Piano Instruction
Q: What's your teaching style?
A: I cater private lessons to the individual student’s needs, experience, and goals. Most of my lessons include some music theory & composition, and some of them involve pop music (and songs from other genres) as well as classical music. It truly depends on the specific student. I work on general musicianship with all of my students. This includes solfege ("Do-Re-Mi") singing, rhythm development, memorization, sight-reading, aural (listening) skills, and some analysis of musical form and structure.
Q: What about books?
A: For beginners and intermediate students, I like to use the Faber Piano Adventure. books. They come in sets (more on that below) and are designed very well. For advanced students, the Faber Developing Artist Library is a great "next level" with the same high quality editions as the "Adventure" books but with more advanced concepts and repertoire. Once a student reaches this more advanced level, I recommend Junior Hanon for etudes/warmups, and I start to incorporate more of the great keyboard repertory (J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Debussy, etc.).
Q: Do I need to get all of the Faber books/CDs? There are a lot.
A: Each of the beginner & intermediate levels in the Faber "Piano Adventure" series include Lesson, Theory, Performance, and Technique books. These are designed to work together, and I've found that they are worth the money. The other books (for example Popular, Gold Star Performance, and Christmas) and the accompanying CDs are not required, but the Popular Book is always a big hit with the kids, and I encourage buying that one.
Q: We're just starting, so how do I know which level to buy?
A: The Fabers' newest series - "My First Piano Adventure" - is meant for kids who don't read or are just starting to learn to read. After that, the "Primer" level is for beginners who can read, and Level 1 is best for beginners to the piano who may have already been exposed to some music at home or school.
Q: What are your rates?
A: My standard lesson is 30 minutes for $55, which includes my travel time and expense within Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Needham, Newton, and Watertown/Belmont. There will be an extra $15 charge for travel outside of these areas.
I find that 30 minutes is usually enough time to get a lot accomplished in a weekly lesson. I also teach longer lessons that allow for more in depth work, particularly for students with increasing interest in theory, composition, and songwriting.
Q: How does payment work?
A: I take check, cash, or Venmo. Payment can be per lesson or per month (at the beginning of the month preferably).
Q: How do you handle cancellations/rescheduling?
A: I ask that I be notified by 9AM on the day of the lesson if you wish to cancel or reschedule. Any cancellations for any reason after 9AM on the day of the lesson will require full payment for that lesson. Cancellations are only accepted by phone call. In the event that I must cancel a lesson, I will do my best to reschedule that same week.
Q: Are there recitals?
A: Yes, every year sometime in late May or early June I host a studio recital at Carter Memorial United Methodist Church in Needham. There is a beautiful fully refurbished Steinway grand piano there, which I have access to as the church organist/choir accompanist. This recital is open to families and friends, but otherwise closed to the public. Participation is not required but encouraged, as this a very low-pressure, fun performance opportunity. I work with and encourage all participating students to perform their pieces by memory. As of December 2011, I've also added an annual early winter recital, and I am hoping to begin hosting occasional small house concerts now that the music room is set up in my home.
“I’m looking forward to a fun year of music-making and learning with you!” - Aaron Rosenthal