Are you looking for a piano teacher for yourself and/or for your children? Then look no further, you have come to the right place. From local teachers at music stores, to private teachers, to teachers at schools, music schools, and virtual lessons, there are many choices, which can be overwhelming. Answering the following questions will help you to figure out the right fit.

What type of piano teacher are you looking for?

Are you looking for a Classically trained pianist? Do you want a Jazz piano teacher? Do you want to learn to read notes or play by ear? Are you looking for a piano teacher with similar religious beliefs? Do you want a strict teacher or a laid-back teacher? Do you want a teacher with a doctorate, or do you want a teacher with real-world experience in the entertainment industry? Who do you want to influence you and your children?

Do you want in-person or virtual lessons?

Many teachers teach virtually these days. Others never stopped teaching in-person lessons. And there are local piano teachers, music schools, and music stores that have opened again for face-to-face lessons.

In-person lessons have advantages like the ability to see the piano teacher’s hand positions and technique. The teacher can also see your hand and body position easily. Are you sitting too close to the keyboard? The piano teacher will see this impediment and change it immediately in person. This may not be seen virtually.

What other advantages are there to going into a studio for lessons?

·        Communication is clearer because you can hear better in person than on virtual platforms.

·        Comprehension is greater since you can see how the teacher is playing on the piano.

·        Not every student has access to a computer. 

·        Most students learn better in person than virtually, especially younger students, who can more easily pay attention, understand the motions, and grasp the concepts the piano teacher presents when they sit beside each other at the piano.

What are the disadvantages of in-person lessons?

Of course, the biggest disadvantage to taking in-person lessons in 2021 is the possibility of getting infected by or infecting someone else with the COVID-19 virus. It’s a good thing to wear a mask to protect yourself and others because you don’t always know if you actually have the virus. You may pass the virus to someone else without knowing it.

Teachers make their own rules. Ask about their policies on mask-wearing and social distancing. How often do they sanitize their piano keyboards, facilities, homes, or studios? Do they require temperature checks? Are other family members allowed to come inside during lessons? Must they also abide by the teachers’ policies?

Another disadvantage to taking in-person lessons is that the student or parent needs to drive to the piano lesson. They may have to fight rush-hour traffic, juggle competing meetings, work schedules, the kids’ schedules, and pay rising gas prices. These all produce stress, which can easily be avoided by taking virtual lessons that save time, money, and aggravation.

What questions should you ask a prospective piano teacher?

I would, of course, look at their Google and online reviews and ask the piano teacher for two references and a copy of their piano policy, which should include the following:

·        Teacher’s bio/experience/philosophy

·        Teacher’s holidays/calendar/schedule

·        The tuition: is the cost per lesson or per month? Are there student discounts for multiple family members or military discounts? If the tuition is too much for your budget, is the teacher willing to barter a service for lessons? Are scholarships offered?

·        How payments are to be made: PayPal, Venmo, checks, or other?

·        How does the teacher handle late payments or bounced checks?

·        How does the piano teacher handle a missed piano lesson?

·        How does the piano teacher handle inclement weather?

·        How does the piano teacher handle illness?

·        Are lessons weekly? How long does a typical lesson last?

·        How does the piano teacher handle the student arriving late or unprepared for a lesson? Does the piano teacher offer make-up lessons?

·        If virtual group lessons are offered, how much attention will your student receive?

·        What special opportunities are offered for the piano student? Here are some examples of opportunities: recitals, National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Festival, competitions, Guild, workshops, private Facebook pages/social media/virtual communities, summer camps, special speakers, collaboration/duets/ensemble playing with other piano students, accompanying soloists and ensemble playing.

·        What type of teaching is being offered? (i.e., note reading, theory, ear training, sight-reading, hymns, classical, jazz, pop, rock, blues, technique, relaxation, scales, arpeggios, chordal/harmonic progressions, the circle of fifths, intervals, composition, transposition, or improvisation)

·        Which piano method books does the piano teacher use?

         Does the teacher incorporate technology into the piano lessons?

·        Does the teacher have a non-discrimination policy?

·        Does the teacher offer a trial lesson?

·        Does the teacher interview you and your children?

·        Does the teacher allow you to use only an 88-key keyboard, or is an acoustic piano a requirement?

·        Does the teacher require daily practice?

