What’s Better: Group or Private Piano Lessons
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Students may train in keyboard skills by private lessons with an instructor or by participating in a class with other students. Most parents are unable to decide which type of piano lesson format to take for their child. The two types of venues are both effective, and we will show how a parent can decide.
The concept of class lessons with a group of young students under the age of six features pursuits like small percussion instruments, songs, dance and playing on a keyboard. Small students love to participate in group activities because they have lots of energy and the attention span is shorter than that of an older child. Children over the age of six will be able to play on the keyboard more, yet they can still learn rhythm and sing in class.
Some children may discover that taking private lessons too stressful as it demands their constant attention and concentration. Not all teachers are understanding or accommodating for young children so some children may not look forward to the lessons and feel pressured to achieve. Younger children cannot always stay interested and listen to what the teacher is communicating and sometimes their hands are just too small to play piano pieces.
Most group lesson experiences and some private piano teachers ask that the parent sits in on the lessons. That way they can observe how their child is interacting and encounters with class activities or private lessons. Even though the parent may not have any musical background, they can get a good idea what is going on and if the lessons are productive for the child.
Students should keep taking the lessons if they are learning and liking the instrument. It does not matter if it is a group or private setting, as long as the teacher works well with children and is adept at helping them learn a musical piece then all is well. Teachers that offer stickers give some students some motivation to get the piece practiced after class is over.
Children that attend group lessons with others may not learn as much as they could in a one-to-one lesson situation. Young students tend to be distracted by other children and their attention will be focused away from the class, so if they have private lessons the teacher can help them focus on the learning. Parent attendance will help both types of lessons, and they can see if the classes or lessons are really effective and that their child is learning.
Does your child have friends that are taking music classes or private lessons? You can talk to the parents and the other young children to see if they enjoy the classes and are learning anything about music. An excellent idea would be to take the prospective student to a classroom session, then have a sample assessment or private lesson with a qualified piano instructor.
Keep in mind that your child must want to be at the lessons. Don’t force them to be there, as they will be much more productive if they look forward to the lessons. As a parent, decide what your intuition tells you: it’s alright to wait until your child is older, like 7 or 8 years old to begin piano lessons.
