| Choosing a private piano instructor for your child may | | | | Does the teacher have a well-tuned and regulated |
| prove to be a daunting task. Depending upon your | | | | piano? Not all of these should be considered a |
| location, you may have many teachers from which to | | | | requirement, but will immediately tell you volumes about |
| choose -or there may be a shortage of teachers in | | | | their teaching philosophy. |
| your area. To begin, ask educators, musicians, parents | | | | What is the piano teacher's expectation for the |
| and business owners within your community. If you are | | | | instrument for your beginner in your home? Does the |
| from a rural area, you may need to be willing to travel | | | | teacher allow students to practice on a digital piano? If |
| a distance to a qualified piano teacher to ensure your | | | | so, do they expect a full-sized keyboard with touch |
| child's success with piano lessons. A metropolitan area | | | | sensitivity and a pedal, or something less? If you ask |
| may offer more choices, however highly skilled piano | | | | most piano teachers if they PREFER an 88-key |
| instructors may have long waiting lists. Be prepared to | | | | acoustic piano, their answer will most likely be "yes"! |
| get on these waiting lists with several teachers up to | | | | They will be able to recommend qualified piano |
| two years before you plan to begin. | | | | technicians in the area so your child has the best |
| Once you have compiled a list of names, the first | | | | possible instrument with which to practice. |
| question you may wish to ask a piano teacher is if | | | | You will also want to discuss practicing and structure |
| they offer time for you and your child to be | | | | at home so you know what to expect following each |
| interviewed so you might get a chance to meet them | | | | piano lesson. Be wary of the teacher whose students |
| in person and discuss their policies. The teacher will | | | | can't get through anything at a recital without major |
| appreciate your making an appointment through a brief | | | | breakdowns and tears. Those are probably the |
| phone conversation and saving your questions for the | | | | teachers who have low practice expectations, |
| interview. | | | | translating into no expectations of success. Talent is |
| Gravitate toward the teacher with concrete policies | | | | overrated as most successful students accomplish |
| that give you a clear understanding of what is | | | | more through consistent practice, repetition and |
| expected. If the teacher has no written policies, there | | | | brain-engaging activities during their practice and piano |
| may be too much flexibility and a lack of structure | | | | lesson. The most talented young child will quickly prove |
| required for such a discipline. | | | | to be unsuccessful if there is no structured practice |
| In an interview, you should expect the teacher to | | | | time outside of the piano lesson. |
| discuss the following policies: | | | | Finally, don't expect to get free or near-free lessons. |
| Attendance, available openings, missed lesson policy, | | | | Bottom line, you will get what you pay for. If piano |
| requirements for recitals and/or competitions, practice | | | | lessons prove to be a bargain, the result may be a |
| expectations, parental involvement, tuition, non-tuition | | | | child who gets frustrated and quits or can barely play |
| expenses, possible group class instruction, materials | | | | after years of lessons. The true bargain is in the |
| and books, memorization policy, schedule of vacations | | | | results. Look for impressive teaching skills, qualified |
| and summer lessons, dress codes and other related | | | | professionals who value teacher certification and are |
| topics. Remember, the policies will help you as a busy | | | | involved in piano teachers organizations, and overall, a |
| parent stay better organized and able to help your | | | | teacher who produces many fine musicians. |
| child focus on positive practicing. | | | | Remember, teachers are always searching for |
| Don't be afraid to ask the teacher if you and your child | | | | excellent students! They look for supportive parents |
| would be welcome to visit a lesson or (better yet) | | | | who don't attempt to disrupt the schedule, break |
| attend a recital. Some teachers prefer not to allow | | | | policies or make excuses for lack of practice. They |
| visitors into the private lesson due to concentration | | | | search for adults who will follow through and take their |
| issues or lack of space. It is also important to | | | | child's piano studies seriously. Your chances of being |
| personally visit the studio where your child will be | | | | accepted into a studio that is always full will increase |
| studying. Is there ample space? Does the teacher | | | | dramatically if the teacher sees a parent who will instill |
| appear to be fairly organized? Does the teacher use | | | | a positive atmosphere of consistent guidance for their |
| methods the student can relate to such as current | | | | child's piano lessons and musical future. |
| technology, recording equipment, a computer station? | | | | |