Beginner Piano Lessons: Getting Your Child Started
Beginner piano lessons can be both exciting and a little scary for a child. One question you must ask yourself : Does your child want to learn, or are you gently nudging him or her into it? This article will help you decide this and will also guide you on where to begin seeking the right type of lessons.
Once you have determined that your child sincerely wishes to start beginner piano lessons, choosing your instrument is the next step. If you do not already own a piano, perhaps you may wish to start your child off with an inexpensive keyboard on which to practice, just in case it turns out to be a passing phase.
It is much easier to re-sell or even gift this sort of item should your child suddenly decide she has lost interest. What would you do with a full size piano if nobody else plays? Better safe than sorry. If your child develops a real passion for the instrument then you can invest in a full size piano if you wish.
The First Lessons
If your child is quite young, say five years old, she will not begin formal site reading lessons until she becomes familiar with proper finger technique and learning the basic scale, which often consists of do-re-me-fa-so-la-te-do. This is a fun way to learn the basic C scale. Children learn quickly using song as a guide. It is the same concept as the ABC song.
Teach Your Own Child?
If you are musically inclined, and this is a common reason for offspring to take lessons, why not teach her the basics yourself? If you play the piano, then simply teach her what you were taught. It is a fun way to spend some quality time together. Or perhaps you have a family member who plays and could give her beginner piano lessons.
Learning Techniques
Every child will learn differently, so if you are paying for a private instructor, it is a good idea to sit in on some lessons to see which teaching style is being used. A good instructor will experiment with different methods to determine which your child reacts to the best.
Natural Ability?
When starting beginner piano lessons, if your child seems to learn faster than others and is able to play simple tunes just by listening to them, you have some real talent on your hands. This means she may have perfect pitch and is able to play by ear. Discuss this with her teacher, who should then concentrate on this talent.
Avoid Boredom
We know that a child can become bored easily, so if she seems to lose interest in her lessons, suggest something a little more challenging. Beginner piano lessons can become monotonous when working on scales and chords constantly, as some traditional minded instructors focus on.
Choose a teacher who has exciting and interesting techniques to hold her attention.
copyright Lauren Paltrow