This blog is how to help you set up your child's piano room to be most conducive for learning piano.
Here are some tips that will help you as you prepare the piano room for practicing.
In order to have a successful practice session, it is good to take time to set up the practice area.
Take time to go through each tip.. It is important to have a good practicing environment. This
will help you set up the practice area to give your child a positive practicing experience.
Tip #1 - CHECK THE HEIGHT OF THE BENCH
The first thing is to check the height of your bench and the height of the top of your keyboard.
The top of the bench should be 19-20 inches from the floor to the top of the bench or chair.
The top of the keyboard should be 28 inches from the floor to the top of the white keys.
This is very important to check to make sure that the student
is having correct posture when playing. If you have a digital piano and are using a chair please
follow the measurement guidelines to ensure correct posture.
Tip #2 - ENSURE GOOD LIGHTING FOR THE PIANO
How is the lighting by your piano? It is essential to have good lighting at the piano. The best
option is to have a light that specifically made for a piano. You can do an online search for piano
lamp or piano light. They range from $30 and up. The most important thing is to have a light
that is adjustable and that it can shine over the music. It isgood to have a light near the piano
also. This will help your child to be able to see the music easier without eye strain and fatigue.
Check the lighting at various times of day, especially in the evening when it is darker.
Tip #3 - CHECK THE OVERALL ATMOSPHERE IN THE PIANO ROOM
What is the temperature in the piano room? If the piano is in the basement or a room that is
overly hot, you should consider making the practice area comfortable so it does not hinder the
student. Is the area free from clutter? It is important to not use the piano as a storage area that
piles up clutter
Tip #4 - ACOUSTIC PIANOS NEED TO BE TUNED
It is necessary to have a tuned piano. Part of learning piano is training the ears to recognize
pitches of notes, intervals and chords. The piano needs to be in tune to train the child’s ear.
There are piano tuners that can come to your house. I would suggest every six months to a one year to have your piano tuned.
Tip #5 - BEFORE YOU START LESSONS REPAIR YOUR PIANO
When you find a piano tuner it is important that they can also repair pianos. Things can happen
to the piano that need fixing. For example, a stuck key, pedal sustaining too long, pedal broken,
keys chipped, action is slow, notes that sound tin like or buzz. Please consider fixing anything
that is in need of repair. This will help your child have a better learning experience.
Cynthia Ali, NCTM