Today happens to be my birthday! 🎂👑

So, I decided it was the perfect excuse to make the day a little more fun — with a birthday crown, brownies and some silly birthday-themed piano challenges!

I’m lucky to have such lovely students, and I really enjoy seeing them and building great working relationships with each of them. So, as it happens, I get to spend part of my birthday doing something I enjoy — teaching and making music with my students!

🍫 A little note about birthday treats

Before I continue- If you’re thinking of bringing food or treats into a lesson, it’s always worth checking with parents or guardians first to make sure it’s allowed and to ask about any allergies or dietary requirements.

And with adult students, it’s still a good idea to ask about allergies before cooking or bringing something homemade.

Learning music is full of moments worth celebrating, from the very first notes to the pieces that once seemed impossible. Every student has their own journey, and every step along the way matters. So here are some key things we do in my lessons: Learn, Grow, Create and Celebrate!

🎹 Learn

Learning music is about discovering something new.

It might be learning to read music, understanding rhythm, developing technique, discovering a new composer or learning a favourite song. There is always something new to explore.

Learning should feel encouraging and achievable, with challenges that help students develop their skills while still enjoying the process.

🌱 Grow

Musical growth isn’t just about playing more difficult pieces.

It’s also about becoming more confident, independent and comfortable at the piano. It’s about learning how to practise, solve problems, keep going when something is tricky and recognise your own progress.

Everyone develops at their own pace, and there is no need to rush the journey.

🎨 Create

Music isn’t only something to read and reproduce — it’s also something to create.

There should be opportunities to experiment, improvise, compose, explore sounds and make musical choices. Creativity allows students to develop their own musical voice and discover that there isn’t always just one way to make music.

🎉 Celebrate

Progress deserves to be celebrated.

It might be mastering a whole piece, getting through a tricky section, remembering a new note, creating a melody or simply having the confidence to try something that felt difficult before.

The little wins matter just as much as the big milestones.

🎂 A Birthday Piano Challenge!

And because today is my birthday, we’re adding a little extra fun to the piano!

Here are a few birthday-inspired challenges:

🎵 Turn your age into a rhythm
Take the number of your age and turn it into a rhythm. Can you clap it, play it on one note or use it as the starting point for a little piece of music?

🎹 Play Happy Birthday — but improvise!
Sight read Happy Birthday while reading and improvising your own left-hand chords. Try changing the rhythm, experimenting with different chords or adding your own musical ideas.

🎹 Play “Guess what I am?” Music style

Student draws or writes a music note or term/ scale on whiteboard.
Student hands you whiteboard. Dont look at it, just put it in front of you writing faces the student.
You (the teacher) need to guess what you are- i.e what you are holding on the whiteboard.

Swap over so student guesses!

👑 And, of course, wear a birthday crown if you want!
Because sometimes learning music is even more fun when you look slightly more fabulous while doing it.

These activities might seem simple, but they bring together so many important parts of learning music — rhythm, listening, creativity, problem-solving, confidence and, most importantly, having fun.

Learn, Grow, Create, and Celebrate.

Whether it’s your birthday or just an ordinary day at the piano, there is always something worth celebrating.

Learn something new.
Grow in confidence.
Create something of your own.
And celebrate every step along the way.

Because learning music isn’t just about where you eventually get to. It’s about enjoying the journey along the way. 💛🎹

Cloud formations resembling a grand piano and musical notes in the sky over a rural landscape at sunset

beginner tutorial, learning environment, Music Lessons, piano lessons, piano practice, piano teacher, singing lessons, Singing teacher, Uncategorized

What to Expect in Your First Piano Lessons

August 4, 2026August 4, 2026 lizteachespiano

The start of a new school year is a wonderful time to begin something new. Whether you’re enrolling your child or starting lessons yourself, the first few weeks are all about building confidence, developing good habits, and enjoying the process of learning.

Everyone starts somewhere, and there is no “perfect” pace. The goal should not be to play difficult pieces straight away (you are only setting yourself up for disappointment). You want to try and build a foundation that will make learning easier and more enjoyable in the months ahead and beyond! Here is what to expect in your first piano lessons:

Getting Comfortable

Your first lessons are about getting to know the piano, your teacher, and how lessons work. You’ll learn how to sit comfortably, position your hands, and explore the keyboard while playing your first simple notes.

Tips:

Come with curiosity rather than expectations.
Ask questions whenever you’re unsure.
Children learn best when lessons are fun and encouraging, while adults often benefit from trusting the process instead of trying to master everything at once.

