How to help your student practice
I often get asked by parents what the best way is for them to help their students practice, especially if they don't play music themselves. I think this issue is really two different ones: how to assist in a practice session vs how to motivate a child to practice, so I've separated my thoughts accordingly! I hope that this is helpful. Please reach out if you have any questions.
How to assist your child's practice session:
1. For kids 5 and under, sit with them for every practice. For 7-12, sit with them for 1 practice per week. After age 13, the student should be able to monitor their own practice.
2. Ask them questions versus telling them what you think they are doing wrong, and always follow it up with a compliment. If you think something is off or you just want to make sure they are playing correctly, try asking the following questions:
*Are your hands in the correct position? When are they supposed to move, and where should they end up?
*That part sounds really hard. Do you think you should practice it on its own a few times before you play the whole song again?
*Are you counting? Can you explain to me how to count this section?
*What did Ms. Jasmine ask you to work on this week? Have you been reading what she wrote in your folder/ notebook/ music book?
*Are you looking at your music and paying attention to make sure you are playing the correct notes?
*What note is that? Can you explain to me how to figure it out?
*What does this marking (point to a musical symbol) mean?
3. Remember, short daily practice is much more effective than a couple of long practice sessions. Instead of aiming for a certain time limit, give them a goal to reach, like playing each song 3 times and really nailing that hard section that Ms. Jasmine wrote about in your notebook!
How to motivate your child to practice:
1. Schedule practice into the student's daily routine. For example, practice every day right after breakfast/ school/ dinner/ etc.
2. Make it a requirement, not an option, like homework. You can say something like "It's a part of your education/ job" or "It's part of how you earn your allowance."
3. Reward diligence and hard work! If they have practiced regularly in a given week, take them out for ice cream. Or if they've worked hard for a whole month, think about something a little higher up the reward chain, like a video game, a trip to the movies or theme park, an evening where the family does whatever the student wants to do, etc. Invite whoever they want to the recitals and have them over for lunch after to celebrate their hard work!
4. Choose your battles. Piano is what many people call a low-reward activity, because it takes many hours of focused practice to really start to reap the benefits of becoming a musician. It could definitely be that you just need to push them and give them tough love for a few more years and then they'll be good enough to motivate themselves, and they'll have this skill and creative outlet for the rest of their lives. I often see parents let their kids quit early because they don't want to fight them or force them to do something they don't want to. This, of course, also has merit. If you don't see your kid loving this in the future, then maybe it really isn't worth the fight right now. But this is something that you have to decide as a parent. And with all the other activities and opportunities out there, I don't envy you!
5. Sometimes all a student really needs is acknowledgment. Try sitting in the room while they practice and clapping after a song or asking to hear it again. Or you can record them playing it and send it to a friend or family member!
How to assist your child's practice session:
1. For kids 5 and under, sit with them for every practice. For 7-12, sit with them for 1 practice per week. After age 13, the student should be able to monitor their own practice.
2. Ask them questions versus telling them what you think they are doing wrong, and always follow it up with a compliment. If you think something is off or you just want to make sure they are playing correctly, try asking the following questions:
*Are your hands in the correct position? When are they supposed to move, and where should they end up?
*That part sounds really hard. Do you think you should practice it on its own a few times before you play the whole song again?
*Are you counting? Can you explain to me how to count this section?
*What did Ms. Jasmine ask you to work on this week? Have you been reading what she wrote in your folder/ notebook/ music book?
*Are you looking at your music and paying attention to make sure you are playing the correct notes?
*What note is that? Can you explain to me how to figure it out?
*What does this marking (point to a musical symbol) mean?
3. Remember, short daily practice is much more effective than a couple of long practice sessions. Instead of aiming for a certain time limit, give them a goal to reach, like playing each song 3 times and really nailing that hard section that Ms. Jasmine wrote about in your notebook!
How to motivate your child to practice:
1. Schedule practice into the student's daily routine. For example, practice every day right after breakfast/ school/ dinner/ etc.
2. Make it a requirement, not an option, like homework. You can say something like "It's a part of your education/ job" or "It's part of how you earn your allowance."
3. Reward diligence and hard work! If they have practiced regularly in a given week, take them out for ice cream. Or if they've worked hard for a whole month, think about something a little higher up the reward chain, like a video game, a trip to the movies or theme park, an evening where the family does whatever the student wants to do, etc. Invite whoever they want to the recitals and have them over for lunch after to celebrate their hard work!
