Piano lessons for children in London: how to choose a teacher
By Mariam Chitanava, piano teacher and collaborative pianist
Choosing a piano teacher for your child is a bigger decision than it looks. A good teacher gives a child a skill, a habit of focus and a way to enjoy music for life. A poor fit can make a child decide that the piano is not for them. I have been teaching since the age of 14. Here is what I would look for if I were a parent in London.
1. Look at the teacher's own training
You do not need a famous name, but you do want someone who has studied seriously and performed regularly. Ask where they trained and what they play today. I studied at the Moscow Conservatory and at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid, and I still work as a collaborative pianist. That keeps my own playing in daily use, which matters when I am showing a child how a phrase should sound.
2. Check that they have taught children, not just played well
Playing and teaching are different skills. A child of six needs a different approach from a teenager preparing for a school concert. Ask how long the teacher has worked with young students, and in what settings. I have been teaching since the age of 14, and I have also taught at the Lev Oborin Children's Music School in Moscow and at Calasancio College in Madrid.
3. Ask what a normal lesson looks like
A good lesson is not only repeating a piece until it is right. Ask how time is split between technique, reading music, listening and the pieces your child loves. Ask how the teacher handles a week when your child has not practised. The honest answer is usually "calmly, and we adjust."
4. Expect a first conversation before the first lesson
Any teacher should want to know your child's age, experience, goals and personality before you commit. When a parent contacts me, we first have a short chat. I ask about the child and the parent's goals, and the parent can ask me anything. Then we agree the lesson length, format, time and fee before the first lesson. If a teacher cannot tell you what to expect, keep looking.
5. Decide between online lessons and lessons at home
Both can work well, and the right choice depends on your child and your week.
Online lessons save travel time and suit older children who already have a decent piano or keyboard. They are also useful when a family is travelling or the weather is bad.
Home visits let the teacher see the instrument, the room and the practice routine, and they suit younger children who find a screen hard to focus on.
I offer both. You can see the formats and fees on my Piano Lessons page.
6. Think about where the teacher can realistically travel
London is large, and a teacher who has to cross the city will either charge more or arrive tired. Check which areas a teacher actually covers. For home visits I teach in Canary Wharf, the Isle of Dogs, Poplar, Limehouse, Blackwall, Greenwich, Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Wapping, Bow and Stratford. For home visits in central and west London I also cover Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Belgravia, Mayfair, St John's Wood, Hampstead, Fulham and Richmond.
7. Choose someone your child likes
This is the most important point, and the hardest to judge from a website. Children learn best from someone who is patient, clear and warm. If your child can talk to the teacher, ask questions and laugh a little in the first lesson, that is a very good sign.
8. Be realistic about progress
Learning the piano takes weeks of small steps. A teacher who promises quick results is not being honest. Look for someone who sets clear, achievable goals, such as a first piece, steady reading or a performance for the family, and who tells you how it is going.
Questions to ask any teacher
Where did you train, and what do you play now?
How long have you taught children of my child's age?
What does a typical lesson include?
Which areas do you cover, or do you teach online?
What is the fee, and how long is each lesson?
Next step
If you would like to talk about lessons for your child, send Mariam an enquiry with your child's age, piano experience, preferred lesson format and location. You can also read about lesson formats and fees, or watch and listen to Mariam play.
