How to Set Up Your Phone for Virtual / Online Piano Lessons
Setting up your phone for virtual piano lessons is simple but crucial for a productive experience. With just three steps, you’ll be ready to focus entirely on learning and playing.

1. Position the Phone at the Correct Angle
Place the phone at the side of the piano keys so that it captures the full length of the keyboard, your hands, and your upper body. A side view works best for your teacher to see your posture and playing technique. Some people manage just fine without a tripod, but a tripod can be useful for ensuring the phone stays stable and doesn’t fall over during the lesson. For lessons over Zoom or FaceTime, use the front-facing camera so you can see your teacher and they can see you.

2. Keep Materials Within Reach
Gather all the materials you’ll need—sheet music, books, a notebook, pens, colored pencils, and pencils—and keep them at the piano. While it’s fine to get up if needed, having everything close by helps you stay focused and avoid unnecessary interruptions.

3. Charge Your Phone
​Ensure your phone is charged enough to last the entire lesson, so you can focus entirely on playing and enjoying the session!

With these tips, you'll have a reliable and effective setup for your virtual piano lessons. 🎹

How Long Should A Piano Lesson Be?
Lesson Length: AT LEAST 45 minutes but ideally longer!
I love when I see that a teacher promotes long lessons. Teachers who promote longer lessons have great insight and a high level of experience, they have a lot to offer and can teach a wide variety of skills in a way that holds students interest and attention for the full length of the lesson. These teachers are experts at keeping students engaged whether they are aged 5 or 45. I thank my own piano teacher growing up who took me from 1 hour lessons weekly to 2hour lessons when she realized how quickly I was progressing.  

By nature of time, teachers who teach longer lessons will have less spots to offer. This may mean a possible audition process in order to carefully select good student/family/teacher matches. These teachers take great pride in their work and prioritize quality over quantity. They are invested in expertly developing the select students in the studio. The students of these teachers develop very great skills at the piano much much sooner and they learn on a deeper level. Also what they learn sticks much longer and creates a greater foundation for their future lessons and musical experiences.

For teachers, longer lessons means less students can enroll so they may offer an audition or selection process but they take great care to make sure the students excel quickly and can play phenomenally.

Why are 30 Minute Lessons Such A Standard Still For Beginners?
Many music establishments put a great emphasis on having a large enrollment. The larger the enrollment, the shorter the lessons may have to be. This is by no means beneficial to the student's depth or speed of learning. One can only learn so much technical skill in a short lesson. Longer lessons make greater pieces, more technical and supplement skills, and faster progress when taught by a great instructor. 

Many teachers are taught to fit into a 30-minute lesson system. The average teacher in this system would run out of things to offer beyond 30 minutes and may not know how or what to do to hold the student's interest beyond that time. They are often doing the best they can in teaching what they know how to teach and the length of time that is comfortable for them to teach.

If the teacher is not an advocate for longer lessons, there may be a reason why. In this case, a longer lesson with such a teacher may be very discouraging to the student. Teachers will teach what they can, how they can. Forcing a teacher to change their approach may not work. You just have to find a good fit and a teacher who is great at that approach already.  It should be noted that master teachers are able to optimize a 30-minute lesson but they also know that the greatest value for time and growth would be lessons that are longer.

What to Do
Focus on going for someone or someplace that is well versed in various approaches and is passionate about developing talent with more time in the lesson. These teachers value and utilize every minute of the lesson and makes sure you are getting full value of your time. Make sure the teacher prioritizes on developing the quality of the students rather than the quantity (how many students).  Longer lessons means less students for the teacher but that's ok when you are developing high quality musicians. 

1. A Well-Tuned Piano
A well-tuned piano is crucial for developing a good ear and enjoying your practice sessions.
Schedule a professional tuning for your acoustic piano. If you use a digital piano, ensure it’s in good working condition and all keys are responsive.

2. Organized Sheet Music
Keeping your sheet music organized helps you quickly find the pieces you need and makes practice sessions more efficient. Use a binder with dividers for different categories such as scales, exercises, and repertoire. Create folders for your music if you prefer using a tablet. 

