How To Find The Right Piano Teacher

Learning to play the piano is like taking a journey.

On this journey every student encounters a number of imposing mountains that they must cross in order to reach their destination. There are also many traps and dangers along the way.


The best way to ensure the success of any journey is to hire a guide. The ideal guide is someone who has made the trip many times before. They know the best way to go. They know many hidden shortcuts and they know how to avoid the dangers along the way.

The piano student’s guide on their musical journey is of course their piano teacher.

Selecting the right piano teacher is one of the most critical decisions you can make. If you choose the right teacher, you greatly increase the chance that your child will go on to make the piano a part of their life. If you choose the wrong teacher, you can jeopardize your child’s musical journey before it has even begun.

The five most important questions that you should ask when looking for a piano teacher are:

QUESTION #1: Do They Relate Well To Children?

One of the most common mistakes parents make when looking for a piano teacher is that they look for the teacher with the best reputation and qualifications as a pianist.

It is very important to be aware that being a great pianist does NOT necessarily make someone a great teacher.

What you are really looking for is someone who is great with kids and who loves teaching.

I read recently that aside from direct family relationships, the longest relationship many people develop during their life is with their music teacher!

This is certainly true in my case. I spent 8 years with my teacher and during that time he became not only a teacher but also an advisor, confidant and friend.

This is what you want to find for your child – A teacher who can become their friend.

QUESTION #2: Do They Create A Positive Environment?

As we saw in Part 1 of this mini course. It is important to create a positive environment for your child to learn and grow as a musician.

Just as there are parents who adopt the Army Sergeant Major approach to practice, there are also teachers who adopt a disciplinarian approach to teaching. It never ceases to amaze me how many adults I meet who recount stories of being slapped across the hands with rulers and being verbally abused for not doing their piano practice. It is little wonder that most of these adults gave up playing piano.

Remember what you are looking for in a teacher is someone who creates an atmosphere of fun and excitement for your child.

QUESTION #3: Do They Have A Professional Piano Studio?

Your child’s teacher should have a professionally organized studio which offers a range of activities and games to enrich your child’s development.

One important question to ask prospective teachers is whether they have a computer lab. Today there are many wonderful computer programs available that help children learn to play piano.

QUESTION #4: Do They Have The Appropriate Qualifications?

In addition to relating well to children, it is important to ensure that the teacher you select does have the appropriate qualifications to teach piano. When you meet a prospective teacher you should ask to see their qualifications.

QUESTION #5: Are They Passionate About Music?

Your child’s attitude towards music will reflect the attitude of their teacher so it is important to find a teacher that loves what they do rather than someone who is teaching just to pay the bills. You can gauge a teacher’s level of enthusiasm using the questions you will find in the next section.
How To Find The Right Teacher For Your Child

The best way to start your search is to ask your friends and acquaintances whether they know of a good piano teacher in your local area.

What you really want to hear is, “My daughter’s piano teacher is great with kids. The kids just love her…”

Not, “My daughter’s piano teacher is an international concert pianist.”

Don’t get me wrong, it is possible to find a teacher who is a great pianist and a great teacher, but just remember what you are really looking for is a great teacher.

When you have a list of a few possible teachers, you should contact them and ask if they offer a free trial lesson. Some teachers will, some won’t. It often depends on how busy they are.

If a teacher does not offer a free trial lesson, ask whether you and your child can come and observe a lesson with an existing student. If a teacher says no to both of these requests then move on to the
next name on your list.

When you go along to either the free trial lesson or the observation lesson, take careful note of the following:

• How does the teacher interact with children?
• How do children interact with the teacher?
• Do the children seem to enjoy the lesson?
• Does the teacher seem to enjoy the lesson?
• How does the teacher handle a child’s mistakes?
• If you are having a free lesson, take note of how your
• child reacts to the teacher. Can you can imagine the two
• of them becoming friends?

After observing the above points, ask the prospective teacher the following questions:

• What qualifications do they have?
• Do they offer a computer lab?
• Do they organize regular recitals?
• Do they organize end of year concerts?
• Do they have group lessons and activities?
• Do they enjoy teaching?
• How will they work with you to help your child at home?

Don’t be afraid to let prospective teachers know that you are trying out a few teachers in the area. It is in the best interest of everyone that you find the best match between teacher and student.

Remember you are looking to establish a relationship that may last for many years so it is worth taking a bit of time to get it right.