possibly going to start teaching piano!

[Tash]

i've just discovered a job position to teach piano to young students at primary schools and am considering attempting to do it! however the only kid i've ever taught was my sister in which i taught her some grade 2 piece which she amazingly can still play from memory (this was like 5-6 years ago!), so i'm a bit worried that i'm going to teach the poor children bad technique or something. so i was just wondering if you fantastic teachers here could give me some advice about starting this? thanks heaps!

[BoliverAllmon]

i've just discovered a job position to teach piano to young students at primary schools and am considering attempting to do it! however the only kid i've ever taught was my sister in which i taught her some grade 2 piece which she amazingly can still play from memory (this was like 5-6 years ago!), so i'm a bit worried that i'm going to teach the poor children bad technique or something. so i was just wondering if you fantastic teachers here could give me some advice about starting this? thanks heaps!

read everything you can from reputable sources. I am sure bernhard can lead you in the right direction. I know that he has read tons of books.

congratulations on the position.

[bernhard]

Here is some Sunday reading for you, Tash.

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,587.msg14335.html#msg14335
(How to teach a 5-year old to read music – Candida Tobin)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1884.msg14708.html#msg14708
(Motivating children – joining the child’s model and using other children’s accomplishments to motivate)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2047.msg16848.html#msg16848
(what to do with children crying)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2077.msg17179.html#msg17179
(How to become a teacher)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2115.msg17860.html#msg17860
(advantages of a teacher – comparison with typing)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2125.msg17864.html#msg17864
(Age limitations – comments on Barenboins’s there are only bad teachers)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2192.msg18542.html#msg18542
(methods for very young students – Candida website)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2246.msg19041.html#msg19041
(Young teachers – why young/bad teachers are not a problem – When the student is ready the right teacher will appear)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2260.msg19270.html#msg19270
(Dear Bernhard thread – Pieces leading up to the revolutionary)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2032.msg19339.html#msg19339
(How to become a piano teacher – good advice from minsmusic – the pitfall s as well as the requirements)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2273.msg19432.html#msg19432
(what to do when a student has not practised)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2375.msg20516.html#msg20516
(Repertory for advanced students – Beethoven sonatas, WTC and Chopin etudes – the many levels of superior music and some thoughts on performance).

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2450.msg21250.html#msg21250
(the four levels of teaching: Toddler, beginner, intermediate and advanced)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2500.msg21577.html#msg21577
(Teaching adults)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2192.msg21823.html#msg21823
(How to teach very young students – the historical method, the pragmatical  x logical method and total exposure as the best way for under-5s)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2600.msg22423.html#msg22423
(Encouragement – the impossibility of reaching goals and therefore the importance of setting goals high. Teaching by criticism: Slydini example)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2749.msg23873.html#msg23873
(self-teaching – the pitfalls. Analogy of frying an egg - principles of fingering)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2863.msg25138.html#msg25138
(Value of doing ABRSM exams)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2907.msg25589.html#msg25589
(how to teach chords to young children)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2906.msg25591.html#msg25591
(How to organise a lesson syllabus – analogy with cooking)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2970.msg25991.html#msg25991
(Areas of study for a complete music syllabus – books for each area)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2979.msg26080.html#msg26080
(Methods)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2994.msg26162.html#msg26162
(Teaching little brats – Bernhard’s recorder rules)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2972.msg26178.html#msg26178
(advantages and disadvantages of teaching by rote – good for the teacher)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3014.msg26427.html#msg26427
(How to deal with bad students – using the student for experiments)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3066.msg26951.html#msg26951
(Teaching or playing - learning with the student)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3208.msg30129.html#msg30129
(strict x lax teachers – fake anger, but never feel it)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3442.msg30359.html#msg30359
(How to choose your next piece – impossible/easy pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3466.msg30666.html#msg30666
(what is a real teacher and the definition of a good communicator)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3524.msg32403.html#msg32403
(adults learn faster than children)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3783.msg34200.html#msg34200
(how to teach super motivated students)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,143.msg35967.html#msg35967
(differences in learning/teaching children and adults)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3891.msg35968.html#msg35968
(Types of students. Good and bad attitudes displayed by students)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4020.msg36635.html#msg36635
(What to teach a 4-year old in his first lesson)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4205.msg38841.html#msg38841
(grades and exams)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4269.msg39706.html#msg39706
(Helping a student get rid of bad habits)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4336.msg40366.html#msg40366
(handling transfer students – the 3 most important areas in piano teaching)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4321.msg40373.html#msg40373
(why do you teach? – teaching methods –pragmatical theory of memory)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4405.msg40979.html#msg40979
(method books)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4417.msg41108.html#msg41108
(scolding students – students from hell, their attitudes and appropriate responses – start from the idea that student is put on your path for your benefit, not his – joining the model of the student – using their energy rather than yours – analogy to martial arts – use students from hell to learn this art – logic x psychology x philosophy – example of learning piece backwards- steve wonder is god silogism – analogy with reading)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4269.msg41284.html#msg41284
(teaching a child with bad habits – make sure that the deal is good – aim is not for the student to get better, but for the teacher to get better – use pieces the student love – outlining x simplification – how small hands can cope with octaves – fingering)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4002.msg46084.html#msg46084
(m1469 describes the philosophy of a Russian teacher – the pragmatic method and doing wrist locks on students)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5311.msg50997.html#msg50997
(crash courses)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5569.msg53917.html#msg53917
(when are you ready to be without a teacher – roles of the teacher)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Tash]

bernhard you're a champ i'll get reading through them when i can thanks!

[will]

Is it teaching groups or one on one tuition? Is the curriculum laid out for you?

From your description it sounds more like an introduction to music than serious music lessons - the kids probably won't even practice so I doubt they'll be getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome even if you intentionally tried to teach them an appaling technique!

It doesn't matter that you have only taught one other person - give it a chance, you'll do a decent job. It could also be an eye opener and give you a better indication of your desired future career path. 

[Tash]

well i'm not too sure, there could be group classes, i'm waiting for a response from the people. the ad said they'd fully train you though, so it's not like i need to really know much yet, i just want to! yeah this'll be good, see if i like teaching or not, keeping my options open in all areas