Piano ยท Getting ready
Getting ready for piano lessons
Here's what you'll need before your child's first lesson. There's quite a bit at the start, so contact Katie or your teacher if you have any questions. We're very happy to help.
Before the first lesson
Your role as a Suzuki parent
In Suzuki lessons the parent is part of the team. Please read this short guide to the Suzuki method and lessons (PDF), and/or watch Katie's parent course videos.
Enrolment form
Please complete the enrolment form so we have your details.
Choosing a piano
Your child needs an instrument that responds like a real piano: an acoustic piano, or a digital piano with hammer-action (weighted) keys. You don't need a new instrument; a good second-hand piano is often an excellent choice.
Weighted keys build correct technique, hand strength, control and tone. An unweighted keyboard may feel easier at first, but it doesn't respond like a piano, and children often struggle later when they play on a real one. In Suzuki piano, beautiful tone and natural movement matter from the very beginning.
Acoustic pianos
Choose a piano where all the notes work properly (no sticking keys or double strikes), tuned to concert pitch so your child can play along with the recordings. Acoustic pianos usually need tuning every year or two.
A piano tuner can fix many small problems, but it's disappointing to buy a very cheap piano and find its problems can't be fixed. If you're buying privately, consider paying a tuner to check it first, or buy a reconditioned piano from a shop. A good acoustic piano also holds its value better than a digital one.
Digital pianos
A digital piano works well for lessons if it has hammer-action keys. 88 keys is best, but 73 keys is sufficient for the first few books. From Book 3 onwards, your child will also need a proper sustain pedal. Digital pianos are easier to move and need less maintenance.
Good beginner-to-intermediate choices are the Yamaha P-225, Roland FP-30X or Kawai ES120. Their previous models, the Yamaha P-125, Roland FP-30 and Kawai ES110, are excellent if you can find one second-hand. The Roland FP-10 is a good entry-level option. A second choice that's fine for the first few years is the Yamaha P-145, or an older Yamaha P-45 or P-71 second-hand; the main difference is the quality of the sound.
Model suggestions as of November 2026.
Buy the best sound you can afford
Imagine taking up sewing with a machine that keeps jamming, compared with one that works beautifully. Which would make you want to keep going? Your child will be trying to match the lovely tone on the Suzuki recordings, and the nicer the piano sounds, the more they'll enjoy playing it. Unlike a violin, which children upgrade as they grow, a piano usually stays for many years.
Buying a piano or finding a tuner in New Zealand
New and second-hand pianos: Lewis Eady (Auckland), Hoekstra Pianos (Christchurch; also tuning and rentals), The Music Warehouse (Lower Hutt; also rentals), Piano Works (New Plymouth; also rentals and tuning), and Mr Music (Nelson; reconditioned acoustic pianos). Nationwide shops such as Music Works, Rockshop, Music Planet and KBB Music also sell pianos, and second-hand pianos come up on Trade Me.
Tuning and repairs in Nelson and the upper South Island: Mr Music (Neville Claughton) and Mike Beever. Elsewhere, most piano shops can recommend a local tuner.
Not sure about a piano? Ask your teacher or Katie before you buy.
Piano seat and footstool
Your child needs a comfortable, balanced posture at the piano.
They'll need a seat that is firm, comfortable and the right height. An adjustable piano stool is great, but any flat chair works if you raise it with a stable pile of books and a folded towel on top.
If their feet don't rest flat on the floor, they'll also need a footstool strong enough to stand on. A pile of books can work, or you can buy an adjustable wooden footstool.
These two short videos show how to set up the seat and footstool:
A laptop or tablet for lessons
A laptop works best: children concentrate better when the teacher's picture is bigger. A tablet, or even a phone, can work too.
Place it at one end of the piano, looking along the keyboard. Ideally the teacher can see your child's face and the keyboard; if you can only fit one in, choose the keyboard.
A cable (ethernet) connection is the most reliable, but most families use wifi and it usually works fine.
The Suzuki book and recordings
You'll need Suzuki Piano School, Volume 1 (International Edition or New International Edition), and the recordings of the Volume 1 pieces. Your child listens to the recordings every day, so please buy the tracks.
Because of Suzuki copyright agreements, not every link works in every country. If you have trouble buying anything, contact Katie and she'll help.
Practice sheets and a folder
Print a few weekly practice sheets (PDF), and keep your child's piano papers together in a folder. A slim ring binder works well.
Questions?
There's quite a bit to prepare at the start. Contact Katie or your teacher with any questions; we're very happy to help.