Music lessons for adults

Savannah02K

I'm in my 50s, always wanted to learn how to play piano so have been looking at lessons locally. Can't decide (as don't know enough about it) between a Yamaha school which offers one hour group lessons at £15 per hour or individual lessons with local teachers who charge between £13 - £17 per hour. I have zero ability so would be starting from scratch. I've not been able to find out any reviews on this Yamaha system. Wonder if it's more suitable to children, electric keyboards etc. Has anyone been in same situation or know anything about Yamaha method? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Person_one

Definitely go with one to one, and with someone who'll teach you on a real piano!

You'll progress faster and get much more enjoyment out of it sooner.

I've had both one to one and group music lessons (as a teenager though, not an adult) and I know which I'd choose, every time. More personalised, the teacher's full attention, and instant correction and help when you get things wrong so you don't get into bad habits.

Good luck!

podperson

I did Yamaha lessons about 20 years ago so not sure how relevant it will be now, but was basically exercises that everyone did together, followed by simple songs. Everyone mainly played together and the teacher would go around and point out any glaring mistakes you were making Very little one to one attention. Personally, for near enough the same price I would definately go for the individual lessons. You will progress a great deal quicker and the teacher can work with you on anything that you as an individual may be struggling with, rather then trying to please everyone in the class.

Tropez

Personally, I feel individual tuition is much better than group tuition.

With group tuition there's little to no leeway for those who are either slower or faster to learn than the others in their group. More ability-organised classes may be available but this can result in an inconsistent timetable which may not be appropriate. In individual lessons, a tutor can tailor their lessons to suit the individual, so that specific areas of difficulty can be focused on and overcome, without either holding back or advancing too far ahead of the class.

Similarly, because you have nobody else in the group to compare yourself to then you don't have to worry about being outshone by another participant. Part of learning music is confidence and witnessing someone who started at the same level as you take to something like a duck to water, while you're still struggling a bit can be shattering. Everything will progress at the rate you're able to progress at, not at some theoretical rate of progress. The lessons are all about you.

Another problem with group tuition is that if you miss a lesson or two due to unforeseen circumstances you may find it overwhelming with the amount of catching up you're required to do. With individual tutoring, it's just a case of picking up where you left off.

Yamaha do offer courses for adults but I can't say anything about them on the whole.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Individual lessons definitely, unless you are absolutely bereft of human contact the rest of the time - as some instruments, like piano, are more solitary pursuits than others, and if you are on your own 99% of the time, it might be a good idea to be in contact with others in the same situation.



There's a lady that comes for piano lessons at the same time as I have my guitar/bass lessons. She enjoys it immensely and puts more into it now than she says she would ever have done as a child.



Oh, and most teachers outside the very rarified echelons of music tuition will say yes, a real piano is best, an electric piano is good, but a keyboard is better than not playing at all. The ones who dismiss it as not worth bothering about if you don't have a good piano in the dining room are best avoided.


Above all, enjoy it!

Savannah02K

Thanks so much for this folks, I was keen on the Yamaha idea at first but then when I started ringing teachers directly, just felt that that might be the route to go. This is part of my 70 before I'm 70 (was 60 before I'm 60 but I have too many things to do!). Been on a bike for the first time in 40 years - had lessons on that too), wanted to start piano this year, just off to book pillion on motorbike riding day! Getting older rocks!

Mojisola

I think a good quality keyboard has some advantages - I know the piano purists don't agree! It takes up less space. You can carry it round to other places. It's fun to experiment with different instrument sounds and you can record your own backing tracks and play the melody.

I would go for individual lessons to start with but it may be worth looking at joint lessons later on. It's good fun to play with other people. Our council has evening classes for keyboard improvers which are a nice change from individual work at home.

onlyroz

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Oh, and most teachers outside the very rarified echelons of music tuition will say yes, a real piano is best, an electric piano is good, but a keyboard is better than not playing at all. The ones who dismiss it as not worth bothering about if you don't have a good piano in the dining room are best avoided.

Just to add that there are some excellent electric pianos out there (e.g. Clavinova, Roland) - they're much cheaper than "real" pianos, are easier to move around and never go out of tune. I do think it's essential to have a full-length keyboard with full-size weighted keys though.

In answer to the actual question - I've never had group tuition but have had individual piano lessons both as a child and as an adult, and it worked well for me. My last teacher organised concerts at (e.g.) Christmas and Easter where his pupils would perform something, and there was always a decent mix of children and adults of all abilities.

lazywife

onlyroz wrote: »

Just to add that there are some excellent electric pianos out there (e.g. Clavinova, Roland) - they're much cheaper than "real" pianos, are easier to move around and never go out of tune. I do think it's essential to have a full-length keyboard with full-size weighted keys though.

Agreed!

Having learnt young, I would absolutely suggest the one-2-one lessons.
x

Person_one

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Oh, and most teachers outside the very rarified echelons of music tuition will say yes, a real piano is best, an electric piano is good, but a keyboard is better than not playing at all. The ones who dismiss it as not worth bothering about if you don't have a good piano in the dining room are best avoided.

The teacher themselves should absolutely have a real piano!

Whether the OP wants to get one herself (electric or 'real') is a decision she can make after seeing how she takes to it.

gibson123

Well done at taking up this later in life, I saw some research recently that showed learning a music instrument later in life keeps you mentally fit and wards of dementia.

i am not musical at all, but my daughter and her friends are all learning various musical instruments and their advice is - learn on an electric piano, get 1 to 1 lessons and use Youtube to learn quicker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vphWgqbF-AM