Choosing the Right Teacher

I've had many, many piano teachers, and have done a little teaching myself. While that doesn't make me an expert at teaching, it does allow me to offer some useful suggestions to those of you who are searching for a suitable instructor. Before you make any phone calls or even start asking around about teachers, ask yourself a few questions that will save you a lot of time and help you choose a teacher that is just right for you:

1. How much money do you want to spend on lessons? Fees can range from $10 per hour to $60 per hour or more, depending on where you live and your playing level.

2. How much time can you devote to practicing? I think the optimum amount of time for a beginning adult player is about 1/2 hour per day. When it comes to practicing, consistency is more important than the number of hours you put in during a day. In other words, it's better to practice 1/2 hour each day than try to cram several hours of practice into the few days before your lesson. Some teachers will offer twice monthly lessons or less frequently than that, if they travel or play professionally. I recommend beginners take a lesson every week.

3. What style of music do you want to play? This question is extremely important, because it affects not only who you should study with, but how you will practice, and, perhaps, how much you will practice. For instance, if you want to learn to improvise, you should be prepared to practice several hours each day. When you start looking for a teacher, you should choose one who has a strong background in the style of music you want to learn. Here are some styles you might consider: classical, jazz, pop, and gospel.

4. How will you use your playing? Do you want to accompany someone who plays the flute or other melody instrument? Are you planning to play for a choir? Are you playing solo for your own enjoyment? Do you want to enter contests? Play in recitals? You should consider these goals as you talk to teachers. Many teachers organize regular student recitals, and they will expect your participation. If this is not comfortable for you, you might want to discuss it with the prospective teacher.

Now that you know what you are looking for in a teacher, here are some sources for you:

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