Piano Lessons for Kids

Piano lessons for kids are one of the most popular extra-curricular activities around.

Parents instinctively want to encourage creativity and musicality in their children. That's a great thing!

• Finding the right teacher for your kids
• Choosing between different piano methods
• Discovering free kids piano music
• Deciding when to start piano lessons
• Buying a piano
• Starting out with an electric keyboard

There's a lot to learn about kids piano lessons. I'm here to help!

Oh, and by the way, piano lessons aren't just for kids! If you're an adult and you've always wanted to play piano, click here!

Involve your kids in the process.

Finding the right teacher and the right piano method is a process. Someone whose credentials look terrific on paper may not "click" with you or your child; the method that you read rave reviews about might not have music your child likes to play.

Of course, you can't let your kids choose everything, but do involve them in the decisions.

Kids can be really perceptive -- they may like the feel of one teacher's home and shy away from another. They may always practice from one book willingly and another grudgingly.

If you're looking out for these nuances, and talk with your kids about them, you both will be happier with the lesson experience.

Build Inspiration.

Even young children can start to learn about the difference between being able to do something right away and learning over time. Kids are natural goal-setters and have a remarkable amount of persistence when they are focused. They simply work at what they want to do.

Parents sometimes make the mistake of believing that motivation and focus will stay consistent over time. Or that a child's lack of motivation on a particular day ("I don't want to practice!") is signaling that piano isn't the right activity.

Sometimes, though, kids just need an imagination boost! Listening to great piano music, playing music games, and going to live music events can help inspire your kids (and you!) every day.

Be involved.

I've had conversations with many parents who initially saw piano lessons for kids as:

1) A weekly time slot to get things done (I call this piano babysitting), and

2) An minimal-involvement at-home activity.

Neither is true, at least in my studio.

If the goal is to build a love of music, the ability to play piano, and to reap the benefits of long-term music study, parental involvement is key!

Sitting down with your child at the piano every day for practice time is crucial. You can encourage and cheer for your child! Even if you're not a musician, you can help your child go through his or her practice assignments.

Being there during the lesson can allow you to understand the teacher's goals for your child and celebrate the progress!

As your kids get older, you can gradually let their piano studies become more self-directed. You'll have taught and encouraged them each step of the way!

More help with piano lessons for kids...

The links at the top of the page will take you to articles I've written about piano lessons, teachers, music and instruments.

I'd also love to hear your questions and help you as you are starting piano lessons with your children!

If I can help you, please don't hesitate to contact me and ask a question!

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