I would like to address a slightly controversial topic, and please, feel free to share your opinion. Do you have a minimum age requirement that potential students must meet before you accept them? Considering I specialise in teaching adults, this topic has come as a surprise to me, as I have just taken on a 3 1/2 year old for piano lessons.
Here in Australia, most piano teachers have a starting age of 7 years old, as they feel before this, children’s fingers are not adequately developed for learning the correct technique, and also, their attention spans are not sufficient for learning music. These may be fair comments, but I feel that technique is something developed over time anyway, and in the meantime, there is plenty to learn. If the child shows enthusiasm, who are we to squash that? I have had the pleasure of teaching a 5 year old that was playing pieces my 13 year old couldn’t – why should she have been made to wait 2 more years? Also, we can’t forget that Mozart was only 5 when he composed ‘Twinkle Twinkle’…
Of course, some kids are more mature than others, but I currently have two 5 year olds fully reading muisc, and a 4 year old just starting to. Due to the shorter attention span, yes, you have to be able to mix the lessons up and keep the young ones interested. Here’s a few activities I use to break up the lessons:
- Clapping games
- Singing
- Sound recognition – higher/lover, how many notes are played at once, guess this tune
- percussive instruments
- flash cards
With young students especially, I make sure the parents are aware that I’m aiming to foster aural development and full music appreciation, as well as just learning the piano. It is important that they don’t feel their money is being wasted on ‘musical games’ because they don’t understand the benefits of a wide range of activities, and developing a love of music in general.
There are Kindermusik classes out there for the younger age groups – I used to be an instructor myself. These classes are great for a child’s development in more ways than just musical, but I feel this shouldn’t be the only option out there.
When it comes to the 3 year old I have just taken, she can count to 100, knows her alphabet and her right and left. By the end of the free lesson, she knew her finger numbers, and was playing songs on the black notes by reading the finger numbers. She also recognised high and low sounds, and could clap back four beat rhythms. She may be small, but by the time we’re talking technique, her fingers will be strong, and she’ll be competent at reading music. On top of this, she will have developed good aural skills and musical awareness. Surely this head start is worth it?
About the Author
Leah Coutts is a private piano teacher in Brisbane, Australia. She completed her Bachelor of Music Studies in November of 2004, with Awards in Academic Excellence in each year, and is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Having completed all grades in Electric Organ and moving onto pipe organ at university, under the internationally acclaimed Christopher Wrench’s direction, Leah is now completing the Associate Performance Diploma (AMusA) on piano. As well as private music tuition, her musical experience includes mentoring Music Theory at the Griffith Conservatorium of Music, as well as work for the Music Council of Australia, Fine-Print Music Printing and Typesetting, and the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre. In 2009 Leah will be returning to the Conservatorium of Music to pursue further study, majoring in Pedagogy so that she may pursue her interest in teaching piano. Her main focus will be research on teaching adults, as this is her area of interest, and an area that needs further study here in Australia.
by Valerie — Sun Dec 21, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
by Pianologist — Mon Dec 22, 2008 @ 5:40 am
by Stengel99 — Tue Dec 23, 2008 @ 10:07 am
by Ed Pearlman — Wed Dec 24, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
The girls' Mom wants them to be singing current pop songs and music theatre songs, most of which are neither age appropriate nor technically suitable for such young voices, so, that's an added challenge!
Cheers,
Craig
by Craig Tompkins — Mon Dec 29, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
by Sharon — Thu Jan 1, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
by Libby Goins — Fri Jan 2, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
Libby, I find it interesting that you are obviously experienced with younger children in group situations, but find it a challenge individually and at the piano. Don't be afraid to move away from the piano and engage them in movement activities or creative activities similar to Kindermusik. I use Hal Leonard Method books. I find that they are great for younger kids as they start by just reading finger numbers and rhythms. They also start on the black notes, which is a lot easier reference than the row of white keys! I do find that you need to be prepared to do a page of the method book, then an activity (as I outlined in my blog) and then back to the book and so forth.
If I have inspired you to try young children again, then I am so pleased! They are a challenge, but they look up to you and give you plenty of reward!
by Leah Coutts — Fri Jan 2, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
by Sharie Stegeman — Fri Jan 16, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
You mentioned sound recognition games. I wonder if you could go into detail of exactly what you do for those. I have been teaching for 2 years. I am a young teacher, but I love doing it. this year I have my first extremely young child. my rule has always been that the child's hands be big enough to reach one finger on each key. I have always used Alfred's Piano Basics, a curriculum which I love and is full of color and activities to keep children interested. I have had as young as a 6 yr. old. this year I am starting with a 4 year old boy. His hands are small, but his mom had seen an article about starting sound recognition early and just familiarize them with music. he shows an interest in the piano so I want to encourage that. I am excited at this new challenge, but would be appreciative of any help I can get. specifically learning new techniques.
by Sarah — Thu Aug 20, 2009 @ 12:19 pm