3. Practice Journal
A practice journal helps you track your progress, set goals, and reflect on your practice sessions. It’s also a great way to stay motivated and focused during your musical journey.

4. Metronome
A metronome is a great tool for developing a strong sense of rhythm and timing AFTER you've practiced and developed good rhythm and timing skills without the metronome first. Try starting slowly and gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable with the piece. 

5. Comfortable Practice Space
A dedicated and comfortable practice space minimizes distractions and helps you focus better on your playing. Ensure your practice area is well-lit, quiet, and free from clutter. Adjust your piano bench to the correct height to maintain good posture.

1. Master Your Posture
Sit at the center of the keyboard with your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Your feet should be flat on the floor, and your elbows should be slightly above the keys. Proper posture builds technique.

2. Perfect Your Hand Position
Keep your hands in a natural, relaxed position with your fingers slightly curved. Imagine holding a small ball in your hand. Your fingers should strike the keys with the tips allowing for great control and agility.

3. Engage Your Whole Arm
While playing, engage your entire arm, not just your fingers. Using your whole arm helps distribute the effort evenly and prevents fatigue. Practice moving your arms smoothly and fluidly.

4. Develop Finger Independence
Finger independence is crucial for playing complex pieces. Practice exercises that strengthen each finger. Focus on maintaining an even sound and tempo, ensuring each finger strikes the keys with equal strength.

5. Practice Slowly
When learning a new piece or working on technical exercises, start slowly. Focus on accuracy and proper technique before increasing the tempo. Gradually build up speed while maintaining control and precision. Rushing can lead to mistakes and bad habits.

6. Master Using the Metronome
A metronome is a valuable tool for developing good technique. It helps you maintain a steady tempo and improves your timing. Start with a slow tempo and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable. This practice ensures evenness and consistency in your playing.

7. Play with Dynamics
​Good technique isn't just about playing the right notes; it's also about expressing the music. Practice playing with different dynamics (soft and loud) and articulations (staccato and legato). These variations add depth and emotion to your performance.

​8. Make Relaxation a PriorityRelaxation promotes smoother, more fluid playing and enhances musical expression. It also improves focus and concentration, supporting effective learning and memorization.

As a piano player, you might not immediately think about the importance of breath work and breathing techniques. However, proper breathing can have a significant impact on your playing, performance, and overall musicality. Here are some tips on breathing and breath work for the piano:

1. Take deep breaths: When you take deep breaths, you increase your lung capacity and provide your body with more oxygen. This helps you to stay relaxed and focused while playing.
2. Pay attention to your breath: Be aware of your breath while playing. Notice if you are holding your breath or taking shallow breaths. This can create tension and make it difficult to play with ease.
3. Practice breathing exercises: Incorporate breathing exercises into your practice routine. One simple exercise is to take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds before exhaling slowly. This can help you to relax and center yourself before playing.
4. Coordinate breathing with playing: Pay attention to how you breathe while playing specific passages. For example, if you are playing a long phrase, take a deep breath before beginning the phrase and exhale slowly as you play.
5. Use breathing to create expression: Breathing can be used to create expression in your playing. For example, you can use a slight pause or release of breath to add emphasis to a note or phrase.
6. Take breaks to breathe: If you find yourself getting tense or fatigued, take a break to breathe deeply and relax your body. This can help you to refocus and play with renewed energy.

1. Prioritize QUALITY over quantity when you practice.
In the world of music, it's often thought that more practice time equals more success. While it's true that regular and consistent practice is essential for skill development, the quality of your practice is far more important than the quantity. Practicing for hours on end without a clear plan or focus can lead to frustration and a lack of progress, while deliberate and focused practice in short bursts can yield excellent results.

2. Practice small spots with detailed attention mindfully, VERY SLOWLY and VERY WELL.
On the other hand, consider a pianist who takes a more focused approach. They identify a specific section of a piece that they are struggling with and spend just 15 minutes each day practicing that section, focusing on precision and accuracy. Over time, they see significant improvement in that section, leading to better overall performance and progress.

