piano lessons
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As a teacher, my first responsibility is to help my students develop as complete musicians. The foundation of musicianship is the ability to communicate musical ideas, which requires both an understanding of the music and the technical ability to present one’s understanding to an audience. Neither technique nor understanding alone is adequate; technique without understanding is simply button-pushing, but without adequate technique, even the greatest musical ideas cannot be presented to an audience. Only when both sides meet does a compelling performance take place. I therefore seek to develop my students’ technique and understanding from the earliest lessons, so that, even at the beginner level, they can become the best musicians they can be.
Beginner-level lessons emphasize note-reading, hand position, and basic music theory concepts (scales and basic chords), providing a foundation for higher levels of study. I emphasize note-reading in particular because the ability to read music gives students a degree of independence in learning music not otherwise possible: instead of needing someone else to “show me how it goes,” a student can simply read the printed music, and learn new music without assistance. This ability gives even beginning students a sense of confidence. Further, good reading skills are essential at higher levels of study.
Intermediate-level lessons continue the development of students’ technique, as well as introducing more advanced music-theory concepts. Style traits of specific musical periods are also introduced, as the student learns music from those periods. Students typically will give their first public performances at the early-intermediate level, therefore, preparation for performance, including memorizing works and dealing with issues such as nervousness, becomes more important at this stage.
Upper-level lessons focus on the development of advanced technical and interpretive skills, as well as building repertoire, usually (though not always) in preparation for college-level musical study. Performance experience becomes more important at this level; therefore, frequent public performances are encouraged, especially for those students who wish to continue their musical studies at the collegiate level.
Adult students frequently do not fall into a neat classification. Some have never studied music, others have studied music but not piano, and still others have studied piano growing up, and now want to return to the instrument. Goals are similarly varied, and might include playing in church, making music with family and friends, or just playing for pleasure. No matter your experience, I will work with you to help you meet whatever goals you have.
Beginner-level lessons emphasize note-reading, hand position, and basic music theory concepts (scales and basic chords), providing a foundation for higher levels of study. I emphasize note-reading in particular because the ability to read music gives students a degree of independence in learning music not otherwise possible: instead of needing someone else to “show me how it goes,” a student can simply read the printed music, and learn new music without assistance. This ability gives even beginning students a sense of confidence. Further, good reading skills are essential at higher levels of study.
Intermediate-level lessons continue the development of students’ technique, as well as introducing more advanced music-theory concepts. Style traits of specific musical periods are also introduced, as the student learns music from those periods. Students typically will give their first public performances at the early-intermediate level, therefore, preparation for performance, including memorizing works and dealing with issues such as nervousness, becomes more important at this stage.
Upper-level lessons focus on the development of advanced technical and interpretive skills, as well as building repertoire, usually (though not always) in preparation for college-level musical study. Performance experience becomes more important at this level; therefore, frequent public performances are encouraged, especially for those students who wish to continue their musical studies at the collegiate level.
Adult students frequently do not fall into a neat classification. Some have never studied music, others have studied music but not piano, and still others have studied piano growing up, and now want to return to the instrument. Goals are similarly varied, and might include playing in church, making music with family and friends, or just playing for pleasure. No matter your experience, I will work with you to help you meet whatever goals you have.
