Tips for a Beginning Teacher

[sleepapnea]

Hello,

I'm a soon to be college student who will be studying for a bachelor of music in *organ* performance. I've studied the piano for nine years and have no intent on quiting lessons (that is, until I reach by goal of playing Rach 2 and the Mazeppa + Chasse-Neige) on the piano although my love of early music has led me to pursue organ & harpsichord studies in the university setting instead of piano.

I'm no where near a professional pianist, and my main piano studies were in the private studio of a music major, not a conservatory or school setting. Just to get an idea of my level, I looked at the ARBSM and I would say that I'm beyond level 8 for piano, and just about done with level 8 for organ. (Piano-wise, I'm currently working on Un Sospiro and it looks like it will be finished in a month or two)

Anyhow, I am playing on advertising around the community as offering "Beginner/Early Advanced Piano Lessons" - given that 1) I have no prior teaching experience (other than tutoring my younger siblings) and 2) I'm not really a great pianist myself, do yall have any advice that you wish to impart on me? 

I really don't plan to charge a large amount ($20-$25 for 45 min. maybe? 30 min.?) and I'm planning on getting a little teaching experience with some people in my family first. Realistically, I have no plans on hindering people's musical development by insisting they stay with me once they reach a level that I can't really help them anymore (i.e.I think that I would teach up to the level of an easy Beethoven or Mozart sonata then refer them to other people)



So, any tips or teaching materials yall recommend? I've ordered Bastien's book on teaching piano and will be using that as my guide. I'm thinking about using the Bastien or Alfred Books, a lot of Czerny, a lot of Hanon, and then using Denes Agay's anthologies to introduce the more advanced students to different musical eras, etc.

Since I might have a chance to teach my very young nephews, I'm curious to see how the Suzuki method works vs. teaching them to sight-read first. I wasn't trained in the Suzuki method, but I can always read up on it and try it. They are unde 5 I think, and I want to see if I can get them hooked on music.

[elza]

Hi Sleepapnea,
I thought I should reply to your post, since you are asking for advice.

Firstly you don’t need to be a “great” pianist, whatever that means, to be a good teacher. If you are beyond ABRSM grade 8 level in piano that is pretty good anyway.

I would like to suggest that the most important thing about teaching the piano is to make sure that your student always enjoys the lesson. If you are able to teach the  basics of piano playing (pulse and rhythm, note reading and musical phrasing, and technique) then it is the practice of teaching itself that will make you become a good teacher.

If you focus on being a good teacher then you will become one. Do not worry about that. Actually I have already seen some of my students who are around grade 8 level start to teach piano to young children very successfully.

If you make the learning experience enjoyable then you will succeed.

I am a specialist in teaching the piano to very young children (ages 3 to 7) and have developed techniques for that. They could be suitable for you to try with your very young nephews and young beginners. You might wish to look at them. You can find information at www.dogsandbirds.co.uk.

[cjp_piano]

I suggest you find an experienced teacher in your area who can be your mentor. You can observe them and maybe help with some of their students.