Here's a novel way for piano teachers and parents to eliminate some of the drudgery of repeating songs over and over.
Take a pair of dice. You can use just one if the child is very young.
Let the child roll the dice gently on the piano keys and ask the child what number has rolled.
Now take out a Post It or some paper, and start making a list of six songs. If the child doesn't know six songs, start teaching them the right hand part to six simple songs, like Jingle Bells and Twinkle Twinkle. What the songs actually are, is irrelevant. The idea is to select short pieces the child can play and refine with ease.
They don't have to learn all the song, just enough to make the song recognizable to themselves. Have a goal of four bars, or the first phrase. One hand at first if that is most comfortable.
If the child is small, make the goal three songs.
As soon as the child has attempted to learn the songs, let the child roll the dice.
Yes, the dice will fall on the floor. Yes, they will roll under the piano. Bring extra dice, laugh and go on. It's a game.
I guarantee you the child will now willingly attempt to play one of the songs. And they will enthusiastically want to roll again. I have no idea why they like it so much. I think it's human nature and the sense of play.
In the brief moment they play the song, they will be open to a small instruction. "Oh, put that finger there, play this C chord there." Don't force the refinement. Just suggest and try a very slight addition or refinement for a moment. Then move on. Roll the dice.
You can opt to make them play the song a couple of times, in essence fooling them into, dare I say it, practicing! They will actually want to play the song at least twice. But not too much repetition. It's a game.
Keep adding songs to the list until they require several pair of dice. Drop songs from the list they dislike or find too difficult.
Start new lists. Children respond more than anything to variety and a sense of fun and play.
Use these elements and you'll find the child's enthusiasm for piano lessons growing.
By John Aschenbrenner Copyright 2008 Walden Pond Press All Rights Reserved
See also PIANO CHORD GAMES FOR KIDS
See also VISUAL PIANO GAMES
See also QUARTERS: A PIANO GAME KIDS LOVE
See also DISGUISING REPETITION IN KID'S PIANO LESSONS
See also FOURS, A PIANO COUNTING GAME
See also PIANO GAMES TO PLAY WHEN ALL GOES WRONG
See also BUILDING A CHILD'S CONFIDENCE WITH NUMBERS
Click here to return the the main articles page.
PIANO IS EASY BOOK PACKAGE INCLUDES:
PIANO IS EASY (ISBN # 0-9718936-1-6) Sturdily bound, durable, colorful 120 page illustrated song book with 50 songs such as Jingle Bells and London Bridge, Play Along Audio CD and removable numbered stickers.
Every book package order of PIANO IS EASY includes a copy of I CAN READ MUSIC. This fun, easy-to-understand music activity book is the best way to start children reading music. Click here for sample pages.
Every book package order of PIANO IS EASY includes a FREE copy of the 56 minute DVD video from TEACH YOURSELF PIANO. This video will have you playing chords (three piano keys played with the left hand) and fun, familiar songs with both hands right away. That's a $16.95 value free!
2 BOOKS, PLAY ALONG AUDIO CD and DVD
Click here for a list of songs. Click here for sample pages.
PIANO IS EASY BOOK PACKAGE $39.95
You can also purchase individual books with CD $24.95
100% money back NO RISK guarantee!
10 YEARS IN BUSINESS, OVER 500,000 SOLD!
15 YEARS IN BUSINESS, OVER 500,000 SOLD!
Copyright © 2000 - 2013 Walden Pond Press. PO BOX 566 Crugers NY 10521 1-800-707-2682 email info@pianoiseasy.com PIANO BY NUMBER ® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. PRIVACY POLICY
