Music lessons in Boulder, Superior, Louisville and more!

What age should I start my child in music lessons?

The simple answer is somewhere around 5 years old and up, but it really depends on the student and the instrument. For piano, the youngest that we usually recommend is 5, but violin students can often flourish in lessons even younger. If your child is interested in a wind or brass instrument, it’s usually better for them to start around 9 or 10. For those students, we would recommend starting out on piano, as piano is a great first instrument, and what students learn in piano lessons can easily be transferred to other instruments later on. Feel free to reach out to us with questions about this - we’re happy to discuss your individual situation and come up with a plan! Read more about the best age to start music lessons.

Is it okay to use a keyboard for piano lessons?

If your keyboard has weighted and standard size keys, learning on a keyboard is just fine. That being said, if you have a keyboard at home that isn’t up to par, and you don’t want to purchase a better one until you’re sure that you or your child wants to commit, it’s okay to take a few lessons on a less-than-ideal instrument. Don’t let your keyboard stop you from trying out piano lessons.

What ages do you teach?

We have had students as young as 4 and as old as 83, so don’t let age stop you. You are never too old to learn a new instrument!

What levels do you teach?

We offer lessons for all levels - all of our teachers have different specialties, so we will help you find the perfect teacher for your level and goals.

What styles do you teach?

We offer lessons for many styles including classical, pop, jazz, rock, and more. If there’s a specific style that you’re interested in learning, reach out and we should be able to answer your questions and find a suitable teacher that specializes in the style you’re looking for.

Are students locked into a full semester?

No. The only time you pay in advance is for the introductory lesson. After that, you will be invoiced at the end of each month for lessons that have already occurred. This includes any lessons that you cancel with less than 24 hour notice, per our policies. Since we do have more reasonable policies than other schools, we do ask that you give at least a month’s notice if you’re going to discontinue lessons to give us time to fill the space in your teacher’s schedule. We also ask that you do not cancel more than 3 times per semester.

What happens if my child is sick?

We do understand that sometimes the 24 hour cancellation can be difficult to adhere to, but unfortunately we have to stick to it. If you have to cancel last-minute, that’s a space in your teacher’s calendar that they won’t be able to fill, and since they’re commuting to homes, it usually means they have to sit around in between lessons. Because of this, we pay the teachers for lessons that are cancelled with less than 24 hour notice to respect their time.

Where do lessons take place?

Lessons take place in the students’ home. We are also offering virtual lessons at this time.

What towns do you teach in?

Currently, we have students in the following towns: Boulder, Louisville, Superior, Lafayette, Westminster, Broomfield, Erie, Longmont, Denver, Niwot, and Gunbarrel. If you don’t see your town, reach out anyway - we might have a teacher that can come to you.

Do you offer instrument rentals?

We do not offer instrument rentals, but we recommend calling Woodsongs in Boulder, as they offer a rent-to-own program that’s perfect for if you’re planning on purchasing an instrument in the future. Instrument rentals are especially helpful for young students who are learning a string instrument, and will be upgrading sizes as they grow.

What should I look for when purchasing a keyboard?

The first thing you should look for when buying a keyboard is weighted keys. This means that the keys are calibrated to be a little harder to press down. This will feel closer to an acoustic piano, and help you or your child develop the muscles it requires to play the real instrument.

The second thing you should watch out for (and this will be correct on any keyboard with weighted keys) is that the keys are standard width. If you have a cheap keyboard, there’s a chance the keys are more narrow than a real piano, and learning on that will make it difficult to transfer to a piano.

Finally, you should be mindful of the speakers. Be aware that if you find a “midi keyboard” online (especially if it’s referred to as a midi controller), there won’t be any way to hear any sound. A midi keyboard typically needs to be plugged into not only speakers, but also an audio interface, which most people do not have / have not heard of. If you find a keyboard with built in speakers, make sure they sound good, and if they have built-in sounds / an output but no speakers, make sure that you’re aware and prepared to buy speakers as well.

How much do music lessons cost in the Boulder area?

In the Boulder area music lessons cost an average of $45 per 30 minute lesson in-studio, and $50 per 30 minute lesson in the student's home. At Mountainside Music Academy our teachers come to you for a lower price than the average in studio lesson in Boulder.

Where can I take music lessons in the Boulder area?

Mountainside Music Academy offers in home private music lessons for over 20 instruments. Our music teachers will come to your home.

How do I find a music teacher who will come to my house in the Boulder area?

Mountainside Music Academy has music teachers that will travel to students homes.

Do any music schools offer in home music lessons in the Boulder area?

Mountainside Music Academy offers in home private music lessons in and around Boulder.

How much do in home music lessons cost in the Boulder area?

The average cost of in home music lessons is $50/30 min in the Boulder area. Mountainside Music Academy offers in home music lessons for much less.