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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people enquire about piano lessons when they have no piano??

85 replies

CroesoY · 17/02/2019 16:35

AIBU to find it a bit strange?

Parents making queries for their child to have piano lessons when they don’t have a piano or keyboard at home.

Even if a child has lessons in school on a school piano how would they practise?

Am I missing something?

OP posts:
BatsAreCool · 17/02/2019 16:38

Maybe they want to try lessons first to see if their DC like it enough before forking out the cost of a keyboard/piano.

GregoryPeckingDuck · 17/02/2019 16:38

A lot of people want to know how much the lessons would cost before buying the instrument

GregoryPeckingDuck · 17/02/2019 16:38

Othersjist hire pianos

DocusDiplo · 17/02/2019 16:39

You don't sound very welcoming

museumum · 17/02/2019 16:40

If I was going to buy a keyboard I’d want some piano teacher input as I wouldn’t know where to start so I’d think about lessons first.
Also why buy a piano before you’ve any idea what lessons cost or if there’s any availability?

Froggyface · 17/02/2019 16:40

Mine had lessons for a few weeks before I wanted to commit to buying a keyboard or piano. They stuck it out for two years and I have a lovely photograph display unit in the shape of a piano in my sitting room now Grin

Mari50 · 17/02/2019 16:40

Personally I think it would be stranger for someone to buy a piano for their child when their child hasn’t had any lessons. Sure, they can’t practise initially but they will soon get an idea if they like it or not and then the investment is warranted.

Iggly · 17/02/2019 16:41

Pianos can be bought or hired. What’s wrong with checking the cost first and then commuting to hiring or buying 🙄

Original poster
CroesoY · 17/02/2019 16:53

Lol obviously checking the cost before starting - that’s not what I meant

OP posts:
explodingkitten · 17/02/2019 16:58

Well what do you mean? To just buy something really expensive and then find out after lesson 1 that the kid hates it?

explodingkitten · 17/02/2019 17:00

I know of a piano teacher who started out with taking a keyboard in his car to students for lessons till they were sure that they liked it. I also know of teachers who taught at their own home where there already was a piano. Of course the child can't practice but for trying out if they even like playing that would be fine.

LittleMe03 · 17/02/2019 17:02

What do you mean then OP? Don't drip feed and then 'lol' at replies Hmm

Frogscotch7 · 17/02/2019 17:02

I get asked for lessons quite often by people with no instrument. I say I’m happy to start once they have access to an instrument - even if that is a keyboard or a neighbour or relative’s piano.

I think many people think piano lessons are like ballet or badminton class, in that practice between lessons isn’t necessary for beginners. It is.

Ainba · 17/02/2019 17:03

I had piano lessons for a couple of months as a child with out a piano at home. I hated piano and switched to to guitar lesskns absolutely loved it and got a terrible crappy second hand guitar that was my pride and joy for years about 8 months after starting.
Instruments are expensive to buy. Better to get a feel for if the child even likes the instrument first before rushing out to buy, especially if its first lessons, they might not even like it.

Meandmetoo · 17/02/2019 17:03

They have no room for one?
Can't afford it?
Don't want one?
Want to see if the DC like it first?

Noteventhebestdrummer · 17/02/2019 17:06

They want you to offer their kid a free lesson and for you to tell them their kid is "obviously gifted"

WolfhoundsofLove · 17/02/2019 17:10

What a ridiculous question.

explodingkitten · 17/02/2019 17:11

I think many people think piano lessons are like ballet or badminton class, in that practice between lessons isn’t necessary for beginners. It is.

It's not necessary. They won't start bleeding from both ears, roll over and die if they don't practice. They'll just have a very slow progress. Which can be fine for some people.

Original poster
CroesoY · 17/02/2019 17:12

Noteventhebest - yes I think you’re right 😂

OP posts:
AgentJohnson · 17/02/2019 17:13

DD had an electric piano three months after she started lessons. The idea of spending 500 quid on something she might not even enjoy before she’d had lessons, would have been misjudged.

A colleague bought her son a drum kit before he had lessons and guess what, he lost interest after four weeks and now the damn thing is a big reminder of her folly.

Comefromaway · 17/02/2019 17:15

both Dh and I did music degrees. He had piano lessons for a year and I had them for 4 years before either of us got pianos.

We both practised at school at lunchtime (he went in early)

CloserIAm2Fine · 17/02/2019 17:15

YABU

Why would they commit to buying an expensive and bulky instrument without knowing whether their child actually enjoys playing it.

Are you this rude to your potential customers?

Frogscotch7 · 17/02/2019 17:17

@explodingkitten I’m so sorry, I have no space at present for your child. Good luck on your search.

Saved for parental attitudes like yours.

Lumbricina · 17/02/2019 17:17

Wouldn't it be odder to spend a few grand on a piano before your child has even tried playing a piano?

AgentJohnson · 17/02/2019 17:18

Would you buy a car before taking lessons?

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