“It takes a village to raise a child….”

It can also take a village to help a young pianist fully develop!  A few pointers:

• It’s better to start out with the best teacher that you can find so that students develop good practice habits, technique and beautiful sound from the start.  It takes a long time to unlearn sloppy habits.

• A parent and the student should meet with the teacher in his/her studio (perhaps after a phone conversation) to discuss the lesson format, and perhaps do a mini-lesson.  This allows both sides to assess the interpersonal dynamic, which is important to successful lessons.

• It’s always a good idea to talk to 2 or 3 different teachers before making a final decision.

• The best teacher for a beginning student may not always be the best for advanced students.  Those who focus on classical repertoire may not be suited to help an intermediate pianist advance in jazz and pop studies.  Find out the strengths of different individuals in your discussions and match them to the interests of your student.

Click here for a more comprehensive list of considerations in selecting a teacher.