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Hello,

I recently started taking weekly private piano lessons at $75/hour but somethings came up for me and I can't afford to continue, at least for the time being.

What do you guys recommend as a replacement for private one on one study? Are online courses helpful?

Also I should add that I did not go for the traditional classical approach, but rather one that focuses on learning the basics such as scales, chords & inversions, some theory, etc. Less note-reading heavy. I'd like to be able to improvise in any key, learn rag time piano, and mainly just get a good foundation going.

Suggestions welcomed, thanks!

John,

I would consider every other week (if that price point is an option) before I considered online courses.

Just my two cents.


-Jason

Maybe find some friends who are reasonably more advanced compared than you who could occasionally help you?

Are you more interested in jazz or pop music than classical?

Thanks guys.

Stylistically I'm open, interested in learning a bit of everything I guess.
Every other week is good advice, I'll see if my teacher would be up for that.

I appreciate the feedback.

Add my 2 cents to yours.

Or maybe half an hour a week.

I think that an hour every other week would be more productive for an adult student than half an hour every week.

Regards,

And my 2 cents.

Wow, 6 cents already - OP, you should be taking this seriously!

More because of convenience, I think.

I would prefer an hour every other week too, but some students seem to prefer once a week. Of course if student and teacher live very far from each other every other week is definitely better, but we don't know...

Another alternative is a residential piano camp or workshop. These have been talked about quite a bit on this board. Along with two colleagues, I lead one each July in rural Massachusetts, on the campus of Williams College.

But my vote would be for you to continue with weekly lessons: find someone more affordable, or shorten your lessons to 30 or 45 minutes. Or teach yourself for free via the Internet.

Have you considered asking your teacher for a limited time reduction in price? I know it's awkward but he or she is a professional and will likely consider. Teaching is a wonderful thing and I have helped many medical students in their time of need with books and/or time. I bet many of us have done the same with piano students.

Which might end up being worth exactly what you pay for it.

Regards,

Bruce's witty and maybe wise rejoinder reminds me to add a postscript to my suggestion of self-teaching: do still take an occasional lesson with someone, just to "check in." Maybe every 2-3 months or so.