Frequently asked questions

Cie Piano Studio offers 1:1 lessons with a structured practice plan. Most students choose weekly lessons to build momentum, but biweekly sessions can work well when schedules are tight or travel is frequent across Norway.

In practical terms, a format is defined by (1) lesson length, (2) frequency, and (3) the focus of the next 4–6 weeks. Some students want repertoire coaching with targeted technique; others prefer a fundamentals-first track built around reading and rhythm. We set the first track after a short baseline check so the work is methodical rather than improvised.

A standard lesson is typically 45–60 minutes. That range is long enough to cover warm-up, a technique theme, and repertoire problem-solving without the session becoming a lecture.

Shorter lessons can be useful for very young beginners where attention and posture are the main work. Longer sessions are often chosen for exam preparation or when a student needs extended run-through practice and feedback. If you’re unsure, start with 45–60 minutes and we can adjust after two or three weeks based on how the practice plan lands in your routine.

Yes. The approach is the same across ages: clear goals, small repeatable tasks, and technique taught in a musical context. What changes is the pacing and the way assignments are written.

Adult learners often prefer a practical “what to do this week” plan and tend to benefit from defined practice blocks (10–20 minutes). Teens often progress quickly when reading patterns and rhythm subdivision are made explicit. For children, we keep tasks concrete and short so that posture, counting, and coordination develop without strain.

The first month is about building reliable basics: how to sit, how to coordinate fingers with a steady pulse, and how to read simple patterns without guessing. We also choose early repertoire that still sounds like music, not an endless sequence of drills.

A typical plan includes a small warm-up that reduces tension, a weekly technique theme (for example, basic five-finger patterns and hand position), and a short piece that reinforces reading and rhythm. The main success metric is not speed; it is consistency: showing up to each lesson with a few tasks done in a repeatable way.

A good digital piano is absolutely fine to start. The main requirement is a weighted key action that supports dynamic control. If the keys are too light, technique becomes less transferable and the hands often compensate in unhelpful ways.

For students in Norway selecting a digital instrument, the checklist is simple: 88 weighted keys, a sustain pedal that supports half-pedaling if possible, stable stand/bench height, and headphones for quiet practice. An acoustic piano has a different feedback and sound, but many students make strong progress digitally as long as the action is reliable.

Consistency matters more than long sessions. Many students improve with short, focused blocks—often 10–20 minutes—done several days per week. This keeps attention sharp and reduces the “overplay until tired” habit.

Practice is usually split into warm-up, one technical focus, and one or two “bar problems” (a small passage that has a concrete issue: fingering logic, rhythm, voicing, or a jump). If you can only practice twice in a week, we shape the plan so the tasks still move the piece forward rather than just maintaining it.

It’s a short set of tasks that removes guesswork. Instead of “practice more” or “play it slowly”, the plan defines bar numbers, the exact method (hands separate, rhythm variation, metronome increments), and a clear end point.

The plan also keeps the week realistic. Students across Norway often juggle work, school, and travel; a good plan respects that. One week might focus on articulation and voicing; another might focus on pedaling and balance. Over time, the plans form a toolkit: you start recognizing the type of problem and the fastest fix.

Yes. Exam preparation is treated as a project with milestones: repertoire targets, technical requirements, and a timeline for building stable run-throughs. We also plan the unglamorous bits—tempo mapping, memory repair spots, and how to recover after a slip.

If you contact us from Norway, include the exam board (or audition requirements), your deadline, and your current repertoire. We’ll suggest a lesson frequency that matches the timeline and avoids last-minute overload.

Pricing details are listed on the Pricing page. Costs are presented in NOK. If you’re choosing between formats, a quick rule is to start with the format you can sustain for at least eight weeks—consistency beats a short burst.

If you want a recommendation, send a message with your level and availability. We’ll reply with a suggested lesson length and frequency, plus a realistic first-month plan.

Go to Pricing

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