What to look for in a teacher
The best teacher for a concert-hopeful teenager is not always the best teacher for a seven year old just starting out, or for an adult returning after years away. Before you choose, think about who the lessons are for and what they want out of them.
- Experience with the right learner. A teacher who is wonderful with young children may work differently with adult beginners. Ask who they usually teach.
- A style that fits your goals. Some teachers are firmly classical and exam-focused, others happily teach pop, film music, jazz or playing by ear. Neither is better, but they suit different pupils.
- Patience and encouragement. Especially for children, the teacher who keeps a learner enjoying the instrument is worth more than the most decorated one who puts them off.
- A trial lesson. Most teachers offer a first lesson so you can judge the fit. Use it. Chemistry between teacher and pupil matters enormously.
Grades and exams: RIAM and ABRSM
If you want structured progress, exams give it. In Ireland the two most common systems are the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), the long-established Irish grade system, and ABRSM, the British board that is also widely used here. Both run from beginner grades up through advanced levels, with exams that test pieces, scales, sight-reading and aural skills.
Exams are not for everyone, and a good teacher can take a pupil a long way without them. But if your child likes clear milestones, or you want a recognised measure of progress, ask a prospective teacher which board they prepare pupils for and how they approach it.
In person or online?
Online lessons became common in recent years and they can work, particularly for older beginners and for keeping lessons going when life is busy. For young children, though, in-person lessons usually win: a teacher in the room can adjust hand position, hear the true sound of the piano, and hold a child's attention in a way a screen struggles to. Many teachers now offer a mix, and that flexibility can be the most practical option of all.
Roughly what lessons cost
Prices vary widely, so treat this only as a rough guide. Private lessons in Dublin tend to sit somewhere in the region of thirty to fifty euro for a half hour, with longer lessons and more advanced teaching costing more. A teacher's experience, their location, and whether lessons are one to one or in a small group all move the figure. Always confirm the exact rate, lesson length and missed-lesson policy directly with the teacher before you start.
Why a well-tuned piano matters for a learner
This is the part I can speak to directly. A beginner is training their ear at the same time as their fingers, and practising on an out-of-tune piano quietly teaches them the wrong pitches. A piano that is in tune sounds rewarding to play, and that reward is a big part of what keeps a young learner coming back to the stool. Most home pianos should be tuned about once a year, and a little more often for a piano being practised on daily. It is the simplest thing you can do to give a new pupil the best start.
Are you a piano teacher in Dublin? I am always glad to recommend good teachers to the families I tune for, and I offer group tuning rates to studios and schools with more than one piano to look after. Get in touch on 089 449 7651 and let's talk.