Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.
How much are piano lessons?
Piano lessons cost $40 to $80 per hour, depending on the location, their experience level, and session length. A piano lesson package costs $180 to $350 for five 1-hour lessons. Children's piano lessons and online lessons often cost less than average.
Piano lessons are available for all ages in most cities in the country. Music instructors teach:
Music theory
Sight-reading
Improvisation
How to improve playing or technique
At what age should you start piano lessons?
The best age to start piano lessons is 5 to 9 years, though learning how to play the piano doesn't have an age limit. Playing the piano strengthens fine motor skills, increases flexibility, and improves your memory no matter how old you are.
Are piano lessons worth it?
Piano lessons are worth the money and effort invested over time. Playing an instrument can be beneficial for mental health, and cognitive strength. For smaller budgets, book just a few lessons to get the basics down and continue on your own.
How long are piano lessons?
Piano lessons for beginners or children are typically 30 to 45 minutes per session. Intermediate or advanced lessons are 45 to 60+ minutes per session. Most people have 1 to 2 lessons per week.
Can you learn to play piano online?
Yes, you can learn to play piano online through a webcam or virtual tutorials. Search our list of online piano teacher near you to find an instructor. Online piano lessons are often more convenient than in-person lessons and cost 20% less on average.
How do I select a piano teacher?
Start by searching our list of piano teachers, then:
Get at least three free estimates to compare.
Read reviews on Lessons and Google if possible.
Ask for references from current or recent students.
Make sure they are kind and personable, especially when with children.
Get a written estimate and schedule before the first lesson.
Avoid making a large payment up front. Follow a payment plan instead.
After asking questions and browsing reviews, hire the best piano instructor in your area.
What questions should I ask piano instructors?
When hiring piano teachers near you, ask the following questions:
How long have you been teaching piano?
Do you have a degree in music?
What age do you typically teach?
What genre of piano do you specialize in?
Will you give me a contract or payment arrangement in writing?
Will you allow me to choose some or all of the songs we practice?
Reviews for Santa Clara piano teachers
Recent success stories from people in the Santa Clara area.
Xavier C.
Excellent teacher! Patient and always has new material for me, overall good experience so far.
Mrs. Lin's Music Studio
Mimi D.
Dr. Ali goes above and beyond. She helped me strengthen my theory skills, prepare for the RCM theory grade 9 assessment and pass with honors (almost distinction). I had no hope of passing initially because I failed in the two previous years with another teacher. Dr. Ali helped me set goals and understand every part of the curriculum. I had so much fun working with Dr. Ali. She is very detail-oriented and loves to keep her students well-organized with realistic expectations. She gives external resources and tweaks the material to be more fun. I highly recommend Dr. Ali to everyone. She only works with serious students that need a superstar of a teacher.
Piano Lessons with Dr. Ali
Radhika G.
Toby taught piano lessons to my children, now teenagers for past 4 years. She is an excellent teacher, kind and encouraging. Both my children improved their skills consistently under Toby's guidance. Highly recommend her.
Matoush Melodies Piano Instruction
Pam B.
Alan Cross is an excellent piano teacher. He has very good understanding and is very talented. He is very patient and friendly. My son has been taking piano lessons from Alan for the last 2 years now and he is really behind to enjoy learning and playing piano now.
I would highly recommend Alan Cross for piano lessons.
Alan Cross Music Lessons
Kim S.
Ken is a very experienced musician and performer and really teaches what it’s all about, he uses his own material and everything you do has a specific purpose. And because Ken teaches independently of some book, or guide he can always adjust his lessons to what you need or are struggling.
Piano Lessons and Music Theory with Ken
Kimmi H.
I feel incredibly blessed to have had Nora's musical influence through out my life. Nora is deeply committed to instilling a deep understanding of music through historical context, music theory as well as the expression of music through her students' connection with music. From Nora's experiences growing up in Russia, her understanding of European history and her natural curiosity for historical culture, her life experiences culminates in the practice room to bring meaning to the music that were written in times of Bach, Beethoven, Schummann, Prokofiev, to the comtemporary. I remember it to be a colorful depiction of what life was like back then, the social revolutionary movements and it's effects on music. She is then able to translate that into the musical notes on the page from form and structure to music progressions to chromatic development to style of playing and articulations. But the most important lesson I learn from her is how to express emotions through music as this is what connects us to the sounds that is being created. Although I have won awards from competitions during Nora teachings, I cannot tell you where those certificates lie but what stays with me in the last 20 years is the love of music, the trained ears for appreciating classical music, the spirit of beauty in the world by valuing music and last but not least the ability to express myself in a deeply satisfying way without using words.
Nora Ayzman
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