Learning the Basics

You’ll begin reading simple music, understand rhythm, and play easy melodies (I’ll try to work with you and find music you are familiar with, or a style you enjoy!) Each new skill builds naturally on the previous one, so there is no rush.

Tips:

Focus on playing carefully rather than quickly.
Remember that everyone learns differently.
It’s normal if some things click immediately while others take a little more time.

Building Good Practice Habits

The biggest secret to making progress isn’t talent- it’s consistency. Short, regular practice sessions are much more effective than practising for a long time only once a week.

For young children, a parent or carer can help establish a regular practice routine. Adult learners often find it helpful to schedule practice just like any other appointment.

Tips:

Aim for 10–15 minutes most days to begin with.
Choose a regular time that fits your routine.
Finish each practice session by playing something you enjoy.

Be Patient with Yourself

Learning the piano is a journey, not a race. Every pianist -child or an adult- learns at their own pace. Some skills will come quickly, while others take time and practice to develop.

It’s easy to want to play your favourite complicated songs straight away, but the strongest musicians are the ones who build their skills step by step. Each lesson, each practice session, and even each mistake helps you grow.

Tips:

Focus on progress rather than perfection.
Be patient when something feels challenging—it won’t feel difficult forever.
Celebrate small milestones, whether it’s learning a new note, playing a piece smoothly, or simply practising consistently.
Remember that every accomplished pianist was once a beginner.

Growing in Confidence

As the weeks go by, you’ll notice familiar notes becoming easier to recognise, your fingers moving more naturally, and your confidence growing. You’ll likely be playing several short pieces and feeling much more comfortable at the piano.

Remember, mistakes are not setbacks, they’re an important part of learning. Every pianist, from beginner to professional, learns by trying, listening, and improving.

Tips:

Celebrate small improvements.
Don’t compare your progress with anyone else’s.
Confidence grows through regular practice, not perfection.

What to expect in your first few weeks of piano lessons and Looking Ahead

By the end of your first few weeks, you’ll have developed a solid foundation and a better understanding of how to learn effectively. Most importantly, you’ll have started building a skill that can bring enjoyment for many years.

Learning the piano is a journey, and every lesson is another step forward. No matter your age, the most rewarding progress comes from patience, consistency, and enjoying the music along the journey.

I hope this little guide on what to expect in your first few weeks of piano lessons can help reassure you. I look forward to welcoming new students this autumn and helping children and adults discover the joy of making music, one lesson at a time. Unsure where to begin? Contact me, or book a trial today

Please note, to aid creativity, the header image for this blog was made with AI.

learning environment, Music Lessons, piano lessons, piano practice, piano teacher, singing lessons, Singing teacher, Uncategorized

Is Your Child Ready for Piano Lessons?

July 1, 2026July 1, 2026 lizteachespiano

A question lots of people ask is: “When is the best age to start piano lessons?”

The truth is, there’s no magic age. Some children are ready at six, while others may be ready a little later. What matters most isn’t age-it’s whether your child is developmentally ready to learn.

Here are a few signs that your child might be ready for piano lessons:

They Love Music!

Does your child sing along to songs, dance around the house, or enjoy experimenting on a piano or keyboard? If your child is excited about music, enjoys learning, and is eager to sit down at the piano, that’s often the clearest sign that they’re ready for piano lessons.

A genuine interest in music is one of the best indicators that they’ll enjoy lessons. Children learn best when they’re excited and curious.

They Can Focus for 30 Minutes

Beginning piano lessons involves listening, following instructions, and trying new things. Your child doesn’t need perfect concentration, but they need to be able to stay engaged with an activity for around 30 minutes. Not only to be able to cope with a lesson, but to be able to practice during the week.

If they can sit through a story, complete a puzzle, or work on a simple project by themselves without constantly losing interest, that’s a great sign.

They Can Follow Simple Instructions

Piano lessons are full of small instructions:

“Put your hands here.”
“Play these three notes.”
“Let’s count to four together.”

Children who can listen and follow simple directions tend to have a much smoother start with piano.

Their Hands Are Ready

Playing piano requires finger strength and coordination. Your child doesn’t need perfect technique before they begin, but it helps if they are comfortable doing activities like:

Drawing and colouring (also writing and recognising letters and basic math is very useful.)
Using scissors
Building with small blocks
Buttoning clothes

These skills help prepare little hands for the keyboard.

They Enjoy Learning New Things

Although I like to think my lessons are very fun and engaging, they are called piano lessons for a reason- they are a lesson. So they need to enjoy learning.

