A Special Method for Teaching Piano to Young Children
The method I use to teach very young children note reading and timing developed over several years as I struggled to find ways to help my young students understand these difficult concepts. It is a lot like teaching a foreign language to the individual trying to learn, it is strange and intimidating. At times I would draw animal faces for a note to make it familiar and friendly. Twelve years ago one of my student’s mothers asked me why I did not make music books using my funny, kids friendly note animals. She had watched me work with them with each of her four children that had all started piano at age five. The last of these wonderful young people played her senior recital this fall with two of her three bothers in the audience. All four children continue to play today delighting any and all who are fortunate enough to hear them.
Creating the books was not an easy task. I want to thank my niece and Russian son for coming up with the computer programs that made it possible to write and produce these unique books. For all the children and a couple of adults, who had real difficulty mastering note reading, the books have been a great blessing. It has allowed them to continue with music lessons long enough to find music fun and rewarding, because note reading and timing were not problems for them. The books have been used in elementary music classes with great success as well. They make each note an individual that has a special identity which is fun to be creative with.
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April 24th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Hello,thank you for idea! Please, If you can to tell me more about your methods. I want to teach piano to kids,but don’t no how. Thank you very much!