Aspiring pianists should look for qualified teachers to provide them with the best education possible. Family members, local elementary and high schools, university music departments, and even piano and musical instrument stores can recommend a teacher for beginners or advanced students.
A great way to find a good teacher is to visit a studio and observe their teaching style. Watch how they interact with their students and if they make them feel comfortable and inspired to learn.
Choose a Qualified Teacher
Choosing a piano teacher is an important decision. Don’t just choose the lowest price or the one closest to you. That will result in bad habits, lack of progress, and regret.
In-person lessons are available through private teachers, music centers, and conservatories. These teachers have been trained, often with a degree/s in music performance and education and years of teaching and performing experience. They use standard pedagogical curriculums and offer individual attention. However, this method is only suitable for some, and private teachers can be expensive.
Another option is online piano lessons through video exchange (like Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom). These synchronous lessons are in-person but without travel time, and students can record themselves for feedback on exercises and practice sessions. They also tend to be less expensive. However, these lessons may be better for beginners because they only get an hour with the instructor. They may also use standard pedagogical curriculums and offer less individual attention.
Look for Experience
Online piano lessons are gaining popularity, especially since they offer a flexible learning environment. Students can learn from anywhere with a stable internet connection and an effective tutoring platform.
When choosing a qualified teacher for piano online, you want to find one with a track record of success and a solid teaching philosophy. The best way to do this is to check their website, social media accounts, or review websites. Online learning methods are suitable for students of all ages and skill levels.
While they can have drawbacks, such as a lack of feedback on musicality, tone, and articulation, they provide a structured and convenient way to learn piano online. If you stick with the method and practice regularly, you’ll eventually tickle the ivories confidently.
In addition, you should also consider whether or not they use a method book series. Method books are an excellent choice for beginners and children, as they offer a step-by-step approach to music learning. However, this may be a red flag if your prospective piano teacher only uses these books and doesn’t include theory work, ear training exercises, or recital pieces. Similarly, this could also be a warning sign if they only use acoustic pianos for recordings.
Find a Good Tutoring Platform
Some tutoring platforms offer a free trial period and require no credit card to sign up. Others offer hybrid lessons with real teachers for an additional fee. It’s essential to look for a teacher with at least a bachelor’s degree in music education, piano performance, or pedagogy.
Other online tutoring platforms are a good option for students who prefer to use a musical MIDI keyboard with their computer or iPad. For instance, Forbes Music Company is easy to use and provides interactive lessons that help students master music theory, chords, and technique. The interface is user-friendly, and the application makes learners feel like sitting in a classroom with a real teacher.
Schedule Regular Lessons
Online piano lessons provide a great alternative to traditional learning. While students can learn independently, a good teacher can help motivate their progress through consistent, personalized attention. Most professional teachers offer a flexible curriculum, using standard pedagogical materials and adapting to each student’s unique needs and goals.
A teacher who can assess a student’s skill level and musical interests to create a customized lesson plan is an asset. Likewise, it’s essential to collaborate with students to establish clear and achievable goals, whether mastering a piece or passing an exam.
Encourage students to participate in public performance opportunities to help overcome stage fright and build confidence. This is particularly important for younger students and beginners. Lastly, please make sure students understand their homework by writing it down on a schedule and having them take notes during the lesson to reinforce what they learned. A quarterly studio review is also a good idea to help students stay on track.
