When you child is first starting piano lessons, you may need some information and guidance. Was your child the one to initiate the lessons? Or are you imposing your will on your child because you had past dreams of becoming a pianist a long time ago and and it didn't happen, or are you competitive with other families of piano students?
It is not good to force piano lessons on a child just because you as a parent feel that it is right. Face it, you will have a tough uphill battle if you decide to go against your child's wishes. No teacher wants to work with a defiant, resistant child who just doesn't want to be present at the piano lessons.
When your child is already interested in learning piano, you are one step ahead. Another way to spark an interest is to take them to a concert or get someone who is a good pianist to come to your home and play piano or for some special family occasion. Your child might want to learn to play some pieces by ear, and ask the pianist to show them how.
Try to persuade your child to make up some songs or play something by ear on the keyboard or piano. They also should be told that the instrument never should be treated roughly like an old toy, and needs to be handled with consideration. Your child should also be told that piano lessons are a special gift, as many people cannot afford to pay for lessons for their own children so that it should never be taken for granted.
Your next step is to track down a good piano instructor (by referral, if possible) that wants to instruct your son or daughter. A few teachers may take younger children around five years old, but most have a preference for eight year olds as they have a larger hand span, better motor and reading aptitude, and a larger intellectual capacity than a younger child. If you get a change to interview a teacher, ask them about their teaching methods and philosophy, and if they have much experience with young children and if they believe in offering incentives to motivate them.
If you finally chose a teacher, get permission to observe the lessons so you can see if your child is adjusting to the lessons and learning something. If you have no piano knowledge, now is a good time to learn piano by watching the teacher teach your child. Then when your child practices later on his or her own keyboard you can do the practice sessions together, in addition you can get buy some fine music software that will assist in note reading and learning rhythmic patterns.
You can reward your child with little stickers on your own for each piece passed by the teacher. Some parents get creative and set goals for the child, so that they work toward earning a toy, book, or an ice cream or anything they like. Children love to be reward, and goals are a good way to get started.
If you want to motivate your child, give them lots of applause and show them your approval when they perform for the family or for you. When the instructor shows interest and encouragement in your child's progress, consider your child very fortunate, because many teachers are pressed for time and feel short-tempered sometimes. Keep in mind that you can show lots of praise, positive input, and affection toward your child during the process of learning piano, as this is a great motivation technique.
It is not good to force piano lessons on a child just because you as a parent feel that it is right. Face it, you will have a tough uphill battle if you decide to go against your child's wishes. No teacher wants to work with a defiant, resistant child who just doesn't want to be present at the piano lessons.
When your child is already interested in learning piano, you are one step ahead. Another way to spark an interest is to take them to a concert or get someone who is a good pianist to come to your home and play piano or for some special family occasion. Your child might want to learn to play some pieces by ear, and ask the pianist to show them how.
Try to persuade your child to make up some songs or play something by ear on the keyboard or piano. They also should be told that the instrument never should be treated roughly like an old toy, and needs to be handled with consideration. Your child should also be told that piano lessons are a special gift, as many people cannot afford to pay for lessons for their own children so that it should never be taken for granted.
Your next step is to track down a good piano instructor (by referral, if possible) that wants to instruct your son or daughter. A few teachers may take younger children around five years old, but most have a preference for eight year olds as they have a larger hand span, better motor and reading aptitude, and a larger intellectual capacity than a younger child. If you get a change to interview a teacher, ask them about their teaching methods and philosophy, and if they have much experience with young children and if they believe in offering incentives to motivate them.
If you finally chose a teacher, get permission to observe the lessons so you can see if your child is adjusting to the lessons and learning something. If you have no piano knowledge, now is a good time to learn piano by watching the teacher teach your child. Then when your child practices later on his or her own keyboard you can do the practice sessions together, in addition you can get buy some fine music software that will assist in note reading and learning rhythmic patterns.
You can reward your child with little stickers on your own for each piece passed by the teacher. Some parents get creative and set goals for the child, so that they work toward earning a toy, book, or an ice cream or anything they like. Children love to be reward, and goals are a good way to get started.
If you want to motivate your child, give them lots of applause and show them your approval when they perform for the family or for you. When the instructor shows interest and encouragement in your child's progress, consider your child very fortunate, because many teachers are pressed for time and feel short-tempered sometimes. Keep in mind that you can show lots of praise, positive input, and affection toward your child during the process of learning piano, as this is a great motivation technique.
About the Author:
If you would like to play piano self-paced, we examined a couple of unique piano methods by the best teachers online. If you would like to find out how to play chords, there are software and video lessons to find out many chord techniques for beginners and advanced students.
