February 13th, 2009 by Lisa |
With so many programs to choose from, how do I compare and know which one is best for me?
When comparing piano lessons online, look for what makes that program different from another. It may look like all methods are the same, especially when you don’t know what you are looking for.
The following information is going to be very valuable to your success in choosing a robust learning program. Stay with me because l am going to tell you why, content is not the number one thing you will be looking for.
Before you can even start to comparison shop, you need to decide which approach to learning piano you want to take. The top three ways to learn piano are: reading music, playing by ear or playing by chords.
First choose the way you want to learn. If you don’t know which way is best for you, look for my other question in this series called: How do I choose a piano program that meets my needs? You can find that question at learnpianoonline.com on the 20 Top questions link.
For now, let’s just say you already chose the way you want to learn. Now choose 2 or 3 programs of the same approach that you would like to compare.
There are 5 things you need to consider when doing your comparison…this is where it is going to very clear how different they are from each other.
- At least 3 ways to get Support, not counting email.
- Usage Opportunities (Performance or Talent Sharing)
- Progress Evaluation of or Tracking of Progress
- A Solid Guarantee. (At least 1 year, no questions asked)
- Content – matches the type of lessons you choose… if you choose note reading, then look for evidence that you will be learning how to read sheet music, etc.
Did you notice I mentioned content last on the list?
I am going to tell you a secret that will help you choose the program that will best serve you as a beginner student. The 4 that I mention first are far more valuable to a new learner than a ton of content. You’re first question when comparing lessons should not be “WHAT will I learn”, it should be “HOW will I learn”. Without the “how will I learn” items, the “what will I learn” items will not mean anything. Again, anyone, can put together a piano lesson package, make it pretty and make a long list of things you will learn, but I want to warn you that pretty packages and contents are NOT king when learning piano.
Once you are satisfied with the first 4 comparison items, then look at the content items. You are either going to be excited because you know you will have a good support system or, you will feel overwhelmed because the program will lack the support you need to learn so much content.
Pricing will be a irrelevant after you do all these steps. No matter what you choose, whether it be $30 or $300 , becoming a pianist at these prices is an incredible steal compared to paying a private teacher. (Even if you make a mistake and have to return one course and purchase another course, you are still saving no matter what you choose online.. the real trick is.. choosing the one you will be happy with.)
Hope this helps you systemize the way you shop for the piano lesson program that will be the best fit for your learning goals.
February 26th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Hello Miss Lisa , I am very intrested in your piano course , I like the step by stet lessons but at the monent i am out of a job,But as soon as my seturation has change i will get started,Hope to see you soon.
Ho i love your beautiful rainbow smile.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:17 am
i love your site and appreciate your lecture. if i were to meet you face 2 face i’ll say “baby you made my day.”
God bless you.
Thanks.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Hi Lisa,
I took piano lessons many years ago. I can read music and have some playing ability.
I would like a inermediate course designed specifically for the Yamaha keyboard. It should include material that takes advantage of the Yamaha features and can be downloaded and transferred to the Yamaha.
Thanks, Steve
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
This are great piano lessons Miss Lisa, the lessons had really helped me on piano playing. I am getting another piano soon so I can review all this lessons again so I can play the piano perfectly well! Practice Makes Perfect! Thank you. ~Smile~
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Dennis:
I am student with Lisa and I highly recommend
the piano course. This curriculum is the best.
You will be satisfied.
Brunilda Davila
March 17th, 2009 at 6:12 am
I’m definitely interested in taking the course. I live in Mexico,do you send the material tomy house? If so, how much will I have to pay (shipping, taxes, etc)appart from the cost of the course?
Look forward to hearing from you!
Best Regards
March 18th, 2009 at 1:01 am
helo lisa
how are you..
glad to be part from ur student
i’ve finished 5 parts lesson and i enjoy it
March 19th, 2009 at 5:36 am
HI, LISA
I HAVE ENJOYED THE FREE LESSONS THAT YOU OFFERED, BUT UNFORTUNIATELY I AM UNABLE TO TAKE ANY OF THE PAYING COURSES. I AM NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME SO I WILL HAVE TO PUT LEARNING ON HOLD FOR NOW. LOVED YOUR TEACHING THOUGH!!
IRENE
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hi Lisa, your teaching method look great!
I am from Venezuela and due to governamental exchanging restrictions, I can not buy international things. but I would really like to take your course. I can read a little and play much more.
Thanks
Carlos Lugo
March 25th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Hi Lisa,
I practiced the 5 part course for beginners and realize how easy your method it. I was really sorry when the free trial ended, I really learned alot. I am getting the money together to purchase your course could you send me the cost for the follow-up from the free course you gave. Hoping to hear from you soon.
You are so pleasant, I really appreciate you.
