How to Find a Good Piano Teacher

Learning to play an instrument is one of the greatest skills a person can master. While some people may opt to learn how to play the piano on their own, working with a teacher who has experience and knowledge can help you achieve your goals faster. Many of our first-time piano buyers ask us, how do I find a piano teacher? With a seemingly endless number of options available, choosing a piano teacher can be overwhelming at first, but that’s what we are here to help with.

Navigating how to find a piano teacher that’s best for you can be complicated, but with a few tips, you can ensure you are matched with a teacher who best fosters your skills and enthusiasm. Let’s get started on finding a good piano teacher for you.

Why Do You Need a Piano Teacher?

Before diving into how to find a good piano teacher, why do you need one in the first place? For those that have been daydreaming about playing the piano, figuring out where to start can be the hardest part, and for many, it starts with the teacher.

A piano teacher can help you:

• Develop proper technique and form
• Learn how to read music
• Learn music theory
• Learn and develop ear training
• Provide feedback on your playing
• Select a repertoire that suits your skill level and preferences
• Create a plan or roadmap to help you achieve your goals

7 Best Tips for Choosing a Good Piano Teacher

To help you navigate how to choose a good piano teacher, we are sharing 7 tips to help you with the search to find the right instructor for you. Let’s break it down.

1. Identify Your Interests and Create a list of Goals

Before beginning your hunt for a piano teacher, first, consider what you are hoping to learn and create a list of goals.
A parent who wants to get their child started with lessons may have a different set of goals than the hobbyist who wants to learn their favorite Billy Joel songs. If there’s a particular genre or style of music you want to learn, it’s important to take that into account during your search as well. For example, if you’ve shown an interest in jazz music and want to learn how to improvise, a teacher who has no jazz background would likely not be the right fit for you. Identifying your interests and goals ahead of time can help narrow down your search.

2. Get Referrals from Other People

For many, navigating how to find piano teacher starts with referrals. Turning to a friend or acquaintance who has had a good experience with a piano teacher is a great place to start. In addition, you can ask your community how they found and chose their teacher, and if they are happy with their choice. Whether you’re looking for yourself or your child, ask those with a similar age range and skill level for their advice – it can go a long way.

In addition, local music stores and schools are also great sources of information on local teachers. This word-of-mouth journey is great for making initial contacts, but be sure that the teacher you find also has the qualifications to meet your specific musical needs.

3. Interview Potential Teachers

Once you identify a few potential teachers, it’s time to interview, but first, you must know what to look for in a piano teacher. When making this choice, keep in mind that this person can have a big impact on you or your child’s musical journey. Some people choose to stay with their piano teacher for many years, but if you don’t find the right fit at first, don’t be afraid to continue looking. To find the best teacher for you or your child, create a list of questions beforehand so that you can approach your selection process like a job interview.

Questions include:

• What are your practice expectations?
• How many students do you teach? What are their ages?
• What levels do you focus on?
• What kind of events outside of lessons have your students participated in?
• What is your level of musical education? What about teaching experience?
• Do you belong to any professional organizations?
• What methods do you use to teach?
• Describe your teaching philosophy.
• Can you help me prepare for _______ (Certificate of Merit, Guild Auditions, college auditions, etc.)?

4. Take a Demo Piano Lesson

Before you fully commit, some teachers or studios will offer a demo lesson to try them out. Whether it’s free or counts as a first lesson, this initial test drive is crucial to see if the student and teacher truly mesh.

Before entering this demo lesson, come with clear goals in mind. While the teacher will likely guide the lesson, knowing what you hope to get out of it will help you better understand if it’s the right fit.

5. Think About Location

When figuring out how to find a piano teacher for adults or children, keep location in mind. First, decide whether you prefer in-home lessons or are ok traveling to a studio location. You can also consider virtual or online classes if neither option works for you. At this point, you’ll also want to decide if you want private lessons, group lessons, or a combination of both if available. If you are required to travel for your lessons, make sure that you have reliable transportation and that you’ll be able to arrive on time for your lessons on a consistent basis. A long commute can be a great barrier to consistency, so ensure you are comfortable with the drive and location before committing.

6. Don’t Choose the Cheapest Teacher

Don’t let the teacher’s rate be the only-factor in your decision-making process. While it may sound appealing to choose the most budget-friendly teacher, this is not always the best choice. Keep in mind, piano teachers are not all on equal levels, and while one may have a cheaper rate, this may come at a cost. Gather rates for comparable teachers to find a range or average cost of what you should be looking for. You’ll still want to consider the teacher’s background, experience, referrals, and if they are the right fit for you and your goals.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Keep Looking

When choosing a teacher, remember that these early lessons are essential to creating a solid foundation for their music education. Your teacher should inspire you to keep coming back to the piano, help you progress and achieve your goals, and adapt with your successes and setbacks. Having a good relationship with your piano teacher can make all the difference. Be sure to communicate your goals with the teacher ahead of time and if you’re still unhappy with the way things are going, don’t be afraid to keep looking.

What to Look for in a Piano Teacher

Now that you know how to narrow down your search and find a piano instructor, it’s time to understand what to look for in a piano teacher. Here are a few characteristics that make for a quality music instructor.

1. Good Communication

Communication is essential when choosing a piano teacher. Look for someone that can explain the lessons in a way that makes sense to you, and communicates well with the student and/or parent.

2. Teaching Style

Each person has a different learning style, so it’s important to look for instructors whose teaching style is compatible with you. For example, some students may excel in sight-reading, while others may excel in ear training. Some students may only be productive during a 30-minute lesson, whereas another student can go for a full hour. Find a teacher who can create a lesson plan to overcome areas where students may struggle or capitalize on their strengths and is also capable of explaining things in a way that the student is able to comprehend and apply to their practice.

3. Professional Piano Background & Experience

When choosing a piano teacher, consider their piano background and experience as well. Look for teachers who have a degree or certificate in music. If they don’t have one, ask what teaching experience or training they’ve had.

Some questions to consider asking are:

• What are their teaching credentials?
• Where did they get their degree from?
• Do they have performances you can listen to or watch?
• How long have they been teaching?
• Do they have experience working with students in that age group?
• Do they have experience teaching the genre you want to learn (ex. Jazz, classical, pop, etc)?

4. Are you Progressing?

Even once you have started your lessons, be sure to check in along the way on if you are progressing and reaching your goals. In addition, take the time to consider if you are truly enjoying your lessons, and if the teacher is effective in helping you reach your goals to ensure you have found the right match for you and your goals.

Can You Teach Yourself to Play the Piano?

If you’re not interested in learning how to find a piano teacher and traditional lessons aren’t for you, there are still plenty of ways to learn on your own. All you need is a piano to get started! Visit a Music Exchange near you and one of our sales consultants can help you select a new piano or used piano that is suitable for your needs. Once you have a piano, you can start exploring different learning tools. There are plenty of free and paid options available online. You can explore YouTube’s vast selection of tutorial videos or use an interactive app like flowkey to help you learn the piano.

The Bottom Line

From answering questions such as how do I find a piano teacher to what to look for in a piano teacher, we hope this blog provided you with helpful tips to get you matched with the best instructor for you or your child. Learning the piano should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. A great teacher can help you achieve your goals, provide real-time feedback, inspire you to keep learning, and set you on a lifelong path of enriching your life through music.

If you need help selecting a piano or would like more information regarding pricing and availability, contact us online today. With years of experience as local piano experts, our team at Music Exchange can help you choose the best piano to begin your musical journey.