All students receive individualised instruction allowing them to progress at their own pace, with their musical interests and needs quickly and efficiently met. Younger students must be accompanied by an adult. They learn to set goals, manage their time and effort and monitor their own progress. Piano lessons involve five main areas:
For beginner students this includes learning techniques such as posture, keyboard layout, hand positioning, fingering, tone and touch. They also learn the various parts of the instrument, how the sound is produced and how to care for and maintain a piano.
Advanced students will build on and strengthen these basics with the development of pedalling, finger, wrist and forearm techniques through the study of the repertoire and various exercises.
Music Reading Skills
Beginner students learn how to read and interpret basic notation and musical terms, as well as techniques that aid in increasing the speed of reading music. Students also develop sight-reading skills, which will allow them to be able to perform pieces with little or no practice.
Advanced students will extend their music reading skills by studying more complicated traditional notation as well as other methods such as chordal, graphic and contemporary notational techniques.
Students learn effective practice techniques including how to manage time efficiently, how to become motivated to practice and how to avoid and limit frustration. Importantly, students will learn how to focus their practice rather than just spend time with the instrument.
Students develop listening skills that aid in the ability to sight-read efficiently and to learn new pieces quickly and accurately. More advanced students will build on these skills applying them to performance techniques such as tuning, intonation and improvisation.
Students learn the theory behind the instrument and its repertoire and how to apply this knowledge to practice and performance techniques.
The ultimate goal for students is to have fun and gain an appreciation of the instrument and its repertoire.