Learning the Piano

Here are some of the more common questions prospective students have when considering taking piano lessons. However, if yours is not included here, feel free to contact me for an answer.

Isn't learning to play the piano difficult?

Playing the piano isn't difficult, but what most students do find difficult, at least at first, is developing the habit of practicing the piano. Regular practice is a must in order to train the mind and the hands to produce music with the piano. After a good practice habit has been developed, some of the new ideas presented during lessons may seem difficult at first. However, when you practice the assignment throughout the week, what seemed difficult at first becomes easier as the week goes on.

What kind of commitment is required to learn to play the piano?

To be satisfied with your progress in playing the piano, you have to be willing to schedule time each week to regular practice. For example, a young beginning student would be expected to practice at least fifteen minutes a day, five days a week. An adult student who is just starting would be expected to practice at least thirty minutes a day, five days a week. Without this regular practice, a student won't make progress and will lose skills he or she learned in earlier lessons.

In addition to regular practice, beginning students should be willing to commit at least two years of study in order to acquire basic skills necessary to achieve success in playing the piano.

Can I learn to play the piano without practice outside the weekly lesson?

No. If the only time you have for the piano is your weekly lesson, you won't succeed. You might be better developing an understanding of piano music with a music appreciation class or casual home listening study.

If time constraints are an issue, you should be realistic about your progress in light of your other activities. This is especially true for adult students. Generally -- and this surprises early students -- it takes much longer to learn a piece of music than a student expects. This fact can be most frustrating for adults because, although they may intellectually understand a concept, the physical ability to play the passage or technique takes longer to master.

I have a four-year old who seems to have interest in music. How old does my child need to be in order to take piano lessons?

I usually don't teach students that young, but there are exceptions. I usually start children at five or six years old. However, if you believe that your child shows indications of exceptional talent, we should meet and talk to see if your child is ready for private lessons.

Even if your child is not ready for private piano lessons, there may be other options to encourage your very young child to begin developing his or her love for music and basic music skills. These include Kindermusik and the Yamaha class programs, as well as Music for Little Mozarts.

I am an adult considering piano lessons for the first time. Can I learn to play the piano at my age?

Absolutely! I have many students who are professionals, already successful in their own occupations. Some of my best students are adult beginners who quickly master the foundations of music and begin studying the easier classics within their first or second year of study. If you are committed to practice and study, you will learn and enjoy the piano.

Are there different ways to teach the piano? What about piano materials?

There are a number of methods that piano teachers may use, depending on the student's age, experience, and preferred style of learning. I use several excellent piano methods and then supplement them with other materials geared toward the student's specific learning style. Beware of teachers who only use one piano teaching style for all students. While this approach is easier for the teacher, it fails to take into account each student's unique situation.

You talk about learning styles. What are learning styles?

Learning styles are the ways each of us perceive and process information. When we learn, we prefer one way of assimilating information over other ways. For example, some piano students learn better by reading, while others learn better by ear. The goal of a teacher is to provide the information in the way best suited to the student's preferred way of perceiving and processing information.

I might start a student with a preferred style in order to lay a foundation for the material to be mastered, and then add less-preferred skills later to expand the student's versatility. For students that learn best by reading, I begin with that approach, but sprinkle in ear-training once the student feels comfortable with the basics. The choice of which teaching method to use will also depend on the your personal goals regarding the piano.

What kind of piano do I need to take piano lessons?

You will need a piano that stays in tune, has a mechanism that allows you to change volume by varying the pressure on the keys, and has an appropriate touch that will allow you to develop your technique. Your piano will also need to have at least one pedal (damper pedal). These requirements can be achieved with a good quality acoustic or digital piano. However, if you plan to study the piano intensely and develop advanced technique, I recommend an acoustic piano for intermediate and advanced study.

What should I look for in choosing a piano teacher?

Do your homework. Find out about the piano teacher's education and experience. Ask about her degree or degrees, the type of training she received, and the number of years she has been a piano teacher. The best piano teachers are those pianists who, in addition to their study of piano performance, have also studied piano pedagogy—the specialized path that trains pianists how to become teachers and pass on appropriate information to others in the most effective ways.

Be especially cautious of teachers who offer instruction on more than one instrument. These teachers give piano lessons, as well as lessons on other musical instruments. While it is certainly possible to be a good teacher on several instruments, be sure to confirm the teacher's training, education, and teaching experience related to the piano, rather than on other instruments, when choosing a piano teacher.

An indicator of a teacher's ability to give you the best results is her student roster—the number of students she teaches and the average length of time she has taught her students. As you would expect, good teachers are always in demand and have large student rosters. Some, like myself, even have waiting lists for adults and children who want to take piano lessons.

In addition to the teacher, you should look carefully at the physical location of the teaching studio. How large is the teaching space? What kind of piano and other equipment does the teacher use? Is the studio well-lit and comfortable? Is there a waiting room if you are a parent? If the studio is in the teacher's house, will you be comfortable going there weekly for lessons? For more information about my teaching studio, click here.

Finally, and most importantly, look for a teacher who is passionate about helping others learn and has the personality to make that happen. Your teacher should have good communication skills, patience, problem-solving abilities, and the insight to develop a teaching curriculum that matches your learning style.

Where do you teach?

I have a private teaching studio in Scottsdale, conveniently located in the Scottsdale Airpark area. Click My Studio for more information about my studio. My students learn on a new Kawai studio grand piano. In addition to the traditional grand piano, for those students technically inclined, I also offer instruction using the latest computer-based keyboard music software.

The waiting room is large, comfortable, and equipped with a practice keyboard with headphones so that students can arrive early and warm-up, if they wish.

Do you have openings in your schedule?

I have always been blessed with a large number of adults and kids who want to take lessons with me. And when they become students, they tend to stay my students. Many have been with me for more than ten years! Because of this, I have limited openings for new students. I do maintain a waiting list for students who are willing to wait for a while.

The good news is that students who are willing to be on the waiting list usually become students of mine. So, if you are patient, and have determined that I am the teacher you want to work with, it is likely that we can work together.

OK, I'm now a student. How do we begin?

We will start with a piano method series that is correct for your age and experience on the piano. In addition, you will study music theory, technique, and performance skills.

If you are a new student who is transferring from another piano teacher, I will determine your level of study during the first few lessons. Then, we will proceed from that point. During your lessons, I will monitor your progress to see if you have any gaps in your previous study that need to be reviewed or presented for the first time.

How long are lessons? How much do you charge?

Lessons are thirty minutes. A number of my students take hour lessons. I charge more than most teachers in the Valley, but you get what you pay for when it comes to choosing a piano teacher. You will often save time and money by studying with a piano teacher who has the education and experience to offer you the best and most efficient method to learn to play the piano.

What is the next step?

Send me an email to tell me about yourself or your child and your goals for the piano. You will find my email address on the Contact Me page. Be sure to include a phone number where I can reach you and the best time to call. When we talk, I will answer any questions you may have and explain my fees. After the telephone call, we may also schedule a meeting at my studio to get acquainted and to discuss next steps.