Frequently asked questions.

Your child needs to express an interest in learning an instrument. We like to know if your family has a musical background, what your child's reason for taking lessons is, and what they hope to achieve. From the student and family, we expect commitment to regular lesson attendance and home practice.

Enrollment begins with a basic questionnaire and setting up a trial lesson with a prospective teacher. Official enrollment usually follows after the trial lesson.

Yes. A regular weekly lesson plan works best for educational progress.

$225/month for a 30-minute private lesson once a week (recommended for beginners under age 7). $330/month for 45 minutes (recommended for age 7 and up, including teens and adults). $420/month for 60 minutes (recommended for adults or advanced students).

As a general guide: 20 min daily practice for a 30-min lesson, 30 min for a 45-min lesson, 40 min for a 60-min lesson. True practice isn't playing the music over and over — it's isolating a problem and working on it.

Yes — we waive the 3rd registration fee if 3 or more students all sign up on the same day. We also offer a special referral bonus for every successful enrollment you refer to Amabile.

Age 4 after evaluation by a teacher; age 5 and above are ready for private lessons. Group Class: ages 4 and 5 (age 3 or younger must be evaluated).

It depends on a child's ability to concentrate and their interest in the instrument — this can be as young as 3. Violas and cellos are bigger instruments and need bigger hands, so a transition from violin is often easier.

Voice lessons can be beneficial at any age. For young children, lessons can be productive as long as they don't force the child's vocal cords. We typically begin discussions around age 8 or 3rd grade.

Many students start in 5th or 6th grade when school band programs start, but starting around 3rd grade also works. Some woodwinds need fingers big enough to cover holes; saxophone and flute don't have holes to cover.

Yes — we accept students at all levels. Many of our adult students are equally as dedicated as younger students.

Lessons are 30, 45, or 60 minutes. 30 minutes is recommended for beginners ages 5–6. 45 minutes is recommended for age 7 and above, including teens and adults. 60 minutes is recommended for advanced students.

Let our front desk know immediately — call (415) 682-7738 during school hours or email frontdesk@amabilemusic.org outside school hours. More than 24 hours notice gives us time to inform the teacher.

We offer unlimited group make-up classes when a student must miss a lesson. You can sign up before or after the absence at any time that's convenient. Unless it's a genuine emergency, please give at least 24 hours notice.

We let students and parents know as soon as possible. Our staff arranges either a make-up lesson or a qualified substitute teacher at or close to the regular lesson time.

Scheduling is handled by our office staff and every effort is made to accommodate parental requests. If we can't accommodate a preference, we note the request and contact you when the preferred time becomes available.

We don't usually encourage bi-weekly lessons — they create slower progress and scheduling difficulties, and it's unfair to the teacher to reserve a slot used only every other week. Under certain circumstances we sometimes allow it (for example, an adult student or a financial constraint).

Tuition is month-to-month. To discontinue, submit a withdrawal form by the 15th of your last month. We do not prorate the last month's tuition.

Yes, but only if on-site lessons are impossible. In-home lessons include an extra travel fee passed to the teacher, and the student can feel detached from the school. On-site, students and parents have a strong sense of community and full use of facilities.

For beginners, renting is a good idea. Buying a used quality upright piano is another good option. Reputable piano stores include piedmontpiano.com. Craigslist also lists pianos — always have a qualified piano technician inspect before buying. We don't recommend an electronic keyboard for daily practice; even an expensive full-size weighted keyboard is a short-term solution.

Yes. Amabile hosts seasonal recitals at venues like the San Francisco Conservatory, Steinway Gallery, the Atrium Theater, NVM, the Orinda Theater, and on-site at our campuses. Students get a chance to perform on professional stages — followed by refreshments, photographs, and socializing.

Yes. We provide on-site events and recitals that are friendly and stress-free, especially for young beginners. Our teachers are also encouraged to hold studio classes for their students.

Yes — our seasonal Local Outreach Program gives students the experience of performing for patients and residents at local hospitals and senior centers, where music plays an important role in their therapy.

Following each lesson, most teachers give parents verbal feedback. Written comments are also provided via the student's Practice Log or Assignment Booklet, which tracks assignments and daily practice.

We welcome 1 adult/guardian/parent to sit in during trial lessons, with respectful non-interference with the teacher's work.

Before your lesson, our staff will email you an invitation link and passcode for a Zoom meeting. Use a recent iPad or laptop with speaker, camera, and microphone, or download the Zoom app for smartphones.

Use a fully charged iPad or laptop with a good camera, microphone, and speakers. Make sure you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection and use headphones if possible. Set up the device so the teacher can see the student playing. Younger students may need a parent present to help focus. Have your music sheet ready as a screenshot or PDF to share over Zoom.

Yes. Online lessons are available for as long as you feel comfortable continuing them. We offer lessons online seven days a week.

In your Zoom Audio settings, disable “Automatically adjust microphone volume.” Under Advanced, disable “Suppress Intermittent Background Noise” and enable “Show in-meeting option to Enable Original Sound” from the microphone.