4. Choose your battles. Piano is what many people call a low-reward activity, because it takes many hours of focused practice to really start to reap the benefits of becoming a musician. It could definitely be that you just need to push them and give them tough love for a few more years and then they'll be good enough to motivate themselves, and they'll have this skill and creative outlet for the rest of their lives. I often see parents let their kids quit early because they don't want to fight them or force them to do something they don't want to. This, of course, also has merit. If you don't see your kid loving this in the future, then maybe it really isn't worth the fight right now. But this is something that you have to decide as a parent. And with all the other activities and opportunities out there, I don't envy you!
5. Sometimes all a student really needs is acknowledgment. Try sitting in the room while they practice and clapping after a song or asking to hear it again. Or you can record them playing it and send it to a friend or family member!
Practice Tips from other parents
I recently surveyed the parents of some of my students who practice most consistently. I wanted to see what kinds of strategies they were using, how much responsibility they placed on the students to get it done, etc. I also spoke to my own parents. A summary of what I found is below:
- All the parents I spoke to said that practicing was not an option but a requirement, like homework. Some described it as their job or part of their education, while others said it was tied to their allowance. Some said that practicing was on their list of chores.
- All these parents also said that if the student didn't want to practice, they still made them do it anyway (my own parents included). Although some parents may find this harsh, these parents said that it's during these times of non-motivation that their role in their kids' musical education became most important. I believe it also teaches kids self-discipline.
- Many parents said they would guide their students through practice at least once a week, or at least listen in.
- My parents said that there were many times I told them I wanted to quit, but they would not let me because they knew it was just that I didn't want to practice and instead wanted to do other "fun" things like watch TV. They also said that after 4 or 5 years, I actually thanked them for not letting me quit. I am especially grateful for their use of authority today, as I certainly would not be where I am now without it!
- The reality is that most kids don't want to practice most of the time, because practicing isn't easy and often isn't fun. So in my opinion, parents need to weigh this with what their kids will get out of it, especially in the future. Every student is different and has different needs, so the decision of whether or how to motivate them is ultimately yours,because you know them better than anyone!
Piano Basics Parent Guide & Updated practice tips
Piano Basics Parent Guide
1. Finger Numbers
o Students use finger numbers for as long as they play the piano, so it is very important that they know them on an instinctual level.
o Thumbs are 1, pointers are 2, middle fingers are 3, ring fingers are 4, and pinkies are 5.
2. Piano Keys
o All students should be able to find middle C on the piano at a bare minimum. C, D, and E surround each group of 2 black keys, while F, G, A, and B surround each group of 3 black keys. The music alphabet goes from A-G and repeats over and over on the keys.
3. Technique
o The bench should be placed where their knees are just under the edge of the piano.
o Posture: Sit up straight, lean forward slightly, shoulders relaxed
o Hands: Wrists up, rounded hand shape, bent fingers so fingertips (and side of thumb) rest on the keys
4. How students read notes
o Up is to the right on the piano, down is to the left
o Intervals measure the distance from one note to another (a 2nd is a step, a 3rd is a skip, etc)
o Verses help students name a note based on where it is on the music staff. Most commonly:
RH line notes- Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
RH space notes- F-A-C-E
LH line notes- Great Big Doves Fly Above
LH space notes- All Cows Eat Grass
Practice Tips
“Self-motivated discipline isn’t exactly first nature for most kids, so it’s up to families to help create positive, engaging and fun ways to practice as a path towards self-motivation.”
1. Your Role as a Parent
o Create a contract between you and the student, preferably before they even begin lessons, so that practicing is non-negotiable. Schedule piano practice the same way that you would the piano lesson, sports practice, etc. This conveys to the student that it’s a serious commitment. Hold them accountable, but also let them give you their input in terms of planning their schedule and routine.
o As the teacher, it is my job to guide, encourage, and reward the student in their musical education. As I only see them once a week, the job of making sure practice gets done falls on both you and your student. Some students are self-motivated, while others require more of a structure.
o Often times parents will take the primary role in this until the student is about 10-12 years old, at which point they should start to take over, practicing for however long they can stay focused or until they feel like they have accomplished something.
o Know that ups and downs with motivation are normal. Parents can do so much to help their kids during the “down’s” by encouraging their creativity!
