FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PIANO LESSONS

How old should my child be to start online piano lessons?
Children may start online piano lessons when they are eight years old.   

What piano methods do you use?
I use different method book series depending on the age and abilities of the student.  All of the series I use focus on sight reading and developing proper piano technique.  I also use music theory/activity worksheets with students to reinforce concepts.  Once the student has developed a basic understanding of note reading, I introduce supplementary books with simplified arrangements of popular and folk songs.

How do you teach adult students?
Beginning students may use an adult method book which presents concepts at an accelerated rate.  In less than one year's time, adults can expect to play easy arrangements of some of their favorite songs.  For adults with previous piano experience, we discuss their individual goals.  I often teach adults to play out of fake books, which consists of playing song melodies with the right hand and chords with the left. 

Do you teach classical music?
Yes, all students will learn how to read music and to develop piano technique that will enable them to play classical piano music.  However, it's important to realize that even the easiest classical compositions are at an intermediate level.  This means that it will take the average student three to five years of study to begin to play classical music in its original form.

How often should my child practice?
Beginning piano students should practice for at least one hour per week.  This should be divided into several smaller practice sessions.  Quality of practice is much more important than the quantity. 

What are the goals and expectations of piano lessons?
Students all have different goals and expectations of piano lessons and these often evolve over time.  Some students naturally gravitate toward piano and make rapid progress.  Others find piano to be the perfect foundational instrument and use the music reading and rhythm skills they acquire in lessons toward other instruments in the future.  After teaching for 17 years, I have found that one of the most important benefits of piano lessons for the average student is to instill an appreciation of music that will last into adulthood.  Piano lessons introduce students to many different styles of music that they might not experience otherwise.  As they progress, students will learn classical, ragtime, folk, musical theater, and popular music covering several centuries.  This knowledge will enable them to be thoughtful music consumers later in life even as they naturally develop other interests.   

What are the advantages of online piano lessons?
There are several important benefits of online piano lessons.  First, the student is able to learn in the most safe and comfortable environment possible -- your own home.  There is no risk of transmitting contagious diseases, which is of the utmost concern since we are still in the midst of a pandemic.  Students can relax and not worry about wearing face coverings or social distancing, which is very difficult to do with in-person piano lessons.  Second, virtual lessons are very convenient.  Parents do not need to spend any time traveling back and forth to lessons, which usually saves at least one hour per week.  Finally, online lessons are affordable.  By eliminating fuel costs and travel time between lessons, I can maintain reasonable lesson rates despite inflationary pressures.     

OTHER

Where can I listen to your music recordings?
You may visit my YouTube channel, Lori Lee Patton Music, to watch music videos of my vocal and keyboard renditions of various songs, including folk music, hymns, and nursery rhymes.

Is piano teaching your primary occupation?
Yes, I have taught private music lessons for the past 17 years and teaching is my primary business.  However, I am also a professional photographer specializing in flower, landscape, and nature images.  You may visit my photography website at https://lorileepatton.zenfolio.com to view and/or purchase photo prints for your home or office.