MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The music venues across the UP have brought music artists like Keith Urban, Def Leppard, and even KISS to perform around town. Bob Buchkoe is an award-winning pianist who’s performed around town and the country. “By myself, I’ve played a piano bar in every place in town The Northwoods, The Crow’s Nest if you remember used to be the top of the Landmark Inn, in fact, I even went down to Escanaba and played a few times at the terrace on the bay,” explained Buchkoe.
Underneath the fame and UP fortune, Bob is also a local piano and ukulele teacher, who’s been learning the keys since he was 6 years old. After finishing studying at Northern Michigan University, Bob achieved his Master’s Degree in Music Education and soon after began teaching. “I grew up at the prison and my dad was the warden so I gave my lessons out there just before when my dad retired just before we left to move into town I got a call for my first professional student,” he continued.
On top of the skill to pass on talent, Bob also has an ability to play by ear and it’s become a vital skill when teaching a new musician. He’s taught students ranging from as young as 3 to as old as 30 and explained that no matter the age, as soon as you can feel the tone, reading and playing sheet music becomes second nature.
“You do have to work at it a lot too and I have some students who have some of that ability and I go with their strengths, I have one boy who plays and sings he does Billy Joel and Elton John and he’s performing professionally and he’s only 13 years old or 12 I think,” continued Bob.
“I feel like I have a natural ability for some things cause when I play the piano bar or with my band, there are times when I’m just doing stuff and I’m not even sure how I’m doing it, it just comes outta me,” said Bob.
Click here, to access Bob Buchkoe’s Facebook page and sign up for lessons.
