Piano lifestyle refers to all aspects of being a pianist, including performing for others and socializing and playing with other musicians. The willingness to do these things at all stages of a player's journey may be more important, according to who you ask, than practicing and lessons when it comes to determining whether a new pianist will be successful.

The more that a new player begins to identify as a musician and socially relate to other musicians, the better the chance that the player will stick with lessons and continue to practice. For this reason, group lessons are a great way for a new student to begin their piano playing journey.

How Most Group Lessons Work

Group piano lessons are a great way to learn the basics of keyboard play. Most group classes have between four and eight students, which provides a good opportunity to socialize and learn from others in the class. 

The instructor will generally start with lessons on music theory, which covers topics such as note values, rhythm, and key signatures. The class will then move on to practical instruction, spending time learning how to form chords and melodies. 

Students will also have a chance to try their hand at sight-reading, playing simple pieces of music from memory. By the end of the class, students should have a good understanding of the basic principles of piano play.

The Benefits of Group Lessons

Group lessons can provide a sense of community and camaraderie that may be lacking when learning alone.

In addition, group lessons can help to improve focus and concentration. When learning with others, it is important to pay attention in order to keep up with the rest of the class. As a result, students often find that they are more focused and attentive during group lessons than when they are practicing alone. 

Finally, group lessons can be more motivating than practicing alone. It can be easy to become discouraged when learning an instrument by oneself, but seeing others making progress can provide motivation to continue practicing. 

Rolling into Private Instruction

Make no mistake, private instruction is still vitally important to the process of mastering the piano. Nothing beats the undivided attention of a skilled teacher when it comes to helping a player polish and improve their skills.

However, depending on the student, private instruction can also wait. Let the player learn the basics with others and develop social relationships with fellow students and other musicians. This allows the player to become comfortable with performing, which will make private lessons much more fruitful.

Contact a teacher to schedule piano lessons today.