TALLAHASSEE PIANO SCHOOL
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
What kind of music will I be learning?
It’s up to you what kind of music you’d like to learn, but we recommend learning a variety of styles. From classical to jazz to modern music, each has its own beauty and merits. A well-rounded piano education will help you learn more effectively and provide you with the most effective musical problem solving skills in terms of sightreading and recognizing rhythms.
Are there any discounts available?
Our goal is to help our students as much as possible. We’re piano teachers, not a music supply company. For that reason, we’re happy to extend our teacher discounts on music and music supplies to provide them to our students at cost. We want you to learn to play with confidence and we work hard to make that happen.
What services do you offer?
We offer piano lessons for beginners and up, from kindergarten through retirement age and up. We can help you learn various styles of piano music that suit your personal tastes and preferences. If you have specific goals such as recitals, pageants, talent shows, music school and scholarship auditions, and more, we’d love to use our expertise to craft a lesson plan that helps you achieve your goals. Whatever your reasons for learning to play or improving your piano abilities, we’ll help you play with confidence.
How much do lessons cost?
Thirty minute lessons are $35, forty-five minute lessons are $45, and 60 minute lessons are $55. So, the longer the lesson, the more you get for your money.
Why not an independent teacher teaching from their home?
Certainly, there are some very good piano teachers who teach from home. However, lessons with Adam Ravain Piano Studio have several advantages over independent piano teachers. First, the music room at Faith Presbyterian has pianos where students can warm up while waiting for their lessons to begin, so that they’re making the most of their lesson time. This is not usually an option with in-home piano lessons. Second, with our approach, students get to interact with other piano students and get opportunities to learn from and work with diverse parts of the Tallahassee music community. These opportunities for growth and creativity are not present in isolated learning situations. Even our students who request in-home lessons still have access to opportunities for community engagement through our instructors.
How young can students start to play?
Though we’ve had students younger than kindergarten age take lessons with us, in general, we recommend that 5 years old is a good rule of thumb as the youngest starting age. However, if your child is younger than that and you feel strongly that he or she has an affinity for the piano, we have the experience to create lesson plans for very young students to help familiarize them with the joys of playing piano.
Do I need a piano or keyboard at home?
Lessons are only one part of learning to play the piano. Practice at home is critical to unlocking your potential. The more you practice, the faster you’ll improve. So, yes, having a piano or keyboard at home is required. This doesn’t mean that you need an expensive concert piano in your home. A keyboard is enough to practice with. Importantly for many parents, with a keyboard you can adjust the volume or plug in headphones so that practice doesn’t have to be loud to be effective.
How does payment work?
Payment can be made on a weekly basis but is most easily handled on a monthly or term basis. If a specific payment schedule works best for you, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate it for you.
Do I have to book a lesson every week?
Though we do recommend weekly lessons as the best way to learn and make steady progress, that isn’t a requirement and we’re happy to work around your schedule.
Where are lessons held?
The best location in terms of acoustics and space is the choir room at Faith Presbyterian Church, where Adam is the Associate Music Director. If a student needs or prefers in-home lessons or online lessons, we can accommodate both of those options. However, we strongly feel that in-person lessons are best for beginning students.
If the choir room is being used, we have several great backup options including classrooms, and sometimes, even the sanctuary.
How long are lessons?
Lessons can be booked for 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Typically, 30 minute lessons are best for younger students. However, we’re happy to work with you depending on the length of lesson that suits your schedule and goals.
Why not the chain box stores (Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc.)?
In our experience, piano lessons are most effective with professionals who specialize in piano instruction. Though we’re happy to see musical instruction available to students in a variety of formats from a variety of sources, we don’t think that every source of lessons gives students the same level of attention, patience, and experience. From beginners looking to get off on the right foot, to intermediate players looking to advance in ability, to high level piano players with specific goals, we pride ourselves on being the best source for piano lessons in Tallahassee. Try a free sample lesson with us to see why our students are so satisfied.
Am I too old to learn or get back into the piano?
You’re never too old to enrich your life through music. Sure, learning new skills isn’t as easy as it was when you were a child, but we’ve seen plenty of retired students fall in love with music. They’re glad they gave it a try, and you will be too. With a free introductory lesson, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
For returning players, the challenge is slightly different. It can be frustrating to feel that you’ve lost some measure of ability and to believe you won’t be able to get it back. But, as we’ve seen with many students who are young at heart, with some patience you can unlock those lost skills and even surpass your former ability. The effort is absolutely worth the musical fulfillment and sense of accomplishment.
Are Gift Certificates available?
Yes! If you have a grandchild, loved one, friend, or co-worker who has always wanted to learn how to play the piano but hasn’t taken that first step, a Gift Certificate to Adam Ravain Piano Studio is the perfect gift for all occasions. You can give them single lessons or lesson-packages to set them on the path to playing with confidence. All kinds of material gifts are fleeting, but to give the gift of musical instruction is to give your loved one a gift they’ll treasure for life.
Can I take lessons even if I can’t read music?
Absolutely. We can help you learn to play the piano with confidence even if you’ve never played before and have zero experience. Working with our students’ specific needs is the key to effective teaching. We’ll take you through the entire process from start to finish.
What’s holding you back?
If you’ve made it this far and read though all the frequently asked questions, but haven’t seen your question answered, please reach out to us. We’d love to answer any questions you might have about anything and everything related to our work, learning the piano, and music in general.
If you’ve read through all this material, we’re guessing that you’re very interested in piano lessons for yourself or a loved one. To take the difficulty out of the decision making process, we offer a free trial lesson to help you experience piano lessons first hand. Try a lesson with absolutely no cost and no obligation. Then, use that experience to decide if continuing with lessons is right for you.