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 There are many ways to learn to play the piano. Especially nowadays, one can surf the Internet and find many options to learn anything, including how to play something on the piano. If one wants to really make piano playing a good hobby or profession, however, the choices are fewer.
After teaching for a fair amount of years, I classify piano methods into two major categories: reading-based and playing-based. I began piano lessons in the second grade of elementary school (US). Most or all piano methods were (and many still are) very traditional (reading-based). This meant I started learning the complex language of music notation from the very beginning. Since it was a requirement that I had to learn to read the notation of a piece before I was able to play it, the first couple of years were filled with super simple and boring pieces that, frankly, I'm not sure I would want to push on anyone. Was this the best way for students to learn to play piano? I assumed so. All piano teachers in my area taught this way so I also taught this way for many years while constantly trying to think of another, better way. However, I wasn't aware of some important concepts that blow this way of learning out of the water. Music is a language, the learning of which can be compared to our own language. How do we learn our language? As toddlers, we start learning words, then experiment with putting them together into sentences. Only several years later do we learn what those words and sentences look like on the printed page - that is, we learn to read. And along the way, we've made many cute mistakes in grammar and pronunciation and that was okay as that's part of learning. |
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March 2020
AuthorTerry Smith teaches piano and voice privately in the Phoenix, AZ area and online anywhere using an innovative approach called "PLAY NOW!" Categories
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"As a piano teacher myself, I was anxious to find a teacher that would make learning music an enjoyable experience for my children. I am totally and completely happy with my children's lessons with Terry. He is patient and encouraging. He draws from a variety of resources to provide music that teaches, challenges, and is pleasant to play (and listen to). I highly recommend him!" - Anna H. "Terry Smith is an excellent piano teacher. He is very knowledgeable in technique and the history of music. He was always on time and ended on time for his next student. He always made lessons enjoyable." |