Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do Parents need to come to class with their child?

• Parents come to learn with their child so they are able to help them at home. Unlike school, which children attend for 30-35 hours per week, piano is only one hour per week. The bulk of the learning is actually done at home. Children need help remembering to practice and remembering what to practice.
• Having the parent in class helps the child feel more secure. 
• It helps the class move smoothly as parents help by pointing to notes, turning pages in the book, handling behavior issues, etc. 
• Parents model enthusiasm for music by participating in class with their child, making children more likely to embrace a musical experience.
• When parent and child are learning together it creates a musical culture in the home.

What do parents DO during class?

1. Participate! Sing, clap and learn with your child!
2. Help the child stay focused.
3. Help find page numbers in the books. (Classes are fast-paced!)
4. Help "track" the notes in the music to help your child not get lost.
5. Encourage your child to keep trying!
6. Spot check for correct notes and fingering.
7. Ask questions!
8. Congratulate your child on great performances!

Does my child have to practice at home?
YES!  The most difficult part of playing the piano is training the hands to react immediately to the music on the page.  This can only be accomplished through regular repetition.  Daily practice does not need to be long, in fact it is better for children to practice for short periods but on a regular, daily basis. Ten to fifteen minutes a day is appropriate for beginning students.

If I attend class with my child, can I learn to play piano also?
Absolutely! If you also take the time to practice at home, you can also learn to play! 

What are the advantages of group lessons?

• Group lessons allow students to have longer lesson time at less expense. The longer class time allows time for musical games and theory lessons that reinforce what they are playing on the keyboard and makes lessons more fun!
• Playing with others helps students think more about rhythm and playing in tempo.
• Students make friends and enjoy sharing their musical skills with each other.
• Students are more motivated to practice when they play with their friends.
• Parents have an opportunity to carpool, saving time and car expenses.

When are classes held?
Classes are held Monday through Friday in the afternoons.  
The weekly schedule is set at the beginning of the school year.  When you register your student, you can list when they have other commitments, then the registered students are grouped in classes according to their level and availability.  

What is the best age for children to start piano lessons?
This is probably the most frequently asked question. As with most developmental benchmarks, a child's readiness to learn piano is different with every child. Research indicates that exposure to music at an early age sets the stage for future success. "Try Piano" classes in the summer and free sample classes held before the start of each year offer a good chance to attend with your child and see how they respond. It's also never too late to learn something new.  At the Austin Piano School we have programs for children starting as young as 18 months as well as programs for adults.  

How long should my child take piano lessons?
Children who take only one or two semesters of piano will most likely forget a good portion of what they have learned. If a parent wants the greatest benefit from piano lessons, we recommend that they commit to having their child take piano lessons as long as they are in elementary school. This provides a solid foundation of music reading that will not be easily forgotten; in fact, most students will then sing in choir or take up an instrument in middle school and continue to build on the music and note reading skills they developed in their piano lessons. Naturally, we hope that most students find piano so fun at the Austin Piano School that they will want to continue lessons, and in fact we have many middle school and high school age students currently enrolled.

We don't have a piano - Is a Keyboard OK for Home Practice?
Yes, a keyboard works fine as long as it is a good quality digital piano.  Features to look for are full-sized keys and graded hammer action or weighted piano-style keys. (The keys should look like those of a piano, not an organ.) The keyboard should have at least 61 keys. A power adapter is preferable.  Also make sure the keyboard either comes with a sustain pedal or a jack where a pedal can be plugged in.  Click on the "Pianos" link to see which digital pianos we recommend.
If you get an acoustic piano, make sure all the keys and pedals work and that it is properly tuned.  

If you have a question that was not answered here, Contact Us to email your question.