2. General Guidelines for Practicing
“Progress should be measured and appropriately altered each day (if needed) by analyzing the amount of effort, frustration, and completion or advancement in reaching the daily goals.”
o Remember: “Practice means play what you don’t know.” It's better for students to practice their assigned songs than to just play what they feel like, though that's always a fine thing to do for a warm up and a great thing to leave time for at the end of practice.
o Shorter periods of time more frequently: it's much more beneficial when students practice for a few minutes each day than if they practice for an hour once a week.
o Instead of setting a minimum time limit, set daily goals. For example, divide the teacher's expectations into 5 parts for 5 different days. Maybe the goal for a 5-10 minute session is just to REALLY work through 1-2 bars of music.
o If you and your student are unsure what they need to be practicing, please read the notes in their folder or on their music for that week.
o Make sure there are no distractions in the room during practice time.
3. Fun Ideas & Tips
o Use games as motivators (create a currency for them to “spend” on rewards that they want, especially those related to music, like a concert; pennies game), especially around middle school since that’s often when interest starts to wane
o Try sitting in the room while they’re practicing (and even during lessons), but make sure to only offer praise and guidance, not criticism.
o Record your student playing a song and then re-record it several weeks later (like a before/ after picture, but with music!)
o If you're having trouble getting your student to practice, try breaking up their practice time. For example, do one song now and one after dinner; or play your song once during each commercial break of your favorite show. Or try a different time of day and make it a part of their routine- in the morning before school, right before bed, etc.
o Make sure the piano and music are easily accessible so that they can play on a whim.
Remember: regular practice ensures that your student is getting the most out of their lessons. They will learn more, remember more, and be more likely to be proud of themselves and feel successful if practicing is a daily habit. Sometimes all it takes is five minutes!
Resources
"Getting Kids to Practice Music- Without Tears or Tantrums" (www.npr.org/blogs)
“How to Motivate Your Child to Practice” (www.pbs.org)
http://pianoeducation.org/pnotchld.html
http://www.modernmom.com/96441dda-3b35-11e3-be8a-bc764e04a41e.html
1. Finger Numbers
o Students use finger numbers for as long as they play the piano, so it is very important that they know them on an instinctual level.
o Thumbs are 1, pointers are 2, middle fingers are 3, ring fingers are 4, and pinkies are 5.
2. Piano Keys
o All students should be able to find middle C on the piano at a bare minimum. C, D, and E surround each group of 2 black keys, while F, G, A, and B surround each group of 3 black keys. The music alphabet goes from A-G and repeats over and over on the keys.
3. Technique
o The bench should be placed where their knees are just under the edge of the piano.
o Posture: Sit up straight, lean forward slightly, shoulders relaxed
o Hands: Wrists up, rounded hand shape, bent fingers so fingertips (and side of thumb) rest on the keys
4. How students read notes
o Up is to the right on the piano, down is to the left
o Intervals measure the distance from one note to another (a 2nd is a step, a 3rd is a skip, etc)
o Verses help students name a note based on where it is on the music staff. Most commonly:
RH line notes- Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
RH space notes- F-A-C-E
LH line notes- Great Big Doves Fly Above
LH space notes- All Cows Eat Grass
Practice Tips
“Self-motivated discipline isn’t exactly first nature for most kids, so it’s up to families to help create positive, engaging and fun ways to practice as a path towards self-motivation.”
1. Your Role as a Parent
o Create a contract between you and the student, preferably before they even begin lessons, so that practicing is non-negotiable. Schedule piano practice the same way that you would the piano lesson, sports practice, etc. This conveys to the student that it’s a serious commitment. Hold them accountable, but also let them give you their input in terms of planning their schedule and routine.
o As the teacher, it is my job to guide, encourage, and reward the student in their musical education. As I only see them once a week, the job of making sure practice gets done falls on both you and your student. Some students are self-motivated, while others require more of a structure.
o Often times parents will take the primary role in this until the student is about 10-12 years old, at which point they should start to take over, practicing for however long they can stay focused or until they feel like they have accomplished something.
o Know that ups and downs with motivation are normal. Parents can do so much to help their kids during the “down’s” by encouraging their creativity!
