Here are the most common questions that people ask about piano lessons.
Do you have openings for new students?
Yes! Call to get started!
Am I too old to start learning how to play the piano?
You are certainly not too old to start learning! Fairfax Piano's student population has ranged from age 5 to age 72, and some adult students have never had any musical training before.
How often should I have a lesson?
One lesson a week seems to be the "sweet spot" for most people. This allows enough time between lessons for the student to practice the material and make enough progress so that the next lesson can be the most fruitful.
How long would each lesson be?
A half-hour lesson seems to be just the right amount of time for most people. Some advanced students may need more time than that.
Do I have to pay before I meet my teacher?
No! Our first meeting is free just so you can get to know your teacher and your teacher can get to know you. This way, you can make sure that your teacher is right for you and is a good fit to help you reach your musical goals.
What are your monthly fees?
Fairfax Piano has no monthly fees! Lessons are purchased in advance, usually in a block of four lessons at a time. Lessons are valid for forty days from the date of purchase, which gives you some flexibility in your schedule.
Do I have to sign a contract to take lessons?
Fairfax Piano does not use contracts! This means that you're not committing yourself for a full year from the time you start. You don't have to pick a certain day and time that you'll have to stick to for the next year. And if your situation dictates that you'll need to stop lessons earlier than you had thought, there is no hidden cancellation fee!
Do I need to pick a fixed time each week for a lesson?
No! When you purchase a lesson or block of lessons, each lesson is scheduled at the time of purchase. So if you have a personal schedule that changes constantly, you can still take lessons from Fairfax Piano!
Do you take a break over the summer?
No! Lessons are available year-round from Fairfax Piano.
But since you are in charge of when you take lessons, you can schedule breaks in your lessons at any time; whether that's a summer vacation, Christmastime, Spring Break, or whenever you need to!
I'm busy in the evenings. Are other lesson times available?
Yes! Lesson times during the day - morning, afternoon, or over the lunch hour - are available. In fact, since the evenings are often the times that are most in demand, you can usually get a better choice of schedule if you are able to take lessons during the daytime!
Can I take lessons in my own home?
Yes! In-Home lessons are available from Fairfax Piano.
I have a keyboard, not a piano. Is that OK?
In many cases yes. However, in order to play the piano or the keyboard at your best, you will need muscular strength in your fingers. There are very few ways in life besides using an acoustic piano that will build that strength. A keyboard with weighted keys will help. Occasional access to an acoustic piano will help. There are some specialized exercises that will help. It's not necessary to run out and buy a big piano just to start lessons at Fairfax Piano!
What if i don't have a piano or a keyboard?
You will need regular access outside of lessons to something that you can use for practice. If you need advice on a good instrument to buy, free advice is available from Fairfax Piano to help you make an informed decision.
I'm really good at typing. Does that mean it will be easier for me to learn the piano?
Honestly, no. Strange as it may seem, playing the piano is a different skill than typing. This doesn't mean you can't learn piano; only that you won't have a head start over someone who doesn't type with lightning speed!
Do you teach scales? Scales are boring.
Scales are not taught per se at Fairfax Piano - meaning you won't be drilling endlessly up and down the keyboard on something that is musically dull - until they're needed. That said, you can expect that you will be learning all of the major keys fairly early-on in your musical journey with Fairfax Piano. There are ways to learn the major keys that are boring and confusing, and there are ways to learn them that are interesting and understandable. I think you'll find that the way you can learn the major (and minor) keys at Fairfax Piano is interesting and makes sense, and is something that will help you play any music better.
What is a chord sheet?
Chord sheets are a different way of writing music. A chord sheet for a song is just the song lyrics and the underlying chords that go with the lyrics. They give the player much more freedom to play as you wish and to improvise within the bounds of a certain set of chords written in a certain order. It takes some extra skills to be able to play well using a chord sheet, and you can learn those skills at Fairfax Piano.
What is a lead sheet?
Lead sheets are yet another different way of writing music. A lead sheet is like a chord sheet except you're also given the melody, written as a series of single notes. A collection of lead sheets is sometimes referred to as a "Fake Book." Just like chord sheets, lead sheets give the player much more freedom to play as you wish and to improvise within the bounds of the melody and its accompanying set of chords. Just like chord sheets, it takes some extra skills to be able to play well using a lead sheet, and you can learn those skills at Fairfax Piano.
