Apostolic Praise School of Music > Testimonials

Testimonials

I wanted to share with you, how much I appreciate APSOM. I always wanted to learn piano from a young age, but it was hard to find a teacher and if I did find a teacher, they would move away after one or two lessons. I thought college would be my only way to learn, but that was very expensive. I wanted to learn, and I wanted to learn the correct way. After two semesters of piano, I came across APSOM. I was a little doubtful at first, But after I started APSOM I was confident in their courses. This was exactly what I was looking for. APSOM is the same as if you were to take piano in college or a university. But what I really like about it, is instead of studying secular music and trying to apply it to Pentecostal music, I am studying songs that I can already play in church, it’s AWESOME!

I enjoy the lessons they’re easy to follow and another great thing about APSOM it won’t cost you a thousand or two thousand a semester. APSOM has done a great job of making it affordable and convenient as possible for anyone to learn piano. No only that, but APSOM is always giving a way free stuff and doing different incentives to keep people encouraged and working hard. Right now, APSOM is willing to give you two free lessons and a free e-book. Who else do you know that is willing to do that? I don’t know anyone else. Bottom line is, if there is anyone that wants to learn piano, APSOM is willing to walk you through it step by step. Richard Smith the founder of APSOM, is so easy to talk to and he actually cares. He is always looking on ways to improve the website and the lessons. I am well impressed with all the effort and hard work he puts in for all the students. No matter if you don’t know not one note on the piano or if you played piano for years APSOM Has something for YOU!

Lance T.
Texas!

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Hi Richard forgive me writing a testimony in the wrong place but I am so excited about your website! I have spent tons of money on lessons with teachers in person, on the internet, books, DVDs but I have never seen one like this! Your program for teaching church musicians is AWESOME! I told you before I play in church already. I thank God for you because it is all making sense to me now! What a great concept! I went back to the 100 series and really learned some things even though I have been playing in church every sunday that I didnn’t know! Thanks also for the wonderful selection of songs that you have too which is very motivating! You have provided a systematic way to success for musicians! God Bless! I’ve finally found what I needed! Now I know I will be better at church!

– Mary

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Brother Richard,

I just want to let you know what a great blessing your on-line class has been to me. After being only half-way through the first term, I feel that I am seeing doors open to patterns in chord usage that I have long struggled with. I am greatly looking forward to not only the remainder of this term, but in starting the next! Thank you for sharing your short-cuts to learning with not only beginners, but those of us who have longed to understand how to become a better musician for many years.

God bless,

– Arlene S. (Alabama)

(This student had played the piano and taken lessons for 30+ years – from the time she was a child.

She recently contacted me after (after taking AP 101 and AP 102 and being in the middle AP 103) very excited to let me know that she had played for their music director and that she is going to begin playing in church regularly for the first time in her life.)  Praise God!

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Brother,

After years of wanting to learn how play the piano, I am finally learning. This is a dream come true for me. I am learning how to play and at my own pace.

Thank you so much!

– Derrick J. (Kansas)

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Bro. Smith,

Thank you for all your help. Your course has really been helpful!

– Brittany G. (Kansas)

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This course has taught me to read music using the number system, which I was so confused on before while my daughter was taking lessons.  I have learned several shortcuts to making chords, (for example the dominant flatted 7th’s) and I also learned a couple of different runs and fills that I did not know before this course.
– Sherry S. (California)
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I have better runs and fills.  I learned totally different fingering for the chords I already knew but found an awesome different way to play them 🙂  I learned a couple of new songs, and learned a better, more effective way to substitute chords.
– Brittany S. (California)
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Hey! Just thought I would let you know that I played Friday night during youth service!! 🙂
Thank you for taking your time to do these lessons!
– Bethany S.  (Mississippi)

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Thanks for all your instruction over the past 12 or so weeks. I appreciate all you’ve helped me understand and, sometime soon, I want to enroll in AP 102 to increase my knowledge and become an even better player for Christ.

– Bryan B.  (Kentucky)

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“I’m so enjoying my lessons, never thought it could be so easy! I’m over 40 years old and if I can do it anybody can! I’ve wasted my money on so many other courses, but I have learned so much in just 3 short weeks! Thank you Jesus I love it!”

– Joyce S. (Texas)

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Hi! I love it that you do so many songs in F and Eb!!! So many on line courses teach you in keys we don’t sing in in our church. Thank you so much!

