questions from an inexperienced teacher...

[vsf111]

hi, i'm a college student who studied the piano for roughly eleven years (i stopped recenly because of college). my neighbors wnat me to teach their seven-year old son (who has never played the piano before), and i told them that i would love to.

i've never taught anyone before, and the fact that this little boy has had no background or experience whatsoever in playing the piano 'scares' me even more, because i'll have to teach him basic theory, and i don't really know how to do that. i myself only vaguely remember being taught about notes and time signatures...

so i have a few questions:

1. how do i go about teaching him basic theory? do i give him 'homework', like theory workbooks wherein he can draw notes, rests, etc? or would it be better to teach him theory hands-on (i.e. instead of letting him draw note intervals i let him study them and play them on the piano)? my own teacher almost never gave me workbook material, and when she did i don't think i ever significantly found it helpful (of course, i was a child back then, so i wouldn't really remember)...

2. do i regularly teach him and make him play major and minor scales? out of the three piano teachers that i had, only one of them made me learn the scales. i'm not so sure how important this is. and if it is important, would it be too early to this little boy?

3. and for those who have had experience, how easy (or difficult) is it to teach a beginner? and how do you make the piano fun and interesting?

any other input, suggestions, or advice would be greatly appreciated... thanks!

[MzrtMusic]

I think that the best thing for you to do is get a set of books that lay everything out for you. It takes a LOT of the "scaryness" out of teaching. There are about a bazillion methods that you can choose from. Alfred Prep, Bastien, Hal Leonerd, Faber and Faber, Beanstalks Basics... You get the point. My teacher used the Alfred Prep course with me, and if you are worried about theory, then that's probably the course you need to go with. You have your lesson book, and solo book, plus supplemental things. You can get Technic, Sacred Solo, Theory, Notespeller, Activity, Ear and Training, plus sheet music.

Love,

Sarah

[julibug]

I start my younger students in the Bastian Piano Basics course.  There are four books to each level (theory, technic, performance and piano).  I usually keep the piano book to use during lessons, and have them purchase the other three.  I work out of all four books with them, and it covers your basics.  If you just follow the books, and explain it to them as you go, it won't be nearly as scary as you think.  I've only been teaching about 2 1/2 years, and I wasn't really sure where to start either.  With older students, I use the Alfred series.  Then I always try to find other books to supplement the basics.  The Faber and Faber series being one of my favorites.  I wish you luck in your endeavor.  Keep us updated!

[brotherben]

Dear vsf111,
I have to say first that I felt the same way when I started teaching.  In fact, sometimes, I STILL feel that way.  The thing to do is buy a piano series and just follow along with the book.  I have added my 2 cents with what information I have.  I find that the more you do it, the better you become.  

Question 1 - For bacis theory, just use the theory book in the piano series your using.  I find that the Alfred series has a good theory, even though it could be better.  Yes, give him music homework.  However, it's a great idea to do hands on theory.  I normally assign a theory sheet a week and do at least 1 sheet together.

Question 2 - I'm a bad role model about scales.  I have made my adult students warm up with scales; however, my younger students really don't do that.  I think it's a great warm up, but I don't spend lots of time on it.  I feel at this point that this boy is too young for scales.  Start him off easy, and ease him into scales.

Question 3 - From my experience, I find younger children a little harder to teach because they get distracted.  If you make the piano fun and easy, it makes them want to come back.  The younger students I have love me because I am more of a child than they are.  I give them prizes for filling up their chart.  After their chart is full, they receive a prize.  It's a great tool for them.

One thing that I suggest is that YOU have fun.  Don't let this scare you.  If your scared, the student will be scared.  Have fun.  Don't worry about making sure you get every note, scale, rest, etc. correct.

Take care,
Ben