ALLISON'S FUN WITH KEYS
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should my child take piano lessons?
There are many proven benefits for having music education, and I believe learning piano as the first instrument sets the foundation for life-long music learning.
“Music improves cognitive and non-cognitive skills more than twice as much as sports, theater or dance. Kids who take music lessons have better cognitive skills and school grades and are more conscientious, open and ambitious. And that's just the beginning.”
-Tom Barnes, Music. Mic
“Music training can change both the structure of the brain's white matter, which carries signals through the brain, and gray matter, which contains most of the brain's neurons that are active in processing information. Music instruction also boosts engagement of brain networks that are responsible for decision making and the ability to focus attention and inhibit impulses.”
-University of Southern California, MedicaXpress
“Music instruction appears to accelerate brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain that are responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception and reading skills, according to initial results of a five-year study by USC neuroscientists.”
-Medical News, Life Sciences & Medicine
If you need more convincing, here is The Power of Music Education with a list of benefits. Or, better yet, watch the TED-ed video on how playing an instrument benefits your brain.
Is my child old enough to take piano lessons?
The average age to start piano lesson is five. At this age, the child has developed necessary motor skills and coordination to begin learning piano successfully.
Which lesson duration should I choose?
For beginners, 30 mins lessons are ideal for the Fun with Keys programs and adult beginners. For the Transcript Booster Program, I would recommend starting with 30 mins lessons as well for lower level preparations. As we move up the examination levels, it would be wise to move to 45 mins or even 60 mins lessons as the required music becomes more difficult. For students looking to participate in the Pro Pianist Intensive Program, it would be beneficial to commit to 60 mins lesson every week.
How often and how long should one practice?
You really don’t have to sit at the piano for hours; in fact, it can actually be counterproductive. I recommend having a consistent practice schedule that allows for 3-5 days of practice throughout the week. I also give my students specific practicing tips and plan each week which shouldn’t take longer than 15-30 mins each day. Even if your child is involved in multiple activities (which many of our students are), he/she/they will still be able to progress smoothly.
what kind of piano should I have at home?
If you already have a grand piano or acoustic upright piano, that’s fantastic! If you are looking to purchase a digital piano/ keyboard, it is highly recommended to invest in an instrument with WEIGHTED keys for the long run. I suggest the following brand: Yamaha, Casio, Roland, and Kawai. Contact for more in depth free consultation.