10 Easy Tips to Help You Teach Piano

Source:Internet    Posted by:Learntopianoonline.com   Date:2010-01-29   Click:

1. There are so many different ways to explain each aspect of music to the student. If they don't understand something just think of a different way of explaining it.

2. Get students to tap or clap any rhythms they find difficult.

3. For difficult bars subdivide the beat into crotchets (4/4: 1 2 3 4), quavers (4/4: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +) or semiquavers (4/4: 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a)

4. The books I use for absolute beginners are 'Tunes for Ten Fingers' and some of 'More Tunes For Ten Fingers' by Pauline Hall as well as 'Theory Made Easy for Little Children Level 1' and 'Theory Made Easy for Little Children Level 2' by Lina Ng (or 'Monkey Puzzles set 1' and 'Monkey Puzzles set 2' by Fanny Waterman). Then I use the Bastien Piano Basics series by James Bastien starting with 'Bastien Piano Basics Level 1' and 'Bastien Piano Basics Theory Level 1'. When you reach 'Bastien Piano Basics Level 3' you can start looking at the ABRSM Piano Grade 1 book.

5. Get the student to draw round their hands with a pencil on a sheet of A4 turned on its side (landscape). Draw the numbers for each finger (the thumb on each hand is finger 1). Get the student to draw more of these hand diagrams. Use each diagram for each hand position (Middle C position with both thumbs on middle C, lower C position with right hand thumb on middle C and left hand finger 5 [little finger] on the lower C, F position with right hand thumb on F just above middle C and left hand finger 5 on F just below middle C, G position with right hand thumb on G just above middle C and left hand finger 5 on G just below middle C). Draw and label the notes for each finger.

6. The notes in the spaces in the treble clef spell F-A-C-E from lowest to highest space. The spaces in the bass clef spell A-C-E-G from lowest to highest space (remember the phrase 'All Cows Eat Grass').

7. Music education games on the internet are great for rewarding younger children for playing or practicing well.

8. When you label notes choose a routine and stick to it to avoid confusion. I write the letter names underneath the notes and the fingering above the notes.

9. There are ways to remember the notes on the lines as well (although this can often be unnecessary since they can be worked out using the notes in the spaces). The notes on the lines in the treble clef spell E-G-B-D-F from lowest to highest line (remember the phrase 'Every Good Boy Deserves Food'). The notes on the lines in the bass clef spell G-B-D-F-A from lowest to highest line (remember the phrase 'Great Big Dogs Frighten Auntie')

10. It seems obvious but try not to say anything negative and talk in a friendly tone. It's not always easy.