how to teach kids??

[fenz]

I would ask about the method of teaching kids and the syllabus... What books do you use, etc? Thanks in advance

[nanabush]

Starting from scratch?

I've used 4-5 different method books (mostly due to taking on students from other teachers who use different stuff), so I'm pretty used to the pace of each by now.


Anyways, I usually do a couple lessons and use staff paper/blank sheets and make a really visual intro to some of the music stuff (pretty much every young student I've started with preferred visuals than repeating things I said or reading too much text).

Some method books I'm familiar with:

-Piano Adventures (Faber and Faber)
-Michael Aaron
-ABC (for some reason I can't stand this system!)
-Bastien
-Alfred

The Bastien and the Michael Aaron Primer book are probably the easiest for young beginners because there are loads of EASY pieces without progressing too quickly.  Students who've done 2-3 Alfred books tend to be really good sight readers (just based on my personal experience), and the Piano Adventures is pretty good generally, except the theory lessons usually don't make sense to the students...

[avguste]

personally I like the Piano Adventures by Faber.
However, I may try the new Alfred books

[lostinidlewonder]

When I was a kid I wanted to just play pieces on the piano. Many kids are like this, most do not want to learn how to read simply boring sounding music. I find when I teach early young beginners they appreciate a lot more playing pieces with 2 hands rather than learning something that they are able to sight read and stumble through.

After they learn 10 or so pieces (that they have chosen, you may have to play through a selection of pieces that you determine is within their ability I have actually printed off some from this website for beginners https://www.easysheetmusic.com/  one that is really good is La Cumparista from "Songs around the World" page)  by memory then you can get into learning books and reading notes etc. But they should be able to play the piano asap, skip reading notes etc, spoon feed them to memorize their music, get their hands coordinating together at the keyboard. This is most important. Teach them basic hanon, scales and chords, shape at the keyboard, how this shape is written in the sheet music.

[mike saville]

I would add that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' method for teaching children.

Some like to read music, some like to play by ear, some like the challenge of being set strict tasks, other like to explore.

You need to build a range of materials to cope with all different types of students. I get VERY frustrated by teachers who use the same approach for all students 

Anyway, for complete beginners I tend to use things that I've made up myself and move to books after a few weeks/months.

[go12_3]

Every child is different on how he/she approaches in playing the piano.
I depends upon how eager and ready he is to play piano and learn something.
 I use no books and teach only 15 minute lessons.  The first piece he
learns is "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"  with the right hand only.  That's when I
know if the child has the ability to listen and play this piece.  After he
learns the piece, then I introduce him to play an octave higher or lower or
on another note.  Then he learns to play Twinkle with the LH, then HT.
I introduce different rhythms.  This can go on for a few weeks.  I don't worry about
technique, the child's hands will natually conform in playing the keyboard.  After awhile, I have them use a book to learn the notes. 

[fenz]

thanks all for your help 

[pianisten1989]

I'm no teacher, but I've had some Russian teachers, and they told me how they do..

Use Both hands. Don't make them play chords in the left, and melody in the right. Play a waltz, for example, and do the base-note both in the right hand and in the left. Coordination is one of the major things in piano..

Make up names on each major interval. Like a 2nd is an ant, a 5th is a deer, and a 8th is a giraffe. In that way, they'll associate and, if not perfect, at least a very good pitch.

Make them play all kinds of music. If they've played all from baroque to contemporary in a young age, they wont have any problem with the different "languages" in the future

Oft no tension in arms and so on, but you know that...

[tdow]

This is a pretty broad question - but there are a few key things to remember if you plan to specifically teach children.

1)  Choose a massively appealing method book series and stick with the same series for your whole studio.  Stay with this series as your students progress.  Consider visual appeal and appropriate pacing as the two most important things when choosing a book series.  We use the Piano Adventures Series by Faber and Faber as their books are fun, their teaching strategies are solid and the levels progress in a way that suits the average student.

2)  Structure your lessons in a way that avoids having the child sit at the bench for the entire lesson time.  Children have an attention span that equals their age plus 3 minutes.  They need changes of focus in order to keep their brains turned on.

3)  Connect with your students on a personal level as well - they need to feel comfortable with you as their teacher in order to fully embrace piano lessons.  Take an honest interest in their lives.  Remember things they've told you and ask them about it the following week.  Be positive, encouraging and always genuinely kind.  You have great amounts of influence in your position. 

Best of luck to you - it really is the best job in the world.
------------------------------------------------
The Art and Business of Piano Education
www.teachpianotoday.com

[fenz]

thanks all.

Pianisten, what do you mean play the base-note both in the right hand and in the left? Is the melody doesn't be played? Sorry if my english is bad.

Use Both hands. Don't make them play chords in the left, and melody in the right. Play a waltz, for example, and do the base-note both in the right hand and in the left. Coordination is one of the major things in piano..

