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Meeting The Students Where They Are And Taking Them Where They Need To Go
How Difficult Is It To Learn To Play Piano?
To be honest, it is pretty darn difficult! It takes significant time and practice to get reasonably good at, don't expect wonders in the first few months - but it does get easier after that once the right structures are in place physically and mentally!
The piano is by far the most complicated and most demanding music instrument of all times! It has 88 heavy keys, which take real physical strength to press them... it is nothing like tapping the touch-screen symbols on the newer technology options of today!
You need all of your 10 fingers, both hands, your feet for the foot pedals, and the rest of your body to provide core body strength to keep everything working in synchronized action while playing, every time, all the time. You need your head to understand the language of music - that is reading notes and scores - as well as your heart to feel the emotions and the rest of your body to tell your story!
It is no surprise that beginning players often get overwhelmed or confused, and many quit altogether when it appears to get too hard or going nowhere, only to look back later in life, saying "I wish Mom / Dad did not let me quit, I'd love to be able to sit down and play a song today..." So the real challenge is to keep especially our younger players motivated and excited about their musical journey!
Because it is all worth it on so many different levels! Playing any instrument and especially the piano is a gift that keeps giving for the rest of your life! And you can give it to your child - or yourself - starting today!
Let me just say here that whilst I do focus with my structured and fun teaching programs on our young students, I also do absolutely love to teach those who are young-at-heart with completely individualized attention! If you do feel you didn't have the right opportunity, attitude or teacher when you were younger, and want to give this another go then please call me for a chat! I have successfully helped some students in their sixties and seventies who were re-discovering their talents and are loving their playing improvements at a later stage in life... many of them became good friends and are staying in touch even after they reached where they wanted to go with their musical goals. It is never too late!
Beginner Playing Skills - Learning Can Be Fun!
Famous Johann Sebastian Bach, when once asked about how difficult is it to play the 'Klavier' (the German word for piano), answered: " Not difficult at all, Sir! You just need to press the right keys at the right time!"
In my lessons, I tap into children's' natural ability to learn, curiosity and instinctive musicality. Students are invited to discover most of the musical concepts, use play and cooperation to drill technical skills, move around and use all of the studio's workstations and technology, to keep busy and stay motivated.
We learn ALL of the music or task DURING the lessons, so when they go home, children actually know and remember what and how to practice! We learn how to practice, too!
Because of that, my students are continuously empowered with the "I am good at this, I can do this" attitude, which starts the continuous improvement circle... you begin to see kids running through the door to their lessons, and parents having to drag them out of the studio, they just do not want to leave! You also begin to see how this learn-practice-learn circle starts the ever-expanding process of getting better and better in playing the piano, which provides motivation to continue going! These are REAL RESULTS!
Full Scope Music Training
Of course, there is more to play the piano than what "meets the eye". The following competencies are covered in lessons:
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Rhythm
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Ear Training
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Score Reading (Eye Training)
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Keyboard Orientation
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Technique
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Music Theory
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Repertoire (New and Active)
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Improvisation, Harmony, Transposition
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Importantly, we are trying to have fun with it.
On top of that, if you are a parent who knows nothing about the piano and learning process and want to expand your horizon, I am also coaching my student's parents on how to approach and support their offspring's musical education in their own home between lessons.
Performances And Examinations
For most children, to perform is to live.
In our studio, we perform regularly - for each other, for guests, parents, and friends. We have regular formal recitals and examinations. The participation in concerts and exams is completely voluntarily, but most young children are free of inhibitions and leap at every opportunity to showcase their knowledge and musical skills, and every opportunity taken builds their experience and self-confidence which is a valuable asset later in life.
As their teacher and facilitator, I make sure to create an abundance of such opportunities - all to add to the natural, self-perpetuating circle of " I am actually good at this" attitude.
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