David Johnson Piano Studio Policies and Instructions

Studio Policies

The student will need an acoustic piano or digital piano with weighted keys and pedals to practice on successfully. Keyboards will be acceptable for only the first six months of lessons. I know of resources to help you find a piano. Renting a piano is a possibility. I can help you select a piano if needed (as a technician).
Your piano needs to be regularly tuned (every six—twelve months) and maintained.
Piano lessons are a three-way partnership between teacher, student and parents in order for the student to become a pianist.
Lessons are normally once a week for a half hour.
The playing the piano at home goal is to accomplish the tasks given for the week, in other words, it is oriented towards completing tasks rather than a particular amount of time at the keyboard per day or per week. The student must learn how to practice efficiently and successfully in this outcome based environment. However, playing as frequently as possible is educationally desirable because of the nature of our memories—the longer the period of time between playing, the more info is forgotten and must be relearned.
Books and other materials will be an off and on expenditure.
Recital fees or other expenses are a possibility form time to time.
Tuition is $25 per lesson.
Continuous one hour lessons are $45.
Tuition for the following month is due by the first lesson during the first week of the month.
Persistent late tuition payments will result in a $5 per lesson late fee.
Chronic non-payment of tuition will likely result in dismissing the student from the studio.
When a student arrives late it is likely that time will just be lost because of the schedule of other students around that lesson time (mine and other teacher’s).
The student and parents must understand that the student needs to consistently practice in order to really learn and progress as a pianist and musician. Part of the learning takes place in the studio and a large part of it takes place at home.
The piano studio is not a baby sitter for non-student siblings before, during or after the lesson. The studio and Play Your Own Music cannot be liable for roaming siblings.
Lessons are generally not canceled, just made-up, and paid for to reserve and keep a particular time and/or day, or paid for nothing.
If the student plans to miss a lesson, the studio needs to be informed 24 hours in advance and then a make-up time can be arranged without loss, either in advance or after the normal lesson day/time.
If the student is sick the day of the lesson it can be made up as long as the studio is informed as soon as possible before the time of the lesson.
If a student misses a lesson they have the option of making up that lesson on the same day or on another day or paying for the lesson that was missed (i.e. paying for nothing).
Getting the student to the lesson is the parent’s responsibility (like school or work). The student should arrive at least five minutes before the lesson and the parent arrive five minutes before the end of the lesson to pick up their child (if they don’t stay around during the lesson).
Notification prior to the lesson or at the lesson must be given if someone other than a parent, or the normal ride, is to be the driver.
Students will be safest waiting for lessons or parents in the music store.
Recitals will be scheduled by the studio from time to time and it is to the student’s benefit to participate, but lesson position will not be affected if a recital is missed. Notification of absence should be made in advance because of programs, etc. The student may perform by memory (recommended) or by using the music. Generally the recitals will be conducted in the foyer of the Carson Shopping Center or as part of the Northern Nevada Music Teachers Association.
The student or parent may discreetly knock on the studio door if it becomes apparent that the previous lesson is running over-time.
No eating or drinking in the studio.
No chewing gum in the studio.
No foul language in the studio.
No swimwear in the studio.
No smoking in the studio.
The more lesson time and practice time a student misses in the summer, the more things (already paid for) will be forgotten and will need to be relearned (repaid for) and the more likely a time spot will be lost in the fall to those more dedicated. Remedial lessons are not nearly as fun as the original learning of something.
It is far more possible to take one hour lessons in the summer than during the rest of the year, or to make up for time lost for travel (though sometimes it is more difficult to practice).
Over commitment to many different activities will lead to many problems for the student in one or all of the activities.

General Teaching Philosophy

Learning anything is a commitment—by the student, parents and teacher. A lack of commitment by either of these three participants will likely result in the student not learning to play the piano.
Any kind of lessons is an investment in materials and in the student.
One of the most important things to learn is how to practice or play the piano at home or progress at home and prepare for the next lesson. This is where students spend most of their time and consequently, where they will experience most of their progress.
The other critical thing is the faster one learns the language of music—how to read music—the quicker one will learn how to play the piano (it is nearly a prerequisite for most people). Record your piano playing at home from time to time and compare it to your playing later on. Try to identify a particular time of day that is your regular and consistent time to play the piano at home. There is no substitute for a positive, nurturing attitude by all of the participants.
Very young students will not practice without encouragement from their parents who must start out sitting with them every playing period for two or three years (sometimes).

Sharing the Piano Experience

For every student you refer to me who takes lessons for a month, you get two free lessons!
For every piano tuning you refer to me that I actually tune, you get one free lesson!

The object of teaching a student is to enable the student to get along without the teacher!