What's the best age to begin piano lessons?
To answer as directly as possible: ages 4 and 5 are optimal. This is when children are first being introduced to reading, writing, and arithmetic; the foundations of their intellects are being laid. If music is introduced during this time, it becomes as fundamental for the child as these other universal endeavors.
However, in reality, any age is an excellent point to begin piano lessons, provided certain conditions exist. If the student is a child, they must have a supportive home environment, with parents who enforce their practice time and celebrate their progress. If the student is an adult, they must be prepared to practice consistently on their own (it can be difficult without a parent forcing us to sit down at the piano!).
In short: as long as the student remains enthusiastic and practices regularly, piano lessons can be extremely satisfying and rewarding at any age!
So, you’re saying I can begin piano lessons as an adult?
Sure! If you commit to regular lessons and practicing, piano can be a joy as an adult. Music provides an escape from the routine and stress of everyday life, and an opportunity to exercise the artistic side of our minds.
What's the best lesson length for me?
I offer lessons in 30, 45, and 60-minute lengths. New students age 10 and under should typically begin with 30-minute lessons and advance in duration as their proficiency increases. Students age 10 and older (including adults) should typically begin with 45-minute lessons and eventually graduate to 60.
How can I help my child succeed with the piano?
This might be the single most important question in this FAQ, and kudos to you for asking it. To find success, parents must be actively involved in their child's musical studies, and the more involved the better. We, as adults, are far better equipped than children to see the big picture, and to recognize the importance of daily practice. Enforcement of practice and acknowledgement/rewarding of progress are key things that parents must take responsibility for if they want their child to succeed with piano.
Piano practice should be as mandatory as school homework, without exception. At points during the week, parents should have the child play for them. This gives parents the opportunity to lavish praise on the child for doing such a good job, providing essential positive feedback that will motivate the child to continue their studies. It also gives the child a chance to develop a sense for performance, learning to deal with the unique pressures involved in playing in front of other people.
Where are lessons held?
I teach most lessons at my students' homes. I teach exclusively in Brooklyn and am happy to travel for lessons (provided the commute fits reasonably within my schedule). I also teach lessons at my home in Park Slope. This is a great option for students living near me, as they get the opportunity to play on my lovely Steinway upright piano! Lessons at my home are also a good option for individuals outside of my commuting range.
I'm not very musical. Will piano lessons be a waste of time for me?
Absolutely not! Music can be approached from any angle; it involves a great deal of both art and math. If you find yourself to be generally "left-brained" (logical, analytical, objective) that just means you'll have an easy time understanding the precise counting required in music. Obtaining fluency in artistic endeavors (such as piano) simply requires practice, the same as in any other pursuit in life.
What teaching method do you use?
As with the question of the "optimal" age to begin lessons, the question of the "optimal" teaching method is more complex than it may at first seem. I see shortcomings in every existing method (a "method," as used in this context, is a system designed to successfully take a student from the beginner stage all the way to full musicianship). Because of this, I have developed my own approach, blending a number of systems together with my own musical knowledge to ensure a balanced and well-paced progression. This allows me to effectively adjust to each student's particular needs.
I don't own a piano but want to take lessons. What should I do?
Even if you take lessons at my home, you need an instrument at home to practice on. I'm familiar with a number of piano and keyboard manufacturers and sellers, and am happy to help you choose an instrument within your budget.
What kind of piano do you practice on? Do you have any recommendations?
In 2016, I bought a restored 1954 Steinway upright piano from Lindeblad Piano in New Jersey. Lindeblad is a family-owned business that has been restoring high-end pianos for nearly a hundred years, and they did an incredible job with my instrument! It is a beautiful focal point in my home and, even better, it sounds great! I highly recommend Lindeblad if you’re considering buying a special instrument that can be passed down through generations.
Before purchasing my Steinway, I played for years on a Yamaha digital piano. Yamaha keyboards (and pianos!) are built like tanks and perform beautifully for years with very little maintenance. As a space-saving or cost-saving alternative to an acoustic instrument, I highly recommend Yamaha digital pianos. Yamaha acoustic upright pianos also provide incredible value for their cost. For either digital or acoustic, you can’t go wrong with Yamaha.
Is it a problem if my child has a short attention span?
A short attention span is not an insurmountable obstacle in learning piano, but it must be identified and worked around accordingly. In the past, I've found success with such students by creating small challenge-and-reward scenarios, where they get a short (timed) break after completing a designated task (playing a song, or a group of scales, etc). For younger students, something as simple as being rewarded with a sticker for successfully completing a song can provide enough of a break and encouragement to keep going!
Do you hold recitals?
Yes! I hold recitals twice a year: once in the fall (November/December) and once in the spring (April/May). They take place at South Oxford Space's great room, in Fort Greene. It's a lovely venue with high ceilings, tall windows, wood paneling, a fireplace/mantel, and a wonderful grand piano.
How do I get my child to practice more?
Encourage them! Let them know how beautiful their music is, and how proud you are of them. Rewards can be offered in exchange for a certain number of consecutive days practiced (for example, Legos or other toys, screen time, etc) if the child responds particularly well to these kinds of incentives. Progress can be recorded on a calendar, with stickers and/or brightly colored pens (again, if the child responds well). Of course, the hope is that these students will eventually grow to find motivation in the piano itself.
Do you teach music theory?
Absolutely. From the earliest lessons, I drill my students in all the components of musical notation: staves, clefs, bar lines, measures, times signatures, dynamics… even my youngest students can accurately identify and define all of these! As our music becomes gradually more complex, I introduce, emphasize, and re-emphasize important concepts such as intervals, chords, scales, and rhythm.
How long should I practice each day? How many days per week?
Days are more important than minutes when it comes to piano practice. A student who practices for ten minutes five days per week will advance far more rapidly than a student who practices sixty minutes only one or two days per week. Every time we sit down at the piano, we make small observations about our music which we can build upon in subsequent sessions. If we sit down the very next day, these observations are still fresh in our mind. However, if we take several days off, these memories begin to fade and we have to relearn.
Another benefit of playing many days during the week is the piano begins to feel normal and natural, and ceases being a foreign, even potentially intimidating thing. This creates a positive feedback loop where we enjoy practicing more, so we practice more!
