investigation about piano pedagogy

[jiaen]

Hi piano teachers!!!

I got my university project about piano pedagogy, hope all the teachers can participate in my investigation

Ques 1 : What are some common errors that a teacher makes in the selection of pieces for a student?

Ques 2 : What factors will you take into consideration in selecting a new piece for your student?

Please give as much feedbacks as possible, I will be very grateful for your answers!! Thank you very much!!

[hmpiano]

When choosing grade pieces I tend to choose ones that are musically rewarding rather than easiest for the students' skill set.  I'm not sure if that's an error or not.

[lostinidlewonder]

Wow are we doing your homework for you?
Ultra briefly;

1: Pieces that are too easy, hard or boring.
2: What music they want to learn in the future, their current technical/musical needs.

There are two sides to each point eg you sometimes SHOULD give a student a piece that is too easy f they are struggling, it is often good to give them something easy so that they notice they can "do it".

I find the biggest problem is not selecting the right piece but ensuring the student has the correct mindset for learning and the desire to learn. If that is not in tip top shape everything else collapses.

[ruvidoetostinato]

(1) From what I think is the most problematic to least problematic.
a- Choosing a piece that is too hard for the student. 
It's hard for a lot of teachers, especially newer ones to properly gauge the difficulty of a piece, due to these pieces being extremely easy at their level.  This instant problem for lessons as the student will now become frustrated due to the difficulty of the piece.  Some might start to feel boredom due to the little amount of progress in learning the assigned piece of music.

b- Choosing a piece that is boring for the student.
Everyone has their own musical tastes.  Of course it's good to encourage students to learn a broad range of works.  However, consistently disregarding the student's interests can make them begin to dislike learning the instrument. 

c- Choosing a piece that is too easy for the student.
I feel this is the least detrimental to lessons as the students will at least have the facility to learn the piece.  And thus a teacher will have a better understanding of the student's strength and assign a more appropriate piece. 

(2) in list form in no particular order.
It's indeed very important for students to grow technically and musically, and to broaden their taste in music, but at the same time it is also our(I think it is)job to ensure that the student enjoys learning the instrument as this is what will encourage them to continue learning the instrument.  Thus I think its important to assign them something they WANT to play along with those that they might not be as completely fond with. 

1. musical taste
2. the overarching goal of the student and how the pieces I choose help bring them closer to that goal
3. technical ability and needs
4. musical ability and needs
5. their hand span
6. the season
7. their personality and whether or not a certain piece of music will be compatible with that personality
8. age

[keyofc]

The most boring one is the worst!
I believe teachers might do this so more expressive students can become more mechanical in mending their problem areas - but I think its a bad idea.