3. Start from different spots - NOT JUST FROM THE BEGINNING.
The key to effective practice is deliberate focus on specific areas of improvement, rather than simply spending hours playing through a piece from start to finish. This can involve breaking down a piece into smaller sections and working on them one at a time, using a metronome to build rhythm and timing, or even practicing away from the instrument through visualization techniques.

4. Focus on making the hard parts easy by giving them the attention they require.
Spot practice, where you isolate specific sections of a piece and practice them repeatedly, can also be highly effective. For example, if a pianist struggles with a particular chord progression or passage, they can practice it repeatedly in short bursts throughout the day, gradually increasing speed and precision. This targeted approach can yield significant improvement in a short amount of time.

5. Again, Focus on Quality Quality Quality
It's important to remember that quality of practice is far more important than quantity when it comes to piano practice. By focusing on deliberate and targeted practice, pianists can improve their skills and make progress more efficiently. Whether through spot practice, visualization, or other techniques, it's essential to approach practice with focus and purpose in order to achieve the best results. So, next time you sit down to practice, remember to prioritize quality over quantity.

If you're just starting to learn how to play the piano, it's essential to establish a regular practice routine. Effective practice habits can help you progress faster and achieve your musical goals. Here are some tips for beginners to make the most of their piano practice sessions:

1. Set specific goals for each practice session
2. Warm-up with finger exercises and scales
3. Practice playing both hands separately and then together
4. Take breaks to avoid fatigue and maintain focus
5. Record yourself playing to track your progress

Understanding music theory is an essential part of learning to play the piano. Knowing the basics of music theory can help you read music more easily, improvise, and compose your own music. Some essential music theory concepts for piano players include scales, chords, and intervals. Learning to read sheet music and understanding the symbols used in sheet music is also critical for piano players.

Finding the right piano teacher is crucial for your success as a piano player. A good piano teacher can help you develop proper technique, provide guidance, and offer feedback on your progress. When choosing a piano teacher, consider factors such as their experience and qualifications, teaching style, and availability. You may also want to ask questions related to your needs and watch videos of their recitals and performances to see some of the skill levels that they work with and student outcomes.

It’s a common misconception that it is best to start learning the piano at a young age. Older children have some unique advantages when it comes to taking up the piano.

             Here are just a few reasons why piano lessons can be especially beneficial for older kids:
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1. Advanced Motor Skills: Older children have had more time to develop their fine motor skills, which are crucial for playing piano. They may find it easier to execute the more complex movements required for playing at an advanced level.
2. Opportunity for Creative Expression: Older children have a greater ability to express themselves creatively through music, allowing for a deeper connection to the instrument and greater satisfaction in their playing.
3. Cognitive Development: Older children have already developed a strong foundation of cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, memory, and concentration. Learning to play the piano can help enhance these skills even further.
4. Increased Focus: Older children are generally better able to focus for longer periods of time than younger children, which makes them better equipped to handle the longer practice sessions required for piano playing.
5. Music Theory: Older children are better equipped to understand music theory, which can help them grasp the complexities of piano playing and improve their overall technique.

There are few extra-curricular activities in which student-teacher proximity is as close as in music lessons. Keep this in mind when deciding how to best keep yourself and your family safe from contagions - mild or severe. 

Expert instructors know the importance of preventative care and injury-free technique based teaching. This is true also for the environment and cultivating a sense of relaxation and freedom during lessons. 

Teachers and students must be sure that they have a clear understanding of rules, boundaries, and expectations. When the priority of wellness is in agreement, it will promote a healthy and happy teaching and learning environment.

Ensure your comfort by establishing these things ahead of time and determining whether in-person, virtual, group, or individual lessons are best for you.

