Classes
What is a good age to learn to play the piano?
I teach all ages and levels and have worked with students between the ages of 5 and 75. To begin lessons, a young student must be able to read the letters A B C D E F G and the numbers 1 2 3 4 5; age six or seven is usually a good age. Occasionally, I will start a younger student who is an early reader and is able to stay engaged for a whole lesson. Adults simply need to have a good attitude and a sense of humor. It's true, "It's never too late to start".
About lessons
Length: Private lessons are 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes depending on age, motivation, and playing level. Beginners usually have 30 minute lessons but may choose a 45 minute lesson for more accelerated learning.
Schedule: Between September and May, lessons occur every week during the same time slot. The months of June, July, and August are optional; families decide which of the offered days and times work for their summer plans. There will be no lessons on most federal holidays and school vacations.
Cost:
$45 per 30 minute lesson
$67.50 per 45 minute lesson
$90 per 60 minute lesson
$135 per 90 minute lesson
Payment: Invoices for the upcoming month's lessons are sent out via email before the 1st of the month. I accept cash, check, PayPal, and Venmo. For your convenience, there is a PayPal link on the digital invoice. A reminder email is automatically sent out if payment is not received by the 5th of the month. Payment for the entire summer is due when you schedule the lessons.
Other Costs: I will order books, sheet music, and digital pieces as needed. Sometimes there will be recitals or festivals that have a registration fee. These costs wil be added to the next invoice.
What you need to begin
Instrument requirements: Learning to play an instrument is not just learning pieces, it's training your mind, ears, fingers, hands, arms, and feet. In order to develop the necessary skills, students need a piano or an approved keyboard at home to practice on. Inexpensive keyboards can be fine for a very short time but will need to be upgraded to accommodate the progressing student. I'm happy to help you choose an instrument. An inexpensive keyboard often has 66 keys or fewer and may only suffice for a few weeks or months. A good quality instrument has 72 - 88 weighted keys, at least one pedal, the ability to play loud and soft by the weight of your touch, a music rack, and an adjustable stand or bench. There are many good used instruments that can suit your needs. Acoustic pianos are preferred.
Materials: I will provide the student with uniquely chosen music at the first lesson. Please bring any music you have for me to consider and also have a small notebook for assignments and a 3-ring binder for organizing printed music.
Expectations
Practice: I expect students to practice at home every week. Practicing is playing bits of pieces over and over to become more proficient. Very short beginner pieces should be repeated 5 or so times in their entirety at each sitting. Students should practice on multiple days, even if only for a short time. A little practice each day is better that a lot of time on one day. Please aim for five practice days each week. A set, regular practice time is invaluable to establish a routine. Besides motivating with music, I will hold practice challenges and games to encourage progress. Please provide a quiet, comfortable, well-lit, temperature controlled space for the student to play at home.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend their weekly scheduled lessons. Please inform me as soon as possible, a text is preferred, if the student is sick or needs to miss a lesson. Please don't come if you are showing any signs of illness; it's not fair to me, my family, or other students. With an hour or so notice, lessons may easily be moved online. In case of inclement weather, lessons will be held online. One missed lesson may be made up at the end of the semester. You are always welcome to move to a FaceTime lesson, arrange a swap with another family, send a video for me to evaluate and comment on, or inquire about another lesson cancellation you may possibly switch to. Other open lesson times aren't always available but I am happy to let you know if one becomes available. Because lessons are almost always scheduled back to back, lesson will begin and end on time. I can't take time from the next student to make up for lost time due to a late start. Any missed time will be forfeited. In the unfortunate event that lessons will be discontinued, please notify me one month in advance so I may fill your spot.
Fingernails: Fingernails must be kept short to enable good playing technique.
Tuning: Pianos should be tuned at least once a year.
I'm looking forward to meeting you and working with you!