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Piano Lesson, Quitting Piano Lessons?
by Connie Steinmann
In the music education world, we refer to the 'magic triangle' of parent/child/teacher. So parents, when you feel 'out of your element' about the lesson material, ask your child. We learn more when we are called upon to teach.
If your child cannot help you, ask the teacher. He is there as much for you as for the student. Do not hesitate to ask when you may sit in on a lesson. Just think: that is the day you are getting twice your money's worth! You and your child will each be getting a lesson for the price of one. The teacher benefits as much because that lesson is being heard by two people instead of one.
Observe the layout of their lesson book. Read the foreword, the index and observe how new applications or techniques are presented in the book. Are they always contained inside a pink box, for example? Is there an icon at the top of that particular page? Then, glance at each of these new techniques, etc. You don't have to understand them, but having a concept of the application, for example, will help greatly in aiding in their understanding of it.
When something sounds very wrong, ask the student if they are sure about what they played in that particular spot.
Beginning students usually have not developed a listening ear. Their main goal is to make that piece presentable enough to satisfy their teacher. They have to learn to stop and work on problem areas or check out those odd sounding places. Don't hold back from correcting them when you feel your ear has detected something theirs has not! Just don't ever forget to praise them. So many students come to their lesson saying their parents never think they practice enough or that they are good enough and even that they are not praised for their lesson work at home.
That is sad. We work better and harder when we are praised and they will too.
When you approach the teacher with questions on additioanl ways to help your child, please make notes as he is explaining and suggesting. Some of these things may be a little foreign to you and you do have other things on your mind before the opportunity arises to use the teachers'suggestions.
Make sure your child takes a notebook to the lesson. The teacher isn't the only one who needs to use it. The student can make notes too and it makes them feel so 'adult' to take notes! Give your child a treat of some kind when they just sit down at the piano, either to practice when not instructed or reminded to, or if they just sit down to 'play around'.
Sometimes they learn as much from that as from their lesson material.
Make it interesting for your child and they will make it interesting for you! And you will be so proud at that first recital! Connie Steinmann has taught private and group piano lessons for 25 years and has written a book, "Do I Have to Practice?", a guide for parents and students between lessons. Go to the web site for more information.
Website: http://lessontips.com, where the e-book printed book, or book on CD may be purchased and where you can sign up for the free newsletter, "Music Notes".
These articles on lifestyle and more
Return to the selection of piano lesson
You may want to try these websites for additional information
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0452265347
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006SFKF?vglance
http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/piano/themes.html
The information provided in this article is the express opinion of the author. Exchangenet is not responsible for the content!
In the music education world, we refer to the 'magic triangle' of parent/child/teacher. So parents, when you feel 'out of your element' about the lesson material, ask your child. We learn more when we are called upon to teach.
If your child cannot help you, ask the teacher. He is there as much for you as for the student. Do not hesitate to ask when you may sit in on a lesson. Just think: that is the day you are getting twice your money's worth! You and your child will each be getting a lesson for the price of one. The teacher benefits as much because that lesson is being heard by two people instead of one.
Observe the layout of their lesson book. Read the foreword, the index and observe how new applications or techniques are presented in the book. Are they always contained inside a pink box, for example? Is there an icon at the top of that particular page? Then, glance at each of these new techniques, etc. You don't have to understand them, but having a concept of the application, for example, will help greatly in aiding in their understanding of it.
When something sounds very wrong, ask the student if they are sure about what they played in that particular spot.
Beginning students usually have not developed a listening ear. Their main goal is to make that piece presentable enough to satisfy their teacher. They have to learn to stop and work on problem areas or check out those odd sounding places. Don't hold back from correcting them when you feel your ear has detected something theirs has not! Just don't ever forget to praise them. So many students come to their lesson saying their parents never think they practice enough or that they are good enough and even that they are not praised for their lesson work at home.
That is sad. We work better and harder when we are praised and they will too.
When you approach the teacher with questions on additioanl ways to help your child, please make notes as he is explaining and suggesting. Some of these things may be a little foreign to you and you do have other things on your mind before the opportunity arises to use the teachers'suggestions.
Make sure your child takes a notebook to the lesson. The teacher isn't the only one who needs to use it. The student can make notes too and it makes them feel so 'adult' to take notes! Give your child a treat of some kind when they just sit down at the piano, either to practice when not instructed or reminded to, or if they just sit down to 'play around'.
Sometimes they learn as much from that as from their lesson material.
Make it interesting for your child and they will make it interesting for you! And you will be so proud at that first recital! Connie Steinmann has taught private and group piano lessons for 25 years and has written a book, "Do I Have to Practice?", a guide for parents and students between lessons. Go to the web site for more information.
Website: http://lessontips.com, where the e-book printed book, or book on CD may be purchased and where you can sign up for the free newsletter, "Music Notes".
These articles on lifestyle and more
You have permission to publish this article electronically
or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated. Copyright: CAS Enterprises (C) 2003. All rights
reserved. piano lesson
or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated. Copyright: CAS Enterprises (C) 2003. All rights
reserved. piano lesson
Return to the selection of piano lesson
You may want to try these websites for additional information
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0452265347
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006SFKF?vglance
http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/piano/themes.html
The information provided in this article is the express opinion of the author. Exchangenet is not responsible for the content!
