Dear parents, The start of the school year is right around the corner! And as you watch your preschooler play and sing and dance, you are wondering, “Is this the year to start piano lessons?” I know you have many questions about piano lessons. And, as a teacher who is Suzuki certified and has years of experience working with young children and their parents, I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions. “Is my child old enough?” Each child is different, but generally 4-5 is a good age to start piano lessons. The determining factors are the 1) ability of the child to listen and follow instructions, and 2) the ability of the parent(s) to come to lessons and help their child practice at home. An experienced teacher will be able to help you determine if your child is ready for lessons. I am always happy to meet with interested parents and students! “Is my child talented enough to learn piano?” I believe that every child has the ability to learn music. Dr. Suzuki believed that children are the products of their environment. Talent, therefore, is not inborn, but it is fostered or hindered depending on the environment. I firmly believe that every child, if brought up in the right environment, can learn to make beautiful music. “What will my child learn?” Your child will learn to play with excellence from the very start. Using the Suzuki method, we will explore the piano and learn to play familiar songs while incorporating theory and good technique before reading music is introduced. I make sure all students experience, play, and understand music through age-appropriate activities, and I work with you to make sure you understand what is being taught, and what should be practiced during the week. The Suzuki method is cooperative in nature; the parent and teacher work together to support the child. I will be happy to discuss this in more detail, and answer any questions you may have! “What kind of piano do we need?” There are two options: acoustic or digital. The best piano is an acoustic piano. You can find acoustic pianos by looking on Marketplace, Nextdoor, or a local music store. I realize that purchasing an acoustic piano may not be possible for every family. There are many high quality digital pianos that make good starter instruments, but be aware that the quality of the instrument varies greatly depending on the materials used to construct it. And a major factor in the enjoyment of learning the piano is the way it feels and sounds. If the sound quality is not good and the materials used to make it were cheap, then it is harder to enjoy the instrument. If you decide to purchase a digital piano, I recommend looking for something with this criteria: keyboard built into the stand, weighted keys, graded hammer action, touch sensitive. For more information on acoustic vs. digital, read this article: https://www.pianobuyer.com/article/acoustic-or-digital-whats-best-for-me/ “How often do we come to lessons?” I recommend weekly lessons, 30 minutes in length. During the lesson we will play the piano, play musical games, and learn about composers. Only you can know if this is a good time to start piano lessons, but I let me leave you with this thought: it is always the right time to invest in your child. Now that your initial questions have been answered, what is the next step for you? Would you like to discuss lessons in more detail? Are you ready to schedule a trial lesson? Fill out the contact form below and I'll be in touch! Emily Morgan teaches classical piano to students ages 5-adult. She has a masters in piano pedagogy and is certified to teach all the Suzuki piano literature. Ms. Morgan believes that everyone has the ability to learn music, and her goal is to make sure her students experience, play and understand music through the exploration of the great composers and their works. She maintains an active studio of online and in person students.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI am a piano teacher who loves teaching music and discussing personality styles. I also enjoy playing music with others, whether that is chamber music, piano duets, or singing in a choir. My favorite composers are Bach and Haydn. Archives
December 2022
Categories |