Private Piano Lessons - Are Piano Lessons Right for You?

The greatest benefit to taking private piano lessons is the amount of one-on-one treatment that the student receives. The fact that the student gets the complete attention of a knowledgeable teacher is obvious. However, what is rarely considered is the completely tailored approach to learning that private piano lessons offer. By tailored approach we mean a learning process that is molded around a particular student's qualities. Good piano teachers will assess a student's personality as well as their musical strengths and weaknesses. Doing this enables a teacher to "fit" their lessons to the student in a way that benefits and encourages the student the most. One doesn't get this with self-teaching piano software, videos, or books.

On the other hand, the drawbacks to private piano lessons are usually the cost and time constraints. These are realities that cannot be avoided with private piano lessons; every minute you are being taught costs money and some sort of lesson schedule must be maintained. If affordability and a self-paced learning style are important to you, then teaching yourself piano is probably your best option.

However, it's difficult to advise whether someone should take piano lessons with a teacher or try learning piano with teaching aids such as software and DVDs. It is really a subjective decision and for the most depends upon a person's level of motivation and independent spirit. Some people feel the need to be taught things, while others always yearn to teach themselves things. Only you know which category you fall into. Either way, learning the piano takes dedication and commitment, so there are no short cuts.

We can say that most private piano teachers utilize a classical repertoire and focus heavily on music theory. So, if this is important to you, then private piano lessons might be your best option. Furthermore, anyone that is interested in a professional career as a pianist should definitely seek out a piano teacher that is fully versed in piano pedagogy. There are some things that only a human being can teach and chief among these is the proper development of piano "technique". Then again, there is always the option of learning piano on your own initially and then picking up private piano lessons when you are at a more advanced level.

• How to choose a piano instructor
• Where to find a piano instructor