As a parent are you unsure how to find the right piano teacher for your child?

It’s natural to want your child to succeed at piano and enjoy it. How to find a teacher who fosters both?

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Why is it so challenging to find the “right teacher”?

Your child might have already tried lessons that didn’t take off, perhaps beginning with great enthusiasm but fading with the requirements of practicing. This is not uncommon.

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Or maybe, as a parent, you feel stopped by all of the choices out there—piano methods, teaching styles, recommended studios, etc.  How does one sort all of this out?

 

There can actually be so darned many obstacles to helping kids navigate learning piano. Really.

When teacher and student don’t click, lessons become a chore. A number of common barriers can also get in the way, like our cultural perfectionism; the distractions posed by too many other activities; and the fact that parents want to do the right thing, but are not sure how to actively support the process—while still allowing the experience to belong to the child.

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Of course it is not uncommon for kids to have one idea of what learning looks like, and for parents to have another. Young people make a beeline toward the fun and excitement of getting to play favorite pieces or showing off as performers. Parents tend to focus on the benefits, such as developing patience, becoming better listeners, or increasing accountability. 

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How does one bring all of this together? When student and teacher  are well matched, there is a lively and life-giving exchange of energy and ideas. It’s a bit like ping pong: there is a dynamic interplay between learning to trust—and going out on a limb.

 

For piano lessons to provide a rewarding experience, it will help a lot for you and your child to begin by exploring expectations: your child’s and your own.

Do you know what your child wants? Does your child know? What you want, as a parent, is also critical. Discussing what is important to each of you can be a turning point. Kids need to get their dreams and desires on the table and not leave them unexpressed. For you, it’s equally important to be aware of what factors are guiding you in choosing a teacher for your child.

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It is also true that, at the outset, kids and parents might not expect the same thing. Children who want lessons to be fun and exciting often balk at the idea of regular practice. Parents on the other hand understandably want to see progress. These two vantage points need to come together in harmony—and PianoGarden recognizes this. Early lessons need to be both fun and engaging. A tuned-in teacher takes many little steps with young beginners—steps that respond to, and build on, what lights up their hearts and minds.

 

Let’s start with setting up a time for the two of us to talk. You and your child may have already begun brainstorming. I can help you complete the process so that you can settle on a learning approach that really fits.

First, you contact PianoGarden with an exploratory email or text. To email me, just click the "Contact form" link in the footer below and an email form will appear. Next we will set up a time for you and me to talk on the phone at some length. After that, arrange for me to meet you and your child. At that point, a sample lesson is a good idea, before you and your child decide to commit to a month or a quarter of lessons.

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