Buying a piano

[UCGal]

I hope your family enjoys learning and playing piano as much as our does.

[NicMM]

Thanks UCGal! I am excited to learn now. My son is also excited to see this new toy. Hope the excitement will last. But I will not force my son to learn or practice. I will take the suggestion of MANMom. I will try to learn playing it myself.

-NicMM

[quote=UCGal]I hope your family enjoys learning and playing piano as much as our does.[/quote]

[NicMM]

Thanks UCGal! I am excited to learn now. My son is also excited to see this new toy. Hope the excitement will last. But I will not force my son to learn or practice. I will take the suggestion of MANMom. I will try to learn playing it myself.

-NicMM

[quote=UCGal]I hope your family enjoys learning and playing piano as much as our does.[/quote]

[NicMM]

Thanks UCGal! I am excited to learn now. My son is also excited to see this new toy. Hope the excitement will last. But I will not force my son to learn or practice. I will take the suggestion of MANMom. I will try to learn playing it myself.

-NicMM

[quote=UCGal]I hope your family enjoys learning and playing piano as much as our does.[/quote]

[NicMM]

Thanks UCGal! I am excited to learn now. My son is also excited to see this new toy. Hope the excitement will last. But I will not force my son to learn or practice. I will take the suggestion of MANMom. I will try to learn playing it myself.

-NicMM

[quote=UCGal]I hope your family enjoys learning and playing piano as much as our does.[/quote]

[NicMM]

Thanks UCGal! I am excited to learn now. My son is also excited to see this new toy. Hope the excitement will last. But I will not force my son to learn or practice. I will take the suggestion of MANMom. I will try to learn playing it myself.

-NicMM

[quote=UCGal]I hope your family enjoys learning and playing piano as much as our does.[/quote]

[joec]

Old thread, but just curious what lessons typically cost in the San Diego area? Per 30 minute lesson? Per month?

Do people typically have their kids do 1 lesson a week?

[Coronita]

[quote=joec]Old thread, but just curious what lessons typically cost in the San Diego area? Per 30 minute lesson? Per month?

Do people typically have their kids do 1 lesson a week?[/quote]

Being the good asian parent that I am that offered my kid the standard aslan list of musical instruments that a kid can learn, piano or violin….. My kid takes violin lessons at $45 per half hour lesson, not including the $16/month violin rental. The same teacher offered piano lessons via his wife for roughly the same amount. Not bad, considering my kid’s skating lessons were $40 each time for a 1/2hr session.

Ok, truthfully, I didn’t want my kid to learn any instrument at this age, and I specifically didn’t want my kid to learn what every other asian parent wants their kids to learn (piano and/or violin). But I guess my kid ended up wanting to learn an instrument themselves. I suggested guitar, flute, and clarinet. But my kid wasn’t interested in guitar, and finding a flute or clarinet teacher wasn’t easy. So my kid ended up wanting to play a violin. And let me tell you, violins are great. There’s no mistake when you’re doing it wrong. I mean, if someone is really bad at it, it just sounds horrible. It’s the cringe you might get if someone with long nails runs their finger down a chalkboard, only that it lasts for the entire practice session. But fortunately, investing in a nice pair of headphones solves things.

[CA renter]

Is your violin teacher an economist, too? Just asking because we know an economist who played/plays professional violin and whose wife is an accomplished pianist.

[Hatfield]

I think for a young student it does not make sense to buy a piano, and certainly do not buy a new one. (Actually, I would never buy a new piano under any circumstances. I would buy a quality used piano from a piano tech instead.)

For now, you should find a small, portable electronic piano with built-in speakers and full-size weighted keys. Specifically, I suggest you look at something in the Casio CDP line. Casio has really stepped up their game in the last ~ 10 years, and these keyboards are a remarkable value. They action and sound of these pianos is pretty decent, plus there’s a headphone jack for silent practice. If only violins had that too. :p

New they run $300 – $500 depending on the model, but you could even find a used one for less. You’ll also need a stand and a stool, and you’ll also want to get a proper sustain pedal instead of the sewing machine pedal that it comes with. Yamaha makes a nice one that works great.

After a few years, if your child’s interest in the instrument is still going strong, you can think about upgrading to a better instrument and sell the Casio.

[TeCKis300]

My 5 year old has been playing now for 1 year and is really enjoying it.

As an adult that was forced to play (another instrument) throughout his childhood… Who is grateful today for having learned music, though it was a struggle for both sides growing up.

I think it’s super important to encourage your child to learn not through regimented lessons. Find what motivates them, whether the challenge, music they like, or leading by example.

I’m not suggesting this, but we purchased a new 6’3″ Baldwin Grand piano. I love the thing to death.

That was important as playing on a fine instrument is my motivation. So I’m learning the piano along with my child. My wife played as a child as is getting back into the grove.

My child is really enjoying the experience as she is motivated by our mutual love for music and the piano.

[cvmom]

We got a used Steinway upright back when my kid started playing 10 years ago. He is now 17 and truly loves to play. Yes there were times when he wanted to quit, but I am so glad we pushed (not too much) and he stuck with it. After they are 13 or so, it’s completely their choice anyway, I think. Of course he will never be a concert pianist. But when I see how much he enjoys it now, I think all those lessons were a long-term gift that we gave him.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=cvmom] But when I see how much he enjoys it now, I think all those lessons were a long-term gift that we gave him.[/quote]

An accomplished person plays a musical instrument. It’s a life skill.

It’s great when you’re dating and want to woo the person you fancy.

[Coronita]

[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=cvmom] But when I see how much he enjoys it now, I think all those lessons were a long-term gift that we gave him.[/quote]

An accomplished person plays a musical instrument. It’s a life skill.

It’s great when you’re dating and want to woo the person you fancy.[/quote]

There’s an app for that.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=flu]
There’s an app for that.[/quote]

Playing music is more romantic.

[Author]

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