Question 1

How do I get started with online piano lessons?

Accepted Answer

The best way is to book a free consultation. This is a chance for us to meet and find out if I am the right teacher for you or your child. You can book a consultation with me here (https://www.northernclassical.com/discovery)or if you don't see a time that suits, email me at marissa@northernclassical.com(marissa@northernclassical.com)

Question 2

What equipment do I need for online lessons?

Accepted Answer

Start with whatever equipment you have. In addition to your instrument, a laptop or tablet with an inbuilt video camera is ideal, but even a smart phone can work for the first few lessons. Read more about possible equipment options here.(https://www.northernclassical.com/online)

Question 3

Do you have recommendations for purchasing a piano?

Accepted Answer

I highly recommend practising on an acoustic piano. Speak to your local music store or look into purchasing a second hand instrument. Renting instruments is possible in some countries. If you live in Sweden and you would like to buy a piano, I can warmly recommend https://pianostammare.se (https://pianostammare.se/)located in Leksand, Dalarna.

Question 4

What countries do your students come from?

Accepted Answer

I welcome students from all over the world. Regardless what country you live in, we can connect online for piano lessons! I am an Australian living in Sweden, so my native language is English. I teach in English or Swedish.

Question 5

Do you accept international payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can pay online with debit or credit card. I use Stripe or PayPal, which are both secure payment processors. Regardless of what country you live in we can organise payment easily and securely.

Question 6

How to choose the right piano teacher?

Accepted Answer

When choosing a teacher, you might like to ask yourself the following questions:

• Has the teacher invested in their own training and education as a pianist?
 • Do they have a genuine passion for music and teaching others? 
 • Are they warm, caring, and have the student's best interests at heart?
 • Are they committed to helping you meet your (or your child's) musical goals?
 • Are you able to speak to or meet the teacher before signing up for lessons?
 • Are they someone who you (or your child) feels comfortable with and who you feel inspired to learn from?

Overall, look for a teacher who you have a good personal connection with, and who you believe will support your (or your child’s) personal growth and love of music.

Question 7

Can you really learn the piano as an adult?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many adults didn’t have the chance to learn the piano when they were younger, or started and then gave up — only wishing they had persisted or had different opportunities available to them.

It’s not too late to learn. You can learn to play the piano beautifully, at any age. Yes, it takes time, effort, patience and persistence. But the rewards can be magical. The joy of making music and the richness it can bring to your life cannot be underestimated.

My experiences of learning the piano both as a child and as a returning adult has fueled my passion for understanding the most effective way to learn music, so we can play to our fullest ability, no matter our age.  I would love to share what I have learnt with you!

Question 8

When can children start piano lessons?

Accepted Answer

It’s never too early to start music education. However the type of learning will differ depending on the age of the student.

Children under the age of 4 can be exposed to music at home or through early childhood music classes. Music education at this stage is about interacting with music through play.

Children aged 4 to 6 can begin piano lessons, either individually or in a group, which act as a transition between early childhood learning and more formal instruction. Lessons should engage the child's imagination and curiosity. In addition to learning about the piano, lessons might also include game-like activities where children sing songs, chant rhythms, listen and move to music.

From the age of 7 onwards, piano lessons include more formal instruction. Children progress in a systematic way that develops their technical and musical abilities. A strong emphasis on developing aural skills is important, in addition to learning to read and play music. This helps students become well-rounded, naturally expressive musicians.

Whatever age your child is, you can give your child the gift of music! Their enjoyment and appreciation of music can last a lifetime, no matter their aspirations.

Question 9

How do we learn music?

Accepted Answer

Learning music is a bit like learning a language. With language learning, we first listen, then speak, then read and write — in that order.

We learn both informally, through listening and observing, as well as through formal instruction.

We learn music best by first being immersed in a variety of musical experiences. We can then learn about what we are hearing to develop our musical ‘vocabulary’ (our ability to understand different rhythm, melodic and harmonic patterns and how they fit into larger musical ideas). This enables us to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of music as both a listener and performer.  And of course, we also need to develop technical skills in order to play or peform music for others.

At Northern Classical Piano Studio, we take a well-balanced approach to learning the piano that includes audiation. That means that we focus on developing each student's musical ear as well as learning how to read music notation. You can find out more about that here.(https://www.northernclassical.com/audiation)

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