Student / Teacher Expectations

Thank you for choosing me as your piano teacher! Since communication is crucial for any relationship to run smoothly, I want to be upfront with expectations so that we all know what to expect from each other.

What you can expect from me:

You can expect me to...

Teach you how to play the piano: how to read the music, how to play with proper technique, and to teach you a little bit about music theory as well.
Be friendly, firm, kind, honest, and patient.
Love music and to strive to teach in a way that helps you love music too.
Follow my policy letter.

What I expect from students and their families:

I expect you to...

Be punctual.
Follow the policy letter.
Keep your fingernails trimmed: long fingernails scratch the keys and make it hard to play with proper technique.
Make sure your hands are clean while playing the piano: I want to keep my instruments clean and you don't want to play a piano that someone has touched with sticky fingers! If you need to wash your hands, let me know and I'll be happy to show you where you can wash your hands. If you've touched or handled nuts (or items with nuts), wash your hands before touching the piano, you don't know if the next student is allergic.
Practice diligently four or five days a week, the length of time spent in each practice session will vary depending on what level you are in:
- Beginners should practice about five to ten minutes a day for the first few weeks, with that time increasing up to twenty minutes as they get farther along in their book.
- Students in level 1 should practice for twenty to thirty minutes a day.
- Students in level 2 should practice for thirty minutes a day.
- As you get into higher levels, you will need to gradually increase your practice time. If you have a question about how long you should be practicing, ask me. If you do not practice, your progress will be slow or non-existent.
Apply what I teach you in lessons to your practice time. I can teach you what to do and how to do it, but it is up to you to actually develop those skills through practice outside of your lesson time.

Beth's Piano Studio ~ Soli Deo Gloria