2. General Guidelines for Practicing
“Progress should be measured and appropriately altered each day (if needed) by analyzing the amount of effort, frustration, and completion or advancement in reaching the daily goals.”
o Remember: “Practice means play what you don’t know.” It's better for students to practice their assigned songs than to just play what they feel like, though that's always a fine thing to do for a warm up and a great thing to leave time for at the end of practice.
o Shorter periods of time more frequently: it's much more beneficial when students practice for a few minutes each day than if they practice for an hour once a week.
o Instead of setting a minimum time limit, set daily goals. For example, divide the teacher's expectations into 5 parts for 5 different days. Maybe the goal for a 5-10 minute session is just to REALLY work through 1-2 bars of music.
o If you and your student are unsure what they need to be practicing, please read the notes in their folder or on their music for that week.
o Make sure there are no distractions in the room during practice time.
3. Fun Ideas & Tips
o Use games as motivators (create a currency for them to “spend” on rewards that they want, especially those related to music, like a concert; pennies game), especially around middle school since that’s often when interest starts to wane
o Try sitting in the room while they’re practicing (and even during lessons), but make sure to only offer praise and guidance, not criticism.
o Record your student playing a song and then re-record it several weeks later (like a before/ after picture, but with music!)
o If you're having trouble getting your student to practice, try breaking up their practice time. For example, do one song now and one after dinner; or play your song once during each commercial break of your favorite show. Or try a different time of day and make it a part of their routine- in the morning before school, right before bed, etc.
o Make sure the piano and music are easily accessible so that they can play on a whim.
Remember: regular practice ensures that your student is getting the most out of their lessons. They will learn more, remember more, and be more likely to be proud of themselves and feel successful if practicing is a daily habit. Sometimes all it takes is five minutes!
Resources
"Getting Kids to Practice Music- Without Tears or Tantrums" (www.npr.org/blogs)
“How to Motivate Your Child to Practice” (www.pbs.org)
http://pianoeducation.org/pnotchld.html
http://www.modernmom.com/96441dda-3b35-11e3-be8a-bc764e04a41e.html
Jasmine's practice recommendations
1. Quality over quantity: it's better for students to practice their assigned songs than to just play what they feel like, though that's always a fine thing to do for a warm up or a reward after practicing.
2. Shorter periods of time more frequently: it's much more beneficial when students practice for a few minutes each day than if they practice for an hour once a week.
3. One day of practice should consist of the student working on each of their assigned songs for a total of 5 minutes to 1 hour depending on their level and attention span. In some cases, this may mean just playing through the song once or twice. In other cases, it might mean playing a small part of a song many times (the student should know which they need to do based on the notes I give them.)
4. If you and your student are unsure what they need to be practicing, please read the notes in their folder for that week. This is the reason I write these notes- they're not for me! :)
5. If you're having trouble getting your student to practice, try breaking up their practice time. For example, do one song now and one after dinner; or play your song once during each commercial break of your favorite show.
6. Know everyone's role: As the teacher, it is my job to guide, encourage, and reward the student in their musical education. As I only see them once a week,the job of making sure practice gets done falls on both you and your student. Some students are self-motivated, while others require more of a structure. Just like with homework, try to figure out what works for your student. Experiment with reward systems (for example, I'll buy you that new video game if you practice regularly for one month) and even with making things they already have into rewards (for example, no tv until homework AND practicing are done). That being said, please let me know if there is anything further I can do to support you in this.
7. Remember: regular practice ensures that your student is getting the most out of their lessons. They will learn more, remember more, and be more likely to be proud of themselves and feel successful if practicing is a daily habit. Sometimes all it takes is five minutes!
-
2. Shorter periods of time more frequently: it's much more beneficial when students practice for a few minutes each day than if they practice for an hour once a week.
3. One day of practice should consist of the student working on each of their assigned songs for a total of 5 minutes to 1 hour depending on their level and attention span. In some cases, this may mean just playing through the song once or twice. In other cases, it might mean playing a small part of a song many times (the student should know which they need to do based on the notes I give them.)
4. If you and your student are unsure what they need to be practicing, please read the notes in their folder for that week. This is the reason I write these notes- they're not for me! :)
5. If you're having trouble getting your student to practice, try breaking up their practice time. For example, do one song now and one after dinner; or play your song once during each commercial break of your favorite show.
6. Know everyone's role: As the teacher, it is my job to guide, encourage, and reward the student in their musical education. As I only see them once a week,the job of making sure practice gets done falls on both you and your student. Some students are self-motivated, while others require more of a structure. Just like with homework, try to figure out what works for your student. Experiment with reward systems (for example, I'll buy you that new video game if you practice regularly for one month) and even with making things they already have into rewards (for example, no tv until homework AND practicing are done). That being said, please let me know if there is anything further I can do to support you in this.
