Puget Sounds Piano School offers comprehensive individual and group piano lessons in historic downtown Issaquah.
We are dedicated to coaching pianists of all ages and levels to enjoy playing as much as we do.
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There’s no doubt about it: playing the piano can be very rewarding. The beauty of the instrument’s sound, the ease in which a good note can be produced, and the magic of the piano’s capabilities make it a top choice of instruments for many to start playing.
However, don’t sign up for piano lessons just yet! Consider these three essentials you will need PRIOR to starting your piano studies:
#1- An instrument to practice on. This may seem like common sense, but over the years quite a few students have tried to begin their studies at Puget Sounds Piano with the assumption that they will pick up an instrument down the road. Having an instrument to practice on from day one of your piano studies is absolutely critical. Playing on an instrument once per week in an individual or group lesson is simply not enough. You will need to practice the piano daily, yes daily, in order to make any progress.
What instrument should you get? That’s entirely up to your space, your budget and your situation. Get something that you can play, now, given your current living and housemate situation. Getting an acoustic (not electric) instrument is generally preferrable, unless you’re planning on practicing late at night or other times of day when members of your household would prefer quiet. If you do need a quiet household, do consider getting a digital piano with a good set of headphones. On a budget, or have small children who might not treat your piano as gently as they should? A 76-key keyboard is a great place to start, without the stress of a hefty price tag. If you are leaning towards a keyboard or digital piano, do be sure and spend a little more on a stable x-stand, or even better, a solid furniture-style stand, which will make your keyboard feel as steady as a real piano.
#2- Time to practice daily. Enthusiasm and a good instrument to play on is a great place to start, but won’t be enough. You will need to practice your instrument daily in order to progress. Think of it like working out, or learning a language; playing the piano once per week in your lesson is simply not enough to develop reflexes, cognition, and muscle memory needed to develop as a pianist.
How long will your daily sessions be? If you are a beginner, or if it’s a child, they need not be long- 10-20 minutes is a good place to start. However, as you progress and your pieces become more complex, this daily session will need to be expanded to 30-45 minutes. If your work, school, or extracurricular activities are especially demanding right now, or if you have travel or big life changes coming up, consider waiting until you have more space in your schedule to start lessons. Cramming in piano studies and daily practice when you or your child is overbooked will lead to a frustrating experience.
#3- A good instructor to learn from. The wonders of the 21st century have brought us many online options to “learn” from, however a good instructor will set a pace of study that will help you AND your hand position develop into a solid, knowledgable place. Online tutorials that light up keys to push in order to play a top hit are fun, however without proper knowledge and alignment, can lead to awkward hand position and a lack of musical understanding, at best. Take the time to find a good, experienced, educated piano instructor who will progress you at a pace and with an understanding that will build a solid foundation for future musical endeavors!
