Took Lessons as a kid?

This might feel different

If you took music lessons growing up, some of what we do might surprise you! Teaching methods have evolved, especially as more young children are learning to play. Here are a few key differences you might notice:

Landmark Notes, Not Mnemonics

Remember Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge? While catchy, mnemonics aren’t ideal—especially for young beginners who may not even read fluently yet. Instead, we teach a few Landmark Notes that are visually easy to recognize, then build out from there. It's more intuitive and less confusing between clefs.

Reading by Intervals

Good readers don’t name every single note—they see patterns and direction. That’s what we teach from the start: how to recognize intervals and movement on the staff, which makes reading faster, easier, and more musical.

Games with Purpose

Games aren’t just breaks—they’re one of the best ways to reinforce theory concepts. They reduce overwhelm, encourage repetition, and make learning feel like play. Flashcards? Boring. A card-flipping race? Much more fun!

Rote Songs

Reading isn’t the only way to learn a piece. Rote learning (learning by demonstration) allows students to play more expressive, interesting music before they’re strong readers. It also gives them space to focus on dynamics, technique, and artistry without the pressure of reading every note.

No “Middle C Position”

We don’t lock fingers to fixed keys. Students learn to move around the full keyboard early on and develop flexible fingerings that suit the music—not habits that hold them back.

Starting with Black Keys and Fewer Fingers

We often begin on the black keys—they’re easier to spot and group for beginners. And rather than using all five fingers right away, we build up gradually to proper hand position as kids’ hands grow. This avoids strain and helps students feel in control from the beginning.