Find a Piano Teacher: How to Discover Exceptional Instructors

This article may contain compensated links. Please read the disclosure for more info.

Are you on the hunt to find a piano teacher? As a pianist, I know firsthand the importance of finding an instructor who understands your musical goals, challenges, and learning style.

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, finding a teacher that suits your needs can be daunting. But fear not; I've crafted this practical guide to help you navigate the process.

From what to look for in a teacher to tips on finding the best one for you or your child, this guide will provide the tools you need to find the perfect piano teacher. Let's get started on your musical journey!

First Things First: Figure Out What You Want

How to Find Your Piano Teacher

Whether you are trying to find a piano teacher for yourself or your child, start by asking yourself what you want to get out of the piano lessons.

What styles of music are you interested in learning?
Do you want to play the piano as a hobby, or do you want a professional education?
How much time are you willing and able to practice daily and/or weekly?
How much is your weekly, monthly, and yearly budget for lessons?
Would you like to learn to perform, play in recitals or competitions, and/or take exams?
Are you interested in individual lessons or group lessons?
Do you prefer to go somewhere else for classes, or that the teacher comes to your home? Or to get online piano lessons?

After you know what you need and will be looking for, you are ready to begin the search for a teacher.

Places to search

There are many ways to find a piano teacher. Still, the best places to start with are probably a recommendation from friends, colleagues, your piano tuner, music stores, schools, teachers, churches, or local music teacher organizations.

Other places to search are:

The phone book, or yellow pages online.
Newspaper ads.
Bulletin boards.
Maybe your local school has teachers offering private lessons or after-school programs.
At the local college or university- are they offering any piano classes or looking for piano students for their piano pedagogy program to "practice" teaching?
Music store, or piano store.
Local music school.
Local conservatory.
Search online.

Find a Piano Teacher Online

How to Find an Exceptional Piano Teacher

There are several directories of music teachers that you can use to search to find a piano teacher. Here are a few suggestions:

USA and Canada:

https://www.rcmusic.com/find-a-teacher

UK and Ireland:

https://www.piano-tuners.org/category/piano-teachers/

Australia:

https://www.musicteacher.com.au/directory/lessons/piano/

Always Use a Professional

If you sign up for a music school or conservatory, the establishment will usually find a piano teacher for you. The student will be placed with a teacher who is available and specialized to teach the level of the student.

Remember that a great piano performer does not necessarily make a great piano teacher and that a great piano teacher might not be a great pianist.

Think about what you are looking for. Would you like to find a piano teacher/pedagogue to help you learn in the best way possible or a fantastic pianist to inspire you with their playing?

Preferably both, but for beginners and children, it is essential that the teacher really can teach.

A pianist teacher should have a piano pedagogy certification and/or a College or University degree that includes piano pedagogy and have experience working with young children if the lessons are for your child.

For advanced students aiming for a career as a pianist, a teacher who is a skilled performing pianist and whose students regularly participate in festivals, competitions, exams, and recitals is preferable.

Make sure to use a professional! It is crucial to get a good foundation in piano playing technique, note reading, and quality of expression when starting piano lessons.

And keep in mind that just because someone knows how to play the piano does not mean they can teach piano...

In my experience, trying to "fix" transfer students that have had lessons with an inexperienced or unprofessional piano teacher can take years. Habits settle in quickly...

Deciding on a Private Piano Teacher

After you have a list of possible piano teachers, try to find out as much as possible about the teacher before the meeting. Maybe it is possible to attend a recital with the teachers' students?

Choosing a private teacher means there are a few things to consider.

When you call your prospective piano teachers, ask a few initial questions before you make an appointment. If you hear things you do not like, you can politely say you will think about it.

Set up an appointment after asking a few questions, like:

Where is the teaching taking place, in your home, the teacher’s home, a studio, or at a music store?
If it is in the teacher’s home, are the piano lessons in a designated studio or in the living room at home? Are family pets or other children allowed in the room? Ringing telephones, television?
What kind of instrument is used for the lessons? (A good quality piano is an absolute minimum requirement.)
What ages are they teaching?
What levels do they teach?
What styles of music do they teach?

Don't ask about the cost of the lessons at this point.

As a general rule, when trying to find a piano teacher, don't settle for "cheap" teachers! It's more important to feel like the right teacher for you or your child, with the right experience, professionalism, and personality.

And it would be best if you met the teacher for this. Then, and only then, ask for the price of the piano lessons.

If they are cheaper than expected, happy news! If the lessons are more than you can afford and you really like the teacher, ask for other arrangements, maybe the teacher offers group lessons or even a shorter lesson.

If you feel good about the teacher, set up an appointment. If the lesson is for your child, make sure s/he comes along as well.

If you have played before, the teacher may want to hear you play a little. Suppose your child is transferring from another teacher. In that case, s/he should bring the piano books used previously and prepare a couple of pieces for an audition.

For a beginner child, a professional piano teacher may want to assess the student's aptitude for learning with a short lesson.

Questions to ask the teacher

What kind of teacher training does the piano teacher have?
How long they have been teaching.
How much the students are required to practice at home.
If the students get to play in recitals.
If there are any group lessons or classes.
Are the piano students able to play in any ensemble or duet playing?
When teaching young children - can the parent be present at the lesson?
How long are the lessons?
Make-up and cancellation policy?
And finally, how much are the lessons? What is included, what is not (books, recital fees, etc.) Are there any other fees?

Prepare Yourself For Your Lessons

When you find a piano teacher that you like, start the lessons as well prepared as possible:

Ensure you have a good piano at home, an adjustable piano bench, and sufficient light.
Plan so that you can practice undisturbed for a set time every day.
Order or purchase the piano books your teacher recommends as soon as possible.
You might also need to buy a metronome.

Happy playing!