Piano for anyone

Erin Petrella

Before diving into piano lessons I will say that I grew up in a very musical household. All of us played piano, sang in choirs, and also played additional instruments. Having two parents that were church musicians and public music educators, and my natural curiosity and interest in music, was what led me to choose it as a career path.

Four topics about piano lessons are presented in this article. First, interest and commitment to practicing. Second, finding a piano. Third, finding a piano teacher. And lastly, the benefits of piano lessons. So, let’s begin the adventure of piano lessons!

I don’t think I’ve met someone who hasn’t liked music. It’s on the radio, in TV shows and movies, and of course there are concerts and recitals. Children and adults like and are drawn to music so naturally that can be the first step to piano lessons. Activities such as singing, rhythm and movement games, or even programs such as Musikgarten, Kindermusik, and other early childhood music classes can be a great precursor to piano lessons especially for very young children. And, even if adults or children haven’t any prior musical experience, it’s never too late to start lessons!

Once the child or adult has expressed an interest in piano lessons, it’s time to think about commitment to practicing. While children and adults attend school or work almost every day, private piano lessons are typically done once a week. With that said, it’s important to remember that the lesson is not a practice session. Concepts are presented and reviewed, and ways to practice are covered during the lesson. Thus, daily piano practice between lessons is essential and critical to a student’s musical growth. A child doesn’t learn to read by never reading or a sport by never going to practice and this applies to adults as well. Similarly, for piano and other musical instruments, the physical and mental elements are combined through consistent daily practice. For parents or guardians, children will need supervision when practicing. Lesson length for beginners can be a half hour, however sometimes other lesson lengths are offered as well. Once the student is ready, lessons can be 45 minutes or even an hour depending on the student and the teacher.

The Suzuki method, developed by Shinichi Suzuki, incorporates a very intriguing concept called the Suzuki Triangle. The triangle consists of the child (student) at the top and the teacher parent at the other corners. All three people work together to make music lessons successful. Although piano teachers use various methods and teaching philosophies, the Suzuki Triangle is a worthy concept that can be incorporated into various teaching styles.

Now that practicing has been covered, the topic of pianos will be discussed. The student will need an acoustic piano for daily practice and musical development. A standard acoustic piano has 88 keys and usually three pedals. Piano sizes include consoles, uprights and grands. There are several brands such as Yamaha, Kawai, Boston, Steinway, and others. Pianos can be purchased new or used at a piano store or from a private seller. Be sure to look at the instrument in person and if purchasing from a private seller, schedule a qualified and competent piano technician to inspect the instrument before purchasing it. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the piano’s history if it’s a used instrument. Finally, play the piano or bring someone with you who can play it! Pianos also need regular maintenance such as tunings, etc. so remember to ask your child’s teacher or piano technician for information.

Finding a piano teacher is another crucial step to piano lessons. Frederick County Music Teachers Association (FCMTA), an affiliate of Maryland State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association, is a reputable organization which piano teachers and other private music teachers are members of, myself included. The mission statement of FCMTA is: "The FCMTA is devoted to: Community outreach regarding the importance and availability of private music lessons. Supporting the continued professional development of local music teachers, and, enriching the lives of our students through music." Other routes to finding a piano teacher can include word of mouth, contacting your child’s music teacher at school, and also doing web searches. When searching for a teacher, factors such as working with children and other various age groups, teaching experience, and piano background, are all important components that should be considered.

What are the benefits to taking piano lessons? Pianos are one of the few instruments that use more than one clef. Thus, pianists have to learn how to play more than one part at a time. Because of the piano’s layout, which is groups of two and three black keys that help locate the white keys, students are immediately presented with the entire range of the piano from the beginning. Lessons can help with hand eye coordination. There is also the aspect of using fine motor movements of the fingers and wrists, but also large movements such as leaps and arm weight. Studies have shown that piano lessons can increase self esteem, IQ, and also help with memory in older adults. Plus, it’s fun! Students are able to learn a skill and express themselves through music. Piano playing is a gift to be shared and passed down through the generations.

So, what now? Are you interested in piano lessons? Maybe you never had the opportunity to study piano as a child and now you have that option. Do you have children or know someone that is interested in learning to play the piano? Remember, it’s never too late or early to start thinking about lessons...

More to come!