How Can I Help My Child Learn Piano? Comfort

Your child is concentrating on so many details when playing the piano. Having clothing that is too tight or uncomfortable in any way is a distraction from learning. They need to be comfortable in their eyesight as well. If they wear glasses or contacts for up close reading, make sure they have them on for lessons and practice.
A wonderful birthday or Christmas gift would be a cushion for the hard wooden bench they have to sit on everyday. For those crafty moms who have lots of time, why not make one? For the rest of us, Friendship House has some nice options here: http://www.friendshiphouse.com/product/product_view.aspx?UID=927046C6-1A07-406B-BFB5-6D1E04E1BAA8 for about $62 in lots of colors.

How Can I Help My Child Learn Piano? Posture

Tip for the week to help your child at piano...

Encourage your child to sit properly at the piano.

• They should sit on the front half of the bench.
• The knees should be just under the keyboard.
• Feet should be flat on the floor or on a stool if legs aren't long enough.
• Arms should be parallel to the floor. If not raise the bench using pillows or books.
• Back should be flat not arched in - will get back aches if arched.
• Shoulders and arms should be relaxed.
• Wrists should be straight across not humped or sagging.
• Hands should be naturally curved so they can play on finger tips (which means finger nails need to be short.)

I’m So Excited!

Dominique told me last week before we began our lessons:

“I was sitting in chorus class and I was thinking…’I can’t WAIT to come to piano!’ I was so excited I went home and practiced!”

Now that’s the kind of enthusiasm every piano teacher wants for each of their students!  Yes, we did have a good lesson.

I’m proud of each of my students and pray each week that they will go home and practice well and enjoy making music.

Yea Dominique!

Ensemble Pics

Our ensemble recital was a hit! The students played well together and had fun. I believe the favorite song of the day was Balloon Pop Polka. Not surprising since it was fun to perform as well. Great job students!

How to Help Your Child Learn Piano - Theory

Because we only have 30 or 45 minutes in the lesson, I will sometimes assign theory for your child to do at home. The purpose is to reinforce the concepts learned in the lesson.  Writing what they are learning helps to reinforce it in their brains.  I also may assign flashcards to help them quickly recognize note names or music symbols. You can help by reviewing their theory with them as you would their school homework and by doing the flashcards with them often.

How to Help Your Child Learn Piano – Fly Away Fingers

The fingers are very important in playing piano.  The first knuckles need to be strong enough to press the keys firmly without the knuckles collapsing.  And the fingers need to stay lightly on the keys so that they can quickly press the keys when required. 

You can help your child this week by observing their fingers.  Are they close to the keys or sticking up in the air.  Just a gentle reminder to keep fingers close to the keys should be enough to help.

Remember the donut holes in the very first lessons?  These are good for strengthening the first knuckles.  Have them do these every day.

How Can I Help My Child Learn Piano? Observation

Rhythm is the heartbeat of music.  It’s what makes music pleasing to our ears and bodies.  We feel the rhythm in our bodies.  Ever noticed your foot tapping or hand tapping the steering wheel as you listen to music?  That’s rhythm. 

I am constantly reminding students to count, say something, outloud so that they keep the rhythm steady.  You can help by tapping your foot or clap along with their playing. If you can’t, then the rhythm is not correct. (Unless you really have no sense of rhythm. In that case, get another family member to do it! lol)