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Topic: About methods  (Read 2910 times)

Offline tatiana

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About methods
on: September 15, 2003, 12:08:28 AM
Hi everybody,
Would be nice to hear different opinions about methods, etc.!
I personally have about 10 students (along with my 2 other jobs:))). To make it fun, tried to use different methods for kids students.
In my opinion, those method books are filled with all these "positions" where you are trapped within 5 finger-position only. Many children had some piano experience before, and when I start showing them that it's possible to move further (or switch finger on the same note, or just not to follow standard fingering) they get lost... I don't think that 5-finger position is a good thing, just because you have to be able to travel along the whole piano!
I am Russian, and I don't remember anybody teaching me using these "positions".

Another thing with this methods: I used Bastian's prep course for several students. They usually get bored when we start second book. I think it happens (again) because of 5-finger position, the pieces are uninteresting, it's just like going up and down, C to G, G to C.
That's why now I am in search of a real interesting book. Planning to use "John' Thompson's Piano Course" for my new adult student, it seems like an interesting book.
Let's see: Alfred's Adult piano course has mostly songs, not pieces, it also uses one-hand melody and simple chord accompaniment. I never played anything like that when I studied piano in the musical school! It's much more interesting and challenging to play a real classical piece!
Please, share your suggestions with me about piano methods. Anybody used J. Thompson's for students? Does it work well? Do they have kids series? Thanks!

Offline amp

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Re: About methods
Reply #1 on: September 16, 2003, 04:05:44 AM
Yes, I have used John Thompson's. I think it is a great method, but needs to be used with care. For the most part it moves too fast for the average learner, however there are lots of supplementary material, including technique books that could be used (edited by him or others). Another problem is that in the begining this method puts a finger number by every note. This is bad, because the students rely on it. However, it is good so the student thinks of the piece in terms of finger numbers which is excellent for learning the "notes" and memorizing. My solution is to have the kids when they first start a piece, to say the letter names aloud. They see the note, say the letter name, and see the finger number. Three in one.

Another great series is Faber and Faber. Which I think I will switch new students to, because it moves slower. They have 4 books per level (although I only focus on the lesson book and technique) all of which can be used for reinforcement.

Like Thompson, F & F teachs the letter names gradually. Where as Alfred's and Bastiens do it in one lesson span, forcing the kids to rely on interval reading. Although, that is a great way to read it is important to learn the note names first.

F & F also have a comprehensive website and newsletter with all types of great things on it. www.pianoteaching.com

Now, the advantage to John Thompson's is that it more "bare-bones" you have to work with it as a skeleton, it doesn't work for you. Which leads to tons of oppurtunities for picking extra reportoire and technic catering to the particular students needs.
amp

Offline randilea

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Re: About methods
Reply #2 on: September 25, 2003, 07:59:27 AM
I couldn't agree with you more!!!  The positions approach is dooming students to limited playing ability.  what it does offer is immediate gratification.  Parents like to hear music right away and with this limited focus your students will produce short melodies right away but the breadth of their harmonization will be stunted.  Take the harder route first and your students will be better off in the long run.  It's funny to see this posted because I was just lamenting the same issue.  David Glover is the series I learned from and like you I never learned positions.  Oddly enough I did not learn finger numbers until much later either.  That is another trap.  John Thompson relies to heavily on finger numbers.  

Anxiously awaiting more input on this subject!  Thanks for bringing it up-
He...guided them by the skilfulness of His hands.  Psalms 78:72

Offline rach17

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Re: About methods
Reply #3 on: October 02, 2003, 04:15:30 AM
The Faber is eccellent!  I've taught it and seen my brother and sister go through it.  It's definitely the best I have seen.

Offline tatiana

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Faber!
Reply #4 on: October 02, 2003, 06:32:56 AM
Thanks very much for your suggestions! I have a new student tomorrow, I think I will use Faber for her (you talked me into it!). I only hope there will be enough supply in the local music store (have to check on it tomorrow). My new student is a girl 9 or 10 years old, are there any special books in Faber series for her age? I just never tought this method before... Any suggestions would be appreciated! Tania
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