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!
June 27th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Hi, can you pls tell us more about your method. I am interested in implementing a method which can make learning easier and fun for children. Also do you have the same classes on computer ?
June 27th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I am interested in your teaching method for young children. The youngest I have taught is a 7 yr old. I have also taught adults. A member in my church would like for me to teach her 4 year old daughter piano. The little girl knows her A,B,C’s and counting and her mother says she is very smart. I will need to see if the child wants to learn piano and what type of method I would need to use.
Thank you
Kathy Humber
September 13th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Our method is based on assicative learning. By making the ovals of each note the face or body of an animal the is familiar to our student, the notes are no longer intimidating. Each note has a word clue helping the student remember where the animal lives on the grand staff. The Animal Note/standard note Flash Cards help the student learn both the word clues of the animal and then apply those clues to the standard note on the reverse side of the card. The Timing Book not only introduces timing but allows practice in the animal notes so the student can concentrate on that important feature of music, not stuggle with reading the note. The fun books allow the student to play songs they and others know and enjoy their playing while they learn. The Moving On books have a short song in the Animal Notes and the same song on the next page in standard notes. The Theory Book explains some of the basic elements of music theory in a simple child fashion. The Guitar Book teaches note reading on the guitar so the student plays the melody of a song, not just chording.
The Animal Note Method of beginning music training is a joy to each as the student truly learns to play and love music.
December 17th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
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