Flute and Piano tuition
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
New Student Information
My youngest students are just 3 years old, while my oldest are retirees! There’s no age limit for participation; the minimum age depends on student’s focus and the level of commitment parents are ready provide at home. Many parents choose to attend the lessons to learn how to assist their children, and often, they enroll in classes themselves for a term or two. I free trial lessons for students under 5 to assess their learning potential.
Lesson Availability
I currently have availability for students in Auckland on Thursday and Friday. Please use the contact form to request a lesson space.
What do I need for lessons?
Students need a few essential items for classical music lessons to ensure a productive learning experience. First, a quality instrument is crucial, piano or flute. Additionally, having a stand, sheet music, and a metronome can greatly enhance practice sessions. Lastly, a notebook for taking notes and tracking progress is also beneficial.
Hiring or buying an instrument
Flute Hire
I highly suggest hiring a flute the first year of lessons. Flutes can be a significant investment, requiring annual maintenance and are prone to damage. While there are affordable flute brands, I've found them to be unreliable and difficult to, often leading to higher costs in the first year compared to a standard brand. Flutes can be rented from Shearers Music Works and the Rock Shop in Hamilton.
Flute Purchase
After completing the first year of flute lessons, students can consider purchasing their own instrument. Beginner flutes typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the brand and desired features. While a solid silver body, open holes, or a B-foot are not necessary for beginners, they can be added if the budget allows. My preferred brands for beginner flutes Yamaha, Pearl, Briccialdi, and Jupiter. It's advisable to try out flutes at a local music store to find one that fits your budget and feels comfortable.
Piano
Piano lessons are usually conducted on upright or grand pianos. However, these instruments can be heavy, costly, and require regular maintenance to stay in good condition. It's not recommended for students to learn on pianos that are out of tune or have malfunctioning keys, as these issues can hinder their progress. Purchasing a piano is a personal decision, and it's beneficial for students to test the instrument beforehand to ensure they like the key response. I against buying pianos from TradeMe without trying them out first, unless you know the instrument's maintenance history.
Keyboard
Keyboards serve as excellent alternative for beginners or for families with limited space for a traditional piano. With advanced technology, there are various options available based on your budget and size requirements. I recommend setting a budget (likely between $100 and $10,000) and visiting a local music store to explore available options. Store assistants can help you find instruments within your budget, allowing students to try them out. Key features look for include touch sensitivity, weighted keys, and a damper pedal.
Enrolled Student Information
Students are able to book a make-up lesson if they can give 6 hours notice that they are going to miss a lesson. This gives me the time to contact other students who also need to catch up on a missed lesson and use this new free space for another student. If 6 hours notice is not given the student is not able to book a make-up lesson. Please note that the notice period needs to be within normal business hours (8am-5pm). Exceptions are given for emergencies at the discretion of the teacher.
​
If no space is available to make these lessons up during the term the lessons are to be made up in the school holidays. If this is not possible, the lessons will be forfeited. Please read the Terms & Conditions of Service for more information, or send me an email.