Below are some
of the questions commonly asked by parents and perspective
students. If you have further questions, please feel free
to call or email.
Why should my child take
piano lessons?
Learning an instrument is a truly rewarding experience that
will help your child build motor skills and increase their
self-confidence. A great deal of research has found that playing
the piano helps to develop the part of the brain used for
mathematics, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Many of my students find playing the piano to be a great
stress reliever at the end of a long day, or simply think
it's fun that they can play their favorite song from the radio.
I go to great lengths to keep this process fun and rewarding
so that my students will continue to play throughout their
lives.
What is the right age to start
my child in piano lessons?
Each case is different. Throughout my 10+ years of teaching
I have found that there is not a set answer for this question.
Some children can start at age 5 without a problem, while
others need to wait a bit longer. As a general rule, I tell
parents it is best to wait until their child is in the first
grade. In my opinion, the student needs to have a good handle
on the alphabet and needs to understand very basic math. It
is an added bonus if the student can read.
Is my child too old to start?
Absolutely not! I am often asked if it is "too late"
to get started learning an instrument. I have found that older
students progress very quickly especially because of their
increased motor skills which is something young students tend
to lack. I have had many very successful students who have
started around the age of 12 who have kept the piano as a
hobby throughout high school and even into their college years.
If the interest is there, let them explore the possibilities.
Do I have to bring my child/children
to your house?
I teach both in and out of my home. Some children thrive
in their own environment, while others can be distracted.
This question is best answered by the parent.
What are your rates and cancellation
policies?
Please feel free to contact me for my current rates. Rates
in your home are slightly higher in order to cover my travel
expenses. I currently teach in select neighborhoods of Costa
Mesa, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach.
As with most teachers, I request payment at the beginning
of the month, or on a weekly basis. Because of my busy schedule,
I ask that you keep cancellations to a minimum, and provide
me with plenty of notice if a change is needed. I expect missed
lessons due to illness, school activities, etc to be made
up. The only exception to this is a family emergency. If you
choose not to do a make-up lesson, you will be charged for
the missed appointment regardless. Often times if you just
need to switch times for the week, a change can be easily
made, but please give me plenty of notice so we can arrange
this. No-shows are always charged, and no make-up lesson will
be offered.
Do you have recitals and must
my child participate?
Yes, we have recitals once or twice a year. Participation
is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. Recitals are
a great opportunity for the children to meet each other and
practice playing in front of a group. It is a very motivating
and fun experience, which I encourage all my students to be
a part of.
How much does my child need
to practice?
Enough. I know this seems vague, but once again every child
is different. I find that with most of my students the parents
don't need to ask them to practice. Most of my students enjoy
the songs they are playing, and actually want to play on their
own without any hassling from the parents. I encourage parents
to take an active interest in their child's learning process,
and to frequently ask for "an evening concert of this
week's songs." I have other students who thrive by showing
their parents how to play; this is a further reinforcement
of the concepts they are currently learning. In a nutshell,
don't place the oven timer on the piano, set it for 45 minutes,
and tell your child to sit there and play. Quite obviously
this can have a very negative effect.
I'm a beginning adult student,
is it too late for me to start?
No! Many of my adult students enjoy music as a hobby. I adjust
my material slightly for adult students to keep things interesting
and age appropriate. The only thing to consider is whether
or not you can find the time in your schedule to practice.
If you can invest enough time learning the instrument (about
30 minutes a day), then you are a great candidate!
How much will I have to spend
on materials?
For current rates on the lesson books see the link on the
left. The length of time it takes to complete a book varies
greatly from student to student, but in general you will purchase
2-3 books per year. Other than the lesson books, there are
no additional costs for materials.
Can I request a song for you
to arrange?
I make no promises, but I am open to all requests. See the
link on the For Students page to type in a request. You can
also view requests made by other students.
I don't have a piano, should
I buy or rent?
If you're not looking to make a huge investment, I suggest
renting a piano. Field's Piano in Santa Ana has great rental
rates and a wide selection of uprights, spinets, and baby
grands. Renting a piano is a great way to test the water before
diving in head first. If you are looking to make a small investment,
check out the used piano listings in your local Pennysaver,
or the Orange County Register. Many of my students have found
great deals buying a used instrument from people who are moving
away, etc.
What if I buy a used piano
and my child ends up quitting, does the piano lose value?
This is good news; buying a piano is not like buying a used
car. Although you put out a bit of money buying an acoustic
piano, if you take care of the instrument it won't generally
lose much value. Thus, you can often turn it around for about
the same price you paid if need be.
We don't have space for a full-size
piano, is it alright to just have a keyboard?
My answer is yes and no on this one. I have found through
my experience that kids are much less motivated when they
start on keyboards and the drop rate for these students is
much higher. The problem with keyboards is that almost all
of them have thin plastic keys and kids tend to feel as if
they are playing with a toy rather than playing an instrument.
In addition, students who start out on keyboards do not develop
the same finger strength, making the transition to a piano
much more difficult later on. As far as space goes, an upright
or spinet piano won't take up much more space than a decent
size digital keyboard. So in the long run, I encourage people
to start out on a real piano, as the pros definitely outweigh
the cons.
How long are the lessons?
Lessons for kids between age 6 and 10 are generally a half
hour. I do however offer 45-minute and hour-long lessons.
For kids over the age of 10 and adult students, I recommend
45-60 minutes. This is a personal choice, which we can discuss.
Do you participate in the
California Certificate of Merit Program, and National Guild
Playing Auditions?
No. I took part in these programs for a couple years when
I was studying the piano. I believe these programs place un-needed
pressure on students, and don't offer any lasting benefits
in the long run. I find these programs to be too binding with
their music selections. Students participating in these programs
will often work on only 1 or 2 pieces for 6 months or more,
which can obviously become quite boring. In contrast, my students
have a vast array of pieces with no restrictions. I let everyone
work at their own pace, thus alleviating the pressure of an
"exam date." In short, it is my belief that learning
the piano should be a fun hobby for kids that gives them confidence
and a skill that they can carry with them throughout their
lives.
How often should I get my
piano tuned? Can you recommend a tuner?
You should take care of your investment, and get your piano
tuned at least once a year in the fall or spring when the
weather has changed. Call or email for a referral to a piano
tuner.
I am a piano teacher, can I
purchase your book and use it for my students?
Absolutely. Please see the lesson books link for purchasing
information.
|
