Cathy Thacker Piano Studio

Piano is one of the most versatile instruments ever created.  Besides having an awesome range (seven and a half octaves), piano can be used as a solo instrument or an accompaniment for voice or other instruments.  Piano is also a great foundation for learning other instruments!

Private lessons allow the best interaction between student and teacher.  I can tailor my choice of instructional materials to the needs and likes/dislikes of each student or parent.

Some 5-year-olds are ready for private lessons, but generally I advise parents of preschoolers through kindergarten age to begin with group lessons.  A good rule of thumb is to wait until the child is reading well, which generally happens in the 1st-3rd grade range. 

Absolutely!  Learning a musical instrument is like other skills in life.  Not everyone is blessed with the same aptitude, but with good instruction and practice, you can play the piano with proficiency.

Many people start with a keyboard.  This is an inexpensive way to introduce your child to a piano, but it is not the best long-term instrument.  I recommend an acoustic piano for the best musical growth and development.  If you prefer a digital piano, make sure it has 88 keys, and that they're weighted.

Several favorites of mine are:

Bradley Phillips, M.M., TALENT TO SPARE Keyboard Services, Registered Piano Technician, 770/476-4592, blugrape@comcast.net

Russell Gallman, Prime Piano Services, Certified Piano Technician, 770/570-0356, www.PrimePianoServices.com

PianoWorks, 770/623-0683, www.pianoworks.com

PianoWorks at 2785 Buford Hwy. in Duluth is one great option.  They have a wonderful selection of new and used pianos.  Contact them at 770/623-0683, or at www.pianoworks.com.

Another way to go is to check online listings.  I've helped several students locate pianos that way.

I started lessons in the 4th grade at 9 years of age, and that's been around 40 years ago!  Funny thing about how it came about--I had been bugging my parents for two years to learn how to play piano, and they put me off.......until I came home from school and told them I had signed up to learn violin in the elementary orchestra program.  Within the week they bought me a piano!