Who piano lessons are for
- Young beginners. Piano is one of the most common first instruments, and for good reason: every note is laid out in front of you. If a child can sit for thirty minutes, they're ready.
- Kids who want to play songs they know. Pop, movie and game music, alongside the reading skills that make learning new pieces faster.
- Adults. First-timers, and people who took lessons as a kid and stopped. A lot comes back faster than you'd think. See lessons for adults.
- Keyboard players in bands. Chord voicings, comping, and fitting in with guitar and bass without stepping on them.
Two paths, same foundations
Some students want a classical foundation: reading, technique, scales and pieces. Others want to play pop and rock: chords, rhythm patterns and playing from a lead sheet. Most want some of both. Your teacher plans around what you want, and either way you learn to read music and to play by ear.
- Reading. Treble and bass clef, rhythms, and reading both hands together.
- Technique. Hand position, finger independence, scales and arpeggios, so playing feels easy instead of tense.
- Chords and accompaniment. How to turn a chord chart into something that sounds full.
- Ear training. Picking out melodies and chord changes from recordings.
What a first month looks like
Setlist · a first month of piano
- 1Find your way around
The layout of the keys, hand position, and a first melody with the right hand.
- 2Add the left hand
Simple left-hand notes under the melody. Reading a few notes on the staff.
- 3First chords
Three chords that unlock a huge number of songs, and a simple rhythm to play them in.
- 4A complete piece
One short piece or song played start to finish, and a plan for month two.
Do you need a piano at home?
You need something to practice on. An acoustic piano is great if you have one. If you don't, a digital piano or keyboard works well for beginners. A few things make a big difference:
- Full-size keys. Same width as a real piano, so what you practice transfers.
- Weighted or semi-weighted keys if you can, especially for classical study. They build finger strength the way a real piano does.
- At least 61 keys to start. 88 keys is the full range and worth it if piano is the long-term plan.
- A sustain pedal. Inexpensive and used constantly.
Not sure what to get? Tell us when you sign up and we'll point you to something at the right price. Evolution Music's stores in Midlothian and Logan Square sell used keyboards, and so does evolutionmusicstore.com.
Practice at home
- Hands separately first. Get each hand right on its own, then put them together slowly.
- Slow is fast. Practicing at a speed where you make no mistakes is the quickest way to play it fast later.
- Little and often. Fifteen focused minutes most days beats a long session once a week. See how much a beginner should practice.
Deciding between piano and guitar for a child? We wrote an honest comparison: guitar or piano first.
How to get started
- Sign up online. Tell us who's playing and what they want to learn. It takes a couple of minutes.
- Pick a weekly time. It becomes your spot every week with the same teacher. If nothing fits, tell us when you're free.
- Save a card to lock it in. Lessons bill monthly after that, so there are no checks or reminders.
Rather talk to a person first? Text or call (630) 541-5022.