A guide to piano lessons

Finding a piano teacher as an adult – continuing Fiona’s story

When starting my piano journey, I put “finding a piano teacher” first for a few reasons:

I had the crazy idea that I should probably learn to play the piano a bit before I went to my first piano lesson.



My piano playing friend thought differently:

“I’d recommend that every adult go to a piano teacher even before they start learning to play the piano. Your teacher will help manage your expectations and advise you on the best way(s) for you to learn.” So, I took her advice.

Here are a few questions that my teacher asked me at our first lesson:

1. What do you want from playing the piano?
Such a simple question. I wanted to start playing songs that I love and I wanted to be able to sit at a piano, after a day at work, and be able to play and relax. I also wanted to write beautiful music and live on an island… (still waiting)

2. How much time do you have to practice and learn?
“I have about 30 minutes a night”. Even as I said that I knew that I would have to make time for learning to play the piano.

3. What sort of music do you want to play?
I hate this question. R & B, pop and maybe some soul??? I think I’m probably the next Alicia Keys!

4. What sort of piano do you have?
I didn’t have a piano. We chatted about some of the advantages of both digital and acoustic pianos. Because I live in an apartment , we agreed that a digital piano might be a better fit. I liked the idea of being able to practice at night with headphones!

We then discussed a few learning methods and made a simple program for me to follow.

It went something like this:

• Buy a piano (Digital Piano FAQs)
• Get an app to get started on the basics of playing piano (best apps for learning piano)
• Choose a song that I (really) wanted to learn and;
• Go online and watch videos on how to play it
• Practice playing the song slowly – one hand at a time
• Come back in two weeks for a progress report and some further advice
• In the first lesson she also showed me how to sit at the piano and how to hold my hands. She gave me a few links to videos that she liked about playing piano ‘correctly’.

I left inspired and ready to take on the world.

Things have not always gone perfectly for me. I consider myself a good teacher but I have to admit I am not the ideal student.

Anyway, I bought a piano and chose a song I wanted to learn to play. I found a tutorial on YouTube and learnt as much as I could before our next lesson.

By the time we met up again I was going around in circles. Straight away, my teacher showed me how to relax when I played the song. I was playing the piano like a video game. She reminded me that I was playing music.

I have been playing for four years now and I still have a lesson every two weeks. I can’t count the number of ruts she has pulled me out of and the time she has saved me. To be honest, there is little chance that I’d have stayed with the piano without her encouragement and advice!

Finding a piano teacher for your child

an open letter to parents from Jessica Roemischer

As you embark on choosing a piano teacher, I want to say that you’re in the best position to determine if a teacher is well suited to your child, because you know your child so well. And I want to stress that you don’t have to have any musical training to make this determination! You simply listen, and investigate, and trust your gut. I realise that’s not very scientific. But the impulse that led you to ask the question, “How can I find the right piano teacher for my child,” is all you need. Just keep following it. I really mean that.



As you begin, look around, ask friends, search online, check the local music store. Is anyone teaching in your neighbourhood or area? Is a friend’s child studying with someone they like? Does the music store have a recommendation? Follow different leads.

Then have a phone conversation with the prospective teacher. Ask about their qualifications, their approach, and their philosophy. Tell them a bit about your child. How do they respond? What’s the feeling you get in speaking with them?

What to look for in a piano teacher:

Human qualities
I’ve listed this first, because I believe that a teacher’s humanity is as important as their musical expertise. In fact, it’s possibly more important. When empathy, kindness and understanding are present, whatever is to be learned, will be absorbed readily by your child. Your child will feel happy, and they’ll want to continue their piano studies. Your child’s happiness will permeate his or her life and help them learn music, and much else, too!

Musicality
A teacher’s musical sensibility is essential, and is often related to their human qualities. Gently inquire with the teacher about their musical background. Ask him or her to play for you and the child. Are they playing by ear or using sheet music? I realise this is delicate, but it can give important insight. What do you think of his or her music? Trust yourself. Are they proficient? Is the music beautiful, expressive, deep, and powerful? In general, a pianist who plays beautifully is in a better position to convey that to your child.

Philosophy
Ask a teacher about his or her approach to teaching. A seasoned and thoughtful teacher will be able to explain how they approach teaching, and why. Does their explanation make sense to you? Does it seem valuable for your child? Again, trust yourself. Even if you’re not adept at music, it doesn’t matter. The clues will be there to tell you if you’re making a good choice.

Communication
Communication is important when finding the right piano teacher. Is she or he able to explain the lesson in a way that makes sense to your child? The ability to explain concepts, as well communicate the feeling and emotion of the music, is essential. A good teacher makes sure that the student is learning, and doesn’t leave the child behind. This is an expression of care.

Interest
Every child is different! Is the teacher, teaching by rote or music theory? Are they using sheet music? Or is the child learning in a way that’s original and dynamic? Ask yourself, what is the quality of the teaching? The way in which a teacher imparts the lesson is as important as what’s being taught!



Progress
If you continue with the teacher, ask yourself, is my child making progress over time? Are they enjoying the music they’re studying? Is your child feeling positive about their experience of the lessons? If so, that’s good. It means that studying the piano is becoming a positive part of your child’s life!

Conclusion
Finally, I want to say that by asking the question, “How do I find the right piano teacher,” it reveals something about you as a parent in a very positive way.

First and foremost, it is an expression of love. And if you succeed in finding a good teacher–which I hope you do!–studying the piano will yield wonderful benefits for your child. It will help your child feel that they’re capable of progress; that they’re worthy of being supported in their learning; that they can achieve and succeed. It will reveal the beauty that’s there inside of them. And finally, through their music, they’ll feel wonder and joy and be able to bring that joy to others. If you find the right piano teacher, your child will experience all these things!

So, dear parent, as I was traveling home from the Roland Corporation, I thought to write to you, to offer what I’ve learned in thirty-five years of teaching students of all ages.

I’m grateful to Roland for giving me the opportunity to share these thoughts with you. I hope they help as you endeavour to bring music–the most glorious and beautiful of art forms–into the life of your child.

With warm wishes,
Jessica