Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child ready for lessons?
The following questions can help you assess if the time is right for your child to start piano lessons:
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?
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?
Family Committment: Can you commit to the time and costs necessary for successful piano study, including a piano, piano tuning, tuition, books, and event fees? 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?
How much practice is required?
Students are required to practice at home 5-6 days per week, for 15-60 minutes each day. Exact practice time varies depending upon the student's age, level, and involvement in performances and competitions. Most young children need a parent's daily assistance with practice, and even older children need a parent to remind them and check on their practice and progress.
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, and at NFMC Junior Festival twice per year. Other audition and competition opportunities are also available.
Performing encourages students to thoroughly learn and prepare a piece of music, and holds them accountable in their practice. Performing increases their confidence and poise in front of others. Recitals and festivals also provide a chance to hear other students perform--letting the student discover music they might like to learn themselves. It can be very inspiring and motivating to hear advanced students play!
Do you teach music theory or history?
Yes. Every student has theory and ear training workbooks, and students take an annual theory exam at Festival each March. Piano Explorer magazine provides monthly exposure to historical composers and events.
Do you offer group lessons?
I focus on 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.
Why do you require an acoustic piano?
Parents often ask if they can use an electric or digital 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 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 hammers striking strings. | Pre-recorded sound comes from speakers at a higher or volume. On some models, the student is not able to practice playing loud and soft at all. |
| Practically infinite range of sound, 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 to change and enhance the sound by physically adjusting the action. | Has no pedals, or 1-2 pedals which manipulate the sound electronically. |
| An affordable used piano allows for seamless transition to a higher-end piano (such as a grand) in the future. | When a student is accustomed to the touch of an electronic instrument, transition to a real piano in the future is more difficult. |
Beginning students need 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 pianos they must use during lessons, recitals, and Festival. 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.
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