Starting the Staff!

My EZkeys class is having an introduction to the staff! All the preparation we did in the EZKeys book has really paid off. We spent 3 months learning the notes on the piano, learning to read in rhythm and playing simple songs. Now that we have started to introduce notes on the staff, they are really catching on! Its looks like this student is posing for Vogue magazine, but he is really showing me what a space note looks like in our class. We spent time identifying line and space notes on the staff this week and the previous week. It is sometime difficult for children to understand that the line has a line going through the center of the note- like putting a string through the center of a bead. The space note sits in between the 2 lines- like a little boy looking though a pane less window. There is a line on top of and under the space note.

We used a hands on manipulative to move a whole note on the staff. We learned about "Middle cat" who lives in between Mrs. Treble clef and Mr. Bass clefs house. We played a song on the keyboard to demonstrate how the "cat" can visit either house. We then talked about "Mr. Bass Clef" having a favorite pet frog who lives on the line that goes in between the two dots. He also has a little girl who is looking out her window on the next space up. Then we talked about a boy, who climbed up on the roof of the house- which would be space note B that sits on the very top of the staff. That boy ate an apple and threw it on the roof. It rolled down the roof and got stuck in the gutter which is the line that the note A is on.

After our work with the manipulative, we reviewed our new notes using a computer music game. If you were outside, you probably thought there was a party going on with all the laughing, cheering and letter names being shouted out! They love that game!

Summer Jazz Classes

For our summer term, we will break from the norm! Leave your books at home because we are working on our improvisation skills and composition! This is a great way to spark a new interest in piano over the summer. So many times, when children do not take at all over the summer, their interest wanes and so does their technique. This summer, we are going to spice things up a bit by using a Jazz method that I have in my studio library. No materials are required for this refresher course, you can use mine! And beginners are welcome as well. In our beginner class, we will learn the names of the notes on the piano and begin rhythmic notation as we use a beginners natural instinct at the piano- improvisation and exploration. Returning students will build on their current knowledge of music theory to step out of the box and develop their own creations. Sign up and schedule is on my piano website: https://imaginationsmusic.musicteachershelper.com

For more information about improvisation visit: http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/boosting-your-creative-energy/

When should we start piano lessons?

Being a piano teacher, I hear this question a lot. Children may begin to show an interest in the piano at a very early age. So many activities for children are starting younger and younger. Preschoolers are now reading before they enter Kindergarten. Two year old girls dressed up like ballerinas are attending dance classes. Soccer and t-ball starts at three.

So if your toddler begins to show an interest in piano, its time to sign them up right? We wouldn't want to miss that window of opportunity when they are interested, right? There are many activities than can be started at a very young age, however, I believe that piano is not one of them.

There are so many aspects of development that need to be in place before formal piano study begins. There is no harm in waiting to start piano. Most children are not at a disadvantage for starting as late as first or second grade. In fact, I believe that in many cases, starting to early can lead to burn out and frustration from slow progression. In order for piano lessons to be successful, it is important that the child has the attention span to sit through a 30 minute lesson or class. They will also need to be disciplined enough to practice at home as well. They also need to be able to follow multi-step directions whether by listening to verbal instruction or by reading symbols. In piano, we start by learning the letter names of the notes of the keys. It is important that they already know their alphabet and their numbers for this. I also prefer that the child has at least begun to read.

Also, an important aspect to remember is that even though sometimes the cognitive signs of readiness are there, and the interest in piano may be there, the physical readiness may not yet be developed. Fine motor skills are important before beginning lessons or classes. The children need to be able to play independent fingers of their hands. Use of the non-dominant hand must also be developed. If these aspects are not present, practice will be difficult.

If you child is interested in music, but not quite ready for formal piano lessons or classes, we have a few options. I highly suggest starting with a Kindermusik class. You can find more information about our Kindermusik classes here, http://imaginationsmusic.com. Kindermusik nurtures a love for music, develops fine motor skills, and prepares the child for a classroom learning environment. We also offer music for Little Mozarts which is a pre-piano class for preschoolers. In this class, we learn the names of the notes on the keyboard, learn to read very simple rhythmic notation, and play VERY simple songs to prepare for piano lessons without pushing the child too hard. If your child is younger than Kindergarten age, I require that they take Music for Little Mozarts before beginning my EZKeys piano class.

EZKeys piano class is for Kindergarteners. The method is written so that the child does not need to be a proficient reader to complete the written work. This class is longer in length than the Music for Little Mozarts and is more in depth. More information about this class, as well as my other piano classes can be found here, http://imaginationsmusic.musicteachershelper.com