What Do I Need?

First things first - You will need a keyboard or piano! Since many families move every few years with weight restrictions, an electric piano or keyboard is a great option. You can find them online at many shopping sites such as Amazon. Other retailers have sales around the holiday shopping seasons if you're in the market for a better quality instrument at a lower price. Local stores (Walmart, Target, and Costco) will sometimes have good keyboards in stock. 

When shopping for your keyboard, there are 2 features which are very important to have - weighted or semi-weighted keys (sometimes called touch sensitive) and a pedal input to use a pedal. The weighted keys are what simulate the realistic feel of a piano. When you press a key firmly, it produces a loud tone. When pressed softly, it make a quieter tone. This is how the pianist creates dynamics - changes in volume. Without this feature, it will be difficult for the student to create music expressively. 

The pedal becomes an important feature later on in the learning process, but it makes sense to purchase a keyboard with feature so you don't have to replace what you already have when it is needed. The sustain pedal is used to hold tones in an open sound, creating another layer of expression when playing the piano. It won't get used much by a beginner, but within 6 months to 1 year of playing, it will become a necessity. 

Something else to consider - where will your piano or keyboard be when you practice?

Many keyboards can be purchased in packages that include a jack stand and a bench. These are very helpful in making sure the keyboard is at the proper height and that the pianist is seated comfortably. Another option is to find a table and seating arrangement in your home which is comfortable and mimics good playing posture. Other than that, any additional features can be a fun way to enhance the way you play (like Bluetooth connectivity and flashing keys, drum tracks, etc.) but are not necessary for learning the piano. 

MFM Music Studio will provide the books and materials needed for basic instruction. Special requests (Disney Classic Songbooks, Beethoven's Greatest Hits, FREEBIRD!!!!) will need to be purchased by the student. I can order them to ensure the right book is used but they are not included in your tuition.