These guidelines are based on my experience with regard to attention span and the quantity of material generally imparted in the lessons of children who are specific ages. They are of course broad in nature as individuals vary and do not apply to adult students.
Practice Guidelines
Age Suggested Daily Practice 5 - 6 10 minutes minimum 7 - 9 15 minutes minimum 10 - 12 20 minutes minimum 12 & above 30+ minutes
Daily Practice
One of the hopes parents often express for their children is that by studying piano they will develop the ability to sight-read. While there is a wide range of natural ability in this regard, more so perhaps than with any other musical skill save creativity, no matter how naturally gifted the student may be, sight-reading in particular is a skill that requires persistent, regular practice. The sight-reading method books and apps such as Note Quest I use, will only be effective if the student practices them on a regular basis. (Open Links page)
Payment and Attendance Policy
Like many in the arts, I've made a career out of teaching. It is fulfilling in a number of ways; I'm fond of my students, and grateful for the opportunity to work with them. However, like any professional I need a predictable and consistent income in order for this to be a viable way of making a living, something I'm sure you can understand. I believe my cancellation policies are fair and in line with what other teachers and studios require. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. A Lesson Cancellation: In order for a make-up to be offered the student must provide a minimum of 24 hours’ written notice (SMS text or email) of the cancellation. Students who neglect to provide 24 hours notice are charged for cancellations of regularly scheduled lessons as their time is reserved and cannot be used for new students who are interested in the same times, for makeups needed by other students or any other activities I am unable to schedule because of reserving a lesson time for the student. Termination: If for any reason, the student decides not to continue with lessons please provide two weeks notice.
A Sight Reading Note
How do Online Lessons Work?

Lesson Formats

I offer the following lesson formats: • Virtual for those who are in remote locations, have odd or changing schedules or who prefer online lessons for health reasons. • Hybrid for those who would like monthly in person lessons with the rest virtual. • In person for adult students in my home studio or at the home of the student depending on proximity. Note: This year (2023), I recommenced in person recitals for those students who are local with the next recital tentatively scheduled for end of October.

Set-up

I will send you a text at the scheduled lesson time. You will have your laptop (preferable) or iPad set up so that I can see your hands on the piano or keyboard as well as your face. If you're using a laptop you can usually just place it on a nearby chair or table or even on the piano itself. If you're using an iPad you may want to get an iPad stand. (Open Links page) The setup will be the same on my end so that you can see my face and hands when necessary. At the first lesson I will include a link to the platform which you can put aside for future use. Clicking on the link will take you to the sign in page and alert me that you have arrived at which point I will admit you into the lesson meeting room.

Platform

I use a Web Meeting Platform especially designed for music lessons called Rock Out Loud. This platform includes special features created by the developers to facilitate music lessons and has been configured to offer much better sound quality than zoom or other non-music focused platforms. (Open Links page)

Internet MIDI

I use the Internet MIDI program which allows for the teacher and almost all students with electric keyboards (Note: mIDI connecting options are a standard feature on almost every keyboard for at least the last 20 years) to connect our instruments and play them remotely. This means that NO MATTER HOW FAR APART WE MAY BE when I play on my keyboard it also plays on your keyboard, and when you play on your keyboard it also plays on my keyboard. This AMAZING magical program (which costs $40) also allows for MIDI recordings which can be slowed down by the student for easier comprehension. (Open Links page)

