How do I find a qualified piano teacher in my area?

There is a directory of music teachers in Ontario called the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association or ORMTA.  The association maintains a list of accredited teachers for many musical instruments, including piano, categorized by the city or town they teach in.  To become a member of the ORMTA, teachers have to have a degree/diploma in the instrument they teach and have proven teaching experience.  Therefore, when you search this directory you know you’re already choosing from a qualified pool of professionals.  Many of these professionals have private studios and offer lessons from their homes.  You can search available teachers in your area by going to the following URL http://www.ormta.org.

How do I know if the piano teacher I’ve chosen is the right fit?

When choosing a piano teacher you may want to discuss what curriculum they teach.  In Canada, the leader in musical education is the The Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto.  The RCM continues to retain leading performers and teachers throughout Canada and the world.  You can search their website at http://www.rcmusic.ca.  For instance, a teacher that is an Associate teacher of the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, or has the designation  A.R.C.T. or L.R.C.T. for starters, or a University degree with a major in Music, has the training and qualifications to prepare your children for the Royal Conservatory exams.  At the same time, a teacher with these qualifications will usually provide a broad spectrum of musical training so that your child will have a complete range of knowledge and skills.  The benefit to choosing a teacher affiliated with the leading school in your area is that as they progress through their musical education , it will be validated as they advance through the grades.  For instance, depending on what province you live in, the Ontario School Board will recognize the advanced grades of the RCM as high-school credits.  Please see http://www.rcmexaminations.org/acadinfo/accreditation.htm or ask your teacher for more specific information.   

If my child is a beginner does it matter that I have a qualified teacher?

As in any other profession, it is important for the teacher you choose to be qualified and for your child to study with a qualified teacher from the beginning.  Occasionally, you’ll get some people that think that if their child is just a beginner that they do not need someone who is very experienced and/or qualified.  This is a very serious mistake to make.  It is extremely important from the outset,  for the student to be taught the basics properly so that their future development is not hindered.   It is very difficult for incorrect technique to be fixed.  Be careful when searching local music schools or teachers that may operate their business on the basis of volume or that may have high turnover.  If the teachers are not experts in the instrument they teach , your child’s skill may not develop properly and they’ll quickly lose interest.  Learning to play an instrument is not easy and without the proper coaching and guidance, it can become overwhelming for the student.    Many private piano teachers that are highly qualified and teach from their own studios at home will be able to provide a lot more individual attention to your child and provide focussed attention on your child’s particular needs, without the stresses of running a full fledged business. 

 How long is typical piano lesson?

Piano lessons can range anywhere from a half hour lesson to one hour depending on the level of the student and/or the needs/desires of the student.  A beginner will most usually have a half hour private one on one lesson.  When a student progresses to the intermediate stages it will be 45 minutes and at the advanced stages an hour. 

How much do piano lessons cost?

Rates will vary depending on the teacher and/or school. For beginners the rates can range anywhere from $25-35/per half hour lesson.  Depending on the teacher, the rates may go up slightly for the advanced students.  The lesson length will definitely have to be an hour for the advanced students, so ultimately as your child progresses the amount for a lesson will be more for that reason. 

How long does it take to learn to play the piano?

The student will learn very simple pieces in the first few weeks, but of course, learning to play the piano reasonably well takes at least seven to ten years of commitment and a minimum of ten years throughout the rest of their career if a person wants to consider teaching or performing as a career.  Just as with any other activity or sport, it is a longer term commitment.  It takes a lot of dedication, discipline and hard work to become a performer.  The Royal Conservatory curriculum provides a clear guide for parents and students in their Piano Syllabus to clearly outline guidelines for learning for every grade.  Many students are able to complete one grade per year.  This of course will vary for each individual based on individual capability and amount of work put into practicing.  The curriculum outlines exams available starting with many popular beginner books through to Grade 10 piano and subsequently the A.R.C.T. Piano Pedagogy and Performance programs.  It is advisable for students/parents  to have a copy of the piano syllabus if their children are choosing to take RCM exams.  The exams provide a wealth of knowledge and feedback from expert adjudicators and examiners that can support  your child and teacher in their musical education. 

Do I need a piano?

Yes.  The quality of the instrument that you purchase will ultimately affect your child’s learning experience.  I would discuss this topic in detail with your child’s teacher and they can explain the importance.  Many people are concerned about making a large investment in an instrument when their child is a beginner because they are not sure how they will do in lessons.  Many piano stores offer piano rentals as an option and nowadays there are good quality, affordable keyboards that have 88 keys that are weighted that may offer a decent option in the short term.  It is important for the keys being weighted so that your child will develop the strength in their fingers that is required to play a real piano.  In addition there is a need for a full sized keyboard because the piano teacher will not want to limit the range of pieces your child can learn due to the size of the keyboard.