Getting started
What to expect in your first piano lesson
By Eric Liu· Published · Updated
If you have never taken a private piano lesson before, the first session can feel mysterious. This article walks through what actually happens at the studio - so you know what to bring, what to expect, and what a good first lesson should feel like.
Before you arrive
Bring whatever music you already own, even if it is wrong for your level. Bring a list of pieces you wish you could play, even if they feel out of reach. If you have a phone with a camera, that is enough recording equipment for now.
The first ten minutes: goals and history
We talk about your background, schedule, and goals. "Why do you want to play piano?" is not a soft question - the answer determines repertoire, practice routine, and whether you should pursue exam tracks or a free-form path.
Diagnostic playing
If you have any background, I will ask you to play something you know - even if it is rough. The goal is to hear hand shape, pulse, sense of phrase, and where you compensate. If you are a true beginner, we start with hand position and the first five notes on the keyboard.
The first piece of teaching
Every first lesson ends with one specific thing taught well: a clear hand position, a single rhythm group, a phrase shape, a pedaling rule. Quality of the first lesson is measured by whether you can apply that one thing at home alone.
Walking out with a plan
You leave with: one small assignment for the week, a short note on what to focus on, and a sense of whether the teaching style fits. If you cannot describe your assignment in one sentence, the first lesson did not finish.
Continue reading
Try a free lesson
Book a free trial lesson with the studio — no credit card required.