Do you teach music theory? I never understood theory.
Music theory is a part of learning how to play the piano. There is no separate curriculum entitled "Theory" at Fairfax Piano. An understanding of music theory can be gained through lessons and practice time, guided by your teacher in a clear and understandable way. Basic music theory is taught in a simple and straightforward way starting with your very first lesson.
Practice time? Doesn't everybody hate practice time?
Practice time doesn't have to be a drudgery. Practice time is where you learn how to actually play what is presented during the lessons. Unlike most people's expectations, practice time doesn't have to consist of endless drills and playing the same song over and over and over. Guided musical improvisation, playing what you hear, and a share of just "messing around" on the piano are all parts of good practice time.
How much practice time should I have?
Practice time is your responsibility. Period. Like anything in life, the faster you want to progress in your skill, the more practice time you should take. Fairfax Piano will not monitor your practice time nor "check up" on you to verify how much practice time you put in. We don't award little gold stars or make you fill out checkoff sheets to see if you've had "enough" practice. That's up to you to determine and enforce -- and to see the results of your efforts.
If your child is taking lessons, then you may want to consider some type of positive reinforcement of practice time. Children do not generally understand the concept of investing time and effort now to gain a benefit later, so some type of more immediate gratification may be appropriate. You would be wise, however, to avoid any type of negative incentive (removing a benefit if practice time is missed, for example) as these are usually not helpful in the long run.
Do you have recitals?
Music is meant to be shared. Fairfax Piano has its studio-wide recital in the fall of each year. It is held at a separate venue that will comfortably host all students and guests. Participation in the recital is required for all students above the Starter level. Recitals are designed to be low-pressure events - material doesn't have to be memorized and there are no judges. Public performance is a critical part of advancement, and recitals help the student learn the unique skills involved in playing in front of other people and gain inspiration from others' performances.
How much will it cost?
Tuition is pretty simple at Fairfax Piano, and you have options!
Lessons in Fairfax Piano's professional studio are $88 for a block of four half-hour lessons, or $22 per lesson. For those times when a block of four lessons will not work for you, individual lessons can be purchased for $26 each. All lessons are valid for 40 days from the date of purchase.
Lessons in your own home (or other location) are $124 for a block of four half-hour lessons, or $31 per lesson. For those times when a block of four lessons will not work for you, individual lessons can be purchased for $35 each. All lessons are valid for 40 days from the date of purchase.
There is a one-time $50 enrollment fee.
You will need to buy your materials from time to time (music books, metronome, etc.), and music can be purchased through Fairfax Piano.
That's it.
No monthly fees. No annual fees. No fees for canceling or rescheduling a lesson. No hidden costs. Simple.
Do I have to pay with a check?
Fairfax Piano takes cash, checks, and major credit cards.
What about piano tuning?
A careful piano tuning is as simple as a phone call or email. Tunings are a flat-rate $100 for any piano; any type, any style, any age. Tunings can usually be scheduled within a week of your call.
If your piano needs additional service, that service is at your option. You will be informed of any issues found with your instrument, and given the option to proceed. Light piano service is available at $60 per hour.
What is considered "light piano service"?
Light piano service is any repair or maintenance that can be done on a piano without moving it. Repairs like fixing a stuck key or a key that doesn't "sound right," regluing key tops, replacing a key, replacing a string, or removing foreign objects from your piano are all examples of light piano service.
What communities do you serve?
Fairfax Piano serves the eastern Iowa communities of Fairfax, Amana, Atkins, Blairstown, Cedar Rapids, Conroy, Covington, Ely, Hiawatha, Marengo, Marion, Newhall, Norway, Oxford, Palo, Robins, Shueyville, Swisher, Van Horne, Walford, and Watkins.
Where is Fairfax Piano?
Fairfax Piano is near Fairfax, which is just off the Southwest corner of Cedar Rapids. See the map below. You can click on the little map to bring up a bigger, interactive map.
For more information about what Fairfax Piano can do for you, please fill in your name and email address below. Promise: no spam, no mailing lists; you'll get an answer soon from an actual human being!
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