Thanks
Angela
March 25th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Angela,
I am always pleased to hear from students who have experienced progress with the free lessons. The next step is to become a member, where you will be able to access the entire curriculum.. You can find details about the membership choices at:
http://www.learnpianoonline.com/signup.html
Hope to hear more about your continued progress!
March 29th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
dear lisa,,, never in my wildest dreams have i thought i could touch the piano.. I’m thrilled. I finished your free steps. I’m 52 yrs old. I guess its not too late..
March 31st, 2009 at 10:09 am
thank you for your help to let piano easy, as music is an outlet from stress of life.
hope see you in cairo egypt to thank you, did u have any activity overseas training cenetrs
March 31st, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Dear Lisa,
I have a dream to play pop music. I never played piano or learned how to play before. I finished your free steps, and ordered your learning package. I hope my dream will become true after following your lessons.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 am
Dear Lisa actually the decision is quite easy for me, yes, I want to continue with my piano lessons. I am busy with every day life, being on the planning commission, on the board of directors for the chamber of commerce, practicing my karate lessons twice a day three times a week and now my desire to learn to play the piano. I will be 65 this month, and I am having the time of my life. I want to surprise my lovely lady and play for her some night, very soon. Thank you for helping me make this possible. Manny
April 7th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
hi lisa, thank you for helping me to learn piano,and for making it simple enough for me to understand. I would like to continue with your program. thank you again,
April 11th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Thanks for helping Me in Piano.I have mostly played by ear.I would like to read music.
God bless1
April 12th, 2009 at 5:08 am
in hour i read for understand all 5 part lessons
thank you very muck you are exellent teacher
April 12th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Thank you so much for helping me understand music and learning piano now i can say it’s not too late for a 39 yrs old mom to understand and read musical notes.
You made me a very proud piano learner..
God Bless You.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Thank again for your help.
For now, I am not capable financially to continue the premium lesson for i am not working.
Take care Teacher Lisa..
April 13th, 2009 at 3:18 am
Hello Lisa,
You are absolutely wonderful, a perfect piano teacher i dreamt of with the pleasent character and the encouraging smile of yours.
Yes,I would love to continue with you.
God Bless
April 14th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Dear Lisa,
I am starting your piano lesson - book II. I felt that it is not easy to switch fingers. I am working hard to get it done.
Your lesson is very helpful
Thank You
April 18th, 2009 at 9:36 am
thank you for taking me this far. i would love to continue with your lessons.
God Bless you.
April 18th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Thanks for offering some lessons for free.I got a lot from this. unfortunately I will be moving away to go to work for 5 months and cannot take the piano with me.Any other lessons will have to be on hold for now.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:11 am
Hello Miss Lisa,
thank you for helping me to learn piano. I like the step by step lessons but at the monent I am out of a job and I am not capable financially to continue the next lessons.
Thank you for helping me
April 25th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
hello Miss Lisa,
i’m thankful to ur online piano leason. they are easy as well as very interesting to learn. i’ve jst started my lesson few weeks before and i’m enjoying the class alot..
Thank You
May 5th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your free lessons. I enjoyed the course it was fun and simple to follow along. You make an excellent online instructor, and I hope that I can continue learning the piano with you again.
May 6th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Hello LIsa
Thank you for sharing some of your lessons for free. I really enjoyed them. They are really well explained and quite easy to do. I really enjoyed watching your grand mother playing. What an inspiration! I cannot always do my practice every day as I work shift work and I get behind in the lessons. Again Thank You.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your free lessons. I am 69 years old and for me it is very important to keep my mind working. Your piano lessons give me that opportunity. Also I have decided to keep learning English as my second language, so with your lessons I am very happy. I am a retired worker and have limited income, so unfortunately unable to take paying courses.
God Bless you.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Hi,
I wanted to learn piano, but never thought it could be so simple and effective.Thank you very much for sharing this online
May 19th, 2009 at 7:08 am
helo lisa
how are you..
glad to be part from ur student
i’ve finished 5 parts lesson and i enjoy it, Soonly i will take this paid course…Please advice me, God Bless You
Thanks & Regards
Prabhu Rozario
May 21st, 2009 at 5:07 pm
HI LISA ,, LOVE YOUR PIANO, TEACHING….AWESOME GIFT FROM GOD YOU HAVE THERE………GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS…..SUSIE LYNN
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:46 am
Hello, dear teacher!
It was so nice to try the lessons you sent me.. Right now, I’m looking at a wonderful world of music, because of you Lisa! Not only the lessons, but the way you offer them (actually every thing !) is remarkable. If I say “Lots and lots of thanks to you” then this’s just something of what you really deserve. It may seem a bit strange, but could you help me find some software to write my own music sheets and play them on a “virtual piano” that it provides ? I want this to be free as I have a limited income. Thanks again, waiting to here from you…
May God bless you and your work.