If your child likes trying new activities, solving problems, and celebrating small achievements, they’ll likely enjoy the process of learning music.

What About Younger Children?

Personally, I do not teach private piano lessons to children under the age of six.

That doesn’t mean younger children aren’t musical or aren’t ready to learn! In fact, many children under six are already developing wonderful musical skills. Some children under six may well be ready for private piano lessons.

However, in my experience, most children in this age group benefit more from play-based music experiences rather than more formal piano or singing lessons. For children age 6-8 I offer workshop style lessons where the emphasis is on fun with music, but this still requires a level of concentration and focus.

Activities such as:

Singing
Movement and dance
Group music classes
Musical storytelling

help build the listening, coordination, and attention skills that make piano lessons much more successful later on.

So while a four or five-year-old may be ready for music, they’re often more ready for fun, interactive group music activities than weekly one-to-one piano lessons.

Thinking About Piano Lessons?

Piano and singing lessons should be enjoyable, rewarding, and confidence-building. Starting at the right time helps children develop a lifelong love of music—and that’s far more important than starting as early as possible.

If your child is six or older and showing some of these signs, I’d be happy to help you decide whether they’re ready to begin. Feel free to get in touch with any questions or to arrange an introductory lesson. 🎹✨

Business, Entrepreneur, learning environment, Music Lessons, piano lessons, Singing teacher, Uncategorized

A Typical Day in My Studio

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 lizteachespiano

People often imagine piano lessons as simply turning up, playing a few pieces, and heading home again. But there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to make lessons personal, enjoyable, and tailored to each student. Here is what a typical day looks in my studio!

One thing many people don’t realise about music teaching is that it often involves antisocial hours. Most students want lessons after school or work, so evenings tend to be the busiest part of the day. As a morning person, this is honestly one of the most challenging parts of the job for me!

Because of that, I try to plan and prepare as much as possible earlier in the day, so that when lessons begin later on, everything is in place to create a relaxed and successful learning environment.

A typical day: Starting the Day

Most mornings, I’m up around 6:30 before teaching begins. Depending on the time of year, I’ll either head to the gym or spend some time at my allotment before properly starting work. It’s a nice balance to the time I spend indoors!

This was taken last year, but the work is never done!

By around 8:30, I’m back home and getting ready for the day. I like to wear something that reflects my personality while still being comfortable enough to move around easily during lessons — something that’s very important when teaching!

Planning and Preparation

From around 9:30 to 11:30, I’ll usually be planning lessons, replying to emails, and organising the week ahead. At the moment, I’m also preparing for an upcoming performance, so alongside teaching I’ve been finalising advertising and rehearsals too. I’ve recently released some new music as well, so there’s always something creative happening outside the studio.

Around 11:30, I’ll stop for lunch and fit in a few household jobs like laundry or loading the dishwasher. One of the things I appreciate about self-employment is being able to weave some everyday life into the working week.

Depending on the day, I sometimes teach earlier afternoon students or travel to lessons, but this example is what happens in the studio on a typical Tuesday in my studio.

Creative Work and Practice

After lunch, I’ll often spend time researching new teaching ideas, or finding games and activities for younger students. I also keep my lesson database updated so I can track progress and plan future lessons effectively. On top of that, there’s usually blog writing (like this!) and admin to think about too.

And somewhere in amongst all of that, I try — though don’t always succeed — to fit in around 45 minutes of piano practice myself.

By around 3:00pm on a Tuesday, I’ll have a quick snack and a short break before teaching begins for the evening.

An Evening in the Studio

My first student of the day is currently preparing for a piano exam, so we focus on confidence, musicality, and polishing pieces ready for performance day.

After that, I teach a beginner who’s still getting to grips with note reading — but already has excellent taste in music!

On Tuesdays, I usually schedule supper between 5:30pm and 6:30pm because I prefer not to eat too late, and evenings are often the most popular lesson times.

Later on, I teach twins! They have separate lessons, but because they arrive together, we sometimes make the most of having four hands at the piano and play duets together.

After that, I teach an adult student who is working on improving their music reading skills. Together we focus on techniques and exercises that help make reading notation feel more natural and confident over time. It’s incredibly rewarding to see adult learners develop their skills and enjoy the process of learning something new.

Why I Like Teaching Piano

Every student learns differently, which is why I try to make lessons relaxed, encouraging, and tailored to the individual. Some students want to work towards grades and exams, while others simply want to play music they enjoy and build confidence at their own pace.

That’s one of the things that is fun about teaching piano — no two lessons are ever exactly the same.

