Piano Learning – Learn How to Play the Piano

Learn how to play the piano can be a great learning experience for children. It is good for creative thinking, helps their math’s and reading, and in an overall view assists with their confidence and learning progress, it also gives them a fun skill they can have for the rest of their life.

Did you know, over six million children in the United States take piano lessons? Parents are often confronted with weather they should enroll their child in a group lesson, or a private. Allot parents have a few question about this choice they need to make.

What’s the difference between having a private lesson, and a group lesson?

Private lessons are about half an hour, and they are just a teacher with the student alone, so it’s more of a one-on-one experience. Private lessons ensure that all of the attention in that lesson goes toward that one student. Lessons in a group go for about 45 mins to one hour, there are normally between two and six students in the one lesson with one teacher. In a group lesson each student has a piano/keyboarded they use, each student is instructed in the group as an individual as well. The students in the group would learn a new skill every lesson, and have something to practice individual to them every time to take home. They each use earphones during the lesson, and practice what the teacher asks them, as the teacher goes around checking each individual to help and correct them.

Do children get more out of a private lesson?

It all depends on the student. There are some children that love and respond well to the individual instruction of a teacher. However, in private lessons, some children may be too dependent on their teacher and be un-able to learn on their own, without their teacher always there to show them what to do. In order to prevent this, a good teacher will ensure the child is also taught they are responsible for their own learning efforts as well. This should hopefully teach children that by setting their own goals when practicing alone they are responsible for their own amount of success. That is why it is so important, that if a child is taking private lessons, they have their own time to practice alone.

Taking group lessons is also a really good way for a child to learn, there are allot of children that learn quicker in group lessons. Group lessons can be very fun and supportive, not only do the students learn from their teacher, but also from one another. It assists the child in that they see and know the other children are going through the same challenges as they are.

I advise that children over the age of 7 begin by taking group lessons. I have also seen that private lessons work well for two types of students. They are good to start for children aged 4 to 7, as they would mostly need the one-on-one instruction just to get started. Most parents of these aged children stay with the child during the lesson for support. Once children get older, and know the basics well, they can then move to group lessons. And also, private lessons are very useful for intermediate to advanced students, which need that one-on-one intense learning to progress.

Are group lessons scary for children and intimidating because of pressure with other students?

There are some parents that feel that group lessons can be distracting or intimidating for their child, as it can be competitive, these lessons can actually assist the child in feeling more confident and independent on the piano. Students play the songs they have been given before instruction that allows them to feel more confident about playing the songs correctly when they practice at home. Because students play the songs to each other in a group lesson, it also helps them overcome nerves for future recitals. It also helps them to have more fun, and enhanced their creativity, as the other children around them can give them ideas and encourage them. Overall, it is highly advised that young children begin the start of their piano playing days in small group lessons, as it enhances their creative side, helps them learn independents on the piano, and that can be a valuable lesson for their lives in general.