The Counterpoint Music Piano Lessons Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
Q: Who are lessons suitable for?
A: Piano lessons are available for anyone aged 10 and over of all skill levels, beginner to advanced.
Q: Where do you teach?
Piano lessons are held at the Counterpoint Music studio in Gordon Park, Brisbane, close to Lutwyche, Kedron, Stafford, Grange, Wooloowin, Newmarket, Wilston, Windsor, Clayfield and Chermside with easy access to public transport and Kedron Brook bikeway.
Q: What days/times do you teach?
A: Lessons are usually held between 1:00pm to 7:00pm Monday to Thursday, and 10:00am to 1:00pm on Friday.
Q: How much are piano lessons?
A: Your lessons will vary in price depending on your lesson length, with the option of 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Unlike other music teachers, Counterpoint Music does not charge a fixed term-based up-front fee and is flexible with scheduling, so you pay only for the lessons you can attend. Discounts are available for bulk-paying your lessons in advance. Please get in contact for current rates.
Q: How is the Counterpoint Music Academy teaching method different to traditional piano teaching?
A: The main difference is the freedom to be creative. Most piano teachers tutor from method books and are chiefly concerned with building your skills in a specific order to get good marks in graded exams. While this is a perfectly good way to become a good piano player, it can your ability to become a true musician - someone able to comfortably adapt to other players, styles, genres and emotions without explicit instruction.
Q: Can you teach me my favourite song by Taylor Swift/John Mayer/Billy Joel/Michael Jackson etc.?
A: YES. Every lesson at Counterpoint is designed with a mix of structure and spontaneity. If you have a song you love, new or old, you can start learning it straight away, with or without sheet music and with the confidence of putting your own creative spin on each song you play. In learning the chords, harmonic theory, structure, rhythmic techniques and more from your favourite songs, you will build up real-world skills to allow you to perform solo or collaboratively with other musicians without needing sheet music to tell you what to do.
Q: No sheet music? Can I still learn some of my favourite classical songs?
A: Absolutely. If you would like to learn to read sheet music and play from notation, that's your choice! Each lesson is customised to each student's individual goals and preferences for where they would like their musical journey to take them. The ability to read music will further open up your opportunities to play the songs you love.
Q: Is it possible to learn to write songs or improvise if I'm not a creative person?
A: Of course! Creativity is a skill, not a gift. The more we use our creative muscles, the better we are able to use them. There are wide range of teachable creative skills that can turn the most terrified improviser in to a free-flowing composer.
Q: I'm an absolute beginner. What can I expect to learn in my first lessons?
A: Early lessons will focus on the foundations that will serve you well no matter what style you choose to play. Easy technique and posture, the fundamentals of harmonic theory and scales, and reading notation (optional) will all be covered in your first two or three lessons. How fast we progress to learning complete songs is entirely up to you and how much time you spend practicing.
Q: I'm an adult, is it too late to learn?
A: Never! Counterpoint Music Academy specialises in teaching adult students of any age. No matter how busy or stressed life can get, your lesson will always be an enjoyable escape. The days of being rapped on the knuckles by a wooden ruler are well and truly over!
Q: I don't have a piano or keyboard at home. Is it worth getting lessons?
A: If you have nothing to practice on, your skill level won't progress, and your enjoyment of the instrument will be minimal. Anything to practice on is better than nothing, so do your best to find a good quality digital piano if you can. If you're not sure what to look for, I can help with advice and recommendations. Please ask about the availability of hiring a basic instrument from the Counterpoint Studio if you need a temporary instrument through your first few lessons.
A: Piano lessons are available for anyone aged 10 and over of all skill levels, beginner to advanced.
Q: Where do you teach?
Piano lessons are held at the Counterpoint Music studio in Gordon Park, Brisbane, close to Lutwyche, Kedron, Stafford, Grange, Wooloowin, Newmarket, Wilston, Windsor, Clayfield and Chermside with easy access to public transport and Kedron Brook bikeway.
Q: What days/times do you teach?
A: Lessons are usually held between 1:00pm to 7:00pm Monday to Thursday, and 10:00am to 1:00pm on Friday.
Q: How much are piano lessons?
A: Your lessons will vary in price depending on your lesson length, with the option of 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Unlike other music teachers, Counterpoint Music does not charge a fixed term-based up-front fee and is flexible with scheduling, so you pay only for the lessons you can attend. Discounts are available for bulk-paying your lessons in advance. Please get in contact for current rates.
Q: How is the Counterpoint Music Academy teaching method different to traditional piano teaching?
A: The main difference is the freedom to be creative. Most piano teachers tutor from method books and are chiefly concerned with building your skills in a specific order to get good marks in graded exams. While this is a perfectly good way to become a good piano player, it can your ability to become a true musician - someone able to comfortably adapt to other players, styles, genres and emotions without explicit instruction.
Q: Can you teach me my favourite song by Taylor Swift/John Mayer/Billy Joel/Michael Jackson etc.?
A: YES. Every lesson at Counterpoint is designed with a mix of structure and spontaneity. If you have a song you love, new or old, you can start learning it straight away, with or without sheet music and with the confidence of putting your own creative spin on each song you play. In learning the chords, harmonic theory, structure, rhythmic techniques and more from your favourite songs, you will build up real-world skills to allow you to perform solo or collaboratively with other musicians without needing sheet music to tell you what to do.
Q: No sheet music? Can I still learn some of my favourite classical songs?
A: Absolutely. If you would like to learn to read sheet music and play from notation, that's your choice! Each lesson is customised to each student's individual goals and preferences for where they would like their musical journey to take them. The ability to read music will further open up your opportunities to play the songs you love.
Q: Is it possible to learn to write songs or improvise if I'm not a creative person?
A: Of course! Creativity is a skill, not a gift. The more we use our creative muscles, the better we are able to use them. There are wide range of teachable creative skills that can turn the most terrified improviser in to a free-flowing composer.
Q: I'm an absolute beginner. What can I expect to learn in my first lessons?
A: Early lessons will focus on the foundations that will serve you well no matter what style you choose to play. Easy technique and posture, the fundamentals of harmonic theory and scales, and reading notation (optional) will all be covered in your first two or three lessons. How fast we progress to learning complete songs is entirely up to you and how much time you spend practicing.
Q: I'm an adult, is it too late to learn?
A: Never! Counterpoint Music Academy specialises in teaching adult students of any age. No matter how busy or stressed life can get, your lesson will always be an enjoyable escape. The days of being rapped on the knuckles by a wooden ruler are well and truly over!
Q: I don't have a piano or keyboard at home. Is it worth getting lessons?
A: If you have nothing to practice on, your skill level won't progress, and your enjoyment of the instrument will be minimal. Anything to practice on is better than nothing, so do your best to find a good quality digital piano if you can. If you're not sure what to look for, I can help with advice and recommendations. Please ask about the availability of hiring a basic instrument from the Counterpoint Studio if you need a temporary instrument through your first few lessons.