Nurture your piano students
Author:john Aschenbrenner
Cre: https://pianoiseasy2.com/nurture-your-piano-students/
Kids are uncertain what they can do, but a supportive teacher makes almost anything possible. The key element is verbal, a non-stop barrage of supportive, humorous banter that keeps the child working and laughing.
1. Adopt A Gentle Attitude
One of my favorite films is The Horse Whisperer. I think the same approach applies to kids at the piano. As the Horse Whisperer said, “I put the rope around their neck, but I don’t yank on it. I put it on the ground and let the horse know I’m not doing anything until he’s good and ready.” Thus your conceit, as a piano teacher, should be that the last thing on your mind is a piano lesson. Act as if it’s a coincidence that you are there every Tuesday. I usually start by just sitting down and starting to play, no words, no lecture, just fun music that draws them in. Get them in a happy mood, ready to have fun. The work comes later.
2. Every Kid Is Different
Some kids want you to be quiet while they try to play, but most don’t mind a soft stream of banter about fingering, chords, jokes, anything that keeps the fun but educational mood going. You’re not neglecting to correct them, but, rather, are correcting them in the gentlest, most humorous way possible. A frightened child is impossible to teach.
3. Comedy And Simplification
Laughter is extremely important. React to mistakes with humor and laughter. It is enough to make the child aware of the error, thus there is no need to humiliate them. If the music is too difficult, simplify it. There is always something to be learned.
4. Find The Comfort Zone
You have to find that place where the child feels at ease, for that is where you teach them the best.
I try to find some aspect that they are good at, and concentrate and expand upon that.
In fact, your whole approach to that particular child should be based on what they do well, only slowly moving into areas with which they have difficulty.
Find what they can do easily and build upon that
More from my site
I want my child to learn how to play the piano, but we have an electric keyboard only.
At a middle age, can I learn how to play a kind of musical instrument?- Tôi đến tuổi (trung niên) này rồi có thể học đàn được không?
- Tôi muốn cho con học piano, nhưng nhà chỉ có đàn Electric Keytboard?
What are the differences between music education at training center and at teacher’s home?
J.S BACH – Đại Dương Bao La- Phần 2
