Information For New Students

Students will need 4 things for virtual lessons. Click each image to learn more. 

If you are looking for more information about your instructor, please visit the Faculty Profiles page. If you need information on how to get set up for lessons, visit our Set-up Guide page or email support@birchfieldpiano.com. 

Books

Birchfield Piano does not restrict instructors to teach with a singular book series, but we do only approve certain curricula for instruction. We believe in giving our instructors the freedom to teach from a book, if any, that will help them create excellent musicians, but also align with Birchfield Piano's teaching philosophy. Therefore, the faculty at Birchfield Piano have approved the following book series and methods for instruction: any method or theory book series from Alfred Music, the Suzuki Method (Alfred Music), and Faber Piano Adventures (Hal Leonard Publishing). Instructors will inform students of the methods they have chosen for their lessons in their Faculty Profiles. 

Amazon Shopping List

Click the button below to view the list of items needed for lessons at Birchfield Piano. You will not need all of these items, but this is just a general list of items that are recommended and/or required by instructors. Be sure to consult your instructor on which books/materials need to be purchased if any. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a typical lesson like? At the start of each lesson, instructors will usually ask students about the week prior to their lesson and try to get a feel for what the student was able to accomplish. From there, the instructor will guide the student through a new topic in theory and/or play some music! 

I have a younger student who is interested, can they learn? Typically we recommend virtual lessons to students who are no younger than 7 years old. However, if you have a student younger than 7 and believe that they can do the online format, please let us know. We can always set up a trial lesson to see if it is the right fit for your student. 

I don't have a piano or a keyboard! What should I get? See our Buying A Piano page for advice and recommendations on purchasing a good instrument. 

How long of a lesson do I need each week? The answer to this really depends on your level, how quickly you would like to progress, and your budget. Generally, having 30-minute lessons weekly (or twice weekly) is recommended to beginners while the 45 and 60-minute lessons are recommended to intermediate/advanced learners. Contact us if you are unsure of how long your lessons should be. 

Are lessons virtual or in person? Lessons are predominantly offered virtually, but they can be administered in-person with an agreed-upon arrangement between the student and instructor. Additional fees may apply for in-person lessons especially if the instructor must travel to the student. 

I have a busy schedule, and it is sometimes inconsistent. What is the policy for missing/rescheduling lessons? Most private music education companies allow little to no flexibility when scheduling lessons. Students normally pay for their lesson timeslots whether or not they can show up regardless of the reasoning. At Birchfield Piano, our instructors understand that life simply just happens and students have busy schedules. Our faculty offer flexible scheduling options to all students and we have flexible attendance policies. Check out your instructor's Faculty Profile for more information on their lesson scheduling and their specific attendance policies.  

Isn't learning piano online hard to do? Learning online is not for everyone, but it has become a popular choice among students since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We make it easy and comfortable for students to learn in this environment. Our instructors are well-trained for virtual teaching, so students receive the best quality music education. Additionally, Birchfield Piano will cover the cost of a 30-minute trial lesson for new students so they may try out the lessons risk free. To schedule your trial lesson, email info@birchfieldpiano.com. 

Will there be a recital where I can showcase my new talents? Yes, at the end of the Fall and Spring lesson sessions Birchfield Piano hosts an online piano recital at no extra cost to students. All students are invited and highly encouraged to participate in the recitals. 

How much do lessons cost? More information on lesson pricing is provided on the Student Registration page once enrollment begins. 

How do I pay for my lessons? Birchfield Piano will email invoices to students to outline the costs of their lessons for the next month. Each invoice will have payment instructions. Birchfield Piano currently accepts payments via credit/debit card, ACH bank transfer, PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App. 

Can I reduce the cost of my lessons? Yes, you certainly can! Students can reduce their dues by taking advantage of our Referral Program or by receiving the Birchfield Piano Excellence Award for their hard work. We also offer bi-weekly payment plans. More information on these discounts can be found on our Student Registration page.

Will I have to read music all the time, or can I learn to improvise? We start off teaching students traditional music theory and reading music. However, as our students progress we do start teaching them how to form their own music. This does involve some higher level training, but we do teach students how to improvise and how to be creative musically. 

What do I do when I have questions outside of lessons? Students may contact their instructors outside of lessons via email, Remind, or text. Some instructors may allow students to schedule a quick phone call with them as well to discuss any lesson materials. This is offered at no additional charge. 

How do I prepare for my next lesson? Every week students will have small homework assignments to complete. These assignments can be written and they can be piano assignments. To best prepare for your next lesson, please complete/submit your assignments on time, and make sure you print off your music for your next lesson, so you can see it easier and make notes on it. 

What if I forget something from the previous lesson? Instructors will create some notes during or after lessons and post them to their Google Classroom pages for students to see. This way, students can be certain that they do not forget to complete an assignment as long as they reference their notes/materials in Google Classroom periodically.