Piano Lessons

Lessons are once per week in 30, 45 and 60-minute intervals depending upon the choice of the student or parents.

Yes, I view the ability to read music as an essential skill in learning to play the piano.

Piano practice should be a daily activity and 30 minutes would be the bare minimum. As I said earlier sometimes only 5-10 minutes of that 30-minute practice session is productive. Just remember, if you do not feel like you are progressing fast enough, practice more. Younger students with shorter attention spans may break the time up into 2 or even 3 sessions and one hour should not be too much to ask of older students. It is not uncommon for advanced students to practice 2 or more hours a day. In fact, that is what I do myself. Kids today often play video games for hours. Just imagine the progress that could be made with that same amount of time spent at the piano.

All lessons are provided in my home studio. This allows the student access to a very fine quality 9′ Yamaha concert grand piano on which to receive their lesson and also lessens any distractions that often might occur in the student’s home and hinder the value of the lesson.

Learning the piano requires daily practice and it is impossible to achieve that without having a piano.

I am not a fan of electric keyboards, digital pianos, or whatever you want to call them. If you do start with a keyboard make sure it has 88 notes and they are full size. Some keyboards have 64 notes, some have mid-size keys and some have mini keys. These are unacceptable. The 88-note keyboard also must have a weighted touch, be touch sensitive for loud and soft musical expression, and have a sustain pedal. That being said, I do have a Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano, but I only use it for specific effects and rhythms when I accompany my students so they get some experience playing with an ensemble. To become a fine pianist you need to have a quality piano on which to train. The better the piano the more likely the student will be to continue lessons. Why not have both like I do? Keyboards can be quite fun as they have many different combinations of sound and rhythms and can inspire the student to experiment and be creative. However, to truly become a pianist, especially with classical music, you need a quality acoustic piano. Remember too, that the bigger the piano is the better it will sound. Small spinet pianos are not recommended. For more advise on pianos feel free to call or email me.

Yes, I do hold recitals at least annually for my students typically during the Spring.

It is not uncommon to feel stress about playing in front of others but my experience is that such “fear” is often due more to lack of proper preparation and practice than anything else. Actually playing in front of others can be quite rewarding and provide a feeling of accomplishment. Responsibility is partially the job of the instructor in properly preparing the student and partially the job of the student in following the instructor’s advice and practicing. You can conquer your fear!

Many. The biggest benefit perhaps is the enjoyment you will get throughout your lifetime from your ability to play the piano. You will learn to enjoy and understand music of all types and at a much deeper level had you never learned. I have had students who went on to become piano teachers themselves and so learning the piano can become a source of income as well. But beyond the piano and music, the discipline required will benefit you in other areas of your life. For example, by taking piano you learn the value of patience, how to work hard at something and persevere, that hard work pays off and the value of accomplishment. All of these skills will benefit you regardless of where life takes you.