The purpose of this study was to analyze the pedagogical approaches of piano teachers in Vietnam and Thailand, who, by definition, instruct a western instrument. Focusing upon music education in Vietnam and Thailand also meant developing an awareness of cultural differences between western and non-western styles of teaching and basic cultural differences between students and teachers. Theories of cross-cultural communications, sociology and ethnomusicology were instrumental in the exploration of answers related to transmission of music learning as applicable to the student in his or her foreign country.