Frequently Asked Questions
Online Lessons
Private Lessons
Online Lessons
Please see this artice for a coplete answer
You can start your lessons if you have a piano or full-size keyboard, Internet access, and a device that let’s you use Zoom. A laptop, tablet, or smartphone can be used as the device.
Yes, absolutely. Our teachers know how to introduce the musical alphabet to beginning students during online lessons.
Each student will be provided a Google doc where the teacher will note the student’s weekly assignment. Additionally, you may communicate with the office by phone, email, or a Zoom appointment with the head teacher to get help with any question.
We offer a variety of informal and formal online performances for student participation. We believe that learning how to perform is a skill to be developed in tandem with mastering how to play the piano, and we provide many opportunities for the students to work on that skill.
There are different ways to receive the books you will need. Local students may schedule a curbside pickup at the Golden Key Piano School’s physical address during Covid-19. We can also mail the books that you need to you.
Some books are also available on our website for free download or to purchase online. The head teacher will guide you in selecting your books before your first lesson.
Each child is unique. While we have five-year-olds taking online lessons, some five-year-olds might not be ready for online instruction. That is something we will not know unless we give the child the opportunity to try.
If you are not sure if your child is mature enough to connect with a teacher online, you are welcome to have a trial lesson.
Usually students six years old and older can easily start their lessons online.
In Russian schools, students begin by understanding a piece’s meaning. This way, the music that students work on should have an artistic image—the meaning. That is why we do not start with mechanical exercises. Our repertoire for beginning students is a collection of inspiring folk songs as well as easy but original music of great composers. The technique of the Russian school of piano comes from Chopin’s teaching tradition. Here, the technique and the music are never separated from each other. Students improve their piano skills not based on what comes first in music theory, but based on what comes first in piano skills. They then learn the theory of music accordingly.
The main and most striking difference that one can see between our method and typical piano instruction in America is that we don’t give the student a book to go through page by page. Each student makes his or her own piano book, guided by the teacher’s subtle and indirect help. Students choose their pieces, and create a story and name for each piece. Then, with the teacher’s help, they discover the skills to perform that story. Our school’s curriculum helps us to make sure all students have the essential knowledge of theory, technique, ear training, and sight-reading skills before they move to the next level of instruction.
Private Lessons
Yes, students should practice every day at home, and having a piano is necessary to have productive lessons. Another option, which is not the best choice, is using an electric keyboard to practice on at home, making sure that it is a full-sized keyboard. There is also an option of renting a piano, which usually costs as low as $50 per month.
There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn an instrument. With regular practice a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lesson a long term basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find the lessons enjoyable.
Yes. Even if you don’t have a musical background you can ask the teacher for advice on how to help your child practice. You can simply review the latest assignment sheet and make sure that your child follows all the given instructions.
Many parents occasionally sit in the class to observe the instruction process and understand the teacher’s expectations.
In Russian schools, students begin by understanding a piece’s meaning. This way, the music that students work on should have an artistic image: the meaning. That is why we do not start with mechanical exercises. Our repertoire for beginning students is a collection of inspiring folk songs as well as easy but original music of great composers. The technique of the Russian school of piano comes from Chopin’s tradition. Here, the technique and the music are never separated from each other. Students improve their piano skills not based on what comes first in theory of music, but based on what comes first in piano skills. They then learn the theory of music accordingly.
The main and very visible difference that one can see in our method is that we don’t give the student a book to go through page by page. Each student makes his or her own piano book with the teacher’s invisible and indirect help. Students choose their pieces and create a story and name for each piece, then, with the teachers’ help, find the skills to perform that story. Our school’s curriculum helps us to make sure all students have the essential knowledge of theory, technique, ear-training, and sight-reading skills before they complete each level.
Yes, our teachers are members of MTAC (Music Teachers’ Association of California) which allows their students to apply for “Certificate of Merit”. For more information, please check:
http://www.mtac.org/programs/cm/index.shtml
