How Declan Cosgrove’s DecPlay Method is Revolutionising Piano Education Globally
Declan Cosgrove shares with us his career journey, reflecting on key transitions that shaped his success today. After spending a decade in insurance broking, Declan decided to follow his passion for music after being interviewed on international TV and Radio stations. This happened when the UK Eurovision entry sounded ‘remarkably similar’ to a song he had written and which was handed to the same record label, who subsequently released the Eurovision song.
To sustain himself during this transition from insurance to music, he founded an internet agency that provided him with financial stability and time freedom, allowing him to eventually focus on music.
Over time, he developed the DecPlay Method, a revolutionary technique designed to teach students how to play the piano in a fraction of the usual time, without needing to read traditional sheet music. Many people can play their first song on piano with both hands (melody and chords) within 20 Minutes, as demonstrated on the BBC.
Declan's vision is to “remove the barriers that prevent people from learning piano, allowing people of all ages to experience the joy of playing, even if they’ve faced challenges with other methods in the past”.
At first, he volunteered in schools, prisons and special needs programs, which provided a wide range of experience of different students. Declan turned the method into an online course that now serves thousands of students in 72 countries.
His course DecPlay.com has achieved outstanding results, becoming the highest-rated piano course on TrustPilot, with 95% of students giving DecPlay the maximum 5 stars rating. What started as a local volunteering effort has grown into a global movement, helping people around the world discover the joy of playing the piano. The DecPlay method is so unique that it has been awarded a patent.
Declan discovered that the hand movements involved in playing the piano align closely with certain physiotherapy exercises. This realisation led him to create a modified version of the method specifically for individuals with arthritis and other physical conditions. By focusing on flexible hand shapes and simplified patterns, the method not only makes playing the piano accessible to seniors and those with mobility challenges but also helps improve their hand strength and coordination. Declan explains, “The system is so easy and intuitive that beginners see amazing results in just hours or days, which would usually take months or years”.
The real-life stories of DecPlay students highlight the profound effect the course has had on their lives. Many have fulfilled lifelong dreams of learning the piano, rediscovered joy after personal losses, and even found solace and purpose through their musical journey.
One testimonial in particular that stands out for Declan is Dee, a 95-year-old student who described DecPlay as having “saved her life”. The course’s community, supported by a private Facebook group and live Zoom sessions, plays a crucial role in its effectiveness. These platforms provide students with opportunities to share their personal experiences and successes, creating a strong sense of support among learners.
Whilst his global music education program continues to grow, Declan credits much of his ability to maintain a healthy work/life balance to the support of his wonderful team and members of the DecPlay community. “I’m incredibly fortunate to have a great team and helpers who take a lot of the workload off me”, Declan shares. “We’ve developed scalable systems that allow me to focus on the things I love, while also ensuring there’s time for relaxation”. Declan loves spending time with family and friends particularly at restaurants as he loves food! He also enjoys walking his dog, Blue the border collie, and getting out into nature.
For Declan, setting aside time to unwind is essential. His approach to life is deeply influenced by the philosophy of Alan Watts, a British philosopher who famously compared life to music and dance. “I love Alan Watts’ perspective,” Declan says. “He viewed life as a wonderful experience to be enjoyed in the moment - not something to be taken too seriously”
Moving forward, Declan’s vision for the future of DecPlay is to make learning the piano as accessible as learning guitar and for his method to become the world’s leading piano method ensuring it can be accessed by anyone. He believes technology will continue to lower costs, making learning more enjoyable and fostering supportive online communities!
His transition from insurance broking to creating a groundbreaking method of music education is a testament to the power of aligning one’s passion with their work, ensuring that more people, regardless of age or ability, experience the joy of music through the power of the DecPlay.com method.