·        What are the teacher’s expectations of you and your students?

·        What are your expectations of your piano teacher?

At what age should students start lessons?

This is a common question parents often ask me.

At my studio, Joy Piano Studio, I take students when they are 8 or 9 years old. Occasionally I will accept a younger child if they know how to read and write and are able to focus for a half hour or longer. Although there are students younger than 8 who can do this, I prefer taking students at 8 or 9. Discuss your child’s age and reading ability with any prospective piano teacher. This is frequently, but not always, a prerequisite.

It is vital that you find the right combination of characteristics of your child, the teacher, and the method being taught. Some piano teachers take piano students at a very, young age. If a teacher specializes in early music education, using methods appropriate for children ages 3 – 5, then it would be safe to start lessons for children that young. However, if your child is older and showing an interest in music by singing, trying to play the piano, and intently listening to music, then an early music education teacher would not be the best fit, and you should look for a piano teacher who can build your child’s skills in their areas of interest.

What are some of the different types of methods for teaching piano?

Some teachers focus primarily on early music education like Kindermusik or the Orff Approach.

Some lesson books use hand clusters for the young, early learners like, Bastien.  Other lesson books focus primarily on rote learning and playing by ear, like the Suzuki Method.  Or, playing-based, like Simply Music.  Touch-based, like Piano Adventures by Faber and Faber, which is my favorite.  Technique exercises by Hannon are good for learning eye to hand coordination.

There are methods, like John Thompson that start the piano students on middle C, others that use notes as guides, and others that start with finger numbers on the black keys. Paul Harris has an excellent series on sight-reading.

Other methods, like Hal Leonard, also incorporate improvisation and ear training.  

I am speaking in general, from my own, and from my colleague’s experiences.  This list is by no means comprehensive.  It is just the tip of the iceberg. For more method books click here.

Like I said, the proof is in the pudding. Attend a recital and talk with the parents and students.  Talk with the piano teacher, too, to see if this studio is a good fit for you and your family.

What does the teacher expect from students?

Find out what the teacher’s expectations are. Does the teacher expect your child to practice every day or only at each lesson? What expectations do you have for your piano teacher?

What happens when there are competing schedules? Kids participate in many activities that interfere with piano practice and performances, although fewer now, due to COVID-19. Take a hard look at your priorities and choose a piano teacher that fits your and your children’s schedules.

What temperament should your piano teacher have?

Of course, the biggest question is do you and your children feel comfortable with this teacher? Does the teacher lift them up or tear them down? Sometimes, piano teachers can be strict and harsh with students.  You want a teacher who connects with your children in a positive way and encourages them to push themselves to do the hard things. You want your kids to become internally motivated, not nagged every day to practice.

One thing I ask my piano students’ parents to do is comment often on how much they enjoy their children’s playing. I also suggest that my parents ask their children to perform short concerts of the songs they’ve learned for the family. The parents can applaud and offer refreshments and special treats afterward.

Don’t worry if you have tried several teachers without sticking with just one. For me, growing up as an Army brat in five states and two countries, I have had 11 piano teachers (including college piano teachers), three violin teachers, one organ teacher, and many choral teachers. I have learned something different and helpful from each one.

How do you find reputable, qualified piano teachers?

There are many ways to find local piano teachers in your area. The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) offer many resources on their websites in the United States.

Choosing a Music Teacher (mtna.org) Click on the red button at the bottom of the page to find a music teacher in your area. There is a wonderful checklist for parents, as well.

Contact Us – National Federation of Music Clubs (nfmc-music.org) Ask about the Federated Music Club closest to you.

You can also look at your local community colleges’ and universities’ music departments. You could hire a current professor of music or a student who is a music major (which would be more cost-effective).

Talk with your children’s school music teachers and parents of children you know who take lessons. Talk with your local church musician.  They have a lot of experience and knowledge to offer many times. 

Attend live and/or virtual piano recitals to get an idea of the students’ skill levels, musicianship, and self-assurance, all of which reflect the teacher’s competency.

I’m a piano teacher, performing pianist, composer, and hymn arranger, and I have maintained a private piano studio, Joy Piano Studio, for more than twenty years. To learn more, contact me at Contact – Creating Music Joy LLC.

I hope this helps you on your journey to finding the right piano teacher!

Grace Joy Reid