Learn Piano your way with a TakeLessons expert

Even if you truly love piano music and feel at home on the piano bench, learning a new instrument isn't always easy. Before the challenges pay off, your motivation might need some boosting along the way. Luckily, South Bay has a live music scene that's full of inspiring and entertaining piano performances, and downtown San Jose is the cultural capital of the whole region. From piano bars and sheet music stores to historic concert halls and world-class symphonies, there are plenty of local opportunities to immerse yourself in the world of live piano while taking piano lessons in San Jose.

Symphony Silicon Valley Silicon Valley's very own symphony calls the California Theatre home, and there's no better place to immerse yourself in the grand tradition of live piano. Every season, the Symphony Silicon Valley entertains more than a thousand guests per night at the iconic downtown landmark. Listen to the talented symphony's take on musical masterpieces that range from the classical to the brand new, and from the local to the international. Recent and upcoming performances include piano concertos by living legends, musical interpretations of American Gothic literature, and pieces by French, Russian, German, and Japanese composers. Symphony Silicon Valley: http://www.symphonysiliconvalley.org/ The California Theatre: http://sanjosetheaters.org/theaters/california-theatre/

Live Music Venues After attending one of your city's many downtown concerts, step right into an old-school speakeasy for a little more live piano. SingleBarrel only seats small groups, so it's easy to hear and appreciate every jazzy note their live pianist plays. Located right in the middle of SoFA, SingleBarrel is just steps away from the California Theatre, McEnery Convention Center, and San Jose State University.

If you're feeling more modern, request your favorites at the Fairmont San Jose on Market Street. The hotel restaurant, Pagoda Bamboo Lounge, has a piano bar that takes written requests as you dine. Its doors are open to the street, so you don't have to walk through the hotel to find the swanky spot, but you should definitely make a point of taking the scenic route on Sunday evenings. That's when a solo pianist entertains guests in the lobby. SingleBarrel: http://www.singlebarrelsj.com/ Fairmont San Jose: http://www.fairmont.com/san-jose/

Local Music Stores Music Village is a family-owned fixture with two locations in San Jose. The instrument store's expansive sheet music selection ranges from classical composers to contemporary hits, and they also carry a wide range of piano parts and accessories. http://www.musvil.com/

Competitions and Festivals The San Jose International Piano Competition is an annual ten-day series at Le Petit Trianon Theatre, a Versailles-style recital hall that's famous for its Steinway D and equally grand architecture. You don't have to be a competitor to experience the musical thrill of the competition, though. The series is hosted by a nonprofit organization that wants to share music with the world, especially Russian piano music. It opens with a free concert and includes ten days of top-tier performances by local talents. San Jose International Piano Competition: http://sjipc.com/ Le Petit Trianon Theatre: http://www.trianontheatre.com/

Piano is a passion, a skill, and an art form all at once. To become a great pianist, you must embrace all its forms and remind yourself why piano music means so much to the world. If you're taking private piano lessons in San Jose, you're already on the right track. When piano has a regular spot in your schedule, it's easier to keep your commitment to the instrument. As your skills and music knowledge improve, you'll enjoy more freedom and confidence at the keys, and practice will be hard to distinguish from playing for pleasure.