Frequently Asked Questions:

My child is only a beginner. Will a teacher who can only teach beginners be good enough for us?

Why do different music teachers and companies charge different rates? Am I getting a good deal?

Is it better to go to the teacher’s studio or have the lessons at home?

Pianos are expensive, can I afford to buy one?

Should I buy a digital piano or an acoustic piano?

Should I have 30 min lessons, 45 min lessons, or 1 hour lessons?

How soon can music lessons start?

My child is only a beginner. Will a teacher who can only teach beginners be good enough for us?

It is especially because your child is a beginner that you need to find the best teacher you can afford. So many beginners start with insufficiently qualified teachers, that they form bad habits which become very difficult and in some cases impossible to correct later. Be aware when studying with teachers that teach many different instruments. Are they equally qualified and experienced in all those instruments? If the instruments are closely related, e.g. violin/viola, flute/piccolo, guitar/bass; it is generally not a problem. However, there is a big difference between a teacher that specializes in strings but also happens to play a little piano, versus a teacher that specializes in piano. Just because a teacher has a degree in music, does not necessarily mean they are qualified to teach every instrument they can play. In fact, the Music Teachers National Association requires a separate certification procedure for each instrument that a teacher seeks teaching certification in. ^Top

Why do different music teachers and companies charge different rates? Am I getting a good deal?

When it comes to music lessons, cheaper/pricy is definitely not always better! Finding a music teacher is not the same as going shopping, where you may find the exact same product for a different price in a different store, and can try and get the best deal. No two music teachers are the same; they have different qualifications, different teaching experiences, different personalities, different teaching methods and philosophies, etc. Be selective when choosing a music teacher. Ask for an interview/demonstration lesson before making a commitment. Be aware with music lesson companies that offer lessons in your home. While some of them do have highly qualified teachers on their staff, ask for the resume and teaching experiences of the teacher they are actually going to be sending you! While they may offer convenience, they usually only pay their teachers 50-70% of the fees that you pay. As a result there is usually a big turn-around of teachers. Music lesson is a long term financial commitment, and choosing the right teacher is vital. Studying with a good music teacher will bring life-long benefits to your child. Take your time to find the right teacher! ^Top

Is it better to go to the teacher’s studio or have the lessons at home?

This depends. If you have other children in the family that need taken care of, work from home, do not have transportation, do not have time to drive your child back and forth, then you may have no choice but to have lessons at home. However, there are many benefits for having lessons in the teacher’s studio:

• Students usually concentrate better when they go to the teacher’s studio: they are not distracted by other children in the family that may be playing in the yard, phones ringing, mom cooking something delicious for dinner, dad arriving home from work, neighbors dropping by to say hello, etc.
• It is good for the student to play on the teacher’s piano once every week instead of always on their own piano at home. This makes the student aware that no two instruments are the same and teaches them to adapt to different instruments. Students who have only had lessons at home usually find it more difficult to perform later in recitals or festivals where they have to play on an unfamiliar instrument and inevitably get put off, not to mention that most students rarely get opportunities to play on a grand piano; going to Yiyi Ku Music Studio gives students opportunities to play on a fine Kawai grand piano J
• Going to the teacher’s studio to play for the teacher is in itself a performance experience. Musicians all know the feeling of having mastered a piece at home, only to find that something, however tiny, will always inevitably go wrong when they play the piece to others for the first time. Going to the teacher’s studio creates a practical opportunity for the student to play outside of their “familiar” environment; the more opportunities a student has, the more confident and experienced they become as a performer. This is immensely beneficial for preparation for NYSSMA, competitions, international examinations, and recitals. ^Top

Pianos are expensive, can I afford to buy one?

A good piano can cost a lot of money. But there are so many second hand pianos out there!!! Whatever budget you have, I am sure there is a piano just for you! Plus, a musical instrument is one that will last a long time for the entire family to enjoy. ^Top

Should I buy a digital piano or an acoustic piano?

Call me old fashioned but the answer is Acoustic Piano!!!! Then later if budget allows, a digital piano or keyboard as well, especially if the student is into composition. Do not believe it when the salesperson tells you “this digital piano does exactly the same thing as an acoustic piano”. True it may be touch sensitive and allows for a multitude of dynamics, but a digital piano can never replace the intricate, immensely sensitive, powerful, unique, soulful, most wonderful creation that we call the piano. Students who start on digital pianos and keyboards usually have difficulty later with legato (smooth) playing and controlling subtle dynamic changes. ^Top

Should I have 30 min lessons, 45 min lessons, or 1 hour lessons?

I started piano lessons at the age of 5, and I was extremely fortunate that all my lessons were never shorter than 1 hour. The hour seemed to be the absolute minimum. I understand that nowadays children have many activities that they participate in, other than music lessons, and most families can only afford 30 minute lessons. If there is budget and the student proves to be talented and dedicated, then longer lessons are definitely worthwhile. What is most important is having a good teacher that makes the most of the lesson time, and of course diligent practice at home!

For most young beginners, 30 minutes is a good start. For adult beginners, I recommend longer lessons so they can “catch-up” on technique and reading. Once a student progresses beyond a certain level, the music they study will be much more substantial, and longer lessons will be necessary. For students that want to audition for NYSSMA and other examinations or competitions, I have set minimum lesson duration for their level. This is to ensure that all aspects of the audition requirement can be covered and that the student will be fully prepared. ^Top

How soon can music lessons start?

Early childhood music education has proven to be immensely beneficial to the overall development of a preschool child. Music stimulates the mind and muscles, and children can absorb an enormous amount at this age. Musical parenting is also a good way to bring families together through music making. Singing simple nursery rhymes together with your child can lay the foundation for musicianship. Formal piano lessons can start as early as 4 years old, although if the parents are keen, they can “learn together” with children as young as 3.

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