Piano for Kids

I have not visited with you for a couple of weeks now, and I really miss sharing the excitement I feel when working with the Animal Notes method of introducing music to young children.  It is so much fun to see the youngsters enjoy being able to play and to watch their progress.

In December, I told you about Griffin, my little two and a half year old that played his first piece in front of an audience.  He now marches into the piano when it is time for his lesson, and crawls up on the piano bench — ready to play.  I point to the notes to help him keep track of where he is in the song.  I find it best to do this with my younger students as it prevents them from getting frustrated by losing their place.  With each beginning book purchased, we include a free keyboard chart, showing the Animals on each appropriate key. The chart fits behind the black keys to help the children locate the correct note.  Griffin carefully locates the note he needs, and then strikes the correct key.   He is so proud of his accomplishment.  When he plays “Hot Cross Buns” and his Mommy sings along with him, his smile lights up the whole room.

I teach a family with four daughters.  The oldest three girls have been taking lessons with me since last summer.  The youngest turned three in February.  At the first lesson after her big day, this little child with an impish smile rushed to me and announced, “I am now three, and I want my first lesson today.”  Since her interest span is still short, she shares her lesson time with her 5 year old sister.  But she is always first at the piano on the day of their lessons.

Two weeks ago, I started another young man.  He had just turned 5.  He is one of nine siblings, and the seventh to start taking lessons.  He is a quiet youngster, and I was not certain he was ready.  To my delight, he was so pleased with himself and proud of what he was doing.  He could hardly wait to get home and show his Dad what he was learning.  This week I started using the Animal Note/standard note flash cards with him.  At first he was confused.  What was that blank note on the back, and what did it have to do with the animal on the front.  We went over the word clues again with the animal and then flipped the card.  His eyes lit up; “That’s the animal without its face.  Children and their comments are priceless. 

The Animal Notes give security to young children.  They open the door to music for children at an early age, yet provide a way for them to move easily on to standard music and greater things in their musical futures.

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