Kids & piano lessons

Zziggi · 4 September 2008 at 8:43PM

My DD (5 next month) has expressed several times, over the last 4 or 5 months, an interest in learning to play the piano. I'd like to encourage her but neither me nor OH can play the piano nor have a piano. I can just about read music.

Just wondered if any MSErs could give me some advice. Should i let DD have lessons? If we bought a keyboard for home and she had piano lessons, would a keyboard be OK for her to practice on or does she need access to a piano for practice?

Any ideas about cost of lessons?

Any tips or advice gratefully received.

jackiegibbo · 4 September 2008 at 9:12PM

Hi my daughter is having piano lessons i found the teacher on http://www.musicteachers.co.uk/

i just sat and googled until i found this site.You put in your postcode and they list the appropriate teachers near to you...............its expensive for lessons!!!!!!!
we have a piano but i suggest you speak to the teacher you find direct and he/she will guide you about whether or not to go for a keyboard as apparantly there is a difference

good luck

Rawhide_2 · 4 September 2008 at 9:18PM

We pay £15 per half hour session per week, with a LRAM qualified teacher.

See if you can find someone local (with recommendation) and have a few trial lessons.

inkie · 4 September 2008 at 9:31PM

I pay £11 for 1/2 hour and am up to grade 3 now. I am musical (play brass, guitar and sing) and have learning the piano for about 3 years now and it is the hardest instrument that I have ever played.

I would avoid a keyboard - there is a difference between them and a piano. One may be good to start with for note recognition on the keyboard, but if you want to practice in between lessons, and you would need to to make progress, then I would advise 'proper piano'. Even 'weighted' electric pianos to me are not the same as a 'proper piano'.

inkie · 4 September 2008 at 9:32PM

Just to add, do not let the thought of having to buy a piano prohibit you allowing your child to go for the lessons - they often can be found cheaply second hand, even on freecycle.

Zziggi · 4 September 2008 at 9:55PM

inkie wrote: »

I would avoid a keyboard - there is a difference between them and a piano.

Yes this was the one piece of advice i was given when i asked around people i knew. If i had a keyboard then i should sent DD for keyboard lessons - not piano lessons.

callow · 4 September 2008 at 10:08PM

My daughter has piano lesson. I don't have room for a piano in my house.

She uses a keyboard. I brought her one, only to find out a few months later I should have got one with weighted keys.

This first one is now going to be a waste of money as I will have to get her another. I don't know how long she will be having lessons for as they are an expensive luxury.

princess · 4 September 2008 at 10:20PM

Well my Ds is really being messed about then! We wouldnt pay for a 'proper' teacher, so he goes to a music student for half an hour once a week (£6) He plays an electric piano in the lessons, a keyboard at home and the only time he has ever touched a real piano is when he has taken (and passed)his grades! He continues to go from strength to strength in ordinary and jazz piano.

wifeforlife · 4 September 2008 at 10:50PM

I played the piano from 7 until 17, and my SIL is a piano teacher, she wont take any child on until First holy communion age which is usually the age of 7/8

Also contact local music schools, colleges, Uni's for trainee music teachers, they may want the experience and also will be cheaper!!

Goodluck, is a lovely gift to give anyone, although I dont play anymore, I'm glad I learnt how to read music and I can generally lift an instrument now (bar strings) and give it a competant go

Cate

conradmum · 4 September 2008 at 11:02PM

Suzuki teachers will take them that young, and would prefer to take them younger. However, they would say that you have to have a 'real', good quality piano to practise on.

morg_monster · 5 September 2008 at 11:05AM

I would find a teacher first, through recommendation preferably, and then see what they think about the piano/keyboard issue. In an ideal world yes she would have a real piano to play from the word go, but what if she gets fed up with it after a few months, then you have a huge heavy instrument that no-one else plays taking up space in the lounge! As someone said, yes you can get them cheap and I've seen a few on freecycle, you may even be able to rent - but they do take up space and are a hassle to move! Do you have other kids who may want to start as well? Do you have any neighbours/friends with a piano she could use for practice to start with?!
I started lessons at 6 after bugging my mum for a year. loved learning it, although the practice becomes a bit of a pain once you get a bit older, and a source of occasional fights with mum, but all round I am so glad I learned and will basically be forcing my kids (when I have them) to at least start lessons when they are around that age!! It is also a good start with learning to read music and understand the terminology if they want to go on to another instrument once they are older, makes it a lot easier.

Kids & piano lessons

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