Key Sounds UK • May 2, 2023

How Parents Can Help their Child to Succeed with Piano Lessons

One of the most popular questions we are asked is: ‘how do I know if my child is learning to play the piano to the standard they should be?’

 

Firstly, whilst parents support and encouragement are useful in a piano student’s journey, it’s not mandatory that they learn the music as fluently as the student may learn. We’ve taught many students whose parents are ‘non-musical’ but have reached incredible milestones in their piano journey!

 

Here are our top tips to support non-musical parents and curious piano parents:
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·       Ask for feedback

 

Ask the teacher about their experience with your child. Does the teacher feel they are or are not showing progress towards their goals and desires? Regular feedback from the teacher and student will allow you to understand more about their interest, progression and how you can help them prepare for the journey ahead.

 

·       Monitor progress


This will usually require yourself, the student and the teacher to demonstrate but the more you can work together, the better as seen in our past experience. We have found that sending video updates in between lessons have been helpful when students are stuck mid-week.

 

·       Sit in piano lessons


If your child and the teacher do not mind, sit in and listen to their lesson. This will help you gain a better understanding of what is required of them.
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·       Reflect with your child


Here are some prompt questions you could ask them: ​


Q. “What did you learn in your piano lesson today?”
Q. “What did you find tricky in your piano lesson today?”
Q. ​​“How did your piano practice go today?”


Remember that when you are trying out these hacks to look at them little and often but also be patient with yourself. If you wish to know more about these hacks and resources, feel free to take a look around our website or connect with us directly.

Another Route For Young Beginners to Learn the Songs They Love on the Piano

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We hear this often from parents: “My child loved the first few videos but then it all went off-track.” Most free and paid piano content online doesn’t follow a clear path. It might teach one song well, but the next video jumps to something completely different, leaving kids (and parents!) unsure what to do next. For a beginner, that lack of direction can be discouraging.  That’s why we’ve created a course for 5–8 year olds that keeps things simple and consistent. Launching at the end of July, it teaches foundational knowledge in small, achievable steps starting with letter names and hand placement, and progressing to slow and fast play with recognisable songs your child will actually want to learn. The result? Clear progression and a real sense of achievement. If you’d like to find out more or see if it’s the right fit for your child, just send us a message. We’re happy to talk through how the course works and how you can get involved. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact

Beginner Piano Players Frustrations and How to Fix Them

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If your child has bounced between piano apps, videos, or beginner books, you’re not alone. Many parents tell us the same thing: “They were excited at first, but then it faded.” The reason? Most courses aren’t designed with young children in mind. They move too quickly, expect too much too soon, or lack the structure kids need to feel like they’re making real progress. At this age, children learn best when lessons feel familiar, repetitive in a good way, and include songs they recognise and love. That’s the thinking behind our new online course for 5–8s, launching this July. It’s built around how young kids actually learn slow, clear steps; songs they already enjoy; and a friendly guide through every hand movement, letter name, and rhythm. If you're looking for something a bit more thoughtful than YouTube scrolling and random tutorials, feel free to reach out. We'd love to tell you more and help you see if this fits your child’s learning style. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact

From App to Actual Progress: When It's Time for a Real Piano Teacher

By Reshmi Patel • June 16, 2025
Piano apps are a brilliant way to get children engaged. They're interactive, colourful, and often the first step toward a real interest in music. At Key Sounds UK, we’ve seen many young learners light up with motivation after spending time on apps. They can boost early excitement, especially for beginners or those still deciding if piano is “their thing.” But for all their benefits, apps can only take a student so far. While they’re great for practising basics or learning short tunes, most apps don’t cover the foundational skills that support real, long-term progress like proper technique, musical interpretation, or deeper theory understanding. Many of these aspects are important for both students eventually interested in exams or interested in learning for expression. Students often hit a wall, becoming frustrated or bored when they don’t know how to move forward. That’s where a skilled, in-person teacher makes the difference. We don’t just teach songs we connect the why behind the music and adapt lessons in real-time to how a child learns best. Action Tips for Parents: ● If your child is using a piano app, ask what they’ve learned beyond the notes. Are they just copying movements, or do they understand what they’re doing? ● Not keen on apps? A simple trick: play your child’s favourite song followed by the word “piano” on YouTube or Spotify. Just listening and engaging rhythmically can spark interest and improve timing. ● If they’ve started learning via app and are now plateauing, book a trial package with us. We specialise in helping students connect the dots between what they’ve learned online and what they can achieve in person. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
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