Whether someone is a complete beginner, returning after a break, or looking to develop their playing further, my main goal is: helping students enjoy music and feel comfortable at the piano.

If you’ve ever thought about trying piano lessons, now is always the best time to start!

Business, Entrepreneur, learning environment, piano lessons, piano performance, piano teacher, Uncategorized

Why Recitals Matter-and How to Keep Them Fun and Low-Stress.

April 4, 2026April 4, 2026 lizteachespiano

I recently held my annual spring recital for my students, and it was a lovely afternoon! The room was full of supportive families, a few nervous smiles, and so many small moments of bravery at the piano.

At the end, I even performed a piece myself! It was not my best work-a few slips here and there, nothing perfectly polished, as my goal is always to be prepraing my students, not me for the concert! But as you’ll see in this post, that’s not really the goal of a piano student recital in the first place.

Why recitals matter

Recitals give music a purpose beyond practice. When students know they’re preparing for a performance, their pieces begin to take on new life. Phrasing becomes more thoughtful, dynamics more expressive, and suddenly the music isn’t just “notes on a page”- it is music they will share with others.

Recitals build confidence in a way that nothing else in music class can. Sitting at the piano, taking a breath, and beginning-that moment teaches courage. Not the loud, fearless kind, but the quiet kind that grows over time. Each recital plants a seed: I can do this/I did this/I got through this/I enjoyed this! (Take your pick!)

Recitals also create a sense of community. Students hear one another play, parents connect, and everyone gets to celebrate progress together. It reminds us that music isn’t just a solitary journey—it’s something we experience and enjoy together.

Recitals are not for everyone—and that’s completely okay. Some students simply don’t enjoy performing in front of others, and some may have their own reasons for preferring to keep their music private. Every student comes to the piano for different reasons: some love the spotlight, while others find joy in the quiet, personal experience of playing. Because of that, I never believe in forcing a student to perform. Instead, I offer recitals as an opportunity, not an obligation—something they can grow into if and when they feel ready.

To some music teachers, this may seem like extra work- and it is. However, I would strongly recommend creating this opportunity for your students. Going the extra mile helps build their confidence, creativity, and connection to music, while also strengthening your relationship with them, their families and keeping them motivated. Think of it as a fun event for yourself as well (this is why I perform something at the end- performing always keeps me on my toes!) To make the event a little easier, have the concert on a day you already teach students. (I teach Saturdays and held the concert Saturday early evening.)

Keeping recitals low-stress (and even fun!)

Not every student feels that “magical” feeling right away. Nerves are real—and completely normal. That’s why I believe recitals should feel warm, relaxed, and encouraging from start to finish.

Here are a few ways I keep things cosy and low-pressure:

We redefine “perfect.”
In my studio, a successful performance isn’t about playing every note flawlessly. It’s about sharing your music and continuing even if something goes wrong. Mistakes are part of live music—and learning to move past them is a skill worth celebrating.
We keep the atmosphere gentle.
Think soft lighting, a welcoming space, and friendly faces. I add small touches like simple decorations, and some snacks and certificates afterwards to make the event feel special but not formal.
Short and sweet programs.
Especially for younger students, shorter recitals help keep energy positive and nerves manageable. Everyone gets their moment without feeling overwhelmed. This will also help keep the event more manageable for you.
Practice performing ahead of time.
This year due to illness and renovations I did not prepare students as early as I usually do. I will usually start introducing this from end of January, but this year I prepared everyone within a month. However, whatever your schedule, the week of the concert I do mini “studio performances” during lessons. I will sit away from the piano, and pretend I have come to watch the performance. By the time recital day arrives, it feels familiar rather than frightening.
Celebrate every step.
After each performance, I congratulate my students. I am extremely positive and supportive of my students young and adult. Every student leaves feeling proud.
Encourage personality!
Students choose what they want to perform, talk to other students about the type of music they like at the recital, and can dress in a way that makes them feel confident and comfortable. The more “themselves” they feel, the easier performing becomes. I want my students to get a strong sense of self from developing their music skills.

A moment that stays with them

Years from now, most students won’t remember every thing you did in class. But, they will remember how it felt to sit at the piano with you, and to perform for others. They’ll remember the butterflies, relatives proudly taking photos, the deep breath, and the applause that followed.

Recitals aren’t about pressure or perfection. They’re about growth, courage, and connection. When we keep them warm and low-stress, they become something students look forward to—not fear.

And that’s when music becomes magic.

(please note: To aid creativity the blog post feature image was made with A.I. This doesn’t reflect my music room!)