Beginner Piano Lessons

Online piano tutorial videos, piano apps, and self-study method books can all be helpful resources to learn the piano. However, nothing can compare to the personalized experience of one-on-one lessons with an expert teacher. Professional piano teachers have dedicated their lives to helping aspiring pianists like yourself learn the piano faster and more successfully. They have seen it all and observed all of the possible pitfalls through every phase of the process. This invaluable experience will save you time.

While some aspiring piano players may be very self-motivated which will certainly help them learn to play on their own, a teacher provides more than just musical knowledge. They are there to support and inspire you at all times. Everyone eventually gets discouraged. The right teacher can help prevent that from happening through encouraging words and the right shift in lesson plan to help reignite a student’s passion.

There are numerous places to start on the piano. Learning the foundations of music such as the notes of the staff and rhythmic note values is often a good place to start on the theoretical side. From a technical standpoint, learning proper technique and hand positioning from the start will help prevent any bad habits from developing.

You will be surprised at how quickly these core foundations can be established. This will ultimately lead you to play some of your favourite songs and pieces rather quickly. While most students will start with simple melodies like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, the right educational approach will allow you to be playing complicated two-hand arrangements of your favourite songs quite quickly.

A great list of 15 easy classical pieces for piano can be found HERE. While these are some of the most well-known pieces of classical repertoire of all time, they are actually quite accessible for piano players with a foundational level of technique and knowledge. For those looking for songs in the pop realm, a list of 15 easy pop songs can be found HERE.

Piano students begin on a variety of different instruments ranging from toy keyboards and digital pianos to acoustic uprights and acoustic grands. The decision that a family makes in choosing their first instrument is determined by many factors including budget and the length of time they are looking to use the piano.

More specifically, many families decide to start with a digital piano for their children prior to making the investment in an acoustic instrument. This will give the child a good instrument to begin learning on without breaking the bank. From this point, parents can monitor the first few months or years of a child’s music education to determine their level of seriousness before making the jump to an acoustic piano.

With that said, it is imperative that you get an appropriate digital piano. Some cheap digital pianos do not adequately emulate the touch and sound of an acoustic instrument which can actually have a long-term negative impact on a student’s technique. A fully-weighted 88-key piano is always preferred when going the digital route.

On the other side of the coin, many parents opt to purchase an acoustic upright or grand piano from the onset. While digital pianos have come a long way, they are still an emulation of the real thing. The magic and nuance that actual strings and a resonating soundboard bring to a room are simply unique. An acoustic instrument is usually a larger investment, but the joy and added inspiration it brings can be invaluable.

If you are looking to purchase your first piano, feel free to connect with us via our website or in-person at one of our three piano showrooms (Oakville, Vaughan & Toronto). One of our expert piano sales associates can help you determine what the right decision is for you and your family.

Every music school is a little different, and private piano instructors are normally a bit cheaper than music schools. The highest-priced music schools for beginners are around $5000 a year, and the lowest-priced schools are around $1200 a year. The highest-priced private piano teachers are around $100 / lesson, and the lowest is about $25 / lesson. 

Private teachers usually charge per lesson and don’t include any extra programming or additional activities. Many larger schools (just like larger fitness centers) offer a wide range of programs, activities, facilities, and services. 

Merriam School has 5 different tuition rates depending on the program, lesson length, and teacher specialization. We cost more than an average private lesson or small school, but less than ½ the price of similar schools in North America. You can expect annual tuition of between $1500 – $3000 depending on the program, which includes 40 lessons per year with our exceptional coaches (some exceptions apply), year-round video logging of every performance, 15 chances to perform on a professional stage, summer camps, recording studio time, and more. 

To get an exact quote on what program is the best fit for your family – both musically and budgetarily – please call 647-417-1125.