-Becky M.

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I love the song video tutorials! They are so helpful! I have learned so much from starting your series of lessons. I am taking apostolic 102 right now. I noticed when I came upon a diminished chord that I naturally knew what to do. I appreciate the way you go over the lessons so that what is learned sticks. I knew by the series I have taken from you that I would like the way you teach song tutorials. Thank you for all the helpful resources you offer!

– Tammy B.

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Hi Richard! I got the chorus book and cd yesterday, love them!! Thank you!!

– Becky

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Thank you for you letter of welcome. I have been working on the lessons and enjoying them and learning a lot. Even though I have been playing a long time I decided to go all the way back to the beginning just to see what I was missing. And sure enough, there are holes most everywhere I turn.
Thank you for doing such a great service for people who want to do music.

– Margaret M.

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I’m enjoying the monthly New Chord Sheet Daily! Thanks for your vision and helpful resource for music ministers.

– Nancy Colegrove

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Hi Richard! I really want to thank you for all the free lessons you put out there. I don’t know if you realize what a true blessing you are to all us pastor’s wives that have been put into the role of music director just because there is no one else to do it, so all the great stuff you send makes our job easier!!!
As for me and our church you have been a blessing and I just felt to let you know.

Thank you so much, Becky

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I’m only on my third lesson and I already feel an increase in my playing…all glory to God!
Thank you for checking on me!
– Jeremy S.

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Your videos on you tube have helped me so much. I’ve been playing piano for over 25 years and really love the beautiful chord progressions of traditional gospel. I asked my jazz piano teacher to help me on playing this style that u teach. We was working on spicing up amazing Grace and I came across your video #401 I think. It was perfect. I may have interest in the future in doing some on line classes with u. pretty much play by chords and by ear Thanks again.

– Daryl C.

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I love watching the YouTube videos. I have learned a great deal from them and watch them frequently. I have played piano for years in my church, however, I am self-taught by God’s grace. Your videos have already enhanced my playing abilities.

– Delilah T.

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I’m really greatful for the sheet lessons, there are really taking my playing to another level. thanks man!!

-Stephan from Jamaica WI

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Bro. Richard, I know this is not part of the lessons, but I have to tell you these lessons are more than a BLESSING for me. I taught myself how to play, so starting from the basic is good for me because I know there are a lot of things I don’t know. And these Six Lesson I just did are more than a great help to me. I am suppose to play in service on this Sunday Am and Pm service. And these lessons and the practicing I am doing with what I have learned will make a big difference. A lot of things I knew but I just didn’t know how to use it. I can’t tell you how I feel but this is an answerd prayer for me. I am not learning how to play a song, I am learning how to play music and understand what I am doing. Thank You So Much for doing this.

– Annetta H.

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Apostolic Praise Lessons has really, really, really help me:

1. I can make major and minor chords without taking a lot of time to figure it out. Then going over it to make sure it is all right. I just use the formulas or what I call the recipes. It is so easy.

2. I have learned why I do what I am doing. I am not just playing I have some understanding and for me I am more sure about what I am doing.

3. The Best Part is the Roman Numeral. I Love It, Love It, Love It. I can play music in all the keys, but I could not transpose on the spot. I would have to take it home and sit down and transpose by writing the music out before I could play it. But Now! I actually transpose on the spot. While I am playing during altar service I had to get a hold of myself because I was enjoying being able to transpose on the spot rather then feeling the altar service. I love the challenge of getting music on the spot that is not in the key we sing it in. Roman Numeral my friend.

Now I know you didn’t ask for this but I have to let you know. I have recieved so many compliments on my playing. It has been said It really sound good. I don’t play like I want, but I understand what I am doing and using the inversions is what is making it sound better.

Thank you! Thank you! You know I found the school by accident, I was looking for some sheet music and that how I found the school. I believe this was lead by God. I really need this school. Thank you and your family so very much.

– A. Hillman

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Thanks for posting this – be bountifully blessed
– Ron G.

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Great stuff man! Chevonne and Midiman have great ears, Trust me! So do you! God Bless, Grace and Peace.
– Kyron W.

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Great stuff man. Cheers
– Garth D.

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It’s only because of your lessons that I am playing in church today. Can’t wait to continue on in lessons.
– Robin-Kelli K.

