Why are Group Lessons Beneficial?
Let’s face it. As much as we would like our students to grow
up and become concert pianist, the reality is that the majority of them
will not. On the other hand, most pianist play more for soloists,
choirs, churches, bands, etc. The key to playing with others is keeping
a steady beat and learning to hear the other person, while maintaining
focus on what you are doing. Group piano lessons instills this into
students…individual lessons do not. Other benefits of group
lessons are that the students get to play music theory games as a
group, and experience motivation from their peers.
For the first five years that I taught piano lessons, I just
did individual lessons. In the Summer of 2004 I started teaching group
lessons, and converted almost all of my individual students to group
lessons. I had students tell me after the first group lesson,
“Mrs. Penny, please don’t make me go back to taking
individual lessons! This is a lot more fun!” I also had
parents calling me to let me know that before their child starting
taking group lessons they could not get them to practice, and since
their child has been in group lessons they cannot get them off of the
piano.
I am thoroughly convinced that if your child participates in group
lessons he/she will tremendously improve in rhythm, keyboard geography,
and site reading. I also believe group piano students will finish the
end of each semester being well rounded, independent musicians who can
read, write, and play music with confidence.
