 |
 |
 |
Do I need a piano at home to take piano
lessons? |
| |
Yes, students should practice every day
at home, and having a piano is necessary to have productive
lessons. Another option, which is not the best choice,
is using an electric keyboard to practice on at home,
making sure that it is a full-sized keyboard. There is
also an option of renting a piano, which usually costs
as low as $50 per month. |
| |
|
|
How long does it take to learn to play
the piano? |
| |
There is no set answer of how long it takes
to learn an instrument. With regular practice a basic
level of playing can be accomplished in a few months.
Most of our students take lesson a long term basis because
they want to be constantly improving and they find the
lessons enjoyable. |
| |
|
|
I don’t have any musical background
or ability; can I still help my child practice? |
| |
Yes. Even if you don’t have a musical
background you can ask the teacher for advice on how to
help your child practice. You can simply review the latest
assignment sheet and make sure that your child follows
all the given instructions.
Many parents occasionally sit in the class to observe
the instruction process and understand the teacher’s
expectations. |
| |
|
|
What is the Russian method of piano instruction? |
| |
In Russian schools, students begin by understanding
a piece’s meaning. This way, the music that students
work on should have an artistic image: the meaning. That
is why we do not start with mechanical exercises. Our
repertoire for beginning students is a collection of inspiring
folk songs as well as easy but original music of great
composers. The technique of the Russian school of piano
comes from Chopin’s tradition. Here, the technique
and the music are never separated from each other. Students
improve their piano skills not based on what comes first
in theory of music, but based on what comes first in piano
skills. They then learn the theory of music accordingly. |
| |
|
|
What makes your method different from
other methods? |
| |
The main and very visible difference that
one can see in our method is that we don’t give
the student a book to go through page by page. Each student
makes his or her own piano book with the teacher’s
invisible and indirect help. Students choose their pieces
and create a story and name for each piece, then, with
the teachers’ help, find the skills to perform that
story. Our school’s curriculum helps us to make
sure all students have the essential knowledge of theory,
technique, ear-training, and sight-reading skills before
they complete each level. |
| |
|
|
Can you help students receive a Music
Certificate? |
| |
Yes, our teachers are members of MTAC (Music
Teachers’ Association of California) which
allows their students to apply for “Certificate
of Merit”. For more information, please check
http://www.mtac.org/programs/cm/index.shtml |
| |
|
| |
 |
|
|
Do we need to have a piano
at home to take the Prep-Piano class? |
| |
No. Students don’t practice
the piano at this age. You can review the hand-out paper
at home with the student if you want. |
| |
|
My child is 5. Can I register for the
Prep-Piano Class? |
| |
The prep-piano program was specially designed for 3
and 4 year old children, so the class will be too slow
for a 5 year old. At age 5, children are ready to start
private lessons. |
| |
|
Can we have a trial before we commit
to a nine month program? |
| |
Yes. To arrange a day for your trial lesson, please
call 510-710-0995. |
| |
|
Do the students play the piano in class? |
| |
No. They listen to piano pieces that they will play
later on when they take private lessons. |
| |
|
What if my child is ready for private
lessons before the nine months are over? |
| |
You can always move onto private lessons and we will
credit you the rest of the tuition toward the private
lessons tuition. |
| |
|
What do students learn during this nine
month program? |
| |
Students learn the names of the keys and the musical
alphabet (rhythm values, rests, grand
staff, and notes). They will develop their musical
memory and get plenty of ear training as well. |
| |
|
What do students do during the 30 minute
class? |
| |
Class activities are listening and repeating
a tune or a rhythm; singing along, learning a musical
symbol using colors, stories, and games, and reviewing
symbols that we learned in earlier classes. |
| |
|
