If your child is musical, you might be considering getting them into lessons. The piano is a fantastic choice for children because it teaches them dexterity, how to read two clefs, and perseverance. If your child ever decides they want to move to another instrument or singing, a year or two of piano lessons will serve them well.
However, choosing a piano teacher can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a musical background. Here are a few tips to help you choose your child’s teacher and ensure they have a wonderful learning experience.
Ask Their School
If your child is enrolled in school, they probably have a music teacher there. Although that teacher likely doesn’t offer private lessons, they may have recommendations. The music world is often relatively small, and many music teachers and performances either know each other personally or by reputation.
Think About Costs
Learning an instrument can get pricey. Once you’ve narrowed down your list to a few candidates, compare their costs, how long the lessons are, and how far you need to travel for lessons.
As your child advances, they may become seriously interested in pursuing music as a career. However, when they are first starting, it’s not critical to have a Julliard-trained pianist. At the start, don’t go over budget. The most important thing for a young child is to have an empathetic, encouraging teacher who will teach them to love music.
The other thing to consider is the location of the lessons. If you plan on leaving your child with the teacher, you’ll want to check the safety of the area. You can also consider online lessons to keep the costs down.
Do A Trial Lesson
Once you’ve found a few options, you’ll want to schedule some trial lessons. For young children, it’s common for parents to remain for the lessons. You may eventually want to leave them alone, but I recommend you stay for the trial one at least.
Observe how the teacher interacts with your child, or, for an older child, ask them how they felt about the lesson. You want someone encouraging, who won’t chastise them for a wrong note. If your child is older, ask them if they enjoyed the lesson.
Know What You Want
How advanced is your child? Can they read music? What kind of music do they like? You should know the answers to these questions before you start looking for teachers. If your child is a beginner, you’ll want to look for someone with experience working with young children.
If they can’t read music yet, ask the teacher if they’re willing to teach some music theory alongside the playing.
Lastly, particularly for older children, find a teacher who specializes in their preferred genre. If they love jazz, don’t look for a Suzuki Method teacher. If they spend all their time listening to Broadway music, look for someone with experience in theater.
Benefits Of Music
Learning an instrument at a young age can increase language skills, coordination, math skills, improve memory, and enhance brain function. If your child is interested in learning to play the piano, it can only help them. Follow these tips and your instincts about whether a teacher is right for your child.
