Student Goals:

As a future music student you need to ask yourself or determine for your child the following questions:

1) What do you want to achieve by learning to play an instrument, especially the piano? Know that the piano is one of the easier instruments to learn, yet it takes consistent effort and practice time to achieve results. An interested self-motivated student learns faster and has fewer issues practicing versus the student who is forced to take lessons. See benefits for more information as to why you or your child should take lessons.

2) Do you want to play piano for a hobby or to play a piece of music you have heard? The hobby pianist must know that teachers try to offer both literature that the student will want to study and also offer music that involves gaining a classical piano playing technique. Students need to gain a certain level of facility at the keyboard and popular sheet music often does not fill that need. By studying classical piano music, players perform different styles of music, learn about music theory and history, and also gain increased adeptness of finger dexterity and playing technique. 

3) Is your goal to make money playing the piano either for church, weddings/funerals, etc? This takes about three-five years of lessons for most adults to reach the level needed to play traditional hymns or wedding music. To play the music with musical sensitivity may take longer, depending on the student.

4) Do you want to become a professional pianist? The best way to get a well-rounded musical education is to go to a university which offers a degree program that helps you achieve these goals. You should seek out the teacher or teachers you feel would benefit you most and stick with them, learning as much as they can offer. Ask accomplished musicians how long it took them to get to their skill level. Often it took them 15+ years, unless they were a child prodigy. You should also perform both solo and collaborative music, and accompany as much as possible. Weddings, church services, and other special events including recitals all give you experience performing in front of a group.