7. Remember: regular practice ensures that your student is getting the most out of their lessons. They will learn more, remember more, and be more likely to be proud of themselves and feel successful if practicing is a daily habit. Sometimes all it takes is five minutes!
-
Practicing and other tips (courtesy of Greene Music)
6 Tips to Enjoying Your Piano in a Busy World
"My kids are too busy to practice piano, and I can't find time for myself, either."
Tip 1 - Adults find that playing piano is very relaxing, not a chore or obligation like they might remember it from childhood. A terrific time to play is right after you've accomplished your very last task of the day; dishes are done, teeth brushed, pajamas on, perhaps the next thing you'd normally be doing is turning off the lights. What a stress-free time to make some music! You just might go to sleep humming a favorite song - a soundtrack for your dreams.
Tip 2 - Kids already have more than enough tasks, chores, and obligations in their busy lives today. Music can be a vacation from obligation as well as a brain-and-skill-building activity. Preparation for lessons should happen on a regular schedule; on same days of the week at the same time. Eventually it becomes a normal routine that is part of everyday life like brushing teeth. Some families have told us that kids do very well playing in the mornings for 10 or 15-minutes, and doing another session later in the day.
Tip 3 - Both kids and adults who only touch the piano to work are in danger of building up some resentment; imagine if a certain table or desk in the home was only ever used to pay bills, do homework, or take phone solicitations - you'd never voluntarily go near it! Go to the piano to play games, create your own music, sing songs, celebrate birthdays and holidays, and have fun!
Tip 4 - Playing music a little every day is more important than how long you practice. If you've committed to yourself or your teacher that you'll play for 30 minutes, it can be tempting to not play at all if you only have 5 or 10 minutes. Getting into a routine of sitting at the piano for just a few minutes is guaranteed to lead to longer sessions.
Tip 5 - Even a 5-minute session at the piano can be divided up into two parts: Something I play really well and never get tired of, and Something I want to improve. Any improvement gives you a feeling of accomplishment, and will either motivate you to stay at the piano a little longer, or come back to the piano later with renewed enthusiasm. One student said she gained some extra time looking at herself in mirrors a little less each day. Another said that if he found himself aimlessly web or channel-surfing, he'd run to the piano for a few minutes.
Tip 6 - For both adults and children, the piano is a fantastic place to express how you feel; to "take it out on the piano".Did you have to take out the garbage when it was really your brother's turn? Won a soccer match? Spilled coffee all over yourself at an important meeting? Got an "A" on your test?
Banging out some happy (or sad) chords on the piano just might calm you down (or help you celebrate!).
How Can I Tell if My Child Has Musical Talent?
We hear this question just about every day from curious parents. Many tell us that they'd be much more comfortable bringing a piano into their home if they had some idea of how far their child would go with their music.
1. Piano is largely a skill and not necessarily a talent. No one who can quickly and accurately type an email gets credited with being born with a talent for typing. Playing the correct notes at the correct time is a mechanical skill, which even very young children can learn. (Search "child plays piano" in YouTube for thousands of examples)
Before the invention of phonograph and then radio, the piano was the #1 home entertainment technology of its time. Almost everyone could read music and play some piano; it was considered a very normal accomplishment for well-brought-up and well-educated children, particularly girls. No one who could competently play a song on a piano was considered particularly gifted.
2. Unlike wind, reed, brass, and string instruments, the piano is a machine that plays tones without requiring the player to have any ear for pitch (sharp or flat) or technique for intonation or resonance. In other words, once you've learned where the notes are, you can't play them wrongly. We already know that blind people can play the piano quite well, but even a blind and deaf person can play accurately on a piano (again, search YouTube!).
3. What remains is intelligence and love of music. The good news is you win either way; intelligent children tend to do well with piano, and piano study makes children more intelligent (ask any neuroscientist). It's not hard to foster an interest in music - just bring music into your family culture in as many ways as possible. Start by singing all the time, and playing recordings in your home. If Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Uncle, Cousin, the neighbor, co-worker, or church friend all play on your piano, your child will wish they could do it, too. Go to see musical theater, the opera, a jazz combo, a blues band, or any live music - this inspires desire as well.
4. What if my child is unusually gifted? You'll know! The piano teacher will spot this immediately. Your child may exhibit a very long attention span for music. They may pick up basic skills very quickly. Congratulations - many gifted pianists have done very well in life; ask Harry Truman, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Foxx, Fred "Mr." Rogers, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Edison.
