OVERCOMING FRUSTRATION IN THE YOUNGEST PIANO STUDENTS
I have one simple solution: don’t let it happen. You have to be so clever that the child never really enters the piano frustration zone fully. As soon as you see them step across that threshold, you have to quickly figure out what it is that they need to know.
As soon as you see them falter, you should realize that they are either not prepared for the step, or have not repeated it enough to grasp it. In the first case, you need to prepare them for the task. In the second case, you need to find a way to disguise the repetition and make it fun.
Think of a sheep dog. They watch both the herd and the fringe of the herd, looking for anyone that starts to wander off.
You must do the same, watching always for what they DON’T understand, but never letting them know they haven’t got it.
The child’s deficiency at the piano serves one purpose: to tell you what to teach, not what to punish them for.
Done properly, piano lessons are a set of cleverly constructed victories into which the teacher has gently led the child.
The only question is, “How high the hurdles?” but that is easily answered with each individual child. You can feel when a child starts to lose understanding. When that happens, pull back.
Here’s an example of how to set the hurdles:
Today I taught a bright 5 year old. Her can’t really figure out the complexities of reading music beyond finding Middle C, and this is a bright boy. And he can’t comprehend fingering beyond the first three fingers of the hand, which he can barely control.
I could push him, but if I do, I feel him shrink back, trying as best he can to keep up, but just not ready.
What do you do? If he can’t read music or understand fingering, there’s not much left you can teach him, right?
Wrong. You should change direction and teach every precursor skill you can find.
We play memorization games, fingering games, counting games, listening games, an endless list of skills that need to be filled in before he can really start the “standard” curriculum.
Thus, realizing that the child needed “precursor” work, we switched course immediately, and solidified those skills until he is ready. He wants to learn NOW, and you should find a curriculum that suits his immediate needs.
After all, it’s the child’s piano lesson, not yours.
By John Aschenbrenner Copyright 2010 Walden Pond Press All Rights Reserved
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
For Younger Kids see also CHILDREN'S MULTI BOOK PACKAGE and PRESCHOOL PIANO PACKAGE
For Adults see also ADULT PIANO PACKAGE
READ MORE
100% money back NO RISK guarantee!
10 YEARS IN BUSINESS, OVER 500,000 SOLD!
Copyright © 2000 - 2012 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
