LESSONS DURATION AND FREQUENCY
The duration (20, 30, 45 or 60 minutes) and the frequency (weekly, fortnightly, or occasional) of lessons will have been discussed before your first lesson. However, these arrangements can be reviewed at any time. This also applies to the decision as to whether or not the parent should sit in at the lesson. Although parents normally do sit in at young children’s lessons, and often throughout the primary school years, the reaction of children to their parents’ presence at lessons varies and each case must be decided on its own merits.
FEES
Currently our fee is £13.50 for a 20-minute lesson. There are reductions for families with more than one person attending weekly lessons. Invoices, for a term of ten lessons payable in advance, are issued four times per session in August, November, January, and April.
WHAT AGE DO YOU SUGGEST FOR STARTING LESSONS?
It is often assumed that primary 3 (age 7) is the best time for a child to start lessons, but this may have more to do with the child’s actual reading ability, than their musical and piano-playing potential. Children can learn to play the piano before they are able to read, and if a child shows eagerness to play, then it is often very productive to start younger. We are very happy to accept children in their first year at school.
However, if you do decide you want your child to start piano lessons at an early age, you will need to be committed to spending time at the piano every day with your child. It is unlikely that the child will be able to make anything worthwhile out of the piano without daily input from the parent.
The temperament of the child has to be considered too. Some young children aren’t ready to sit down and concentrate at lessons and practice, even in a format appropriate to their stage. They must also be disposed to accept help from the parents.