One question parents should consider is whether they want group or private lessons for their children.  Although other instruments (for example, violin) are often taught in a group setting for beginners, it is somewhat different for pianists.  There has been a greater emphasis in the past few years on group teaching, which may be more suitable for some students as it makes lessons more sociable.

Although many people believe that it doesn’t matter how beginners are taught (because they are beginners), most teachers agree that whether teaching is done in groups or privately, the important thing is that basics are taught consistently so that they don’t have to be unlearned at a later time.

Most group lessons are taught at institutions (universities, community music schools, etc.), as most private instructors don’t have the space for multiple keyboards (6-8) to accommodate group classes.

Click here for a comparison of pros and cons for group and private lessons.