A comprehensive education in music theory is an ongoing part of any piano lesson regime. This will start with the basics of musical vocabulary, such as learning the clefs and symbols that music uses. Rhythmic notation and reading notes will come next, followed shortly by an understanding of keys and time signatures. Theory that is more complex, such as advanced rhythms and harmony, comes after students master the basics.
When a student starts learning piano, teachers will stress basic technique. This includes proper posture, and proper hand positioning. Playing with sloppy technique and posture not only makes it more difficult to play well, but can also lead to injury. For instance, people with weak wrists that they hold at an angle as they play can develop carpal tunnel syndrome or other similar wrist problems. Playing with proper posture is also important when students enter into recitals, as a slouched piano player is not interesting to look at.
While some piano lessons deal with learning scales and practicing drills, a student spends the most time learning songs. Playing songs is not only the end goal of most lessons, but also a valuable teaching tool. Teachers will introduce songs that teach piano students new musical concepts as they advance, such as playing in new keys, playing songs with more complex harmonies or playing in new time signatures. Learning songs is also the best way to improve a student's ability to read music, and teachers may instruct students in sight-reading during this process.
Once a student can master certain basics, a piano teacher will instruct the student how to play songs musically, rather than just technically. Teachers will introduce such topics as dynamics, accents, crescendos and phrasing. Understanding and being able to read and interpret the symbols for these actions is also a part of instruction in piano performance.