Playing the piano might occur to most people as a fun activity. However, while you are having your share of fun, do remember that the piano is a sophisticated art and you should not forget your basic piano etiquettes. For those of you who are new to the piano game, here’s a beginners guide to piano etiquette!
1. Punctuality
Most of the time, people tend to forget the fact that their piano teachers, despite their usual calm demeanour, are also human. They also have the need to eat, rest, and spend time with their loved one. Some of them even have a full-time job and teaching the piano is just another source of extra income.
By being late for lessons, you are not only eating into the personal time of your piano teacher but also the time of the students that have lessons after you. Hence, it is important to try your best to be punctual for all your lessons. In the case that you are unable to be present for the lesson, always remember to call in to inform your teacher at least 1 day in advance!
2. Respect
Most, if not all piano teachers are professionals, and basic respect should definitely be there. You should always greet your teacher at the start of every lesson and be well prepared for your lessons to show him or her that you are ready to start. If you are attending piano classes at your teacher’s residential place or studio, always remember to respect their privacy and stay within the teaching area. This applies to parents and siblings who are accompanying the lessons too!
Also, it is basic respect to not touch things that do not belong to you. Be it whether you are a student, a parent, or the siblings of the student, try to keep your curiosity at bay and stop yourself from touching things such as fixtures. This also includes things such as the piano case, lid, legs, and strings!
3. Distractions
For the sake of your money well spent and also your teacher’s valuable time, you should always switch your phone to the silent mode. It will be rude to have a phone start ringing in the middle of a piano lesson. Not only is it distracting, but it is also a total waste of time and you might disrupt the momentum of the lesson that you took a while to build up.
Also, as much as it is extremely normal for parents and students to bring their siblings along to accompany the piano lesson, make sure that the siblings are mature enough to not make a nuisance and disrupt the lesson. As mentioned earlier, it will be detrimental to waste time and disrupt the momentum of the lesson.
4. Cleanliness
Piano lessons tend to be long and it is perfectly normal to get hungry in the midst of a lesson. There are piano teachers who are okay with students snacking during classes and there are also those who are not. Ultimately, you do not want to dirty or grease your teacher’s piano keys.
Try to eat an adequate meal before the lesson that is just enough for you to feel revitalised while preventing food coma. This will reduce the urge and desire to want to eat during your piano lessons. If you are a person who has the tendency to snack, you should be mindful enough to avoid snacks such as finger food, crackers or chips. Fruits such as apple, grapes, and pears are highly recommended.
Wen Feng is a passionate music aficionado. He is constantly on the search for new music to listen to, with a particular interest in classical music. Piano pieces have always been a great companion and kept him calm throughout his school and work life.