Piano Lessons for Children

Call now to schedule a piano lesson by Skype:
561-989-0920

I offer private piano lessons for children ages 6 & up.

Before age six, I recommend my group music classes: Music Workshop (ages 3-6). Music Workshop classes prepare young kids for private piano lessons. If you are looking for a music teacher who will help your young child to get ready for private piano lessons, you just found one.

I teach beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. My students learn how to play classical and popular music.

Today the piano is the best choice

for a child’s music education

In a “Good Housekeeping” survey, 74 percent of the mothers surveyed would like to make music a part of their child’s education; 63 percent selected the piano.

This preference is not surprising since the piano is the most popular musical instrument.  Surveys by the American Music Conference show that 28 percent of U.S. households own a keyboard instrument and more than 18 million Americans play the piano.

While other instruments have risen and fallen in popularity, the piano has remained a favorite instrument with performers, composers, and amateur musicians for more than 200 years.

Advice for parents of piano students

When to start piano lessons?

The best age to start formal piano lessons is 6-7.

Majority of students, who begin private lessons too early, become discouraged and discontinue classes within a few months. Many never return to playing an instrument again.

Some piano teachers will start your child at age 5 or even younger. Usually, teachers agree to take a very young student because they want to make money. As to parents, some of them need to feed their ego. They want to think that their kids are exceptional. Such parents like to casually mention to other people: “my 4-year-old is already taking piano lessons. The piano teacher said that my child is gifted.”

Why are children under six

not ready for private piano lessons?

• They are not ready to practice every day. At age 4 or 5 we cannot expect a child to have a desire to practice. Do not presume that your 4 or 5-year old can study piano every day. At that age, young children just want to play. That’s why I place younger children (under age 6) in my Music Workshop classes where they can play musical games. While having a lot of fun during the lesson,  kids learn music theory, develop musical abilities and listening skills. Since I expect all my students to practice every day or almost every day, I need students who are mature enough for that.
• They do not have well-developed eye-finger coordination yet. Playing piano requires a lot of eye-finger coordination. We play by feeling the keyboard under our fingers while reading music on the piano stand.
• They do not have enough ability to retain the material. There are lots of things to remember: names of notes, names of piano keys, note values, etc. It is just too much material for a young brain to retain.

Piano lessons for parents

I always recommend parents to take piano lessons themselves. There are many benefits for the child when mom or dad are taking lessons. First of all, parents learn how to read music, how to count, how to hold hands correctly on the piano. This knowledge is valuable when parents have to help their child with piano lessons.

Second, the child will see that mom has to practice on a regular basis if she wants to learn how to play the piano. Young kids are not mature enough to understand that without practice there will be no progress. It is always better to teach a child by example. And who can be a better example than this child’s own mom or dad?

Importance of reading music

In my piano lessons, I teach my students how to be good sight-readers. It means that students can figure out the new composition entirely by themselves and play it with both hands right away. Of course, it has to be a piece of music at the appropriate level. 

I always compare regular reading skills with musical reading. You could not read if you do not know your A B C. You can’t read music if you did not learn notes. Learning by watching teacher’s fingers makes student dependent on the teacher. I train my students how to be good sight readers and how to figure out a new piece by themselves.

How much should your child practice?

At age six your child should practice 10-15 minutes per day. The consistency is the most important aspect of nurturing a good pianist. It is more important to practice 10 minutes per day seven days a week than to practice 1 hour once a week. 

It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule practice time. Try to block 10-15 minutes at the same time every day. I always advise parents to start practice after the child comes home from school, and finishes snack. Another good time – just before the dinner.

Memorizing piano pieces

Many scientists proved that to remember some material, it is a good idea to repeat it before bedtime. The same with music. Ask your child to play the piano piece just once before going to bed. It works!

For more information about piano lessons for children
please call Miss Elena at 561-989-0920 or email elenamig11@gmail.com.