[pianisten1989]

thanks all.

Pianisten, what do you mean play the base-note both in the right hand and in the left? Is the melody doesn't be played? Sorry if my english is bad.

Sorry. I tend to express myself quite badly sometimes I mean.. Lets say you play a waltz in c. the chords might go something like C - F - G - C.
Most teachers teach the following:
Left hand plays c - f - g - , as single notes, while the right hand plays the actual chord. Or the left hand plays the chords, while right hand plays the melody.

None plays the melody in the left hand, and the accompagnement (what's the english word?! >.<) in the right.

Do you understand?

[fenz]

Sorry. I tend to express myself quite badly sometimes I mean.. Lets say you play a waltz in c. the chords might go something like C - F - G - C.
Most teachers teach the following:
Left hand plays c - f - g - , as single notes, while the right hand plays the actual chord. Or the left hand plays the chords, while right hand plays the melody.

None plays the melody in the left hand, and the accompagnement (what's the english word?! >.<) in the right.

Do you understand?

Oh I see... Is it mean that we should try to play the melody in left hand while the accompaniment play in the right? Thanks for your advice 

[biscuitroxy12]

I'm teaching a song to my 15 yr old brother with Autism. Severe autism. He doesn't read music, so this might help you. He only learns by listening to it. I play the whole thing through for him so that it registers to him that it's a good song and he should really pay attention. He learns the right hand and then the left hand. Then I have him play the left hand while I play the right. Then he plays the right and I'd play the left. Then he'd play both hands and I'd do both an octave higher. When they learn the second measure, you go and connect the measures. This is not the way my teacher teaches me but I have a different learning style then he does.

[fenz]

I'm teaching a song to my 15 yr old brother with Autism. Severe autism. He doesn't read music, so this might help you. He only learns by listening to it. I play the whole thing through for him so that it registers to him that it's a good song and he should really pay attention. He learns the right hand and then the left hand. Then I have him play the left hand while I play the right. Then he plays the right and I'd play the left. Then he'd play both hands and I'd do both an octave higher. When they learn the second measure, you go and connect the measures. This is not the way my teacher teaches me but I have a different learning style then he does.

Thanks for sharing your experience 

[biscuitroxy12]

Thanks for sharing your experience 

THanks for appreciating my writing about it Very few people understand how much work I put into him to make sure he has everything he needs. He means the world to me

[fenz]

THanks for appreciating my writing about it Very few people understand how much work I put into him to make sure he has everything he needs. He means the world to me

You're welcome 

[nanabush]

I've found that if you can get them to do a bit of theory before they find piano boring, they'll enjoy theory.  The kids whose parents have dragged them to piano for two years have no interest in doing 'written piano work'... but if I get to them early enough and do little games, flashcards, fill in the blanks, etc, when they're still fresh at the piano, it becomes a habit like scales.

I've got a four year old with an awesome eye for intervals within the octave (that's a huge bonus when little kid music starts jumping around at seemingly random intervals).

Theory is EXTREMELY important, and there's no point giving a little kid pages and pages to do at home.  It's also hard not to eat up a 30 minute lesson with what you'd think is a bit of theory.  Also, I find the theory lessons in method books VERY crappy; most of the kids I teach can't relate to the lessons, or would rather I start from scratch and build on the concept on a scrap piece of paper.

Say for example you come across a 'song' in a method book that starts using legato - take 2 minutes an explain what legato is; show them the EXTREME opposite (it's really easy to make them laugh by bouncing your hand around with crazy staccatos), and allow them to listen to the difference.  For the next few pieces in the book, make them identify the legato parts, etc.

Usually every second or third 'song' will have a new concept like this... it's MUCH easier getting them to notice details when they are starting, then overwhelming them with a billion things when they suddenly decide to 'perfect' an exam piece.

Oh ya... remind parents to look in the books.  About 1 out of 5 parents actively read the book and write little things; the others I'll have to corner and pretty much talk to them like a little kid "read the damn book! your four year old isn't comfortable enough reading my notes from the lesson, and they need your help!"... so many parents come back the next week - "our kid was confused"... I say "did you check the book?  I gave lots of examples, and explained step by step what to do"... "no".... "well maybe you should check the book this week, because I'm very clear with what I write"... etc.

My posts turn into ramblings, because I'm pretty much typing what I'm saying aloud to myself, and it's nearly like a conversation with myself 

...treat the kids' parents like they are brain dead - chances are they won't check on their kids, won't read the book, and will simply say "go practice your music".  Make sure that they are involved; that little bit of encouragement from parents takes kids a long way.  Plus, you can't expect a four, five or six year old to check their music agenda every night, and manage their time to finish everything.  The kids whose parents actually read the notebook usually come with something done the next week.  The other kids stay stagnant in the same spot for several months, then get bored and want to quit.

[fenz]

Thanks nanabush
I agree with you about teaching theory while practice.