Lesson Guidelines

Fall Term runs from September to January, and Spring Term runs from February to June. Please pay in full for each term at the first lesson. A series of post-dated cheques can be accepted to cover lesson costs. Lessons are either one half hour, 45 minutes, or one full hour for advanced players. Please email me for current rates. heather@shinyblackpiano.com

 

 

      

 

Lesson Approaches

Individualized approaches to each student are always a priority. Here are two possible pathways a student might take.

1) A balanced approach focusing on reading, writing, listening, technique, sight reading and ear training which progresses through the Royal Conservatory Grade Levels, with or without examinations at each level.

2) A program focused primarily on ear training, playing from chord charts, improvisation, and pattern recognition and discovery.


Daytime Lessons

This Fall, lessons will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Is your potential student in school at that time? Don't worry.

By law, students are allowed to miss school as long as they are studying a musical instrument. As stated in Section 6, subsection 2 of Ontario’s Provincial Legislation: “Students are permitted to be taught a musical instrument during school hours, provided that the lessons do not exceed one half day per week.”

If your child is at one of the Niagara area schools I will be travelling to, they are likely to miss only 30 minutes of class time per week, or none at all if their lesson is scheduled during one of the nutrition breaks.

This type of piano lesson delivery has been successful in Niagara schools for over 13 years. And why not? It eliminates the need to drive to one more extra curricular activity in the evening.

Piano lessons also complement the literacy and numeracy goals of any school board. Recent studies have shown that….

~ musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language

~ musical training increases the ability to solve mathematical problems by teaching ratios, fractions, proportions, and thinking in space and time

~ students who study the arts have been shown to be more successful on standardized tests, as well as achieving higher grades in school

 

“To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.”

~ Aaron Copland

© 2009 Shiny Black Piano Studio