Music
- All music purchased at Velocity Music Academy is a separate charge from your monthly tuition bill.
- For private lessons and lessons in pairs, the teacher chooses music for the students after dialogue with the student and parents. Music is chosen based on level, goals, and desired type of music that the student wishes to learn. This can be anything from Mozart to jazz to pop music!
- Payment for music is expected when music is given to the student. A web invoice will be sent to your home e-mail address for credit card payment. If you are paying for music by cash or check, please leave the payment in the “tuition box” at Velocity Music Academy. Remember to write the student’s name on the check or envelope for the cash.
Instruments
- Of course, each student needs an instrument at home to practice! For pianists, refer to the list below.
- Don’t have an instrument? Don’t worry! We will arrange instrument rental for you or refer you to local companies that rent and sell instruments.
What type of piano should I have at home?
- Pianos vary in type and price from a few hundred dollars to over $100,000 dollars. A good piano is one that can be maintained (tuned) and used properly (all keys working, etc.). The best person to evaluate a piano is a piano tuner or technician.
Can I have an electronic piano/keyboard for home practice?
- Absolutely! Try to meet the following criteria:
- a) the keyboard has all 88 keys,
- b) the keys on the keyboard are weighted like a real piano (not mushy to the touch),
- c) the width of the piano keys are the same as on an acoustic piano.
- Keep in mind that some keyboard sold at department stores are toys, and are not intended for piano study. Expecting your child to practice and learn from a toy keyboard would be like enrolling them in baseball and giving them a toy plastic bat to use on the team.
What if I am new to piano and want to try it out first before purchasing a piano?
- If financially, you are not ready to commit to buying a piano, several stores in Austin rent pianos on a month to month basis.
How often should I get my piano tuned and why?
- Pianos should be tuned at least yearly if not twice a year. Failure to do so would be like never changing the oil on your car. A piano, like a car, needs proper maintenance to extend its life and to perform smoothly. If you need the name of a piano tuner, I have several wonderful ones that I can recommend!
