piano 101

Well howdy!

This blog post will, more or less, serve as a catch all for everything you need to know about what you need for piano lessons.

Though there may be some differences in what is required for an in person lesson vs an online lesson, many things are the same for both.

For my lessons, I ask that all students have either an acoustic piano, or an electric keyboard that has 88 keys that are fully weighted, and one that has a sustain pedal. Prices vary, depending on which you choose, but Facebook marketplace is a great place to start.

You can probably find an acoustic piano online for free (or very cheap). The only costs you may need to budget for are the tuning costs and delivery if you do not have a way of transporting it yourself.

Many choose to purchase a beginner piano that is not fully weighted and does not have 88 keys. This may be the only accessible option, which is understandable. If possible, investing in a full keyboard is better for the long term. Usually a student will outgrow a "beginner" keyboard within a year and will need a full keyboard for the next level of repertoire. A fully weighted set of keys is also important for learning proper technique when it comes to finger dexterity, dynamics, shaping of the phrase, etc. These are skills introduced within the first six months and cannot be delivered on a keyboard that is not weighted (partially weighted keys are a scam).

As far as music is concerned, I teach primarily from the Faber Piano Adventures series. For students younger than 6, I enjoy teaching out of Piano Safari. All students will need hard copies of their music to write on and reference in and out of lessons.

Of course, each student is different and each student's needs will be different as a result of that. Most students will start seeing results after the first month and a half, if not before.

In piano lessons, we are not simply learning how to play the piano. We are learning how to listen, how to read music, general music theory concepts, music history, different styles of music, and the list goes on.

In the future, I plan on creating more posts like this to inform my students (and passersby) about all things to do with piano and music. Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you next t time!