first lesson

[flontarna]

hello,
Next week, I have to give my firs lessons piano.
The problem is that most of the student already had lessons for 4-5 years.
So, Idon't know what they can/can't play.
But it would be nice if I could give them something to do, so that they can get started
Anyone ideas?
thanks

[m1469]

Hi flontarna.  Since you are asking here and not asking another teacher in your life, I am assuming that you are starting your own private studio and not studying in some pedagogy course where you would have a mentor.

With that being said, I am also assuming you have not had a consultation with these students, since you don't know what they can and can't do.  On that note, I would recommend that you treat this lesson as a consultation, and in the furture arrange for a free consultation for each student, prior to them signing on as your student. 

Since I always have a (free) consultation with each of my prospective students before they sign on with me, I will tell you what I do in these "lessons."  The sole aim of these first meetings are meant for me to discover exactly where the individual is at in his/her general learning and receptivity and in their piano/music ability and knowledge, as well as what I feel I can further help them with.  I will meet parents (if the prospective students are children), go over studio policies, and basically work to get the prospective student addicted to who I am and what my studio has to offer them (if I can tell I would like to work with them) .

So, depending on the student and their circumstances, exactly what I do with them may vary, but the generalities probably will not.  In almost all cases, if they can already play, I will have them play something for me.  I will work with them a bit in some capacity and let them know this is just a chance for them to get to know how I work.  I will work to discern what their interest level really is in music and in piano playing.  And, during this time I will aim to pinpoint something within my own repertoire of behaviors that I sense will be a new experience for them, and I will behave then in this way.  That is a little tough to explain.

Overall, though, I aim to : 

• make them feel at home and discover how interested they really are in this endeavor
• have them play for me
• teach them something (I audition for them this way)
• give them a (potentially inspiring) new experience of some kind

 

If these lessons that you are having with these students are actual first lessons, you will definitely want them to bring something to play for you during that lesson.  You may ask them if there is something they already are *burning* to play, and perhaps they will start work on that on their own during the week.  If that's not the case, most likely they will already have some form of book(s) at home from which you can have them choose a piece of repertoire for the week.  With every new student, I give them a cd to choose their repertoire from.  If you can do this at all, you will have to wait until you know what repertoire is within their grasp, so you are most likely going to need to wait to give them a cd until their second lesson with you, and then start them on whatever they choose in their third.

If you have anymore information about your circumstances or theirs, that would also be helpful in terms of answers you can get here.


Cheers,
m1469

[hyrst]

If you have no way of finding out before the lesson if they are currently working on something, or what they are actually able to do, have on hand a range of cores at different levels (maybe printed from public domain so you don't risk losing your books).  Look for favourites or often played pieces.  If you have a good range of levels and styles, you will have something to start them on if they aren't already working on something. 

You will probably need to spend at least half of the first lesson talking to them, anyway.  Get to know them and let them know how youwork and what you are like as a teacher.  You need to do what m1469 said, but you are apparently past the point of either party turning down the relationship - you still need to get to know one another.  Probably, you won't get a chance to really start teaching on the first lesson.

If they bring in their previous repertoire, you will get to hear where they are at.  Be prepared, be ready to respond to what ever the situation brings to you - be creative, be friendly but establish yourself in what ever way you wnat to be treated as a teacher - know who you are first.

Good luck.