Brand New to Piano?

Here are Five Ways to Get the Most out of PIANO LESSONS
.  Following these guidelines will help your child have a more rewarding experience.

1. DETERMINE READINESS.  Just as in language development, children need to sing and move to music before they learn to read and write music.  Children who complete a strong aural music and movement readiness program and are able to sing in tune and keep a steady beat will be more successful when they attempt to meet the challenges of playing an instrument.  Sometimes children as young and 4 or 5 years are ready to begin formal instruction if given an opportunity to study piano using a developmentally appropriate approach that emphasizes sound before sight.

2. CONSIDER SHARED LESSON TIME.  Many children benefit from a peer group setting.  Sharing some lesson time with other students makes piano lessons more fun, allows for extended instruction time, and provides an opportunity for students to learn from one another.

3. TAKE LESSONS IN A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ENVIRONMENT.  Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that is focused on music education.  In a professional environment, television, telephones, siblings, or pets will not distract students.

4. MAKE PRACTICE TIME EASIER AND MORE EFFECTIVE.  

Parental Guidance - Guidance by an adults helps young children to practice more efficiently.  Look at your child's practice checklist and ask questions about lesson assignments.  If necessary, help your child read instructions.

Incentives - Students respond well to incentives.  Find ways to externally reward your child for practice at home until he or she is mature enough to be internally motivated.  At lessons, students are rewarded with stars or stickers on their work.  Charts to record daily practice work for some families.  Some parents simply ask that their child practice before they are allowed to do another more appealing activity.

Time – Help your child find the best time during their day to complete piano homework.  Do your best to set a regular time for practice so that it becomes a habit.

Repetition – Instead of setting a practice time frame, try using repetition.  Practicing for 20 or 30 minutes seems like an eternity to a young child. Instead ask your child to play a piece 3 times, or to play scales, chords and arpeggios for two different keyalities each day.   This approach can be extended to include trying to play a piece 3 times without a mistake, or 3 times in a row without a mistake. 

Isolate trouble spots - Working on shorter, trouble spots first saves practice time.

5. UNDERSTAND THE PIANO CURRICULUM.  Be sure your child is being taught using an approach that understands how children best learn music.  Attend a parent orientation workshop.  Ask the teacher to explain how the method will help your child develop true music literacy, which is the ability to read notation with understanding.  In addition, find out how the method will develop your child’s musicianship and encourage lifelong musical enjoyment and participation long after the lessons stop.