5. What if my child is learning normally? Congratulations! Our customers who spend $50,000 to $100,000 on their pianos are mostly physicians, attorneys, CEO's, business owners, and other successful professionals who've played since childhood and are treating themselves and their families to a high-quality piano. Ask any high-school principal about the accomplishments of the kids who participate in the music programs like band, orchestra, and choir.
6. What if my child isn't destined to be a concert pianist, CEO of a major corporation, or President of the United States? Have you ever met an adult who didn't wish they could play a musical instrument? The gift of being able to play music for pleasure may be one of the most important we give to a child. Everyone I know who had music instruction and can still play is grateful, and likely to pass it on to their child as well!
Am I Too Old to Start Piano?
"I love music, but I don't know if I have any musical talent."
"I played when I was younger. I love music, but I don't know if it's too late to start again."
"How long will it take for me to be able to play? I heard that kids learn much faster than adults."
We have heard these exact questions from hundreds of visitors to our store; nurses, engineers, retirees, police officers, attorneys, physicians, homemakers, even a couple of CEO's of some very high-profile San Diego companies! These are their biggest concerns about getting started, with some ideas that might encourage you.
How to Practice Piano
12 useful tips that will guide you to more efficient practice time
1. Play every day, even if it is for just a little while. If you don't feel like practicing, just play.
2. Sit far enough away from the keys so that your elbows are in front of your torso, and your wrists are straight. Sit on the edge of the bench; you'll sit straighter and avoid discomfort in your back, neck, and shoulders.
3. Warm your hands if they are cold.
4. Many adult students are more comfortable playing when no one is listening!
5. Learn short songs in a variety of styles; classical, pop, blues, jazz, etc. Learn a fun song that people would enjoy hearing at a party - have it ready to play at a moment's notice. "Linus and Lucy" gets 'em every time!
6. Try to learn something new about music every week. If you didn't get to practice much, you can always learn something interesting at your lesson.
7. Try to play the whole song at the same speed, instead of speeding up the parts you play well and slowing down the harder parts. (In other words, sometimes you need to play slower than you can)
8. If you're learning how to sight-read, fold up a sheet and cover your hands so you can focus on the music and learn the topography of the keys by touch.
9. Repeatedly listen to recordings of the songs you're playing. Your ear will help guide you. You might gain some insight watching YouTube videos of amateurs playing your song.
10. If you're just starting, don't tackle a piece of music that is so long that it could take many months or a year to learn. Learn a few short pieces by composers or artists you like. Having even a simple short song perfectly memorized gives you terrific confidence!
11. Enjoy playing the songs you play well and don't let them get rusty!
12. FOR KIDS ONLY: If you don't feel like taking out the garbage, cleaning your room, putting away the dishes, or any other job, just start practicing piano. No one will ever make you stop practicing to do something else!
Greene Music is located in Mira Mesa and is an excellent place to buy a new or used piano, whatever your price range! Their service is excellent, the quality of their products is impeccable, and their service is unmatched. Visit www.greenemusic.com!
"My kids are too busy to practice piano, and I can't find time for myself, either."
Tip 1 - Adults find that playing piano is very relaxing, not a chore or obligation like they might remember it from childhood. A terrific time to play is right after you've accomplished your very last task of the day; dishes are done, teeth brushed, pajamas on, perhaps the next thing you'd normally be doing is turning off the lights. What a stress-free time to make some music! You just might go to sleep humming a favorite song - a soundtrack for your dreams.
Tip 2 - Kids already have more than enough tasks, chores, and obligations in their busy lives today. Music can be a vacation from obligation as well as a brain-and-skill-building activity. Preparation for lessons should happen on a regular schedule; on same days of the week at the same time. Eventually it becomes a normal routine that is part of everyday life like brushing teeth. Some families have told us that kids do very well playing in the mornings for 10 or 15-minutes, and doing another session later in the day.
Tip 3 - Both kids and adults who only touch the piano to work are in danger of building up some resentment; imagine if a certain table or desk in the home was only ever used to pay bills, do homework, or take phone solicitations - you'd never voluntarily go near it! Go to the piano to play games, create your own music, sing songs, celebrate birthdays and holidays, and have fun!
