As you’re building a new piano business, one of the first things you’ll have to plan is a first piano lesson. This can be a trial lesson to get to know your student, or the first lesson after booking a new client. 

This sets the stage for how you’ll work with a client. It’s an important first meeting. It can be a stressful experience for both teacher and student. 

But as a teacher, it’s your job to put your new client at ease. Ready to do it effectively? 

Start by putting the student at ease

Both students and their parents might be a little anxious about starting a new hobby. They’ll have questions and expectations, and it’s up to you to put them at ease. Make the first session more about getting to know them as a person too. Start with questions to get them talking, such as:

• Do you have a pet? 
• What’s your favorite band or singer?
• Why do you want to play the piano?
• What songs do you listen to?
• What other hobbies do you have?
• Can you play anything on the piano?
  

By finding out a little more about your student, you can use that to build on as you explore music together. 

Do some rhythm activities

Help your student find the beat of a few songs. You can clap out different rhythm patterns to help them get into different songs. A lot of music is opening up awareness to how it’s created. This is a good first step, one they can continue thinking about over the next few weeks. 

Explore the keyboard

It’s important that a student starts defining the keyboard from the moment they sit down and play. Talk about how the white keys intermix between the black keys. Have them play simple songs to learn more about how they fit together. 

Introduce lesson books

Every piano teacher has a preferred lesson book they will be using for each lesson. This is a time to give your new student their very own copy, and discuss the first pages and how you’ll be using them. You should also provide them with lesson plans and music theory books – anything you’ll be using in the coming weeks to help them learn and stay on track. This is your chance to establish how each of your lessons will progress.. 

Give practice instructions

Brand new students have no idea how to create a practice routine. This is your chance to help them set it up correctly. Give very specific practice instructions, and include instructions for both parents and students. This should include things like:

• How many minutes per day
• Setup of a good working environment
• Expectations of the student each week
• Expectations of how a parent can encourage their child
• Stress fun at the top of the list
  

The purpose of every piano lesson should have an emphasis on fun. People learn piano to enjoy making music. It should never become a chore. 

What do you use during your first piano lesson?