David Holland Piano 

What is the best age to start lessons?

It is best to start as a child. I prefer that children be at lest age five. Early habits last a lifetime. Better they be good ones.

How much should my child practice?

A rule of thumb for beginners is that the practice time should equal the lesson time. A student taking a 30 minute lesson should practice 30 minutes about five times a week. Some students like to split this into two 15 minute sessions. Having a regular practice time each day is also important.

What is practicing?

Good question. Beyond teaching the basics, my lessons are essentially collaborative. This means I work with what the student brings in terms of ability and goals.  At the start of lessons, practicing should reproduce as much as possible what took place at the lesson. This type of learning is not linear. The process itself must be repeated often for progress to occur.

Why do we practice?

We practice so that we may share our music making with others. By taking lessons and practicing we learn how to communicate our musicality in ways that others can understand and enjoy.

What about recitals?

As a member of MMTF my students have the opportunity to perform on recitals held weekly throughout the year. The venues are the MacPhail building, downtown Minneapolis, as well as Schmitts in Edina and Brooklyn Center and area churches.

What will my child learn?

All beginners are taught a body of knowledge that breaks down into three areas: reading, technique, and interpretation. 

What is reading?

This is not easy to answer because reading is so much more than learning to name the notes. It also includes the apprehension of music's formal structures at all levels, as well as a working knowledge of good style, harmony, and voice leading.

What is technique?

Anything done with the body. 

What is interpretation?

Interpretation results when you combine reading with technique and add a bit of creativity and common sense.

What about injuries?

The most common piano related injuries are tendonitis and carpel tunnel. These afflict mainly adults. The technique I teach seeks to avoid the types of habits that can lead to these conditions later in life.

Still have questions?

Please contact me at (952) 938-0448.