"Payam Method" reimagines music education, piano lessons for kids

Payam Khastkhodaei thought it was the biggest achievement in the world when he placed second in a state-level piano competition. Then his students started sweeping competitions across the United States. The 32-year-old son of Iranian immigrants has come up with a new method of teaching that has students loving their piano lessons and performing at high levels. Khastkhodaei says his students have higher success rates and are learning more quickly than students learning piano via traditional methods. "Our students don't just learn piano, they love piano," Khastkhodaei said. "And that's one of the biggest keys to it." What sets Payam's piano teaching methods apart? In nearly every room of a converted home in the Seattle suburb of Bothell, Washington, Khastkhodaei and his team of young teachers — all former students of his — are giving piano lessons, and having fun. Students are charged from $75 to $100 per lesson, and range from preschool beginners to high school talents. "In piano we have this thing called the diploma, which is sort of like the black belt of the musical world," Khastkhodaei said. "Traditionally, about 1-2% 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." The "Payam Method" begins not with sheet music, but with ABCs and 123s, and with actually writing numbers on piano keys. Payam Khastkhodaei and Bill Whitaker 60 Minutes "They're not reading notes. …