Piano Lessons in Wichita, KS

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
It is always great to start by ensuring you are playing with relaxed shoulders, arms, and curved fingers. It is a good habit for a beginner to learn to play with healthy positioning. Also, do not get stressed out over something that is challenging to learn. Take breaks when you have to. Eventually you will master the technique. For advanced players, separate the sections of music that you know from the sections you do not know, and focus on those. I personally like isolating a measure that I do not know, playing it until I can play it 3 times in a row, and then adding the previous measure to it, almost like you are fortifying that section. There are many techniques you can use to practice effectively for different situations, and all can be learned in lessons.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
You will more than likely see your child begin taking an interest in music when they want to start taking lessons. I remember when I was six, I began observing our organist/pianist at my church, and decided I wanted to start learning the piano. I began taking lessons locally, and it only influenced my aspirations even more. I would advise against pressuring your child to take lessons. They will let you know when you are ready.

When will I start to see results?
In my opinion, every little step a student makes in learning piano shows wonderful results. For example, a first lesson I would teach a begging student would be how to sit at the piano properly, and how to play properly. I would also teach them the basic musical alphabet, and the notes of the piano, starting with the white keys. Every little bit of the student growing in knowledge of performing and music theory shows results.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I believe all four of my teachers that I had leading to today helped inspire me to go into music. It was fun and a fantastic experience. My very first teacher gave me my basic knowledge, and a bit of beginning classical knowledge, which inspired me to pursue more. I then went to my second teacher who told me about the Mechanics, Music, and Magic of the piano, which I still use today when I play. You have to know the Mechanics of the music, as well as the Music of the piece, to create the Magic. My third and fourth teacher inspired me to head into the education direction of music, as you learn not just about your primary instrument, but other instruments such as brass, woodwinds, and choir. I feel they helped me choose a diverse path of music.

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