Piano Lessons in Germantown, MD

Instruments: Piano

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practice the hardest parts first, slowly. It's always tempting/easier to practice what we're comfortable with, but practicing what you already know, or can already do, does not allow you to grow and expand upon your abilities. In order to become comfortable with something, you have to allow yourself to be uncomfortable first. So practice the uncomfortable stuff, slowly, until it becomes comfortable. Then, move on to the next challenge, and watch yourself grow, develop, and get better!! This will also help grow your confidence as well, as you discover what you can handle and conquer.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
This is always a fine line to walk, but usually it comes down to two main things, concentration and focus. Piano is an instrument that truly can be learned by anyone (as long as you know your alphabet up to G). However, a lot of the learning process, especially in the beginning, requires having an attention span, and the ability to focus on what you're learning. If a child has the ability to concentrate on what they're doing without becoming too distracted (even if for just 15 or 20 minutes), a LOT can be accomplished. It's always our job as the teacher, to try to be engaging and keep things interesting, but the student must be able to stay focused as well. If they can do this, and also seem interested in learning as well, certainly there is much potential for them to go far!!

When will I start to see results?
This can vary widely from student to student. It also depends how much time you're putting in between lessons. Students that do very little between lessons, and/or are not practicing regularly, will typically take longer than the ones that put in more time and are practicing more consistently (it's always better to put in a few minutes daily, than practicing once every few days). Also, because a lot of the beginning stuff is based on repetition and memorization, some students just pick up on that faster than others, while others may need more time. But a consistent daily practice routine is always the best approach.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
By far, the one I gravitate towards the most would be Jazz. The melodies and chord changes (for many Jazz standards) are beautiful, intricate, and complex. Listening to a Jazz solo, in my opinion, is often times an incredible thing to witness, as you're literally hearing a composition being created on the spot, while at the same time working within a very concrete and specific structure (which is what makes it sound good). And then, when playing together in group settings, you also have the added benefit of communication, as musicians will feed off each other's ideas. It is very much a communal effort and to experience it live is simply irreplaceable.

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