That first piano lesson is crucial.
We want it to be fun and inviting for the student
…so they think piano is fun.
We want it to be productive
…so the parents think we know what we’re doing and it’s worth their money.
It’s a lot of pressure!
First Piano Lesson Success!
In this article, we’re going to talk about how to make that first lesson just perfect for everybody.
We’ll talk about:
- What to do to prepare before the lesson begins
- What to do and say in those first few moments of the lesson
- What activities to include in the first lesson
- How to end the lesson to have them begging to come back the next week!
Prepare For the First Piano Lesson
Before your new piano student ever sets foot in the studio, there is one very important step you need to do to guarantee first lesson success…
DO. YOUR. HOMEWORK.
Find out as much about the new piano student as you can before meeting them.
- How old are they?
- What grade?
- Any previous music experience?
- Prior lessons?
- Any special needs?
- Piano or keyboard at home?
- Mom or dad play?
Do not go in blind.
The more you know before that lesson, the less you’re going to be fumbling around trying to find the right activity or book in the first lesson.
You can look prepared and polished because you’re going to know exactly what books to get ready, and exactly what activities to prepare.
Transfer Piano Student?
If you are teaching a first lesson to a transfer student, (in other words, a student who has taken piano lessons with another teacher previously), then I have an article specifically about that first lesson with a transfer student. So you might want to check that out as well.
The First Moments of the First Piano Lesson
You did your homework, and it is time for that first lesson to begin.
The first few moments should feel so welcoming! Greet your new student immediately upon arrival at your studio.
If you have a busy schedule, understand that the student might show up quite early for their first lesson. After all, they’re excited!
If they do come early, make sure that you drop everything and welcome that student, even if it means interrupting your current lesson.
It’s important that that first impression as they’re walking in the door is welcoming and inviting.
Part of this might be letting them know before they even drive to the first lesson:
- Where they should park
- Where they go in
- What do they do when they get to the door, etc.
Don’t let anything cause them anxiety lest that be the feeling they associate with your studio!
Greet them with a wave and a smile and show them exactly where to go.
Starting the First Piano Lesson With a Game
So you’ve greeted them, the student knows where to go, the parent knows where to go, and it’s time for their lesson to start.
I like to start away from the piano because, if they’ve never played the piano before, that might be a little intimidating sitting in the spotlight. So especially if they are shy, starting away from the bench can be a little more comfortable.
If you’re able to get down on the floor with a younger student that is usually best. If they’re an older student, they’re probably going to want to sit in a chair or a couch. Go where they’re comfortable.
Game for Younger Beginners
I like to start with a game, especially with younger students.
One of my favorite activities to do with younger students on their very first piano lesson is:
FINGER NUMBER BINGO CHIPS!
I gather 10 bingo chips and label them with the finger numbers. Each chip gets an “R” for right, or an “L” for left. And then they are labeled 1-5. I hide those 10 labeled bingo chips around the studio for the student to find.
This is a great way to show the student (and the parents) around the studio. It’s a great time to answer some initial questions or ease any anxiety about being in a new place.
I also find that, for little kids, it’s a great way to introduce the boundaries of your studio and gently mention any rules you’d like to establish.
Once they gather all the bingo chips, then we are going to trace their hands on a piece of paper. We’ll then figure out together where all those bingo chips are going to land.
So you’ve already taught them the finger numbers! This is an activity that they can do at home if you want to send them home with the bingo chips, or you can start the next few lessons with this activity. They’re really going to look forward to it.
Activity Ideas for Older Students
If you do have an older student, and you feel like this activity is too juvenile for them, you can play another sort of game.
Here are some general ideas to get you brainstorming:
- Listen for highs and lows
- Listen to some different genres of music
- Listen for some different elements within famous classical pieces
- Play a simple ear training game (repeat a pattern or guess the note)
- Learn a rote song they recognize
Piano Skill Set Books for Beginners
If you want some done-for-you, printed games with instructions, check out my Piano Skill Set books. The Pre-Reading and Primer Level Writing and Technique books all contain several games that are easy to understand and fun to play!
First Piano Lesson Interview
Once you’ve broken the ice with a game, now it’s time to do a short little interview session.
The goal of the interview session is to find a connecting link.
You might have already begun to connect during the opening activity, but now we’re going to really dive into the student’s world, and hopefully get them to open up!
I just recently updated my interview worksheets and now they’re super fun and colorful!
I have them for younger kids, for older kids, and for teens and adults.
So if you’re looking for a really easy way to just print it and go without having to plan out your questions, check out those First Piano Lesson Interview Worksheets in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Not only will these first lesson interview worksheets tell you everything you need to know about the student, their at-home set-up, and previous experience, you’ll also be reviewing or teaching piano basics they’ll need to know in their first assignments!
Picking Out Your Piano Student’s First Set of Method Books
By the end of the interview, you should have a good idea of what books this student is going to need.
Now you’re going to show them their books, which is a very exciting moment!
And, at this point, you can crack open the Lesson Book and teach them a couple of songs, some skills, some concepts, posture…whatever you usually do or whatever is in the first few pages of your book of choice.
First Piano Lesson Assignment
A lot of method books tend to start with a lot of words, talking, pictures of posture, etc., and it’s a little dry. So make sure that you do get to at least one song in that first lesson so they have something to go home and play!
This is very important. Don’t just talk the entire first lesson! Make sure they have something that they can remember how to do, and can do every day at home.
Ideally assign a few songs for that first week of practice.
The reason we want to get them playing songs from the first piano lesson is: they have the biggest enthusiasm and momentum as far as at-home practice goes that they will ever have.
They are primed and enthused to practice every day at this point! If you don’t have anything for them to practice then you are losing out on this momentum. And thus missing out on a critical time to build an at-home practice setup and a daily routine.
Which Piano Method Books??
If you have no idea what books to use or you’re looking for some fresh ideas in the piano method department, I do have a few articles all about my favorite books for beginners.
HERE’S A GREAT PLACE TO START YOUR PIANO METHOD SEARCH!
The End of the First Piano Lesson
Now we have come to the end of the first lesson. This is potentially the most important part of the first piano lesson!
We want to send them off feeling like they made the right choice and they are excited to come back the next week.
First of all, do not teach up until the last second of the first lesson. I know, I do it, too. That first lesson is seemingly never long enough. But do not teach up until the last second.
The parents might have questions and you don’t know how slow this student is going to be getting out the door. So if you have another lesson planned immediately afterwards, make sure you leave yourself a couple of minutes.
We don’t want them feeling rushed out the door. Rather, we want the end of the lesson to feel just as welcoming and inviting as the beginning of the lesson.
Leave Them With a Music Joke
Just before they walk out the door, here’s what you’re going to do–
Pick out your best cheesy music-related joke.
Tell them the joke on the way out and then tell them, “I want you to tell me a joke as soon as you walk in the door at our next lesson!”
They’re going to think about it, they’re going to find a joke, and then they’re going to think about that next lesson the whole week!
You’ve Got This!
I know what those first-lesson nerves feel like. You just want to prove yourself to the parents and make sure the student has a great time.
But, in the end, you’re a great teacher. Just BE YOURSELF!
Take a deep breath. You’ve got this, Teacher Friend!
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