Is it better to learn piano online or in person?
Both work when done properly. Live online lessons with a real teacher are nearly as good as in person for most children aged 7 and up, according to a 2022 study by Esterman and colleagues. Pre-recorded apps are a different animal and tend to fall short for younger beginners because nobody is watching the child play. For a proper breakdown read my piece on online versus in person piano lessons for children.
What age should my child start piano lessons?
Most children are ready between 5 and 7. Some do well earlier with a patient parent involved, others need to wait until 6 or 7 for their attention span to catch up. There is no single right answer. Research from Concordia University found that musicians who started before age 7 showed stronger motor brain connections later, so there is real benefit to starting in this window. I cover the full question in my article on whether piano lessons at age 5 are worth it.
How long does it take a child to learn piano?
A beginner child can play their first recognisable piece in the first month, and 5 to 6 pieces in 6 weeks if they have a structured course and a real goal to play towards. That is exactly why my 6-week beginner piano course is shaped the way it is. Open-ended lessons without a finish line tend to drag and lose children in the first 3 months.
Do I need a real piano or can we start with a keyboard?
A keyboard is fine to start. Look for 88 keys with weighted or semi-weighted action. Avoid toy keyboards with fewer than 88 keys, they run out of range within weeks and teach bad habits. Full buying advice in my guide to keyboard versus real piano for beginners.
How much should piano lessons cost for a child?
You can start completely free with Hoffman Academy's basic plan. Paid apps range from £10 to £25 a month. Live 1:1 online lessons in the UK cost £15 to £35 per half hour. A structured live group course like mine is £297 as a one-off for the full 6 weeks. Full breakdown in my cost guide for online piano lessons for kids.
What if my child doesn't stick with it?
Most children quit piano not because they lack talent but because their first experience had no real goal. A 6 week course ending in a concert gives your child a visible finish line and something to show their family, which is exactly the thing that turns "trying piano" into "playing piano." Buying a long subscription before your child is committed is how most families waste money. Start short, with a clear endpoint, and decide whether to continue from there.
Will my child actually learn to read music, or just play by ear?
If the course is good, both. Sight reading and ear training should be built into the first few weeks of any beginner course, not saved for later. Apps like Simply Piano skip proper sight reading, which is one of the main reasons children using those apps struggle to transfer what they learned to real sheet music. A well designed course teaches both from day one.
Can a beginner really play 6 songs in 6 weeks?
Yes, if the songs are age appropriate and the teacher knows how to pace beginners. My 6 week course has children playing Happy Birthday, Amazing Grace, a simplified Fur Elise, and two pieces of their own choosing by week 6. The trick is picking pieces that sound impressive to family but are technically within reach of a true beginner. That is a teaching skill, and it is exactly what apps cannot do because they cannot tailor the pieces to the child.
Is a small group course better than 1:1 lessons for kids?
For most children in the 5 to 10 age range, yes. A small group gives your child other kids at a similar level, which turns practice into something social rather than lonely. There is also a natural audience to play for at the end. One to one lessons are better for children who are shy, have specific learning needs, or are past beginner level and want to specialise.
How do I choose the right piano lessons for my child?
Start with the decision framework in my how to choose online piano lessons for your child guide. The short version: match the format to your child's age and temperament. Under 7 needs a human teacher. Self-directed 9+ can use apps. In between, a structured course with a real goal almost always beats an open-ended subscription.