Tip 4 - Playing music a little every day is more important than how long you practice. If you've committed to yourself or your teacher that you'll play for 30 minutes, it can be tempting to not play at all if you only have 5 or 10 minutes. Getting into a routine of sitting at the piano for just a few minutes is guaranteed to lead to longer sessions.
Tip 5 - Even a 5-minute session at the piano can be divided up into two parts: Something I play really well and never get tired of, and Something I want to improve. Any improvement gives you a feeling of accomplishment, and will either motivate you to stay at the piano a little longer, or come back to the piano later with renewed enthusiasm. One student said she gained some extra time looking at herself in mirrors a little less each day. Another said that if he found himself aimlessly web or channel-surfing, he'd run to the piano for a few minutes.
Tip 6 - For both adults and children, the piano is a fantastic place to express how you feel; to "take it out on the piano".Did you have to take out the garbage when it was really your brother's turn? Won a soccer match? Spilled coffee all over yourself at an important meeting? Got an "A" on your test?
Banging out some happy (or sad) chords on the piano just might calm you down (or help you celebrate!).
How Can I Tell if My Child Has Musical Talent?
We hear this question just about every day from curious parents. Many tell us that they'd be much more comfortable bringing a piano into their home if they had some idea of how far their child would go with their music.
1. Piano is largely a skill and not necessarily a talent. No one who can quickly and accurately type an email gets credited with being born with a talent for typing. Playing the correct notes at the correct time is a mechanical skill, which even very young children can learn. (Search "child plays piano" in YouTube for thousands of examples)
Before the invention of phonograph and then radio, the piano was the #1 home entertainment technology of its time. Almost everyone could read music and play some piano; it was considered a very normal accomplishment for well-brought-up and well-educated children, particularly girls. No one who could competently play a song on a piano was considered particularly gifted.
2. Unlike wind, reed, brass, and string instruments, the piano is a machine that plays tones without requiring the player to have any ear for pitch (sharp or flat) or technique for intonation or resonance. In other words, once you've learned where the notes are, you can't play them wrongly. We already know that blind people can play the piano quite well, but even a blind and deaf person can play accurately on a piano (again, search YouTube!).
3. What remains is intelligence and love of music. The good news is you win either way; intelligent children tend to do well with piano, and piano study makes children more intelligent (ask any neuroscientist). It's not hard to foster an interest in music - just bring music into your family culture in as many ways as possible. Start by singing all the time, and playing recordings in your home. If Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Uncle, Cousin, the neighbor, co-worker, or church friend all play on your piano, your child will wish they could do it, too. Go to see musical theater, the opera, a jazz combo, a blues band, or any live music - this inspires desire as well.
4. What if my child is unusually gifted? You'll know! The piano teacher will spot this immediately. Your child may exhibit a very long attention span for music. They may pick up basic skills very quickly. Congratulations - many gifted pianists have done very well in life; ask Harry Truman, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Foxx, Fred "Mr." Rogers, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Edison.
5. What if my child is learning normally? Congratulations! Our customers who spend $50,000 to $100,000 on their pianos are mostly physicians, attorneys, CEO's, business owners, and other successful professionals who've played since childhood and are treating themselves and their families to a high-quality piano. Ask any high-school principal about the accomplishments of the kids who participate in the music programs like band, orchestra, and choir.
6. What if my child isn't destined to be a concert pianist, CEO of a major corporation, or President of the United States? Have you ever met an adult who didn't wish they could play a musical instrument? The gift of being able to play music for pleasure may be one of the most important we give to a child. Everyone I know who had music instruction and can still play is grateful, and likely to pass it on to their child as well!
Am I Too Old to Start Piano?
"I love music, but I don't know if I have any musical talent."
"I played when I was younger. I love music, but I don't know if it's too late to start again."
"How long will it take for me to be able to play? I heard that kids learn much faster than adults."
We have heard these exact questions from hundreds of visitors to our store; nurses, engineers, retirees, police officers, attorneys, physicians, homemakers, even a couple of CEO's of some very high-profile San Diego companies! These are their biggest concerns about getting started, with some ideas that might encourage you.
- They think that it will take a long time to learn, and they might not be able to sustain their interest. There are two secrets to learning your favorite songs quickly: (1) Have your teacher focus your lessons on the songs you love, take shortcuts, and "cheat" (You're not studying to become a professional or get a music degree!), and (2) at first, choose short arrangements that can be learned in weeks instead of months. If your passion is for classical music, Chopin wrote beautiful and very short preludes, and Bach wrote terrific beginner's music for his twenty children. If you prefer popular music, you're in luck - your favorite song may only have a few chords, and you already know the melody well enough to sing it in the shower!
