It’s quite reasonable to want to know what you’re going to get out of your piano lessons before you start paying for them. From what I’ve seen in years of lessons I’ve taken, lessons I’ve given, and friends’ experiences, I’ve gained a sense for the more commonly taught material.
In piano lessons, you can expect to learn the basics of piano notes/chords/scales, how to read sheet music, and the proper fingerings and technique. You can also expect to advance towards learning classical piano music, unless otherwise specified by the teacher.
When it comes to learning piano, there’s a lot to know. Below, I’ll go into further details about what to expect, what you can learn, and how to determine if piano lessons are right for you.
What to Expect in Typical Piano Lessons
This first thing we will go over is what you can expect in your typical piano lessons. Later in this article we will talk about some other types of lessons you can find.
If you do a Google search for piano lessons, talk with your friends about lessons they’ve had, or visit your local piano studio, it is very likely that you will be considering classical piano lessons. I’m not exactly sure why this is, but my theory is that classical music has a much stronger cultural tie to education, while other genres of music (rock, pop, hip hop, etc.) have a stronger counter-cultural element.
There’s often a very regimented way that classical piano is taught. Many students hate it, and others really benefit from having a clear and defined way to improve. Your teacher will likely have you learn your notes, chords, scales, rhythms, terminology, circle of fifths, and music history. Often this can come in the form of workbooks and theory tests. It definitely feels like school, but it most definitely gets the job done and drives home extremely important concepts.
As you advance through some basic music workbooks that your teacher may provide, you’ll likely start to play some basic classical pieces. There’s body of classical music that young students commonly progress to, and it can be very rewarding to master these easy pieces. The most obvious example I can think of is Fur Elise – I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard it because it’s taught so much (it’s also just an amazing piece).
Your teacher may also run a lot of drills and exercises with you. This could be practicing your scales and pieces with a metronome, super slowly, isolating small passages and repeating, playing everything very short or very connected, learning the right fingerings, etc. These drills, although the opposite of fun, will you make better at piano very quickly because they are addressing the technical fundamentals of playing.
In my piano lessons through the years, I did a lot of drills, learned music theory through a series of books and tests, learned many classical pieces, and played a lot of recitals and competitions. Although your experience will be unique, I’d say it’s a safe bet to assume your path in classical piano lessons will be relatively similar to this.
Other Types of Piano Lessons
There are several types of piano lessons other than classical; many teachers specialize in other genres like rock, pop, and jazz. These lessons will likely be much less regimented, and you’ll be freer to work with the teacher to move in the direction you’re most interested in.
During your search for something other than classical piano lessons, make sure that the teacher specifies what they are teaching. Look for the term ‘jazz piano lessons’ if that’s what you’re looking for. If you show up to a teacher who’s ad says ‘piano lessons’, it’s very unlikely that the teacher happens to know jazz and how to teach it.
In these types of lessons, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to follow a pre-specified path. If you’re looking to learn specific material, work on your improvisation, or improve your technique, the teacher will be able to focus more on those areas.
If you’re not sure exactly what you want to work on, then the teacher will likely start you on whatever he or she feels is best. This could be basic chords and music theory, or jumping right into some easy songs. Because non-classical lessons are less regimented, the material you start with may heavily depend on the teacher. It’s a good idea to meet your potential teachers and get to know their style a little bit when going this route.
To provide some specific context, I’ll go into a little bit of detail about what I teach. When I give non-classical related piano lessons, I try to take a two-pronged approach – half of what we go over is basic music theory fundamentals, and the other half is whatever the student wants. I always insist on the music theory fundamentals, focusing on chords and chord progressions, because it enables students to quickly adapt to most genres and play with others. From there, I let the student decide – usually they pick a couple songs they like and we work through them together. This approach usually works well, and I’d recommend asking any teacher you’re considering if they’re willing and able to use that strategy.
Can You Teach Yourself to Play Piano?
It is possible to effectively teach yourself to play piano. Using online resources, students can learn music theory, how to read music, mimic other piano players by watching their content repeatedly, and watch tutorials for playing songs in a variety of genres.
I’ve been self-taught for many years now, and I love it. While I took classical piano lessons for years, I basically taught myself jazz, rock, and pop. There’s an abundance of material to learn from online and generally high quality. The biggest challenge is staying motivated without another person watching over you. I actually wrote an entire article with my step by step guide to learning to play piano by yourself, which you can read here.
The Benefits of Piano Lessons
The benefits of piano lessons include having guidance and structure from an experienced musician, while self-taught piano players must keep themselves accountable. In addition, piano teachers can tailor their guidance to your specific needs, and provide additional perspectives.
Although I’m a big proponent of musicians teaching themselves to play, I don’t want to undersell how beneficial lessons can be. Having a more experienced musician impart their wisdom onto you can propel your musicianship forwards quickly, and help you avoid any misconceptions or mistakes you develop.
Deciding if Piano Lessons Are Right For You
So what does this all mean for you? The moral of the story is that sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from your piano lessons, and it depends on the genre and teacher you go with. Making decisions can be difficult with incomplete information – if you’re still unsure, check out this article I wrote with a comprehensive list of things to consider before paying for piano lessons.
I took weekly classical piano lessons between the ages of 6 and 18. I experienced ups and downs, loved some aspects, hated others, and overall learned and grew as a musician and person. On the one hand, I wouldn’t be close to the musician I am without them. On the other hand, I was quite relieved when I was done with classical lessons and wouldn’t go back.
Since there’s no clear cut answer to whether piano lessons are the right decision for you or not, I’d recommend at least giving them a try and see how you like it. Try a few different teachers, and at the same time check out online resources you find. Once you’ve sampled the buffet, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision.