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Private Piano or Song-writing Lessons

In these on-going private lessons, I will propel your learner to the next level with serious music theory disguised as fun games, exciting song-writing activities, and familiar tunes. #creative
Elizabeth (BFA, MAE)
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(413)
Popular
Class

What's included

Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed
25 mins
per session
Teacher support
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Students will receive weekly homework based on the classwork, to be completed on a near-daily basis. Regular practice is an integral part of learning to play an instrument. Practice length and frequency will vary on the age and ability of the student.
Assessment
As part of assessing students' music learning, I strongly recommend all students perform as frequently as possible-- informally, formally, virtually, in-person, for friends or family, and for large audiences. Preparing for performances is a part of a strong lesson routine. Students build a sense of self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-expression by participating in group lessons, sharing their unique compositions, and performing in biannual recitals. I offer songwriting classes, music game groups, and virtual recitals. I encourage all my students to participate in mine or similar classes. Sharing performances and learning with peers is an important part of musical development. If you need a formal evaluation for homeschool, please let me know.

Class Experience

In these one-on-one piano lessons, I work with each learner, tailoring instruction to their abilities and unique interests. 

⭐New to Outschool? Message me before you enroll!!!⭐

Whether a new beginner or advanced pianist, I will help propel your learner to the next level with serious music theory disguised as fun games, exciting song-writing activities, and familiar tunes. I balance a fun, student-centered approach with more traditional models, often replacing boring theory worksheets with song-writing and music games. My goal is to build a creative, stress-free environment so that my students enjoy the music-making process.

The Suzuki method is at the core of many of my ideas about teaching music, meaning my methods are developmentally appropriate and lots of fun!


I teach a variety of musical topics with the goal of developing well-rounded musicians, including: 

• Technique (such as proper hand positioning, scales/chords, performance strategies.)

• Theory (note-naming, reading in the staff, rhythm, scales, chords, and key signatures.)

• Ear Training (playing songs by rote and by ear, sing-alongs, clap-backs, and music listening games.)

• Song-Writing and Improvisation (inventing melodies and rhythms, learning to write in simple notation and on the staff, learning to use technologies for notation, recording, and/or remixing.)

• Songs from a variety of musical styles (such as pop music, children's/folk songs, classical music, jazz, show tunes, etc.) 

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MATERIALS

For absolute new beginners, I will provide the sheet music as printable PDFs. If you do not plan on printing the sheet music, please arrange for your learner to be able to read the songs on an iPad or similar. Once the learner is ready to learn reading on the staff, I will recommend some age-appropriate music books available for purchase. I usually choose books from the Wunderkeys series, Faber Piano Adventures, and Supersonics Piano. If you still need to purchase an instrument, height-appropriate keyboard stand or piano bench, please message me for my recommendations.

For transferring students, I am quite happy to continue using whichever book is already being used in most cases. Please message me before enrolling if your learner would like to continue using their current book to see if I have a copy!


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SET UP

Please enable Original Sound setting (or Original Sound for Musicians) in your Zoom settings for all music classes!

For piano lessons, the video camera should be positioned to face the keyboard/piano keys to show the student's hands *and* face.  The side view of the keyboard is best.  Though not required, having a second device to place on the sheet music stand in front of the learner is also helpful if I need to screen-share music for new beginners.

At the first lesson, I may ask to see your seating arrangement. Often, young children need a booster seat and a footstool in order to play comfortably at an adult-sized instrument.

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SCHEDULING & MAKE-UP POLICY

If you do not see a time that works for you, or if you have more than one learner you would like to enroll, please message me. (Scheduling is subject to availability). 

New beginners are welcome to join me in a one-time trial lesson to see if we are a good fit before enrolling on weekly, on-going lessons:  → https://outschool.com/classes/private-piano-lessons-trial-lesson-zuLURHsm

If you are a new to piano, I strongly recommend committing to 3 months of lessons to "try it out." Learning a new instrument is challenging; without a significant amount of time spent at the keys, it is not possible to determine if a student likes it or not.

I am happy to provide reschedule a lesson with at least 24-hours notice. Except for in the case of emergency, I cannot offer make up lessons for no shows or cancelations less than 24 hours. Since I am holding the time especially for your learner I am unable to give refunds for missed lessons (unless the teacher must miss class due to an extenuating circumstance.) 

Per OutSchool's policies: Students who do not arrive within 10 minutes of the start time, the teacher may leave the meeting, and the student's lesson will be forfeit. Additionally, students who do not attend 3 weeks in a row will be automatically unenrolled. 

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Other Details

Parental Guidance
Technology To fully participate in any music class, it's best to check your audio settings in Zoom first! Watch below to find out how to turn on ORIGINAL SOUND on your device: iPads → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1pkirtPH9o other platforms → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEZMRtrSsYY Google drive will be used to screenshare music theory games during class. Older students may be asked to use noteflight.com to write songs on the staff. A parent will need to create a personal account and help them log in when necessary. Parental Assistance During Lessons Parent assistance is necessary for young musicians to best interact with the class. Young learners may need help finding the correct keys, adjusting posture, or turning the microphone on/off. Parents will also be asked to help students regulate at-home practice. Parental Involvement Children are not born with daily routines, but learn to work within them. Students will need help with the daily routine of practicing, doing and checking homework, and listening to music. Also, listening to recordings regularly is important in order to learn to play by ear, or even just to know when sight-reading incorrectly. Singing is also helpful for learning Suzuki songs. Is my child ready for lessons? Any child that can focus on an activity for 5 minutes or more and willingly accepts re-direction is ready for lessons. I accept students ages 4+ for private lessons. Students ages three and four are eligible for mommy and me lessons. Please message me. NOTE Absolutely NO EATING during class. Learners will need the constant use of both of their hands to engage with their full attention. Learners who are eating on camera may be asked to leave.
Supply List
All students will need a keyboard or piano for both the lesson and regular at-ho me practice. You may also need to purchase books or print materials. New students, please meet me in the Trial Lesson Class and I will explain in detail.

I recommend all students keep a pencil with a good eraser at the piano at all times. 

Older students, especially those interested in song-writing, I recommend having a parent create a FREE noteflight.com account as soon as possible.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined March, 2022
4.8
413reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Virginia Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
Master's Degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University
I teach classes on a variety of arts-related subjects: 
  * piano, sight-reading, song-writing; 
  * realistic drawing techniques;
  * comic book creations & anime drawing styles;
  * digital arts, Photoshop, graphic design.

Look at the bottom of my profile to find my other classes. 
    → https://outschool.com/teachers/Elizabeth-Essex ←

As a teacher with over twenty years of experience, I have been running my own piano studio full-time for the last decade. I started learning music in piano lessons when I was four years old and am currently teaching my 15th academic year as a piano teacher. I also am a former public school visual arts teacher, university adjunct professor, swim instructor, dance teacher, and math tutor.

Reviews

Live 1-on-1 Lessons
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$35

per session
Meets on demand
25 min

Completed by 61 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 4-18

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