A: If the student is a beginner, piano is not absolutely required for the first three months. Electrical keyboard can used to substitute the regular piano, provided that the keys must be in full size and at least 60 keys. Acoustic piano becomes necessary when pedals are introduced, as most modern methods now endorsed.

A: An upright with at least 48” height is worth the investment. Avoid spinet if possible. They are for occasional home entertainment, not serious study. Generally, a familiar brand has higher chance for resale because of the name recognition, and they also retain the value better. All acoustic piano needs regular tuning every six months, regardless of the frequency of usage. Consult a professional piano technician for other maintenance items on used piano.

A: There is no standard age for a child to start piano lessons. Some children start as early as 3 and some are not ready until 9. Generally, most teachers agree that the age of reading coincide with the starting age of piano. Musically talented children show sign at very early age, such as humming a song back accurately after the first hearing, being able to trace a melody on piano without assistance or they may be drawn to music when it’s on.

A: Each child learns differently. The general guideline follows the lesson time: 30-minute for a half hour lesson and vice versa. With the exception the beginning lessons, all students should aim for quality, not quantity. The rule of thumb: the student should be able to repeat the working pieces 3 times consecutively without mistakes.

A: The bonding is the key. If your child is shy at the first interview, is the teacher patient to ease the nervousness and make the child feel comfortable? Some teachers are performance oriented, while some just let students have fun. The teaching philosophy should maintain a balance between the two, depending on the child’s personality. The teacher should provide an enjoyable atmosphere to learn and offer appropriate challenge for student to progress.

A: The teacher usually wants to know the child’s age, name, and any previous lesson experience (the books studied if studied before) as well as the child’s readiness in the parents’ opinion.

A: The interview is the most important step for both teacher and student to know each other. The credentials and the experience as the first questions one should ask, as well as the range of the ages and levels of proficiency. If the student is a beginner, the teacher should administer some form of readiness test through informal chatting with your child. The student is expected to play at least two piece s if he or she has previous lesson instruction. The expectation of parents and teacher are exchanged at this point. It is not uncommon for teacher to offer some constructive comments about the playing. One can observe the style of teaching through the sample teaching. Be open to ask about observing a lesson as demonstration or names of the students for referrals.

A: The teacher should have a studio recital at least once every year. Besides other competitions for youth, the teacher should provide enough incentive to perform. However, 2 or 3 performances are enough for stimulation purposes. Each formal performance should accompany with at least three workshops to “season” the pieces. Too many formal performances diminish the number of pieces the students can learn each year because of the polishing time involved.

A: While many good teachers are great performers, good performers are not all good teachers. If the pianist is naturally talented and doesn’t experience the struggle process, he or she will has lesson insight about the procedure but focus more on result. The rule of thumb: find a teacher who can explain complicated concept in plain language. Avoid the ones that use excess professional terminology. If they do, make sure they are aware and offer explanation in timely manner.

A: The shortest time offers in 30 minutes, usually for kids that are under the age of 7. Standard length is 45-miute, mostly for intermediate level student or older beginners. 60-minute lesson works well for late intermediate or advanced student.