So you’ve decided to study piano? Congratulations on making the first leap!

Let me address some critical points to remember as you embark on this new journey.

Therefore, you, the student, must maintain a rigorous home practice routine. The quality of each practice session matters so much more than the duration of it, so keep a razor-sharp focus and intuition whenever you’re sitting down at your piano. A practice session of 10 minutes with a clear purpose and diligence is always better than an hour spent at the piano just mindlessly running through your music from start to finish. Students must find what works well for them through trial and error. I’ll be assisting you along the way.
For young beginners (under age 12), the first 2 to 3 years are crucial for establishing a solid foundation in musical literacy, healthy piano technique, and a strong work ethic. Consistent daily practice, ideally with parental supervision, is particularly essential during this period. Missing this window significantly reduces the likelihood of achieving a high level of proficiency in piano playing later on.
- What’s the likely outcome of practicing every day?
Remember: Learning is NOT a linear process. Please be kind and patient with yourself.
Please note:
- If you’re experiencing muscular pain in your hands/fingers/arms, etc., please stop practicing and address it to the instructor during your next lesson. Do not force yourself to practice when in pain. It may lead to a prolonged injury.

Learning an instrument, especially the piano, is one of the most unforgiving pursuits; the quality of effort you put in will equal the quality of the outcome you’ll get. If you’ve decided to study piano despite your hectic schedule, please be proactive with preventing your piano studies from getting sidelined by regularly setting aside time for it. This will also ensure you reap the most from your lessons.
- Pro tip: Try practicing before school when your brain is at its juiciest state!
- You must practice at least 6 days a week. Practicing only 2-3 days a week will result in no progress, rather than slow progress.
- See Myths for possible reservations.

For your brain to perceive piano practicing as ‘fun’ and ‘rewarding,’ piano practicing must first replace all other preexisting stimuli in your life that you’ve been relying on for instant gratification and entertainment. These instantly gratifying stimuli are not limited to easy dopamine boosters such as video games and short-form videos that we often hear about; any activity you are familiar with and proficient in are also classified as such. Since piano is far from instant gratification and the learning curve can be steep, most beginner and young students’ brains will naturally turn away from it. To prevent this, please free up your headspace by limiting your exposure to strong stimulants.
- And remember: Acquisition of a new skill takes time, perseverance, and consciousness.

The free edge of the nail should not extend beyond the fingertip. If your fingernails, not the flesh of your fingertip, are touching the keys, it’s time for you to trim them. If you keep practicing with long nails, you’re doing it wrong. The reasons behind this will be explained in our lessons.

Playing the piano requires integrating multiple sensory inputs and outputs, including cognitive processing, motor skills, synchronization, logical reasoning, and the ability to handle abstract concepts. As a result, piano lessons often serve as an early indicator for identifying students’ undiagnosed learning difficulties. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure positive educational outcomes and support students’ overall development. Please see the resources below for adolescent learning challenges.
- Diagnostic Assessments: https://drmayapsychology.com/
- Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawaii (LDAH): https://ldahawaii.org/
- Language, cognitive and developmental delays: http://www.darcykazarianslp.com/; http://speechsolutionshawaii.com/
- HIDA (HI international dyslexia association): https://hi.dyslexiaida.org/
Finding the right teacher could make or break your chances of achieving successful results from music lessons. If you feel that I’m not compatible with you for any reason, please be comfortable with reassessing your needs and goals and utilize your resources appropriately. Please visit I won’t be a good match for you if…