On this page you will find:
On this page you will find:
Tips for Students
Spend a specific amount of time practicing each day. Be sure to spread the time throughout the week. It usually does not help if you practice only one day for a large amount of time. It gets too frustrating. At the end of each day, ask yourself if your songs got any better that day. If they did, (even just a little bit) you have successfully practiced.
Do your best each day, and at each lesson. Your teacher does not expect perfection every time. Your teacher appreciates your effort and improvement.
Listen to your teacher. Even if your teacher is reminding you about something you know, listen to their suggestions. They just might help.
Ask questions! If you do not understand how to perform something, ask! If you do not understand what your teacher is saying, ask!
Use a pencil. If you know you make the same mistake over and over, write in a helpful symbol or word. Even professional musicians do this. It is not cheating.
DO it right 10x for every 1x done wrong. If you practice your mistakes, you will learn these mistakes. To undo a mistake is a big job, and it's not fun. It must be done, and is easier if you practice just a little piece at a time.
Listen to great piano music. Listening to the great performers can inspire you. It can also give you ideas about dynamics, expression, tempo etc.
Most importantly, let your heart sing when you play. Music can express whatever is in your heart.
Parent Help
Provide a quiet place for your student to practice. Your child can not concentrate when the TV or radio is on, or there is a lot of noise in the room.
Set a specific amount of time that you expect your child to practice. Your child's teacher can help you set an amount. If your child wishes to remain at the piano and compose or play other songs, praise their efforts. They are putting their newly learned skills to use. Be sure they practice their lesson songs as well.
Set a routine. If your child knows that they must practice and do chores before going outside, this will become routine, and they will adjust to the schedule. Children need structure, and seem to practice with less objection if they know what is expected.
Remind your child to practice. If your child is young enough to need reminded to brush his teeth, do his homework, and go to bed, then he should not be expected to remember to practice the piano without a gentle reminder that it is time.
Have a pencil handy at the piano for your child to use.
Be an audience for your child. Take the time to sit down in a chair and listen to them play. Praise their efforts when you listen.
Your child should have a metronome
to help them practice with a steady beat.
Related Links
The Piano Education Page: http://www.unm.edu/~loritaf/pnoedmn.html
Piano Solo's Corner: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/9981/
Buying a Piano: http://www.ptg.org/frameset.htm
Virtual Piano Museum: http://www.ptg.org/museum/musefram.htm
Free Sheet Music: http://www.musicaviva.com/keyboard.html
Music Encyclopedia: find information
on terms or composers
1. http://www.musicaviva.com/encyclopedia/index.html
2. http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/classmus.html
Games:
http://www.dsokids.com/1/games.html
http://library.advanced.org/tq-admin/month.cgi
http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/games/games.htm
Kids Music Sites
http://www.playmusic.org/
http://www.nyphilkids.org/
http://www.menc.org/guides/IHWE/ihwes1.html#instruments
http://www.notationstation.net
Composers:
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/mn200/music/composers.html
http://www.classical.net/music/mstrindx.html
http://www.composers.net/
Great Women Composers: http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/3744/
John Philip Sousa:http://dws.org/sousa/music.htm
Portrait Gallery of Composers: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Choir/4004/
Music Careers: http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/professions/professions.htm
