Biden at the White House… and l...

George Moore is a keys player, MD and songwriter, based in London. George has played on numerous records including projects with Kwabs and Mura Masa. As a songwriter he has worked with Stormzy, Clean Bandit, Yebba, Bren Joy and Cat Burns amongst many others.   In this episode you will learn: What it was like to write ‘Firebabe’ for Stormzy’s latest album How George keeps in shape on the piano Why...

Joe Webb is a highly regarded pianist, jazz musician, and composer, originally from Wales. He has emerged as a leading force on the U.K jazz scene today, captivating audiences with his exceptional talent and rockstar-like persona. Joe is known for his work with the acclaimed Webb City, Kansas Smitty's, Adrian Cox & Rob Luft, and has collaborated with artists like Jamie Cullum.   In this episod...

Richard Taylor is a keys player, producer and MD who has played with Emin, Ronan Keating, David Foster, Nile Rodgers, Little Mix, James Arthur and many more.   In this episode you will learn: What it was like playing with bands like Five, Westlife and All Saints during the heyday of the boyband & girlband era How muscle memory can play a huge part when it comes to learning songs How Richard’s...

Tina Hizon is a keys player, MD and Producer. She has played with Dua Lipa, Roger Taylor, the Pet Shop Boys, Clean Bandit, Becky Hill and she is currently touring with Maisie Peters and Ed Sheeran. Tina has performed on live television shows such as Later with Jools Holland, Jimmy Kimmel, James Corden, The Today Show, X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and she has also performed at music festivals suc...

Oli Rockberger is a keys player, songwriter, vocalist, recording artist and producer. He has performed/recorded with Carly Simon, John Mayer, Steve Jordan, Chaka Khan and Louis Cole. He is a member of Laura Mvula’s band and recent highlights include recording as a featured vocalist on her Ivor Novello winning ‘Pink Noise’ album and performing at Wembley Stadium supporting Coldplay.   In this episo...

Janette Mason is a pianist, keys player and composer. From her high profile gigs throughout the 90's touring with artists like Seal, Oasis, k.d. lang and Robert Wyatt, to the years on camera as Musical Director for Jonathan Ross and Antoine De Caunnes, she has proven to be a consummate musician and a standout talent in Jazz, Pop, Indie, Rock and World Music.   In this episode you will learn: Why p...

Pete Churchill is a pianist, singer, teacher, songwriter… the list goes on! He has taught and inspired countless musicians. Amongst many other things, he teaches at the Royal Academy of Music and directs the amazing London Vocal Project.   In this episode you will learn: How transcribing James Taylors guitar picking, transformed the way Pete thinks about the piano and harmony Why understanding int...

Andy Yeates is a piano and keys player. He has played with Callum Scott, Sam Fischer and James TW amongst many others.   In this episode you will learn: How Andy thinks of the piano as an orchestra How you can create ‘gear changes’ when playing solo piano Why certain voicings lend themselves to creating smooth movement between chords in your right-hand What life is like on the road What the role o...