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Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child ready for lessons?
Parental Committment: Can you commit to the time and costs necessary for successful piano study? Can you help the child schedule a daily practice time, help with weekly theory assignments, and bring the child to lessons and recitals?
Practice: Can you provide an appropriate practice environment for your child and encourage daily practice? Is your child willing to practice daily? Is there adequate time in your child's schedule for practice? Will you encourage your child to strive for excellence by working on a piece until it is mastered?
Basic Skills: Can your child write, color, and draw? Can they wiggle their fingers independently? Can they say the alphabet, read letters A through G, count, and read and count numbers 1 through 5? Do they know their left hand from right hand?
Interest: Has your child asked for lessons? For how long? How does your child react when you suggest taking lessons? Do they frequently go to the piano on their own? Do they dance or move to music?
How much practice is required?
5-6 days per week, for 15-60 minutes. Exact practice time varies depending upon the student's age, level, and involvement in performances and competitions. Most children need the parent's daily assistance with practice. We will discuss a practice plan at the start of lessons and this will be reviewed periodically.
Do you provide performance opportunities? Do you require
students to perform?
Yes, and yes! Sharing our music with others is an essential part of being a musician. Students are required to perform in our annual studio recital. Recitals are not a way to put the student up for judgment and evaluation, but rather a way to experience communicating through music.
Students also participate in the NFMC Junior Festival twice per year. Other audition and competition opportunities are available for advanced students.
Do you teach music theory or history?
Yes. Every student has theory and ear training workbooks. Piano Explorer magazine provides monthly exposure to historical composers and events.
Why do you require an acoustic piano?
Parents often ask if they can use an electric keyboard for now and wait to see how the child does before investing in a real piano. It may seem like a great idea, but a piano and electric keyboard are completely different instruments.
 Acoustic Piano |
 Electric/Digital Keyboard |
| Acoustic: hammers strike strings to create sound vibrations. | Computerized: pushing a key causes a pre-recorded sound to come out of speakers. |
| Has 88 wood keys. | Often has 76 (or fewer) plastic keys. |
| Keys are weighted and touch-sensitive. The volume is controlled by the way you touch the keys. | On most models, the student is not able to practice playing loud and soft. |
| Practically infinite range of sound is possible, since sound is produced at the moment the key is played. | Sound is limited to the pre-recorded tones stored on the device's hard drive. |
| Has 2-3 foot pedals which are used even by beginners to change and enhance the sound. | Has no pedals; or has pedals which manipulate the sound electronically. |
| An affordable used piano allows for seamless transition to a high-end piano (such as a grand) in the future. | When a student is accustomed to the touch and sounds of an electronic instrument, transition to a "real piano" in the future is much more difficult. |
Beginning students need be able to explore the full sound range of the piano, including the pedals, and learn the mechanics of how the instrument works. A student cannot experience these things on an electronic keyboard, and has a hard time adjusting to the real piano he must use at lessons, recitals, and Festival. His progress is slowed, and as a result, you do not get a good return on your investment in piano lessons.
Fortunately, you can rent or finance affordable pianos (new or used) from local stores, or purchase a used piano from a private individual. I am happy to answer questions or meet you at a music store to help with your piano purchase.
Do you offer group lessons?
No, I teach private lessons to ensure that students have my full personal attention, with lessons customized to their specific needs and interests. I do recommend group music classes for very young children, whose learning is stimulated by group interaction and full body movement.