Tedesco Piano Instruction
“Developing Musical Talent for the Glory of God for Over 35 Years.”
Welcome to the website for Tedesco Piano Instruction. In addition to the menu of pages above, scroll down the Home Page for information on Tedesco Piano Instruction and what learning to play the piano can do for you!
Steve Tedesco, M.M., M.Ed.
Piano Instructor
Quality instruction for all ages from beginning to advanced levels of ability.
“Quality Music Instruction Is About Focusing on the Needs of Individual Learners.”
- Steve Tedesco
Why Take Piano Lessons?
Self-Discipline
Learning to play the piano requires discipline, and any process through which students can gradually achieve success in learning to play an instrument helps to foster that sense of discipline. Students learn that success does not come easily, and that diligence and hard work yields great rewards.
Self-Expression
Studies show that playing the piano gives students an outlet for creativity. Whatever you play on the piano becomes an expression of your own effort and yields a very rewarding experience for the performer. Even the simplest tunes are exciting when you are the one playing!
Self-Esteem
Playing the piano gives students a sense of accomplishment and allows them to take ownership over their own progress through consistent daily practice. Through every increment of success students achieve, confidence and self-esteem will increase in both the academic and social aspects of their lives.
What Age Should Students Begin?
Young Beginners
The ideal age for starting lessons is usually at 6-8 years of age, with 9-13 and up considered as later beginners. On the younger end of the spectrum I have seen many exceptions to this rule, and have had great success with students starting as young as 4 years old. Beginners 4 and 5 years old are not always ready in terms of maturity, or academic and physical development. If young aspiring piano students are exciting and interested to learn, this is usually half the battle. Extremely young beginners (4-5) need to be familiar with letters A-G, numbers 1-5, and be able to conceive them both in and out of sequence. The first 3-4 introductory lessons should be used to evaluate these issues and determine if the student’s finger dexterity is developed enough to be successful. In some cases it is best to wait 6 months to a year before starting lessons.
Adult Beginners
Students over 13 years of age are often regarded as adult beginners, and usually benefit from using an adult level method book to accommodate their likely faster rate of progress. The familiar statement “you’re never too old to start piano” is true, although there are some issues to consider before starting piano lessons at any adult age. Adults have a higher degree of responsibilities to manage, (education, job, social life, family, etc.) and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Success at the piano requires a consistent amount of daily practice and dedication. Senior citizens generally have greater success in the long run than younger adults simply because they have more time to dedicate. The probability of any adult beginner achieving progress at the piano will be determined by their willingness to commit at least 15 or 20 minutes a day to regular practice.
About Tedesco Piano Instruction
Scheduling Lessons
Lessons at Tedesco Piano Instruction are scheduled in one of three locations: the Mason studio (located at Liberty Bible Academy, Mason, Ohio), my home studio (Liberty Township, Ohio), and online. Internet lessons are taught using FaceTime (iphone users) or Google Duo (android users).
Lessons are private (one-on-one) 30-minute lessons scheduled once at the same time each week. Lessons are generally scheduled during after school times on weekdays between the hours of 3:30 and 6:00 pm and Saturdays between the hours of 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Summer lessons are also offered and generally scheduled between the hours of 10am to 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Accommodations are made for scheduled vacation times throughout the summer, and you can schedule lessons at your convenience. Students of all ages and levels of ability are welcome to schedule lessons as times are available.
Scheduling lessons with Tedesco Piano Instruction does not obligate you to continue for any length of time. Students can begin lessons on a trial basis without the need to satisfy a set number of lesson requirements. There is no contract to sign and lessons may be discontinued at any time for any reason. Out of courtesy, however, please give at least two weeks notice before the last lesson.
Preparing for Lessons
Prior to scheduling your first lesson, you will need to be sure you have a proper instrument for your child or yourself. An acoustic (non-electric) piano or an 88-key electric or digital piano is best. If you already own an instrument that does not meet the above description, it’s not a huge problem, but upgrading within the first six months to a year of lessons is highly recommended.
If you are looking to buy an instrument, good quality 88-key digital pianos can be purchased new for around $500-$600. You will also need to buy a pedal, keyboard stand, and stool. The stand and stool are extremely important so that the student is sitting at the correct height and posture at the keyboard. You can usually get a package deal on all of these items at most music stores. I recommend Willis Music (West Chester or Kenwood) and Henderson Music (Mason).
Books and materials are typically obtained by the teacher and then reimbursed as part of the monthly tuition payment. For online lessons, books can be purchased online with the recommendation of the teacher. (Click on the Lessons page for more information on online lessons).
Instructor Short Bio
Steve Tedesco is the owner and sole operator of Tedesco Piano Instruction. With over 35 years of experience, he has taught hundreds of students of all ages to play the piano. His students have performed classical, sacred, and secular piano pieces and arrangements in recitals, church services, talent shows, and other performing occasions, earned superior ratings at Music Festivals, and selected as pianists for church youth choirs, praise teams, and high school jazz bands.
Steve has a B.A. in Piano Performance, and two Master’s degrees in both Music Theory and Education. His performing experience is extensive including classical, jazz, gospel, and contemporary piano styles. Steve works as a band director in both a public and private school and is comfortable teaching many different instruments and relating them to the piano. The piano is his first musical love, however, and he considers a strong background in piano an essential part of every aspiring musician’s training. Outside of music, Steve enjoys reading, studying history, the bible, and playing chess online. His wife, Kristina, is a licensed counselor and is always helpful and supportive in Steve’s teaching career.