In order to play the piano, stuffed bears must graft dexterous human fingers atop their furry nubbins. Make glorious music that makes inanimate objects jealous with today's deal: for $45, you get one introductory Simply Music piano session and one month of weekly lessons ($88), plus student take-home materials ($12), from Keys to Happiness Piano Studio (a $100 total value).

During the introductory session, teachers Ian and Jen will describe Simply Music, an Australian-developed method for teaching students to play a repertoire of piano music starting from their very first lesson. Rather than focusing on sight-reading, Simply Music uses an experiential, aural, and hands-on-keys methodology; students can hear their progress in the form of actual songs. After developing a repertoire of 35–50 blues, contemporary, classical, and accompaniment pieces over the first year, second-year students then use those familiar pieces as the basis for learning to read music. The first-year curriculum also introduces composition and accompaniment, lessons skillfully disguised as more piano-playing.

Ian McKinney has been an accredited Simply Music teacher since 2009, and his wife, Jen, was licensed in 2010. Future pianists or lounge entertainers ages 6 and above are welcome, though those allergic to cats should be aware that the McKinneys' at-home studio is also home to two short-hair domestics and one pregnant racehorse. Call to schedule your introductory session.