frequently asked questions

At What Age Should Your Child Start Private Piano Lessons?

Most Children can begin private piano lessons as early as four or five. Some exceptional cases have been noted from as early as 3 years old, however, it depends on their aptitude and attention span. Research is showing that the natural sense of pitch and rhythm is at its peak between the ages of 4-6. You ask yourself the following questions:

Has your child asked about lessons or seemed fascinated with the piano?
Does your child like to learn?
Can your child physically sit still for at least a half-hour? (The typical length of a beginning-level piano lesson)
If your child expresses a preference for another instrument, it’s best to allow him or her lessons in that instrument. Don’t force piano on a child.
Can your child mentally focus on doing what is expected of them for at least a half-hour?
Can your child read the letters of the alphabet?
Can your child read and count numbers?
Can they do a very simple addition like 2+2=4?

How To Choose A Good Teacher For Your Child?

Having a good teacher is just as important as having a good piano. A good teacher usually can work to the fullest potential of the student.
Personality, experience, and interest in teaching are also crucial. Sometimes student and teacher don’t mix. It’s a matter of matching personalities. If a kid is miserable because of the dislike of the teacher, don’t continue with that teacher.

How To Make Piano Lessons A Success?

Be sure to have a way for your child to practice daily. As in athletics, children must practice regularly to advance in music. They learn that practice brings improvement. You can make music almost immediately on a piano, but you don’t learn to play piano overnight. That takes sustained effort and time; most teachers suggest students take 2 years of piano instruction as an introduction. The real commitment comes in further study, but those first 2 years are not wasted. There is no guarantee, despite a child’s interest and a good teacher, that a child will do what is necessary to learn piano: practice. Some of the impetus will come from the child, but when lessons get more challenging, children may back off.
There are going to be days when the kids are not going to want to practice. It helps if the parent genuinely wants a child to do it and lets them know it’s going to be part of their education.”Regular daily practice times help. Practice duration begins with 15 minutes and moves up to 30 minutes in the first year of lessons.

Do I Have To Have A Piano For My Child To Take Piano Lessons? Can They Begin On A Keyboard?

Although having a piano or digital piano is desirable, it is not necessary for beginning students. Beginners may begin learning keyboard skills on a small electronic keyboard for a while; however, the keyboard must have:

88 full-sized keys and at least four octaves
Velocity/touch sensitivity or hammer graduation action (sound louder & brighter when the keys are struck harder)
A damper pedal.

By the time your child progress musically, play dynamically (shaping the phrase of the music) and use a pedal while playing, it is recommended that they move to a more sophisticated keyboard or digital piano which has the three features as below. This will ensure that they develop to use the correct key range, finger strength, and control technique while playing.

Do I Need To Trim My Fingernails To Play Piano? How Should I Know If The Nails Are Too Long?

All piano students are required to keep fingernails very short to allow the correct hand position. For mastery of touch technique, the fingertips attack the keys at all times firmly, with finger curved. If the nail is too long, they will get in the way and click the keys wobbly.

Get In Touch

North York: 2900 Steeles Ave East, Suite 217, Thornhill, ON L3T4X1

Telephone: (905) 881-2226

Email: myallegroacademy@yahoo.ca