- They remember lessons being boring, or their teacher was too critical. It cannot be emphasized enough that a good number of successful adult students had to fire some teachers before finding "the one". Your teacher should encourage your musical taste and be flexible about how their "method" may or may not help you process new information (no two students are exactly the same in this regard). While you are learning piano, your teacher should be learning how to best communicate with you.
- They think that you have to be born with musical talent to play the piano. In a nutshell, your love of music is probably much more important than whether you are harboring an inner virtuoso.
- Do you enjoy a variety of different genres, styles of music and performers? Adult students who are trying out "a little of everything", like a food-lover at a buffet seem to have more fun and stay interested longer than someone who is limiting their study to just one song, style, or composer.
- Does music make you emotional? If the love ballad from "Phantom of the Opera, or even a really well-produced shredded-wheat commercial brings a tear to your eye, or if certain songs bring back vivid memories, you'll never get bored or burned out playing them over and over! We'll occasionally meet someone who's interest in music turns out to be more superficial - it's something pleasant to hear in the background, but they're not really moved by it.
- What is your response to hearing live music? If you find live performances exciting, and a two-hour concert seems to fly by, leaving you wishing it wouldn't end, you're probably an enthusiastic piano student. If you're looking at your watch or scanning email on your phone, you might have a similarly short attention span for your piano study.
- Things are going well if you're looking forward to your lesson and learning something whether or not you are well-prepared.
- Things are going well if you and your teacher love the same music. Your teacher plays for you, keeping you enthused and in a perpetual state of "What do I have to do to play that?" Make a list of songs that you never tire of hearing, make you cry, or inspire you to sing along. Present it to a potential teacher, and ask how many of those songs can they play. If they can't or don't play your songs, they're not qualified to teach you! (This is a terrific method for a new middle-or high-school age piano student to get started on the right foot - they're interviewing the instructor almost like an employer asking a job applicant for their qualifications. Teens will work very hard for someone who knows and appreciates their musical heroes.)
- Things are going well if, for a few weeks, days, or even hours, your fascination and pleasure in a piece of music takes over, and you won't stop working on it until you can play it. You won't believe how stress-relieving it is to utterly forget the phone, computer, and TV for a while!
- Things are going well if you have just one song so perfectly embedded in your fingers that you can play it on command, in your home on your piano, at a party, or at 2am in the morning, woken out of a deep sleep. Having that one song ready at a moment's notice will give you the confidence to learn another and another and another!
How to Practice Piano
12 useful tips that will guide you to more efficient practice time
1. Play every day, even if it is for just a little while. If you don't feel like practicing, just play.
2. Sit far enough away from the keys so that your elbows are in front of your torso, and your wrists are straight. Sit on the edge of the bench; you'll sit straighter and avoid discomfort in your back, neck, and shoulders.
3. Warm your hands if they are cold.
4. Many adult students are more comfortable playing when no one is listening!
5. Learn short songs in a variety of styles; classical, pop, blues, jazz, etc. Learn a fun song that people would enjoy hearing at a party - have it ready to play at a moment's notice. "Linus and Lucy" gets 'em every time!
6. Try to learn something new about music every week. If you didn't get to practice much, you can always learn something interesting at your lesson.
7. Try to play the whole song at the same speed, instead of speeding up the parts you play well and slowing down the harder parts. (In other words, sometimes you need to play slower than you can)
8. If you're learning how to sight-read, fold up a sheet and cover your hands so you can focus on the music and learn the topography of the keys by touch.
9. Repeatedly listen to recordings of the songs you're playing. Your ear will help guide you. You might gain some insight watching YouTube videos of amateurs playing your song.
10. If you're just starting, don't tackle a piece of music that is so long that it could take many months or a year to learn. Learn a few short pieces by composers or artists you like. Having even a simple short song perfectly memorized gives you terrific confidence!
11. Enjoy playing the songs you play well and don't let them get rusty!
12. FOR KIDS ONLY: If you don't feel like taking out the garbage, cleaning your room, putting away the dishes, or any other job, just start practicing piano. No one will ever make you stop practicing to do something else!
Greene Music is located in Mira Mesa and is an excellent place to buy a new or used piano, whatever your price range! Their service is excellent, the quality of their products is impeccable, and their service is unmatched. Visit www.greenemusic.com!