February 2018

Tips for Finding a Piano Teacher

When it comes to finding a piano teacher, it’s important to understand the goals of the prospective student. Once you define what they want to learn, whether it’s classical, liturgical, jazz, or another musical genre, you can ask for referrals, interview teachers to find the one that connects with the student to help them meet their musical goals.

Where do you begin finding a piano teacher? 

I’m a member of neighborhood groups on social media, primarily Facebook, and I see people asking for all sorts of recommendations. Where can I get my dog groomed? Do you know of a good babysitter for school age kids? Where can my husband and I have a romantic kid-free date night? And on and on. I’d say the typical question gets dozens of responses with people not only offering their suggestions but others commenting on those suggestions.

If you’re looking for a piano teacher, I’d start on social media, both in groups and asking on your own profile. Your friend who is a math teacher may well be able to provide a recommendation for you without too much effort.

It helps to know specifics about the piano lessons.

  • Will the lessons be in your home or elsewhere?
  • Do you have access to a well-tuned piano at a school or music studio?
  • How old is the prospective student and do they have experience receiving music lessons?
  • How often will the student be able to practice?
  • What is your budget for lessons?
  • What’s the frequency for lessons? This one may be a question to ask the prospective teacher as the higher frequency, the faster the student learns but it may not be economically feasible or you may not want to make a big investment until you know the student is committed to the craft.

What do you want from a piano lesson experience? 

This is really a question of how serious the prospective student is about the piano lessons. Weekly lessons to get them familiar with an instrument and expand their creativity is different than a student who wants multiple lessons per week with a big goal to become a concert pianist by the age of 21 years old.

When you’re finding a piano teacher, ask them about their own experience. 

You may be surprised at what you learn. The teacher from the local school may moonlight as a pianist for the musical theatre or has performed on even bigger stages. They may be focused on only teaching students classical or jazz and if your student wants to learn rock, that teacher may not be the right fit. So don’t be afraid to ask questions before hiring them!

When it comes to finding a piano teacher, have an idea of your student’s goals, ask for referrals from friends and social media groups, and interview the prospective teacher so you find the right fit. And remember, if your piano needs tuning, call Chicago Piano Tuners!

Caleb CrockettTips for Finding a Piano Teacher
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String Theory – Why You Need a Piano Tuner

When it comes to string theory, we think your best action is to hire a Chicago piano tuner!

If you’re thinking the term string theory is one you’ve heard in science class or on The Big Bang Theory, you’d be correct! We’re using it as a play on words. Forgive us for our dad joke; we’re feeling punny today.

With more than 12,000 parts, including 10,000 that are moving, a piano requires keys, pedals, hammers and 230 strings to be working together in order to get the proper sound from it.

How the Piano Works 

Each string is made out of steel and produces sound when struck by tiny hammers inside the piano. Each of the strings holds approximately 170 pounds of tension. Adjusting the strings and hammers takes the precise work of a trained piano tuner.

Interesting fact about pianos is that while it is often considered a strong instrument, it can also be considered percussion because the strings only make sound when hit by a hammer.

Piano pedals are used to change the sound.

The left or damper pedal moves the hammer closer to the string to create a softer sound. The middle or sostenuto pedal sustains the sound of the notes that are pressed while at the same time allowing other notes to be played without the sustain. The right or sustain pedal is the most commonly used and allows all strings to vibrate freely.

Why You Need a Piano Tuner

With 230 strings that are naturally elastic, it is recommended that a piano be tuned two to four times of year during the first year and annually thereafter. This is due to the fact that the strings and tension can change which alters the sound. Perfect pitch is considered to be A440 which means the strings above middle C need to be tight enough to vibrate 440 times per second or 440 Hz. Tuning helps the strings vibrate as close to perfect as possible.

Another reason a piano tuner is needed is that pianos are made of wood and depending on the weather, the tension and sound will change. In a more humid climate, like Chicago in the summer, the wood expands while in the cold winter the wood contracts. The changes to the wood impact the tension of the strings and thus the sound.

At Chicago Piano Tuners, we are dedicated to making your piano sound as good as the day it was made. Schedule a piano tuning today!

Caleb CrockettString Theory – Why You Need a Piano Tuner
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