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TESTIMONIAL

STUDENT FROM WASHINGTON DC

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I took the beginners free course online you offer. It was amazing. I knew nothing and now I am playing slow songs. I want to thank you for how easy you make it. My husband is studying to be an Apostolic preacher and I am trying to learn the piano as much as I can before we possible start a church. I just want to be prepared for what God is up too also I loving sing and music.

– Billie T.

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Bro Smith,

I recently enrolled in your complete course and had the privilege of watching some of the lessons and applying them to my playing. I have been playing on Sundays due to short supply of keyboard players and the past two Sunday’s we have had awesome worship! I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have found your website! I was in a rut and felt like I wasn’t called for music anymore but I just needed to press further and your courses helped me do just that. Thank you!

Love all your stuff. It’s an incredible resource to church musicians. Such a blessing! I studied music for a little while in college and it has its benefits but this is exactly what church musicians need! God bless you and yours and have a great day 👍🏻😊

– Lucie M.

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I just want to say thank you for your website. I have received your emails.
I have been given a wonderful gift of being able to play piano. I have never had lessons, but through watching other a postolics play for years and many, many, many hours of practice I am now the pianist at our church. I dont have the “Pentecostal” Style of playing down yet and would love to learn. Unfortunately funds are very tight after purchasing our first fixer upper home, but I am trying to put enough together to get at least get your basic courses so I can be all that God wants me to be. Your courses seem quite easy, I guess I just need alot more practice. 🙂 Thank you again for your website.

God bless and have a great day, and thank you.

– Diana D.

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Thank you and Lord bless! I am truly looking forward to utilizing these songs and the great lesson tutorials. I am so excited because my children just recently got together and purchased a beautiful Kawai CP179 for me. It is a mighty, mighty big hearted instrument! Now, I have a great electronic piano for practicing. Keep me in your prayers. I am praying that this brain of mine will be able to comprehend and I can play with adequate skill to be pleasing to God and to be an asset to our church services. Again, thank you Bro. Richard Smith.

– Brenda L.

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I’ve been practicing “Souled Out” from your chords and it made it a lot easier. Someone at church heard me practicing and began to sing it so that’s positive. I definitely am learning faster.

– Brenda C.

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Hi Richard ,

Thank you.

Also thank you for being a blessing and providing us with your training material.

May God continue to bless your ministry

– Silas C.

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You are such a blessing to encourage as well as share information with others. God’s will is more encouraged in our lives when we that are not so good as others. May God richly bless you for the things you do.

– Clara M.

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Hello!!  First, I just want to say that my daughter is thoroughly enjoying your lessons.  She has taken traditional piano lessons for over 4 years and recently lost almost all interest in playing the piano.  I decided to pull her out of the lessons and sign her up for your courses.  She has finished 4 lessons since Monday!!!  And…she is playing the piano ALL THE TIME now!

– Dawn S.

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I have completed lessons 1,2 and 3.  I am really excited to have learned all the chords that go with each key you are playing in. I am also learning rhythm.  That is something I struggle with.  I do know some and play in church, but my playing is very basic.  I want to learn all I can.  Thank you!!

– Diane

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Thank you Richard Smith for all the emails you send out. Thank you for the free chord sheets. The lessons are great. Everything you offer is great! if I could see you face to face, in person, for a live lesson on a weekly basis, that would be the only thing that would make what you do better…Thanks for all you do. God Bless!

– Melissa

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I completed lesson 1 and watched leason 2 & have been practicing learning all my chords!! Also watched the first lesson about choir parts & learned something that will be such a blessing to me…that in figuring out choir parts, I can use the keyboard 🎹 and play a chord and use the 1 for tenor, 2 for alto, and 3 for soprano! So simple. I will know exactly which note they need to sing & I won’t be asking the musicians to randomly hit every note in the chord until I hear the right one and say “that’s your note right there” lol
I’m super excited & I’m thank God I’ve finally found a method I can understand! Thanks so much!

– Michal M.

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Thank you for sharing the gift the Lord has blessed you with. It has been worth every Penny spent.

– Jon

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You have no idea how you have blessed me. I will be the “one” thanking you my whole life. I have completed Lessons 1 and 2 and practicing every day! Thank you so very much. My prayers are with you, your family, and your anointed ministry.

