Here are FAQs about lessons in general. If you have more questions, please call or email us any time!
It's really best to practice at least 5 days days a week for 20-30 minutes at a time. We usually have our younger students practice by repetition (i.e. do this exercise 5 times a day). For our teenage and adult students, the more you practice, the quicker you will grow! The staff at KMS can testify about practicing, that's for sure… We all still practice every day!
We think having an acoustic piano is generally best for lessons. Here's a comparison checklist between an acoustic piano and a keyboard (sometimes called "digital pianos"):
PIANOS
KEYBOARDS
Functionality
A piano helps students develop a good "touch" by manipulating a piano action (the keys and internal parts).
With a piano, students will experience important musical nuances, such as really soft playing and the richness of strings vibrating through a soundboard.
Piano can be used for instruction in every genre, from classical to pop.
With a piano, students will experience important musical nuances, such as really soft playing and the richness of strings vibrating through a soundboard.
Piano can be used for instruction in every genre, from classical to pop.
Price
A quality used piano can cost as little as a few hundred dollars and up, but be sure and have a knowledgeable piano technician inspect it beforehand. A new piano can be anywhere from a few thousand and up. Generally, grand pianos are more expensive than uprights.
Maintenance
Since pianos need to be at or close to standard pitch (A=440Hz) tuning your piano at least once a year is recommended. Some need more or less. Be sure and develop a relationship with a qualified piano technician for the care of your piano.
Life
Pianos can last decades with the proper care!
Functionality
A keyboard, especially the inexpensive variety, do not accurately replicate how a piano plays.
With a keyboard, students won't experience important musical nuances.
Keyboards are limited to specific genres of music (such as pop, using "chords," etc.) and are not suitable for classical/traditional instruction.
With a keyboard, students won't experience important musical nuances.
Keyboards are limited to specific genres of music (such as pop, using "chords," etc.) and are not suitable for classical/traditional instruction.
Price
A quality keyboard, which would need to have touch-sensitive, weighted keys can be a few hundred dollars and up. Used keyboards are sometimes harder to find. A keyboard without weighted keys is sometimes okay, depending on your goals.
Maintenance
Keyboards usually don't require any maintenance at all! Maybe a software update on occasion, but not all makes/models support such a thing.
Life
Keyboards can last quite a few years but can get outdated quickly.
Here's a comparison list between the two:
SUZUKI
TRADITIONAL
Methodology
Suzuki pieces are learned aurally first (by ear and rote) with focus on tone and technique. Printed music isn't learned until later.
Home Environment
The Suzuki Method requires parental involvement as its an integral aspect of the method. Often times parents must come to lessons by themselves first for Parent Education. Then, parents must help with home practice time, take notes during the lessons, fortify the teacher's instruction and listen daily to the Suzuki repertoire.
Age to Start
The Suzuki Method is really meant for young children (sometimes 3, usually 4 and older). Learning music is compared to how children learn their native language: aurally, environmentally and repetitively.
Group Lessons
The Suzuki Method employs group lessons to strengthen students' musical environment.
Methodology
Method books are used as a guide for instruction. Learning how to read printed music begins immediately.
Home Environment
Traditional lessons do not require parental involvement, but we highly recommend parents to be involved with their student's lessons! Come in and sit during a lesson, check on their assignments, learn how to play too! Encouraging and supporting your student makes our instruction that much more successful.
Age to Start
Traditional lessons, with or without parental support, can usually be started at 5 years old, sometimes younger or older, depending on the student. Our adult students, when applicable, enroll in traditional lessons.
Group Lessons
Traditional lessons typically don't require any sort of group lesson format.
What we do is find a convenient weekly time for you to come to lessons, then we'll plan on seeing you at that same day and time every week. Tuition is always the same and it's managed with monthly EFTs (electronic funds transaction). There are no long term contracts either, so if you need to withdrawal for any reason, all you need to do is complete a withdrawal form and a 30 days' notice. Other than that, we prefer a initial two-month commitment.
Most importantly, if you choose us for music instruction, and then practice consistently, you'll learn and grow!
Most importantly, if you choose us for music instruction, and then practice consistently, you'll learn and grow!
Have more or different questions? Contact us here!