Piano Policies & Resources
Instrument
Students must have access to a piano at home in order to practice regularly. While an acoustic piano is preferred, a high-quality digital keyboard can be a great alternative as long as it has 88 weighted keys and a pedal attachment.
How to Choose a Digital Piano for Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcUatCwJJoM
Materials
Books: Since every student is unique, I assess the student’s needs and assign a book method that appropriately fits the student and their goals during the first lesson. Students are expected to purchase the books and bring them to each lesson.
Notebook: While method books may vary student to student, it’s helpful for everyone to have a dedicated piano notebook to take notes each week, so both the parent and the student know what to focus on when practicing. Parental involvement and encouragement is imperative to a student’s success.
Metronome: A metronome, either via app or mechanical, can be a helpful tool at the piano to reinforce tempo.
Practice Expectations and Tips
Daily practice is highly encouraged. Just like any sport, learning the piano requires muscle development that only occurs through consistent practice. Muscle memory! Even 10 minutes every day makes a world of a difference.
If setting a scheduled practice time each day doesn’t fit your family’s flow, turn practicing into a game! Each time the student walks by the piano, they have to practice for 5 minutes. For an added challenge, you can increase the amount of time they practice.
- Slow practice = fast progress
- Fast practice = slow progress
- No practice = no progress
Absences
Students are expected to attend each lesson, however I understand that sometimes life gets in the way! Makeup lessons are available during the last week of each semester, however slots are limited and at a first come, first serve basis. If we are unable to schedule a makeup lesson, refunds will be made at the end of the semester.
In order to guarantee a makeup lesson or a refund, families must give a minimum 24 hour notice. Absences without a 24 hour notice will not be refunded and will only be given a makeup lesson if time allows. On-line lessons are available as an alternative if students are sick or unable to make it in-person that day.
Apps
EKWE
EKWE is a mobile-based music platform that combines a library of 150 sampled loops with contemporary electronic loops for creators to explore, create, collaborate, and share their compositions.
https://www.ekwe.app/
Piano Adventures® Player
This app works alongside the Piano Adventures series, and includes interactice play-along accompaniments for every level.
https://pianoadventures.com/resources/piano-adventures-player-app/
Staff Wars
Designed in the style of Star Wars, this is a fun, interactive app to practice note reading.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/staffwars/id810405576
Note Rush
Similar to Staff Wars, this app is designed to help students identify note names on the staff. This app is more customizable as the player can choose their theme as they play.
https://www.noterushapp.com/
Rhythm Cat
This app reinforces rhythmic patterns in music. Feels like Flappy Bird, but with cats and music!
https://melodycats.com/rhythm-cat/
MusiClock
Desgined to help students learn and practice scales, this app includes backing tracks and scale charts to accompany scale practice.
https://www.getmusiclock.com/app-1