I’ve had many parents ask me, “What are better, group piano lessons or individual, private lessons?”
You really have to weigh the pros and cons on this one. What is better for one student may not be better for the next student.
Some of the general advantages of group lessons are:
- That they are less expensive. Usually, the student travels to the practice venue. Because there are a lot of students, a teacher may charge less per hour than he does for one child.
- That they bring students of the same age and ability together. Friendships are formed. Children with instruments at home invite their friends from calls over to jam.
Some advantages of individual, private lessons are:
- That they offer tailored learning. The student learns at his pace. Every ounce of attention is upon him and his technique. The teacher can put more pressure on her demands or back off when the student feels flustered.
- That missed lessons can be made up. If there is an emergency or conflict in the schedule, usually, a teacher can make up the lesson with the student.
Prioritize: Do you want flexibility in your lessons? Is the cost a deciding factor? Do you want your child to learn many songs or technique and theory?
Now, that is not to say that group lessons do not emphasize theory and form. Of course, learning to play music does require a knowledge of theory and some correct form.
If you want to give your child the musical advantages of both group and individual lessons, perhaps you can look into signing him up for youth symphony or band ensemble along with private piano lessons, musical groups that require him to learn another instrument such as the flute or cello. As many music teachers will agree, individual teachers have a different standard than group teachers, and we don’t want these standards clashing, confusing the budding musician.
