Private Piano Lessons - groups versus one to one.

Many parents want to know if group  lessons are better for their child than private piano lessons and in the following paragraphs I’ll try to address the main issues that arise from both sides of the fence. 

I have had lots of experience in both camps and, on the whole, I must admit that I prefer to teach piano in groups. I love the buzz that happens every lesson and I find that the time flies. In contrast if there happens to be a ‘not quite perfect relationship’ between pupil and teacher and there are always just the two of you, then the atmosphere can become quite tense at times! But when the single pupil and the teacher are ‘in harmony’ then one to ones are great. 

So, you see, there’s not a perfect answer but let’s expand a bit more to see what you feel might be best for your child.  

Let’s start with the length of the lessons. Private piano lessons usually last for half an hour and although teachers vary in their approach, it’s interesting that very often there’s little help given with aural and theory because most of the time is taken up with pieces. In contrast, group lessons are at least forty five minutes long and usually an hour. This extra time does give that bit of flexibility which allows teachers to tackle theory and aural. 

Most of my teaching nowadays is in groups. I started off thinking that up to ten pupils at a time would be acceptable. I now believe that four at the most five is much better. Such a number allows the children to make the whole experience fun and this is something that I try to promote. With the younger children we sing; we sing songs, we sing chords and we sing the pieces that we’re playing. I feel that if they hang around at the end of the lessons and are obviously happy, then the lesson has been successful. 

In addition to the singing, we have some aural and theory in each piano lesson, so, although the lessons are an hour long, the time flies because there are so many changes in task and direction through the time. I make no apology for harping on about theory and aural because I have so often had to pick children of other teachers up to help with these hugely important elements of their musical education. In my lessons I believe in offering a holistic musical experience for every child. 

Because the children are happy to come, they bounce ideas off each other and, even though they usually don’t know one another before they start lessons, the group soon becomes a very precious team and if another pupil joins an alternative group for a lesson, the whole chemistry changes.  

Although it doesn’t solve all problems with practice, it does help as they don’t want to lose face in front of their friends and if someone is struggling the others will chip and advise more practice, which always makes me smile! On the whole, they sincerely want to support one another.

Then there are the economics of the situation. You’ll usually find that group lessons are significantly cheaper than one to ones. I can’t give you figures because every teacher is a little different and the sums for group lessons will have to incorporate the cost of the extra instruments, but it does make lessons affordable for most people. 

Group piano lessons conclusion

So to conclude; if you are a parent who is willing to support (not push) your child through sitting in the lesson to find out what’s going on and next to them each day as they practise to remind them what they should be concentrating on and how they should be approaching the work, then group lessons are probably the best. The children should receive a more comprehensive musical education. If, however, you feel that the old fashioned one to one concept is the best and it worked for you then go for it. I think the important thing is that the child is enjoying the lessons; they’re eager to attend each week, they’re taking responsibility for their learning and they’re showing significant progress. 

As the youngster progresses, the numbers in the classes will decrease, so they could well end up with one to one lessons, but by that stage they should be accomplished and confident players. 

Rachel Branston

Piano lessons in the right environment