– Joan

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I’m doing great! Just taking it slow and practicing the first song Jesus is the Answer. I have been asked to play piano once a month. I was using Youscian and i learned the chords and keys but felt stuck because there was no christian worship songs. My mentor asked me if i tried your site. Well here i am! You can use this testimony if you like.

Thank you brother,
Cynthia
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I will be signing up!!!!!!

 I have already played my first song!😜

Your stuff is absolutely amazing.
I had purchased some else’s for 200$ and it is no where NEAR as simple. I just am having a very hard time believing I can even play one song!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You are such a blessing to Gods Kingdom.
We are starting up a new apostolic church and I so needed this!
Praying God blesses you abundantly!
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My children are 15 and 12 years old. My daughter, began taking piano lessons when she was 8 years old in 3rd grade.  My son began lessons when he was 6 years old in 1st grade.  They were receiving classical lessons learning by note.  When my son was in 2nd grade, he was recommended for the Gifted and Talented program,  and after scoring a perfect score on the ear test,  was identified as having a talent in music.  At that time he began receiving piano lessons at school with an instructor once a week for an hour. I continued the private lessons as well.  Through the years they have participated in recitals, studio festivals, and other opportunities provided by their teacher.  However they both hated lessons and I had to make them practice.  If anyone ever asked them to play a song, they balked and insisted that they couldn’t play piano.  When my daughter got to high school last year I decided that I would allow her to quit lessons because I was afraid I was making her hate music.  I continued with my son in his school lessons,  but I wrestled with the decision because as the years of lessons went by he went from loving piano to literally hating to play.  This school year I allowed my son to quit piano and for the first time in years neither of my children were in lessons. Through all this time they both kept telling me they wanted to learn to play like our church musicians, but no lessons were available for this.   I struggled  to stop the traditional lessons because I have seen the natural talent and wanted to provide them with the opportunity to develop this God given talent.  I decided to purchase a subscription to your service and Sunday night on the way home from church I told my kids that starting Monday they would be taking piano lessons again. The complaining began….However I was unmoved.  The first lesson was a lot of review for them in terms on notes, but it actually taught them a church song!  My son went through the first lesson on Monday and was playing “Jesus is the Answer” that evening.  My daughter was supposed to do Lesson 1 Tuesday, and  they actually argued over who could practice first. My son didn’t want to wait for her to complete lesson 1,  so he jumped into lesson 2.  He was playing 3 different songs over and over singing along to the top of his lungs. She had to make him get off the piano bench so she could practice. She actually sat there for almost an hour trying to get “Jesus is the Answer” just right. She went online and found the chords in C for the verses so she could play the whole song.  This almost brought me to tears!
– L.D.
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Denise B: Praise the Lord, Bro. Smith!
I began using your music program almost three years ago this December, and I have greatly advanced. I went from knowing virtually nothing in December of 2017, to, in October of last year, becoming the music director of a home missions church begun by our church in Louisiana. Thank you for this program, and thank you ESPECIALLY for the Apostolic Chord Sheet Database! That helps me tremendously!
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Mr. Smith,
I have completed 6 lessons with ap 100. The first two were refreshers yet, now it is getting hmm, interesting. I am learning. I enjoy the quizzes and the fact that I can apply my new knowledge with a song in every lesson. I thank God that I found you. I never dreamed that I would understand the way that I do. At the same time, I am upset at all the money I have spent in the past with instructors who seemed to make it so difficult…Maybe, they were not gifted to be teachers as you truly are. I will keep you posted with the good, the bad and the ugly.. Pray for me, and thank you so much.
Cheryl
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Today I was watching a video of you explaining 7th and 9th chords. You made it so simple.  Lord’s Will, I desire to go through the lessons on chords.  I believe it would greatly bless me.

Now I understand what other musicians were doing.  I truly believe I can truly be as anointed as they are.  – I Thank God for understanding.

PS – You’re not one of the other musicians, you’re Top-Notch !!!

Thank You Sooo Much !!! In Jesus Name !!!  😄

B.G.

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Hello! I have definitely learned SO much! I’ve always wanted to learn piano and eventually learn the organ. I bought a keyboard like 3 days ago and I’ve learned things that I never thought I’d know. Things that I was confused and clueless about when people would try to teach me. I actually know CHORDS and the names of keys!!!!! I’m so excited. I’m going to be playing in church one day, I’m claiming it!

S. G.