So, you've arranged your first lesson with one of our teachers! Congratulations! If you’re feeling a little nervous about starting, you’re not alone. It’s totally normal to be nervous when you’re about to try something new for the first time.
To start you on your way, here are 5 strategies to prepare yourself so you can get the most out of your first piano lessons.
1. Ask what to bring to the first lesson in advance.
Before lessons begin, have a talk with your teacher to find out which books they teach from, and if there are any other materials they’d like you to have before your first lesson. Take notes during your conversation, and feel free to ask your teacher any questions you might have. There’s no such thing as a foolish question, especially at the outset of lessons. Remember to be a learner and keep an open mind about how to learn.
2. Start listening to music actively because now you are a musician too!
When you’re listening to music, make a point of listening for the beat and singing little bits of the melody. Get used to noticing the rhythm of everything and note when there are changes to the music. Listen actively and imagine yourself performing the music on your instrument. As a musician, your aural perspective and understanding of music will only grow and grow.
3. Learn a little bit of musical theory in advance
The internet today is full of some wonderful resources for learning some basic music theory. Your piano teacher will surely want to review and confirm everything you've learned on your own, but there's nothing wrong with a small head start.
4. Get an instrument organized
Your piano teacher most likely will have already spoken to you about where to rent a piano or keyboard. If you are just getting started the keyboards of today can be quite wonderful. An instrument with 88 weighted keys will offer you no impediment to progress and can be resold later if you graduate to a real piano. These modern electric instruments also work with headphones, which can be of great benefit if the instrument is in a shared space or if you live in a condo or apartment. Lastly, electric instruments are simply more affordable, and they don't require bi-annual tunings to stay in tune. While the true touch and sound of a real full-size piano is a marvellous thing, rest assured there are affordable and practical options available to today's pianist
5. Get in the habit of writing things down
Learning a musical instrument and particularly the piano will require practice. When musicians practice writing down their goals and observations makes it possible to build on the last session more quickly. It also enables us to make sure we don't forget important observations and solutions. Your teacher will write things down for you each week to practice while noting the most important concepts and ideas for you. You can make this even better by keeping a practice journal and writing down your thoughts and observations.
Are you feeling more confident yet? Taking the time to get prepared will help ensure your first piano lesson goes smoothly.
We hope that your lessons will result in a lifetime of loving music!