Recordings

In addition to the MIDI recordings mentioned earlier, I will provide standard video and audio recordings as needed of the exercises and pieces we are working on so that the student can refer to them at any time. With the technologies referred to above online music teachers are more than able to create a learning situation that is at least as effective as in person lessons.
What are the Advantages?
Scheduling Flexibility: It is no longer necessary to cancel lessons due to inclement weather or mild illness. So as not to interrupt their progress some students take their keyboards with them on vacation and schedule online lessons from far off locations including other countries. In the past in order to schedule a make-up for a student it was necessary for me to find an opening on a day and at a time that I was already in or close by the neighborhood where the student lived that also worked for them and their schedule. Now that I no longer need to take into account the location or travel time it is much easier for me to fit a make-up lesson into my regular schedule. I can offer more options and am much more likely to be available when the student is available for the make-up. More flexibility means more consistency means more progress.
Open Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
These guidelines are based on my experience with regard to attention span and the quantity of material generally imparted in the lessons of children who are specific ages. They are of course broad in nature as individuals vary and do not apply to adult students.
Practice Guidelines
Age Suggested Daily Practice 5 - 6 10 minutes minimum 7 - 9 15 minutes minimum 10 - 12 20 minutes minimum 12 & above 30+ minutes
Daily Practice
One of the hopes parents often express for their children is that by studying piano they will develop the ability to sight- read. While there is a wide range of natural ability in this regard, more so perhaps than with any other musical skill save creativity, no matter how naturally gifted the student may be, sight-reading in particular is a skill that requires persistent, regular practice. The sight-reading method books and apps such as Note Quest I use, will only be effective if the student practices them on a regular basis. (Open Links page)
Payment and Attendance Policy
Like many in the arts, I've made a career out of teaching. It is fulfilling in a number of ways; I'm fond of my students, and grateful for the opportunity to work with them. However, like any professional I need a predictable and consistent income in order for this to be a viable way of making a living, something I'm sure you can understand. I believe my cancellation policies are fair and in line with what other teachers and studios require. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. A Lesson Cancellation: In order for a make-up to be offered the student must provide a minimum of 24 hours’ written notice (SMS text or email) of the cancellation. Students who neglect to provide 24 hours notice are charged for cancellations of regularly scheduled lessons as their time is reserved and cannot be used for new students who are interested in the same times, for makeups needed by other students or any other activities I am unable to schedule because of reserving a lesson time for the student. Termination: If for any reason, the student decides not to continue with lessons please provide two weeks notice.
A Sight Reading Note
How do Online Lessons Work?

Lesson Formats

I offer the following lesson formats: • Virtual for those who are in remote locations, have odd or changing schedules or who prefer online lessons for health reasons. • Hybrid for those who would like monthly in person lessons with the rest virtual. • In person for adult students in my home studio or at the home of the student depending on proximity. Note: This year (2023), I recommenced in person recitals for those students who are local with the next recital tentatively scheduled for end of October.

Set-up

I will send you a text at the scheduled lesson time. You will have your laptop (preferable) or iPad set up so that I can see your hands on the piano or keyboard as well as your face. If you're using a laptop you can usually just place it on a nearby chair or table or even on the piano itself. If you're using an iPad you may want to get an iPad stand. (Open Links page) The setup will be the same on my end so that you can see my face and hands when necessary. At the first lesson I will include a link to the platform which you can put aside for future use. Clicking on the link will take you to the sign in page and alert me that you have arrived at which point I will admit you into the lesson meeting room.

Platform

I use a Web Meeting Platform especially designed for music lessons called Rock Out Loud. This platform includes special features created by the developers to facilitate music lessons and has been configured to offer much better sound quality than zoom or other non-music focused platforms. (Open Links page)

Internet MIDI

I use the Internet MIDI program which allows for the teacher and almost all students with electric keyboards (Note: mIDI connecting options are a standard feature on almost every keyboard for at least the last 20 years) to connect our instruments and play them remotely. This means that NO MATTER HOW FAR APART WE MAY BE when I play on my keyboard it also plays on your keyboard, and when you play on your keyboard it also plays on my keyboard. This AMAZING magical program (which costs $40) also allows for MIDI recordings which can be slowed down by the student for easier comprehension. (Open Links page)

Recordings

In addition to the MIDI recordings mentioned earlier, I will provide standard video and audio recordings as needed of the exercises and pieces we are working on so that the student can refer to them at any time. With the technologies referred to above online music teachers are more than able to create a learning situation that is at least as effective as in person lessons.
What are the Advantages?
Scheduling Flexibility: It is no longer necessary to cancel lessons due to inclement weather or mild illness. So as not to interrupt their progress some students take their keyboards with them on vacation and schedule online lessons from far off locations including other countries. In the past in order to schedule a make-up for a student it was necessary for me to find an opening on a day and at a time that I was already in or close by the neighborhood where the student lived that also worked for them and their schedule. Now that I no longer need to take into account the location or travel time it is much easier for me to fit a make-up lesson into my regular schedule. I can offer more options and am much more likely to be available when the student is available for the make- up. More flexibility means more consistency means more progress.
Open FAQs
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