I have a talented little student of 6 years of age. I have not had a student like her before at such a young age. I have had older students who have been fast learners, but they have had larger hands and the ability to choose pieces for themselves, even if I have lent them books and made suggestions. She is only little, I don't want to wear her out, and her hands only reach a 7th at a stretch. I am looking for advice and suggestions of repertoire.
Her reading is good, but she still misses accidentals and is still getting used to common black and white key patterns (although she can play all the major and harmonic minor scales). I need to develop this with her, and am not sure if I need a systematic approach or if it will come with experience. Any opinions?
She is a child and needs to play pieces interesting for children. She enjoys playing Classical pieces, but plays most beautifully sections that are a little more dolce. The rest is technically and rhythmically correct, but the passion comes out in the other stuff. She hasn't played anything longer than 5 pages, and usually plays 2 pages. I am hesitant to give her long pieces, or pieces that are in a sense too mature, but she hasn't been phased by what I have given her so far. I guess I am worried about giving too much work to her. I am not sure when to pass this point. Do you think it appropriate to give a child Haydn Sonatas and things like that?
Anyway, I am looking for suggestions of pieces that would be fun or sound good to a 6 year old. Her hand span is small. Every week she learns three pieces at level 4 to 5 (as rated in PianoStreet) with correct tempo, dynamics, technique and good interpretation. A few have taken two weeks at level 5. Thus far I have played through pieces and chosen them for her according to the techniques she would be learning, the chord demands and the likely interest. Now she is basically ready for more advanced pieces, I am feeling a little out of my depth. I know there are a lot of pieces I am unfamiliar with and I can't play through them all to find the best - not at her rate of learning. Can anyone make suggestions, please?
What are some of the pieces young, talented kids typically play? The pieces need to be level 5 upwards.
She has already played most pieces from Schumann's and from Tchaikowsky's Album for the Young,
some Bach Inventions,
several Clementi Sonatinas,
half of Grieg's Lyric pieces
and random pieces from others.
So, she has done the usual selections from the children's albums and Sonatinas and things. Still, I can double check any suggestions from these - but other suggestions would be most helpful. Her recent favourite was Song of the Lark by Tchaikowsky.
Thanks for your help.
Annah