Frequently Asked Questions
Why should my
child take lessons?
What if my child wants to quit?
What age can my
child begin lessons?
Is my child ready
to begin piano lessons?
Where do lessons
take place?
What methods do
you use?
Do I need a piano
to begin?
How can I get my
child to practice?
What
if I or my child just want to try lessons?
Why should my
child take lessons?
Visit and read
the information on the following websites. Learning the piano has amazing
benefits for school-aged children.
Stroking the Ivories Can
Improve Your Child's Analytical Abilities
New Studies Support
Original Findings That Music Lessons Help Improve Math Skills
What if my child wants to quit?
Most parents
sign their kids up for piano lessons because they think it is an important
part of their education. The parent must decide how
important
it is. It typically takes three years for a student to become proficient as
a piano player. If you just want the basics, then you should plan to commit
for three years. It is helpful to speak with the instructor in order to work
out difficulties a student might be having that cause him or her to want to
quit. Often the problem is difficulty reading, which can be addressed, or
difficulty scheduling practice time, which can also be addressed.
There are sure-fire
periods when "Quitting Syndrome" kicks in.
For boys, it is normally
middle school (6th - 8th grade). Get them through this and they will pretty
much stick with piano.
For girls, it is normally
high school. If you get them through this period, they will thank you.
For young beginners
(those who started around 4 or 5) the syndrome will set in earlier and it is
more of a "Burned Out Syndrome". Lessening the focus on practicing and piano
and introducing newer concepts like composition or ensemble playing really
helps.
Communication is
definitely key. Don't hesitate to speak with me about any concerns.
What age can my
child begin lessons?
The studio
offers lessons for students as young as four.
Is my child ready
to begin piano lessons?
The most
important thing to consider is not the child, but the role of the parent.
Because of the young age of many beginning students, parents must be ready
to take an active role in helping the child succeed in lessons. The parents
must schedule time to practice. The parents must be supportive and willing
to do things like sit with their child during practice time or help with
theory homework.
The next thing to think about is whether there is a genuine interest in the
piano. If there is then your child may be ready. If not, help facilitate the
interest by buying a piano or keyboard and also by listening to piano music.
If you need examples, please look at My Top Ten
List. Another great resource is
www.pandora.com. Most everyone has at least one favorite classical song.
With pandora, you can input that piece and the website will generate songs
based on your tastes.
IMPORTANT: If your child “hates” the piano, then lessons will not work. If your child
is not interested and is forced into piano, then there will be resentment
and again, lessons will not work.
After evaluating the previous points, your child's music readiness can be
assessed. There are four main points to look for.
1. Does the child have the attention span required for lessons?
2. What is the frustration tolerance level? This is especially important
for younger students (4-6). If the answer is low, then the parent should
wait a year or two until the child has matured a bit. Lessons for this child
could have averse results.
3. Does the child know the alphabet?
4. Can the child count to five? Does he recognize numbers 1-5?
5. Does the child know left from right?
Where do lessons
take place?
Studio lessons take place in a quiet
office building off of Franconia Rd, just past Springfield Mall. There is
plenty of parking and a waiting room.
What methods do
you use?
I use a combination of original
materials along with compositions of classical and contemporary composers. I
strive to compose and find music that is fun and exciting to play.
Do I need a piano
to begin?
Simply put, no.
A keyboard will be okay for the first three – eight months, but after that
students need a digital keyboard or an acoustic piano. Students will need to
use the pedal and work on a full-sized keyboard. However, there are numerous
rental programs that allow students to rent quality acoustic pianos. I can
advise any student on this matter.
.
How can I get my
child to practice?
Establishing a
routine is key. From the beginning, practice should be a regular and
expected part of the day just like homework, chores, brushing their teeth,
ect. Practicing should not be negotiable, just like homework, chores,
brushing their teeth, ect.. Without practice a student cannot progress,
period. He or she will spend years trying to read simple music.
To establish practicing habits for continuing students or students that are
having difficulty, try :
