Piano Lessons

For students of all ages at both our Virginia Beach and Chesapeake locations.

PIANO LESSONS

We teach each piano students as an individual, recognizing that each has their own learning style, ability, and set of preferences.

Our piano teachers’ goal is to train a complete musician who can read music and understand music theory. Many outside piano teachers only teach their students how to play by ear. The problem with taking piano lessons this way is that students never learn to read music, and in turn they don’t understand the notes or rhythms they’re playing. You would be surprised how many piano players have no idea what they’re doing- they’re just copying others on YouTube. With this mentality, why take lessons? We want our piano students to be able to play any piece of music they would like. Learning to read music will eventually allow students to break down complex rhythms, figure out the best finger patterns, ensure they are playing the correct notes, and overcome progress plateaus.

Our piano teachers have extensive backgrounds in music, many years of teaching experience, and are constantly striving to make a difference in each of their student’s lives. We work with students as young as five years old. Students who start piano at a young age reap many benefits, including counting and math skill improvement, reading comprehension, creativity, time management, new language skills, hand-eye coordination, and more. And don’t forget that piano lessons also help build a foundation of love of music for the rest of their lives!

Adult Students

It is never too late to start! Some adults don’t get started until much later in life, and that’s okay! Maybe you’ve never had time to pursue piano, and now that you do, you’re a little nervous. No need to worry. Some piano students take lessons as a casual hobby, and others are much more serious. Regardless of what your goals are for your piano lessons, your piano teacher at Fox Music will cater the lessons to meet your expectations. We recognize that our students are busy outside of class, so we promise you won’t get in trouble for not practicing between lessons! No matter what your goals are, we are here to help.

Foundational Learning

Studies have shown that taking piano lessons increases the ability to learn in many other disciplines – including other instruments! Piano is the basis for almost all musical instruments. It is the ‘go to’ beginner instrument for establishing a solid musical foundation, making it significantly easier to learn other instruments in the future. When in doubt about which instrument to begin with, piano is the best choice.

Teachers

The teacher you work with will depend on your current ability, your schedule, and which studio you are closer to: our location at the intersection of Haygood Road and Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach, or our studio located in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake at the intersection of Kempsville Road and Volvo Parkway.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are happy to teach beginner students! No past piano or music experience is necessary. We’ll give you all the foundations you need. Sometimes beginner students are nervous to get started. Remember, we are here to help you – regardless of your current technical ability. It’s ok if you don’t know anything yet about reading music or playing piano – that’s why we’re here!

We are passionate about teaching students who have previous experience. Our teachers are well-qualified to teach students of any skill level. In your free introductory piano lesson, we will assess your current skill level and discuss your goals for continuous improvement. We will match you with a teacher who can meet you where you are and continue to help you improve as a piano player.

We are committed to finding the best teacher for your individual needs. We have a large staff of teachers with diverse musical backgrounds and personalities. Once you come in for a free introductory piano lesson, we will recommend a teacher who will be the best fit for you.

While already having a keyboard or piano of your own is not a requirement, it is helpful to have. We have keyboards in our studio that we will use for your lessons, but you may desire to have your own at home so that you can practice most effectively.

Traditionally, piano teachers have told students that they need to have a true acoustic piano. However, this is no longer the case with the advancement of modern electronics. There is a great diversity of electronic pianos available at many price points for students and professionals alike. It’s okay to start with a very inexpensive keyboard, as you can work your way up to maybe having a piano one day if you desire. Our recommendation is to begin with a minimum of 61 keys. If you can afford to spend more, go ahead and start with a full 88 key digital piano that is touch sensitive and has fully weighted keys. Any of the teachers here at Fox Music will be happy to give a recommendation!

We love teaching piano to children! We recommend students are at least five years old before beginning piano lessons.

Yes, we do! In fact, many of our adult students started without any kind of background in music. It’s never too late to learn something new.

There is no set timeline, because it depends on what your individual goals are. Some students want to become a professional musician, while others just want to learn a few of their favorite songs. The amount of time it takes to achieve your goals will also depend on your natural ability and how much time you dedicate to practicing on your own. Talk to your teacher about your ideal timeline, and we will do our best to help you achieve that!

All piano lessons take place at one of our Fox Music studio locations. We believe in-studio lessons are the most effective, as we can ensure the quality of equipment and provide an environment with minimal distraction. For your convenience, we have two locations in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

Parents are asked to do what makes them feel most comfortable. Our lesson rooms are spacious enough for parents to observe, and we also have a comfortable lobby for you to wait in. We find that most students can be better focused without a parent in the room, but the choice is ultimately up to the parent.

Piano is the foundation for almost all other musical instruments. If you or your child is interested in music but not sure which instrument to start with, piano is without a doubt the way to go! After taking lessons for a while, becoming a proficient player, and learning to read music, picking up another musical instrument will be much easier.

You don’t need to be able to read music to start, and reading music will be a part of what you learn in your lessons. In fact, piano is probably the best instrument to learn to read music on. Studying piano will help you to be a better musician no matter which instrument you may decide to play in the future. Piano lessons are not complete without learning to read music.

Playing by ear is a wonderful skill, however, the ability to read music needs to be developed from the beginning. Depending solely on your ear to play is a recipe for incomplete musicianship. Playing by ear could mean listening to a song and figuring out how to play it based on what sounds right, and it could also mean copying a teacher or someone online. These are great skills to have, but without learning how to read music, you’ll never understand what you’re playing. The more challenging the music gets, the more limited you will be.

Beginning children should never be expected to practice longer than their ability to sit still and concentrate. For most children between ages six and ten years old, five to ten minutes of concentrated effort per day is much more effective than being forced to practice for an hour. Not only is this more effective, it’s also more fun! Children tend to stick with piano lessons longer if they are having fun while also seeing steady progress.

For adult beginners, 15-20 minutes per day is an excellent way to start. As students become more advanced, the time spent practicing can increase along with the student’s ability and interest in playing. For adults, at-home piano practice can be a great way to unwind after a long day. Or, you could jumpstart your mornings with some piano practice before breakfast! We love to hear from our students about how piano practice helps them feel more grounded and mindful each day.

No matter what the student’s level or age is, consistency is the key. It’s better to practice ten minutes every day than to try to cram two hours in the day before your lesson.

Fill out the form to receive a free introductory piano lesson at our Virginia Beach location or our Chesapeake location. We’ll discuss your goals and evaluate your current ability. We’ll also assign you a teacher based on your preferences, schedule, and level. You don’t need to practice ahead of time! This is an opportunity for you to see our studio and find out more about Fox Music. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Schedule Your Free Introductory Lesson

Not ready yet? Get in touch with any questions!