1. Improved Memory: Learning to play the piano involves memorizing notes, rhythms, and patterns. Studies have shown that this type of memorization can improve overall memory skills and retention, which can be beneficial in academic settings.
2. Enhanced Coordination: Piano playing requires the use of both hands and feet in a coordinated manner, which can help improve overall motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This can also translate to improved performance in sports or other physical activities.
3. Increased Focus and Attention: Practicing the piano requires sustained focus and attention, which can help improve a child's ability to concentrate and remain attentive during class or while completing homework.
4. Strengthened Math Skills: Music is inherently mathematical, with rhythms and notes following specific patterns and sequences. Learning to read sheet music and keep time can improve a child's understanding of mathematical concepts, such as fractions and ratios.
5. Boosted Creativity: Learning to play the piano can also enhance a child's creativity and problem-solving abilities. As they become more skilled in playing, they may start to experiment with their own compositions and arrangements, encouraging creative thinking and innovation.

By providing your child with piano lessons, you can not only expose them to the joys of music but also give them an academic edge that can benefit them for years to come.

Here are some ways in which playing the piano can encourage creativity and self-expression:

1. Improvisation: One of the most exciting aspects of playing the piano is the ability to improvise. Improvisation is the act of creating music spontaneously, without prior planning or preparation. It allows for endless possibilities and encourages creativity and self-expression.
2. Composition: Learning to compose music on the piano is a great way to express your creative ideas. Composing music involves taking ideas and arranging them into a cohesive whole. This process requires both imagination and technical skills, which can be developed through piano playing.
3. Interpretation: Playing the piano also provides an opportunity to interpret and express music written by others. By putting your own unique spin on a piece, you can showcase your creativity and personal style.
4. Exploration: Piano playing allows you to explore different genres of music and experiment with different sounds and techniques. This exploration can lead to the discovery of new and exciting ways to express yourself musically.
5. Emotional expression: Music has the ability to convey emotions in a way that words cannot. Playing the piano allows you to tap into your emotions and express them through music. This can be a powerful tool for self-expression and emotional release.
6. Confidence: As you become more comfortable with playing the piano, your confidence in your musical abilities will grow. This confidence can translate into other areas of your life and encourage you to express yourself more freely.
7. Mindfulness: Piano playing requires a certain level of mindfulness and focus. When you are fully present in the moment while playing, you are able to express yourself more authentically and creatively.

Benefits of Playing the Piano During Winter

Playing the piano during the winter months can provide many benefits. For one, it can help you stay mentally sharp and focused. The act of playing music requires concentration and attention to detail, which can be especially useful during the long winter months when we may feel more lethargic.
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In addition to mental benefits, playing the piano can also be a great way to reduce stress and boost mood. Music has been shown to have a powerful effect on our emotions and can help us feel more calm and relaxed. This can be especially beneficial during the winter months when we may be more prone to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or other forms of depression.

Tips for Maintaining Your Piano During Winter
To keep your piano in top condition during the winter months, there are several things you can do:

1. Keep the Temperature Stable

Pianos are sensitive instruments that are affected by changes in temperature and humidity. During the winter months, it's essential to keep the temperature in your home stable and avoid sudden temperature changes. This can help prevent the piano from going out of tune or suffering other forms of damage.
      2.    Humidify the AirThe dry winter air can also be detrimental to your piano. Dry air can cause the soundboard and other parts of the piano to crack, which can lead to expensive repairs. To prevent this, consider using a humidifier in the room where your piano is located. This can help keep the air moist and prevent damage to your instrument.

      3.    Tune Your Piano Regularly
Even with proper maintenance, pianos will inevitably go out of tune over time. To keep your piano sounding its best, it's essential to have it tuned regularly. This is especially important during the winter months when temperature and humidity changes can cause the piano to go out of tune more quickly.

​     4.     Clean Your Piano
Finally, it's essential to keep your piano clean and free of dust and debris. Dust can accumulate on the piano's keys and inside the instrument, which can affect its sound and playability. To clean your piano, use a soft cloth and gentle cleaner designed specifically for pianos.
In conclusion, playing the piano during the winter months can provide many benefits, but it's essential to take care of your instrument to keep it in top condition. By keeping the temperature stable, humidifying the air, tuning your piano regularly, and cleaning it, you can ensure that your piano will continue to bring you joy and beautiful music for years to come.