Piano Lessons in Sydney for all Ages and Levels

Piano Lessons by Level

Beginner Level

It is always a joy to work with a beginner. It is also a big responsibility for the teacher as the first steps will determine the way students will develop their musicality and their ability to play more advanced pieces in the following years.

At the beginner level the student will learn to have a comfortable posture, a correct hand position and will learn to play simple pieces using a range of natural movements.

The students will also learn the fundamentals of music theory and will develop their aural skills with rhythmical and vocal exercises and games

Intermediate Level

At this level students will play pieces which require more demanding technical skills and a further development of musical expression.

They will also look more deeply into music theory and will start learning about the tools composers use to create a piece (how to create a musical phrase, how to use rhythm patterns, how to combine chords and other tools).

At this stage all the pieces that will be learnt will be fully rewarding, meaning that students can already choose what pieces to learn among a very wide range of composers and styles, according to their taste.

Advanced Level

At this level the students will learn more complex pieces, including masterpieces that professional concert pianists perform regularly.

The students are expected to have a solid piano technique and to understand music notation. At this stage the teacher should mainly help solve more challenging piano technique problems and bring out the student’s own musical personality.

Although the advanced level allows the students to reach high peaks of musical expression I would like to point out that there is no limit to what we can learn. Every goal we achieve is just a new starting point.

Piano Classes Sydney by Age

Piano Lessons for Young Kids – 4 to 6 years old

When is it the right age to start learning to play the piano? I would say “the earlier the better”! Young kids can learn very quickly but in the same time they can also forget very quickly.

For this reason it is essential that a parent attends the piano lessons and supervises the practice routine at home. At this age students are not able to read yet therefore they will not learn their pieces by reading a music sheet.

The young kids will learn watching the teacher play and by listening many times to a playlist of the pieces they are going to learn. There will be also other activities that will help the students to develop their musical ear, their motor coordination and to improve gradually their level of concentration.

Piano Lessons for Kids – Primary School

Most kids start learning an instrument when they are in primary school. Many piano books for beginners are thought for this age, so the teacher can choose the right book for each student among a wide selection.

The choice of the right books depends on a few factors such as the level of commitment (some piano methods are more demanding than other ones), the age (a six year old child would probably prefer to have a coloured book with pictures), the preference for a musical style (classical or contemporary, for instance).

There is also a wide choice of piano pieces for students who are not beginners. During piano lessons the teacher can play several pieces so that the students can decide themselves which one to learn.

Piano Lessons for Kids – High School

At this age there are students of different levels, from beginners to the “next generation of piano stars”.

Kids who already have piano experience are encouraged to continue, even if they might not be interested in pursuing a career in music after school.

They might just like to learn to play their favourite music (including arrangements for piano solo of pop / rock songs, film music themes, computer games music). Students who want to do piano performance for the HSC, with the goal to study a music degree at university, will learn to perform with confidence, personality, and artistry.

Piano Lessons for Adults

Almost all the adult students I have taught so far have had one thing in common: the fear of being too old to learn and of not being good enough.

I can assure that there’s nothing to be afraid of, there is no such thing as “too old”, and an adult piano student may even learn more quickly than a kid.

An adult piano student, with or without previous piano learning experience, simply needs enthusiasm and the willingness to make a bit of a commitment.

Piano Lessons’ Content

What happens during a piano lesson?

All piano lessons will cover these three important elements:

1. piano technique – the skills our body needs to learn to play correctly and with musical expression

2. music notation – coding and understanding of all the musical signs, which is essential in order to play correctly and with musical expression

3. musical expression – the ability to combine music with thoughts and feelings

During the lesson the teacher will demonstrate everything that the student needs to learn and practise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of piano lessons

Fees for 2024 are the following:

• $54 for 30 minutes
• $80 for 45 minutes
• $104 for 60 minutes

Duration of Piano Lessons

• 30 minutes – It suits very young kids, as their concentration usually doesn’t last for longer. It also suits students who learn piano just for leisure and work at no more than two pieces at a time
  
• 45 minutes – It suits students of any age (excluding very young kids) with moderate / high level of commitment and work at no more than three pieces at a time.
  
• 60 + minutes – It suits all the advanced level students and, more generally it is recommended for all the very committed students

The Piano – The King of Instruments

The piano is a wonderful instrument with a unique set of technical characteristics unlike those of any other musical instrument. It is considered the “King of Instruments” for the following reasons:

• The piano has 88 keys, allowing for a wide range of sounds and characters, from the chirp of a little bird in the high register to the roar of a lion in the low register
  
• The piano can play a single melodic line, like a human voice, but can also embody the many simultaneous layers of an orchestra (as well as combining these two skills)
  
• The piano is one of the greatest solo instruments, however is equally significant as part of an ensemble.
  
• The piano displays a wide dynamic range, sounding as soft as a whisper, as loud as a burst of joy and everything in between
  

My Teaching Philosophy

When we let music be a part of our world, it can enrich our lives in many ways. Music has definitely enriched mine. I believe that, as a performer and a teacher, I can help bring music into other people’s lives.

As a piano teacher, I feel that my role goes beyond simply teaching students to acquire the skills to play piano.

During my piano lessons I always try to connect the musical aspects with one’s feelings, emotions, ideas, thoughts, images and personal experiences.

My ultimate goal is to help my students, kids and adults, to find a way to express themselves and enjoy life through music.