Teaching Piano

When your eyes see that grand piano or your fingers touch its keys or then your ears turn towards that melodious tune, you’re sure to sink into the pianist’s emotions. Playing the piano doesn’t only require you to just play the notes on the page but requires you to combine it with some emotions through your fingers. Playing the piano definitely involves certain technicalities, talent, training and certainly feelings, because the absence of either could make the experience futile.

The piano has gained great admiration from time to time. It is one of the best instruments to be either played solo or combined with others. It is versatile as it can be used to play a tune or for backing of another instrument at the same time.
With the instrument being so impressive, teaching the piano would definitely be an art. Teaching the piano would definitely follow a certain procedure, some conventional and some not, but the individual teachers have their own preferences. It is necessary to remember that a good teacher would tailor some of their lessons according to your needs rather than being rigid to a single approach.

There are some well-established methods for teaching piano for children and adults. Common among them for children are some like the Alfred Method. It is a great method for beginner teachers who wish to have a programmed format to follow. It involves the use of colored pictures, graphics, and different software to help the teaching process. It utilizes the concept of position playing and introduces them to chords and progressions.

Next is the Bastein Method which uses the multi-key approach to teach children. The original music pieces are studies in different styles to make it interesting for them. Hal Leonard Method involves introducing finger numbers, rhythm and the black and white keys. They guide you to read by interval and correct finger placements. After the finger numbers the child moves on to note names.

The Clark or the Music tree Method is one of the faster teaching methods that get right down with the basics including reading straight from day one. After this method the children are quite competent in sight reading, music terminology and knowing form. The Piano Adventures Method introduces the keyboard, Middle C, note names and grand staff. It is more professional as it teaches you the proper way to sit, finger placements and the use of the pedal and this method reviews the skills that you have learned.

Besides teaching piano methods for kids there are some essential ones for adults too. Play by choice is one of the best methods for adult beginners. This method deals with facts and no graphics and different ways how to deal with the facts of teaching piano. This method emphasizes on chords, the reading of individual notes, intervallic relationships, and following the melodic contour. The adults are given a choice to which piece they would wish to play and study. It is one of the most successful teaching methods as the students can are trained to read music and are not dependant on position playing. There exist a Bastein Method for adults too which emphasizes on the five finger playing position method. This method was used in the past and not been too successful as stress is given on position and hence note reading was slowed down tremendously. And lastly, there is the Pace Method, a mode for older beginners. It is a pedagogic method, where in the material is provided in a concise, to the point manner. There is no dominance on position playing, but in a way a more challenging method where students had to apply themselves well to understand.
Training through these teaching methods are definitely beneficial, thus making you professional.

Besides all these teaching methods, the procedure of teaching the piano also includes the training of one’s posture. Sitting upright, with firm pulled back shoulders and chest forward creates a proper sense of balance at the piano.