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.  In group piano students will be using  electronic keyboards, and the focus tends to be more on reading notes than technique  (“good piano hands”) so students pick up playing habits that may have to be unlearned if they switch to a private studio.

Although many people believe that it doesn’t matter how beginners are taught (because they are beginners), most teachers agree that it’s tremendously difficult to get students to relearn something that they’ve learned incorrectly at the beginning.

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