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FAQs...

Why should my child take lessons from a professional? My child is a beginner.

  • In my experience beginning piano lessons often require the most patience, caring, and knowledge. The first piano teacher can often be the influence to a lifelong appreciation and love of music. My students often request for me to play the teacher duets with them (one of my favorite parts of a lesson). Not only can students hear high quality music but they are also keeping a steady beat, counting correctly, and playing as an ensemble. I am also often very surprised by the creative and thoughtful questions beginning students can ask and always try my best to answer them in an appropriate and knowledgeable way.

 

We’ve never had a piano teacher come to our home before. What are the advantages?

  • A piano teacher coming to your home offers convenience. The area where the piano lesson is taking place should be quiet and free from distractions such as the television, video games, etc. Many families and parents are able to help another child with their homework, prepare a meal, or complete chores while the piano lesson is happening. Families with multiple children taking piano lessons are able to be at home for an even greater amount of time rather than waiting elsewhere. Time spent driving to and from lessons is also eliminated. Students often feel more comfortable at home and forgetting their books at home is impossible!

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Matthew now offers lessons from his studio as well! It is conveniently located at the intersection of Thomas Street and Rand Road near Target, John Hersey High School, and Tony's Fresh Market. There is safe off street parking in a quiet residential neighborhood.

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Do you teach digital piano lessons? Do I need additional technology, equipment, or fancy camera angles for remote lessons?

  • Digital piano lessons have been available since March 2020. As long as you have a reliable internet connection and a device with working camera and microphone, we are able to have a remote piano lesson!  Do not feel obligated to purchase more technology or equipment than you probably already have. Payment, materials, and even performance opportunities can all be arranged remotely.

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How much should my child practice?

  • Students should practice with the goal of accomplishing a specific task (playing with dynamics, learning the notes, keeping a steady beat, etc.) but how long it takes to accomplish that task varies greatly from student to student. If it only takes five minutes to accomplish a task – great! As a student’s music becomes longer and more complicated it will take longer to accomplish goals. In my experience students who practice for short periods of time but more regularly tend to advance more quickly as well as understand their music more thoroughly.

 

How old should my child be before starting piano lessons? Do you teach adults?

  • A variety of factors determine if a child is ready to begin piano lessons such as attention span and motor skills. My personal preference is for a student to know some letters and numbers as well as be able to write them before beginning piano lessons. If a child as young as four or five as these skills, as well as their own desire to learn piano, they would be ready to begin.

  • I do teach adults! If you have never taken piano lessons before or have previous experience and would like to revisit the piano, you would make a fantastic student. Adults can be some of the most thoughtful and rewarding students.

 

What books and materials do you use to teach?

  • I enjoy teaching from a variety of method books including (but not limited to) Faber & Faber, Alfred’s Premier Piano Course, Helen Marlais’ Succeeding at the Piano, and The Music Tree. Students are welcome to bring music or materials they would like to learn or play. Thoughtful consideration goes into the selection of books for each student.

 

Besides paying for the lessons, are there other expenses?

  • I do ask that the cost of books be paid for by the student. If your home has an acoustic piano it may need to be tuned. A good tuning should last throughout the year so this expense is fairly occasional depending on a variety of factors (type of piano, age of piano, how often it is played, etc.).

 

Do you prefer my child to have an acoustic piano or digital keyboard?

  • An acoustic piano is always preferable but digital pianos are perfectly acceptable. I do prefer digital keyboards have all 88 keys (Believe it or not we do use nearly all of them!) and are weighted or touch-sensitive. The piano should always be located in a quiet area of the home.

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