Student Portal
Instrument recommendations (click the links to purchase)
Music Teacher LA has developed instrument recommendations for many common instruments based on experience working with students of different ages and teaching on instruments for many years.
-
Piano or Keyboard
If you’re looking for the upright or grand piano, please contact our office and we will recommend the right brand, based on your budget, as well as refer you to a local dealer. A good used certified piano will start at $3,000 and new pianos cost $8,000-up.
If you would rather start learning on a keyboard, then the most popular keyboard among our students has been Casio Privia. Your keyboard must have weighted keys, a book rest, pedals, and a bench and the recommended item for purchase has it all. Please click the link above to purchase.
2. Violin
Violins come in different sizes. Please refer to the chart below to choose your or your child’s right violin size.
Beginner preschoolers and kindergartners won’t need expensive instruments because they will grow out of the smaller instruments quickly and also more likely to break them.
We recommend these inexpensive violins for young beginners:
1/16 violin, 1/10 violin, 1/8 violin, 1/4 violin, and 1/2 violin
If you’re looking for a decent professional violin, then you need an instrument in the price range of $500-up, such as this Eastman violin
Our instructors will tune your violin during the initial lesson.
3. Drums
a. Pads. Students don’t need a drum set to start drum lessons, but a practice pad is required. Practice pads do not produce loud sounds and are actually great for condos/apartments. They can be purchased for as low as $30.
b. Drum kits. Professional drum sets will cost $300-up.
Our young beginners ages 4-10 have been enjoying studying on this small, but decent quality Drum Kit. The kit is tunable and comes with cymbals and hardware.
Older beginners and adults would need a regular size drum set. This Ludwig Complete Set comes with everything you need to hit the stage—right out of the box—good to go! The kit includes all shells, hardware, cymbals, and throne. Easy to assemble.
Pearl drums are also a great choice for beginners.
The popular mid-level Yamaha drum kit offers better quality overall and good value at $650.
c. Electronic drum sets.
Simmons drum kit is a valuable instrument but does not come with a speaker (you will need to buy it separately).
If you’re looking for a slightly better choice overall, then Alesis drums are great and come with a speaker.
4. Guitar
Children under the age of 8 will need a smaller size guitar with nylon or training strings. This 3/4 acoustic guitar is a great brand and choice for younger beginners.
Required Piano books for Piano lessons
If you already have books by a different method/author, we will use the books you already have, unless they will not be the right fit for you or your child.
Young beginners under the age of 5 should have the Pre-primer level books. Purchase the following package assigned by your instructor:
Package 1: Lesson and Writing books
Package 2: Lesson and Theory books
Piano beginners ages 5-6 will need Primer books. Purchase the package assigned by your teacher plus the music flashcards:
Package 1: four Primer level books- Lesson, Theory and any two of the following genre books: Classics, Rock & Roll, Popular or Christmas
Package 2: Primer Piano and Theory books
Piano beginners ages 7-10 will need Level 1 books. Purchase the assigned by your teacher package below, plus the music flashcards:
Package 1 Premier Piano books: Premier Piano Course Set
Package 2 Basic Piano books: Basic Piano Set
Package 3: Bastien books
Package 4: Lesson, Technique and any of these two books Classics, Jazz, Popular or Christmas
Older beginners Ages 11-up, purchase Older Beginners set
Adult Beginners purchase the following books:
a. Piano Course
Piano students who are starting the 2nd Level and/or Level 1 CM examinations will enjoy the following Classical Piano Materials:
- Showtime Classics
- Easy Piano Classics
- Masterwork Classics
- Album for the Young
- Classic Melodies
- Classical and Baroque
- Etudes
Required Strings books for Violin lessons
If you are a beginner student, please click on the link below to purchase your teacher’s required book for your lessons:
Package 1: Essential Elements
Package 2: Suzuki Violin
