When are lessons scheduled?
Lessons are currently scheduled Monday-Friday. Robin will work with you as much as possible to allow for scheduling conflicts. Lunch hour lessons are offered for the busy professional, and special home-school tuition before 3PM MON-FRI.
Where are lessons offered?
I teach from several locations. In Dickson, TN I teach from my home studio which offers the student the opportunity to play on a baby grand piano and also an digital keyboard.
I also offer lessons in Franklin, TN from Miller Piano Studios which allows students the ability to play the most state of the art instruments.
How often are lessons and how long?
Lessons are weekly. We meet year round with periodic breaks for holidays. Lessons range from 30-50 minutes, depending on the number of students in the class:
2 students = 30 minutes
3 students = 35 minutes
4 students = 40 minutes
5 students and up = 50 minutes
What ages do you teach?
Anywhere from age 6 on up! For students younger than 6, special consideration will be made depending on the student and the level of parental assistance available.
What are shared lessons and why do you offer these over private lessons?
Shared lessons have between 2 and 8 students learning together. Below are just some of the benefits students experience learning with others:
* Traditionally, piano lessons are a very solitary experience – students come to lessons on their own, and then go home and practice on their own. Yet music is to be shared. The shared lessons allow for and encourage this.
* Students get comfortable playing in front of others, even when they don't have a song down perfectly, or something is still in the process of being learned.
* Most things we learn to do in life, we learn with others.
* Private lessons underestimate or undervalue the importance of observatory learning.
* Private lessons can be a little intimidating – the student has to come up with all the answers on their own for the whole lesson – this means they can be nervous for the whole lesson. In the case of shared lessons, the students get a chance to sit back and observe, allowing them to be in a relaxed state and just take in what they are watching. The students take turns at being the volunteer at the piano. The students are not nervous when they are observing.
* Shared lessons are very dynamic, interactive and fun. There is an energy present in the room when students work together!
Does the student come alone?
No, the parent stays in the lesson with the student. This allows the parent the opportunity to be directly involved in the student's musical education. The parent is also there to encourage and keep the student accountable.
What if I have already taken piano? Why switch to Simply Music?
The traditional approach to piano generally limits students to reading music only (often classical, if you're anything like me) :)
In Simply Music, students start playing blues, contemporary, and classical from the very first lessons. They also learn accompaniment, which includes learning how to play most contemporary chords: major, minor, 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, augmented, diminished, 2nd, 6th, 11th, 13th and split chords. This opens the door to being able to play virtually any song; pop, country, Christian, blues, etc.
In addition, we also learn how to compose and improvise. Students become self-generating musicians, as opposed to the more receptive skill of purely reading. We learn strategies on how to see different patterns and shapes in music, and how to map those onto the keyboard. We don't need a map to drive to school, or to church or to Wal-Mart. So why do we only rely on the page in front of us to play music? Instead, we treat music the same way: We map it onto the keyboard, much like we map out on the road when we're driving. This results in a deeper, more thorough understanding of a song (as opposed to purely memorizing). Reading music is certainly a crucial part of becoming a musician as well, and Simply Music presents reading in an extremely natural way.
What is the cost involved?
The following outlines the breakdown of 2008-2009 tuition and fees (through August 2009):
Lesson rates vary depending on Shared or Private. Discounts are offered for multiple family members taking as well. Please call for a quote.
Materials = $50 per level, plus supplemental materials ranging from $15-25 needed 2-3 times/yr
*Private lessons are offered only at the teacher’s discretion.*
**Homeschool Discount is available for lessons scheduled Mon. - Fri. before 3 pm**
How much time do I need to devote to practice?
A minimum of 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Is there a certain commitment required after I sign up for lessons?
Yes, there are requirements to be a part of the studio. These are discussed in detail at the information sessions; however, ultimately, one of the most important (if not THE most critical) is to have the time available and the focus needed to devote to learning to play piano.
Robin Thorpe
Piano Studio
Frequently Asked Questions
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
~Berthold Auerbach
Contact Information: Robin Black Thorpe
Accredited Simply Music Teacher615.519.8324
