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The piano is also unique in the sense that it can play the melody of a song and its accompaniment simultaneously. The standard piano can play 88 different notes, and since it produces the widest range of tones out of all musical instruments, it’s no wonder millions of people choose to learn piano in the US alone. 

Reasons to Take Piano Classes 

Playing the piano is not just an enjoyable hobby. In fact, the benefits of learning to play this instrument cannot be overstated! Whether you’re interested in piano classes for kids, or beginner piano lessons for adults, check out the variety of physical and mental benefits for students of all ages, below. 

Beginner Piano Lessons for Kids 

If you’re considering starting your child off with piano lessons as soon as possible, science has good news for you. A 2018 study suggests that piano practice can help young children better process language. Hearing different pitches and tones helped participants in the study parse spoken words. 

Additionally, a study titled “The Effects of Musical Training on Structural Brain Development” showed increased brain matter in children after 15 months of piano instruction. Piano lessons helped improve their motor skills, cognitive performance, and listening skills. 

Private Piano Lessons for Adults 

Piano classes for adults can help build patience, discipline, and concentration skills, which are all beneficial in other parts of life. A study by the University of Kansas Medical Center shows that practicing an instrument can even slow down the aging process. The study of adults ranging from ages 60 to 83 revealed that those who played music regularly had better memory and cognitive flexibility. 

So even if you’ve never played an instrument before, it’s never too late to start. With a few years of private piano lessons under your belt, the opportunities are endless. You can start a band with friends, perform at local venues, further your training at the university level, teach other aspiring players, or pursue a career as a professional pianist. Who knows? You might even be the next Mozart in training!

Topics You’ll Learn in Piano Lessons for Adults & Kids

It's no surprise that students learn faster when taking one-on-one piano lessons. It simply cannot be compared to watching video tutorials on YouTube. Personalized lessons provide students with the attention and feedback they need to become great pianists. 

When working with a TakeLessons piano teacher, lessons are always tailored to your individual needs. The topics you’ll cover will vary depending on your skill level, age, and interests. For more information, here are some examples of the topics you’ll learn at each level. 

Sample Curriculum for Beginner Piano Lessons

Beginning students can have many different end goals when learning the piano. You may simply desire to learn your spouse’s favorite love song, or you may hope to eventually go pro. Either way, you’ll likely cover the following topics in beginner lessons with a piano teacher near you. 

• Proper piano posture and finger placement
• An introduction to music theory
• Basic notes and rhythm 
• Ear training 
• How to play simple melodies

Sample Curriculum for Intermediate Piano Lessons

Once you’ve made it to the intermediate level, staying motivated is easy as you begin to learn some more well-known songs. Many teachers implement an increasing level of difficulty in intermediate piano classes, in order to steadily challenge the student. Here are some of the topics you might study at this level.

• How to play scales and chords
• Reading chord charts
• Reading more advanced music
• Using both hands at the piano
• Combining melodies and chords

Sample Curriculum for Advanced Piano Lessons

We understand that advanced pianists typically have professional goals, so our teachers are equipped to counsel you on how to nail that upcoming audition or increase your chances of landing more gigs. As an advanced piano student, you’ll learn about:

• The circle of fifths
• Piano modes
• How to play with greater speed and accuracy
• Advanced techniques from different musical genres 
• Performance and audition prep

It’s important to remember that lesson topics will also vary depending on your age. If you’re signing up your toddler for kids piano lessons, keep in mind that their instructor will likely start out very slow, and progression may take longer than expected as their dexterity continues to develop.

How long will it take to learn piano? This depends on how often the student is able to practice, as well as the frequency of lessons. However, a dedicated student who practices daily will typically take at least 3 years to reach a more advanced level of playing. 

Finding Piano Teachers Near You

Once you’re ready to sign up for piano classes near you, choosing a teacher can feel overwhelming. At TakeLessons, we make the process of finding the right teacher easy. Our instructors are background-checked, trained, and qualified - simply search for a piano teacher near you in our directory and browse through the variety of profiles.

A quick look at our piano teachers’ diverse array of experience, accolades, and reviews from current students will help you make your choice. Have a unique schedule? Consider lessons with one of our online piano teachers, and you’ll have many more options to choose from, no matter where you live. 

In addition to vetted and top-rated piano teachers near you, we also have a dedicated staff of Student Counselors if you need additional assistance. Our staff can help you choose the right time, place, and lesson length for your unique needs. All you have to do is show up for lessons, ready to learn. So what are you waiting for? Take your first lesson today and start becoming the pianist you’ve always dreamed of being!