Piano Lessons for Adults and Adult Beginners

It's never too late to begin studying music and taking piano lessons. Whether it is for relaxation, personal enjoyment, or for realizing an unfulfilled dream, learning to play an instrument is a rewarding experience for students of all ages.

I suggest that you give yourself two semesters of study to see if this instrument is right for you. If you don't give up too quickly, you'll discover that the benefits of music study outweigh the obstacles every time!

Scope of Study

Adult students have more latitude concerning the scope of study, and we take their personal preferences and objectives into account. All students learn to read music. Beyond learning to play repertoire pieces, adult students have the option to have coaching in an array of musical arts that support effective piano playing. These activities are part of the lessons and may include improvisation, composition, music theory, sight-singing, and ear training. Students can learn to play music in a variety of styles including classical, jazz, and ragtime.

Practice

Daily practice is essential. For beginners, I require a minimum of 30 minutes per day, six days per week. More practice time will produce more results. Students who wish to excel in music eventually will need to exceed this basic requirement. Ideally, students come to their practice not merely from a sense of duty, but out of the love and enjoyment of music. Adult students should base their expectations on how much time they will be able to spend at the piano. Just as many families make shared meal time a priority, the importance of daily time at the piano needs to hold a place in each day's routine, ideally at the same time each day. Students need to have a piano in their homes for practice. The piano should be in good working order and in tune.

Location

Lessons are taught at my home studio in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood near Dolores Park, on 19th Street between Church & Sanchez Streets. Two-hour street parking is generally available, and the "J-Church" MUNI line is very close.

Depending on scheduling and your location, lessons in your home in San Francisco may be available for an additional fee.

Equipment Needed

• Piano, well-maintained, in tune
• Fingernail clipper (fingernails must be kept short)
• Music books, as assigned
• Metronome (when the student is ready for it)
• Sharp pencils with erasers
• Notebook
• Tote bag for these materials
• Clean socks (shoes must be removed upon entry in my studio)

Contact

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or are ready to register for lessons.

Harp and Organ Lessons

I am also available to teach harp and organ lessons. Harp lessons are also taught at my home studio. I can help to arrange a rental for students who do not have their own harp. Organ students must have access to an organ for regular practice.