Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What is the best age to start piano: The ideal age for starting piano lessons is from first or second grade onwards. It's important that the child is not overly shy, can sit still, pay attention, and follow simple directions. I suggest that each child should use their own voice to understand the music deeply, beyond just using their eyes and hands. This is similar to learning a language; speaking and repeating it frequently helps to internalize and recall it more effectively, just as one would remember a friend's name.
2) Does your child know his/her Right and Left-hand difference? Indeed, it's beneficial for your child to understand the difference beforehand. Additionally, knowing the seven letters from A to G and the numbers from 1 to 5 will save time.
3) How long can your child focus when school is out each day? Music involves the harmonious collaboration of the mind, memory, and voice. It may not be advisable for your child to engage in musical activities immediately after returning from soccer practice.
4) Does your child have a lot of afterschool activities? If your child is already committed to several team sports requiring long practice hours, learning music can be a refreshing change as it doesn't require teammates. It's often best to limit it to one team sport per season and consider piano as an individual pursuit.
5) How long should my child practice each day? The necessity of practice varies with the day's busyness. All skill levels should engage in daily practice to improve finger technicality and dexterity. Adhering strictly to a timer is not ideal. I advocate for quality practice, recognizing that each child's learning pace differs. It's also beneficial to distribute practice time, as concentrated learning for 30 minutes straight can lead to mental fatigue.
6) What kind of piano keyboard should I have for a beginner? The decision depends on your child's enthusiasm for learning music. If you own a toy piano, I suggest upgrading to a keyboard with weighted keys, if possible. Soft keys won't allow the fingers to develop strength, speed, or precision. An electric piano with 61, 76, or 88 keys is sufficient for beginners. Many of my students progress to superior keyboards after approximately two years of lessons. Finally, ensure that your keyboard is free of note or letter stickers, as these should be removed, and clean the white keys.
7) Should your acoustic piano be tuned before starting lessons? Indeed, off-pitch sounds can impair a child's listening abilities. Similarly to a guitar or violin, if the strings are not properly tightened, the resulting sound will be unpleasant to the ear.
8) If my child was learning from another teacher, how would my child be able to make a switch? Firstly, piano teachers employ a variety of teaching methods. If your child struggles to grasp the meaning or technique, practice may become uninteresting. While many teachers follow a set curriculum or cater to the student's preferences, I believe in tailoring the learning experience to each child's unique abilities. For instance, if a child finds it challenging to use both hands, I will provide materials that focus on developing one hand at a time.
9) If I missed a lesson? Your teacher will create a video lesson using the Zoom platform and provide you with a link to watch at home at your convenience. There will be no make-up lessons. It is essential to catch up on practice before proceeding to new material or units. Reviewing is crucial before introducing new concepts.
10) How long before my child will be able to participate in a recital? The readiness of your child to perform may vary depending on the speed of learning and the frequency of daily practice. Typically, a child might be prepared after six months to a year of practice. Participation is mandatory for all students. The teacher will accompany and assist them during any live performances, if necessary.
11) My daughter wants to have long nails. Apologies, but that approach is not feasible. Nails need to be kept short. Similar to guitar or violin players who cannot maintain long nails, having short nails is essential for the fingertips to effectively feel and grip the instrument's surface, ensuring swift and precise control.
12) Piano location: The optimal location for a piano is in the living room, positioned against the wall. This wall can serve as a space to display learning guidelines or various reminders. Placing the piano keyboard in the bedroom may lead to distractions. Furthermore, the practice area should be tranquil and situated away from any media devices.
13) My child wants to learn how to play a particular pop music like Frozen or a very famous classical piece like Fur Elize: Learning and playing music can be quite challenging, especially for a complete beginner or even after the first year. It doesn't offer instant gratification or immediate results. While it may seem easy on YouTube or when observing friends who learn by trial and error, this approach won't build lasting skills if you're aiming for that dream. Music consists of multiple layers, akin to building blocks. Once these layers are understood—each with its unique purpose—they are combined through multitasking involving your head, eyes, ears, brain, short-term memory, fingers, keys, beat, and rhythm.
14) Should the student practice the way that the teacher suggested during the lesson time? The answer is affirmative if you adhere to the same method. Efficiency hinges on your practice approach, not merely on your performance. A teacher can demonstrate the correct way to practice, regardless of the piece's difficulty. The objective is to learn from your mistakes and strive to prevent them in the future. Understanding the method is key. By following your teacher's advice, your practice sessions will become more bearable.
15) What about motivation? I often describe motivation in this manner: Which comes first, motivation or action? Contrary to common belief, motivation does not come before action; rather, action initiates motivation.