Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to the first lesson?
You will need to bring a bag to carry your books, a notebook to record your assignments for the following week, your lesson books if you have purchased them, and payment for the lesson.
What can I expect during a typical lesson?
During the first lesson we will discuss rules, posture and form. Each lesson will begin with playing assigned pieces from the previous week. We will discuss new concepts, practice technique and theory. Each student may have up to 4 lesson books: Piano, Technic, Theory and Performance pieces. Theory is written work that may need to be completed at home.
What age should my child start lessons?
It really depends on the child. I prefer students have completed kindergarten and find the best age is between 8-10 years of age. For those interested in band or orchestra, 1 year of piano lessons will be extremely helpful and 2 years is recommended for percussionists.
Some questions for parents to consider:
1. Can my child count to 10?
2. Does my child know right from left?
3. Can my child sit, pay attention, focus for 30 minutes?
4. Can my child follow directions?
5. Has my child expressed interest in playing the piano?
6. Does my child have interest in playing in orchestra (beginning in 5th grade)? band (beginning in 6th grade)?
7. Does my child have up to 30 minutes/5 days a week to practice?
8. Do I have the time to help my child with practice & theory assignments?
***The most successful students are those that practice regularly and have an adult who supports them and shows interest in what they are learning.
How much should my child practice?
My recommendation is for 30 minutes at least 5 times per week. Beginner students may require less practice time and advanced students may require more. Shorter, more frequent practice sessions are more beneficial than 1 or 2 long sessions. If you find your child is struggling with practice, try breaking up practice time or changing the time of day. Try setting a timer and commit to 5-10 minutes of practice time. Spend more time on the difficult spots and less time on the easier ones. If your child is struggling I can give you many suggestions to help make practice time easier.
What are your rates and when is payment due?
Please contact me for current lesson rates. An invoice will be sent on or around the 1st of the month. You may choose to pay monthly, bi-weekly or weekly. You will be charged an additional $10 late fee if your balance is not paid by the 1st of the next month. I accept cash, check and credit/debit card for payment.