FAQs

Learning how to play the piano has so much to offer! To start with, it allows you to play music that you enjoy and to express yourself. Though it is hard work, it is so rewarding to learn the music that you want to play.

In addition, the process of learning teaches you so many valuable skills. You must be committed, consistent, and focused while showing a great attention to detail. These skills, once developed, can transfer to just about anything else you do!

Current rates can be viewed here: https://guthriepianostudio.com/pricing

I teach in the afternoon to evening on Monday through Thursday. There is limited morning availability.

I only teach lessons out of my studio. I do not travel to student’s homes. I also teach lessons online via Zoom.

Yes, I have a small malshi named Sammy. She is very friendly (maybe even a little too friendly!) and is hypoallergenic. She does not shed.

Generally, from age 5 and up. Though there are exceptions, I think most kids are better off waiting until they are at least 5 so they have good focus and can learn a bit easier. I don’t have an upper age limit–I have taught several students into their 70s! Some adults do say it is more challenging for them, but they all persist and do well.

Yes! Without a piano or keyboard at home, the student will barely be able to make progress. Practice outside of the lesson is essential to learning piano, and you can’t do that without an instrument at home. Pianos are great, but they can be quite expensive. I typically recommend this keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Weighted-Digital-Sustain-Amazon-Exclusive/dp/B01LY8OUQW. Though it is a bit pricey, it is very solid. It’s high enough quality that it should last any beginner student far into their studies. If you purchase a cheaper keyboard, I cannot vouch for the quality. No matter what, however, your instrument must be full-sized (88 keys), have weighted keys, and be touch sensitive.

Though the specific amount of time varies for each student based on their age and ability level, I encourage every single student to practice every day. Consistent practice makes learning piano so much easier and faster. As for the amount of time, while a brand new 5-year-old may only need to practice 10 minutes a day, I might encourage my more advanced and older students to practice an hour each day. What you put in is what you get.

The best answer I can give is: as long as it takes for you to reach your goals. If you or your child want to become a world-famous classically trained pianist, that would entail a lifetime of practice and study. If you want to learn modern pop music, that might take a few years. It depends on how much effort you put in as well. If you are practicing 10 minutes per week, it will take a very long time to make significant progress. If you practice an hour a day, you will learn much quicker! I think it takes a good few months to get a feel for the basics and if you want to continue. After that, I would anticipate several years of practice for most people to accomplish something close to their goals.

I usually begin each lesson asking about how the week’s practice went so I can identify if there are any problems you are having. Then you will start playing. Usually, I like to have students play some kind of brief and basic warmup. For beginners it may be a simple technical exercise, while more advanced students will likely play scales and/or arpeggios.

After that, you will play the music that was assigned to you in the previous week, and I will watch and listen and then give feedback and guidance. Depending on how you played, we may quickly move on to the next piece or spend lots of time on one piece or even one measure!

Once you have played all the assigned music, you typically get a new assignment to work on for the next week. We go over it in the lesson so I can teach you anything new and so I can be sure you understand it all.

Before you know it, the lesson will be over, and it will be time to go home and practice!