FAQ



Concern from Parents for Piano Lessons


How old could my child start learning piano?

I often asked by parents what is the best age to start learning piano. If your child loves music and you would like to develop their musicianship skills in the best period, I would say at the age of 4. However, I recommend them to learn some basic theory first. Join my music group lessons! Students who complete a few courses will be able to start regular piano lessons at any age. 


Do you teach individual/ group lessons?

I offer individual piano lesson.

I also offer small group music classes fro students age 3 to 6. More info here


How long is a lesson?

For the young students (under 6 years old), I would recommend a 30 minutes lesson one or two times a week. Students usually process to a 45 minutes lesson after a few months. Some fast learners would even take 1 hour lesson. For the students above 7, I recommend them to take a longer lessons weekly as they can understand and concentrate more than younger children. Take a 45 or 60 minutes lesson. Siblings or friends are recommended to take individual lesson, plus a joint lesson (e.g. 10 mins lesson) to learn some aural skills/ music theeory together. 

For adult and advanced students I would recommend a weekly 45 minutes or 1-hour lesson.


Where do you teach?

I teach at my home studio in Hirschberg-Großsachsen. I strongly recommend students come to my place as students could concentrate easier here and I have all my teaching materials at my place. For the students who do not have an acoustic piano at home, please do think of coming here to play on it and it would definitely help you to understand the differences between an electric and an acoustic one. I teach at students' place as well, it however depends on the location and schedule, contact me for further discussion.


I am 50 year-old, am I too old to start learning piano?

Absolutely not! Never too late to start. If you like it, go for it. Start now!


Do you teach Jazz/ Boogie/ Pop/ Rock etc. style?

You learnt piano when you were young and now you want to play piano again but you are no longer interested in Classical Music? You want to play Jazz or Blues or some popular music? I focus mainly on Classical style but of course I adapt the student's need and teach the style that they prefer. Frankly, popular Music or Jazz Music require basic Music Thoery knowledge and once you understand what is chord progression and how to apply the proper fingerings on the pieces, you could improvise by playing the chords.

You do not need to read all the notes if you choose to play this style, basic Music Theory knowledge is enough.


Do I need to read notes?

As I said, if you choose to play ONLY pop music, you do not need to read all the notes. For learning Classical Music, yes. Some students had years of piano trainings but they are unable to read notes on the scores, or they could only play pieces by memory, or by imitating. It is uneasy to change this habit but yes you can! As you have the base, you can learn quickly, however, you have to learn it step by step. Reading notes takes much more time than imitating but you will learn much better if you are able to read. Of course, I have a lot of methods to help you solving this problem.


Do I need to buy a piano?

Every students need to have a piano or a keyboard at home for their own practise. You cannot have any progress if you do not practise at home. I strongly recommend everyone to use an acoustic piano, the touching of the keyboard is completely different than any of the "best" electric pianos. Also, we can hardly "feel" the music on an electric keyboard.

I absolutely understand the concern of most of the beginners especially for the very young students. Playing on my piano once a week is a good experience, you can start with an electric one for the first years and if you decide to take it serious, go for a real piano.

*Do not buy any "best" electric piano which "sounds" like a real piano, they are just selling their products :) take the normal one! I can definitely give you some advices on it. Contact me before choosing a piano. And if you decide to buy a new or second hand acoustic piano, please choose carefully and do not buy it without asking a professional technician or teachers' advices.


How long do I have to practise piano?

Students are recommended to practise piano everyday. For the beginners, 15 to 20 mins everyday would be ideal. For the young students, parents should not force their child to go to the piano. Open the score and read or sing the notes together is fun and is enough for the "Daily practise" for sometimes. And for advanced students, a 30 to 45 minutes regular daily training is recommended.


What piano do you use for teaching?

I am using a new up-right piano Wilh.Steinberg at my home studio.


Why a Trial lesson?

I recommend all the new students to come for a trail lesson, for me to evaluate your level and to discuss your purpose or goal to play the piano, before starting a longterm teacher-student relationship. The trial lesson is charged as a regular lesson.