May 25th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I really thank you for your free piano lesson. Its my first time to get hands on keyboard. I bought new piano just to try it, but i found its very interesting to play.
I appreciate a lot your free lesson which I can able to study during my learning process.
Keep up your good work & more power Lisa!…
Mabuhay…
Best Regards,
Dats
May 28th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Hi Lisa. I am a retired person and have a lot of free time, but nothing much to do. I love to learn to play the piano by ear (reading music notes will be too much for me now). Occasionally, I would pick the piano keys one-at-a-time just to hear the sound of music. Your way of teaching is superb. Please keep it up. Thank you and God bless you for sharing your knowledge.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Miss Lisa,
thank you for the online lessons
i have always wanted to play the piano but my parents are also so busy so i really cant get lessons
thank you so much for this!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Dear Lisa,
I had tried to learn how to play the piano about 15 years ago, but could not understand it. I therefore abandoned the whole learning project. Your free lessons were just a breath of fresh spring air. i enjoyed it thoroughly and i”m teaching my six year old daugther too. I will definitely continue with your program as soon as i have some money.
God bless you
Abi
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 am
Dear Lisa, I am very thankful to you.I had never thought I could ever learn and read piano.I am truly very exited now.These piano lessons are keeping me relaxed and away from all tensions of life. It has the same effect as meditation. It has been possible only for you .Thanking you once again.
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 am
dear ms. lisa,
Your teaching is great. I have learned quite a lot of songs my parents love to listen to, and it makes them happy that know how to play them. Thank you so much.
Kylie
June 9th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Dear Liza
I would like to thank you for your assistance to teach me how to play piano. I do have a Yamaha keyboard and for the last six mounth I try to teach myself, I am so happy that I get your adress in this regard.One day I wil play a song for your. On the wings of a dove.I will stick to your lession to learn,read ,the chords and by ear.
thank your by supporting me
June 10th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Good day Ms.Liza
I want to choose a program/lession whom will learn me to play church music.Therefore can you please choose the lesson for me because I am so far from you,and I cannot practice infront of you so that you can see if I understand the language of playing piano / electrical keyboard.
So far I try my best to practice every day 2 hours the lession you sent me,it is interesting,I am thankful to you
Jan Olivier
June 11th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Good day Miss Liza,
i am been overwhelmed with your free Lessons, cos I have started playing the piano all by myself.
Thanks a lot
June 17th, 2009 at 1:41 am
lisa,
u’re doing a really great job.I just got listed on your online training list and the lessons are really overwhelming.
God bless you for your selfless service.
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I am interested in learning to play Keyboard. Not the piano.
Can I use same piano lessons you are providing even to learn keyboard?
July 6th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Hi Lisa,
Your lesson is fantastic and I’m enjoying it. Keep up the good work.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Hello Lisa,
I like your training program. Very simple and educative.
Thanks and Godbless.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Lisa,
Your training programme is simply awesome. You have a great gift - not just training but making understanding simple. Keep it up and God bless.
July 12th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Hi Lisa,
I had just finished the five free lesson. You are an awesome piano teacher. I choose your piano lesson program, it is very easy to follow step by step and easy to understand the way you present your lesson. I do not have piano but I do have yamaha keyboard. As soon as I start working I will take your paid piano lesson. Thank you so much for the free lesson. I enjoyed your online piano lesson. God bless.
July 15th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Hello Miss Lisa , I am very intrested in your piano course , i want learn countinously, send me the 6th class . i enjoyed your online piano lesson . thanks alot for the free lesson. u can send full notes. i know only two notes.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I enjoyed my free lessons. I was using a private tutor but it was not working. I learnt more from you. Please continue to send them
August 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I have been rather busy lately and have not been keeping up. I have been going back and forth over your first few free lessons. I will be buying the lessons from you online, but please be patient with me and i’ll get there eventually. i must say i have enjoyed all the stuff you have sent me so far.
August 8th, 2009 at 9:12 am
hello ms. lisa. i am very interested learning in your piano course i want to learn more. send me the 6th class. i enjoyed your online piano lesson. thanks a lot. please send me the full notes im very keen to learn all the notes function.
August 11th, 2009 at 12:31 am
hi,lisa I am very interested to study music.And you are helped to my career. I followed your every on-line piano lessons.So I would like to say , can you teach how we are using our left hand when we are playing western songs.And thanks a lot what you are taught me till upto now.please send me some christmas songs.I will practice.
August 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
thank you for ur online lessons,Keep up the good work
can’t wait for the next lesson
August 14th, 2009 at 10:29 am
hi lisa..i’m very happy to found you..thanks for your lesson..i’w verry enjoyed your lesson program..i hope i can play piano well,especially classic piano..its my dream…
i’m waiting for your next part lesson..^_^