No two piano students are the same. As a teacher, it’s important to take a unique approach to teaching different age groups. Below, piano teacher Rhonda B. shares some helpful tips on how to teach piano to every age group…
Imagine a department store where every item of women’s clothing is labeled size small. The store’s designer has decided on a certain ideal, and that’s what’s offered. If you don’t like it, you’re obviously ignorant of good taste.
As silly as this seems, that’s the exact approach many piano teachers take to teaching piano—a one-size-fits-all method. Take it or leave it. I say, leave it. Instead, our pedagogy should be willing to address all sorts of variables.
That being said, here are some helpful tips on how to teach piano to kids and other different ages groups. Not only are these tips helpful for piano teachers, but they are also helpful for parents who are helping their young musicians practice.
See Also: Teaching How to Practice
What is the Best Method to Teach Piano?
There is no one answer to the question of what is the best method to teach piano. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The best method depends on the individual student’s learning style and preferences.
- Some students may excel with a traditional teaching method that involves reading sheet music and learning theory.
- Others may prefer a more creative approach that emphasizes playing by ear and improvising.
- As a student, the best way to determine which teaching method is right for you is to consult with a professional piano teacher.
A professional piano teacher will be able to assess the student’s abilities and learning needs and tailor a lesson plan accordingly. With the right method, any student can learn to play the piano and develop a lifelong love of music.
Check out the video below for an example of what you might learn in online piano lessons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F35UkNPC1jw
What Should I Teach in the First Few Piano Lessons?
When teaching beginners piano, it is important to establish a good foundation from the very first lesson. This means covering basic concepts such as proper hand positioning, finding chords, and reading sheet music.
However, it is also important to make the lessons fun and engaging, so that the students will want to continue learning.
One way to do this is to incorporate simple songs that the students can learn quickly and enjoy playing. Another way to keep the students engaged is to frequently change up the activities during the lesson, so that they are never bored or feeling like they are stuck in a rut.
By keeping these things in mind, you can ensure that your beginning piano students have a positive experience and are motivated to continue learning.
How to Teach Piano to Preschoolers
Preschoolers can be a rambunctious group of individuals who are difficult to teach. Below are some actionable tips on how to teach piano to preschoolers.
Use appealing, kid-oriented songs
I’ve tried a number of books for young beginners, and keep coming back to “My First Piano Adventure” by Faber and Faber. Kids love the music featured in the book. For example, the book includes popular children’s songs, classical themes, and silly songs about “Dinosaur Music Night” at school.
Get them moving
Preschoolers were made to dance, sing, change positions, and play games. My student Grady and I stay at the piano just long enough to perform his pieces. Then we move down to the rug for workbook time. We jump up and down every time I play high notes. We march around the room with rhythm instruments.
Use a variety of approaches
Keep things interesting by using a variety of approaches. My student Zeke, for example, is a whiz at learning by ear, so we record some assignments on his mom’s mobile phone and he works them out by listening. Other students prefer to read the notes, and we sightread, instead.
Break down new music into manageable sections
My young student Laura has trouble with rhythm, so we always clap and count a piece aloud before we play it. With the note values firmly in mind, she’s ready to tackle note reading. Younger students tend to get overwhelmed by complex concepts, so be sure to break them down into more manageable sections.
Keep it light-hearted and fun
When it comes to teaching piano to preschoolers, you have to make learning fun and engaging. Edgar, who is autistic, loves race cars, so every week we start with an improvisation of a racing car crash. Edgar plays loud glissandos and shows me, on the piano, how the wrecked car turns over and over.
How to Teach Piano to Teens
Because teenagers are involved in so many activities, they can easily get burnt out while learning to play the piano. Below are some helpful tips on how to teach kids piano.
Give them plenty of repertoire options
My teen students and I set goals at the beginning of each semester, and that includes the pieces they want to study. My student Olivia, for example, enjoys classical studies, while Ryan concentrates on the blues. Jairin plans to become a worship pastor, so hispiano lessons center around contemporary Christian music and composition.
Overlap lessons so they share time with other teens
Adolescents love to socialize. I try to schedule two high schoolers back-to-back so they share 10 minutes together weekly. They enjoy playing piano duets, and ear-training with each other.
Work with their school and activities schedules
Several of my teens play in orchestra, band, or their church’s worship team. Therefore, make sure you work in tandem with their activities outside of lessons. When Phillip and Mackenzie are working up the required new pieces, for example, we focus mostly on those. Then, later in the year we return to other goals.
Encourage them to explore their creativity
Teens are bursting with creativity. My student Becca, for example, writes beautiful compositions. We work on getting ideas started during her lesson times, and she develops them during her weekly practice time.
Teach them how to get fast results
Few students know how to practice effectively, so I teach students like 17-year-old Tori how to play straight through music slowly with metronome, make note of mistakes, drill problem areas, and work up each piece quickly.
How to Teach Piano to Adults
Results are important to adult piano students. To ensure that you deliver results, follow these tips on how to teach piano to adults below.
Offer them maximum choice
My senior citizen student Tom knows exactly what he wants to learn: Beatles music, jazz style, and note reading for popular songs. Therefore, I focus mostly on his choices, which makes us both happy. To keep adult piano students engaged, offer them several different choices.
Help them set attainable goals
Adults need to feel in control of their lessons. Amy, a middle-aged woman with a chronic illness, can only practice sometimes, so her goals are flexible. In each lesson I ask her, “What did you work on this week?” and we go from there. Help your student set attainable goals that are realistic to their situation.
Explain your goals as a teacher, and refer to them often
I take time to show students the benefits of, say, five-finger pattern drills: finger strength, but also a knowledge of major and minor chords. This helps adults understand that they can transfer their theory and technical studies to help with pieces they want to play.
Schedule them for performances
Many of my adult students play in LHS’s annual coffee house and classical recitals. We also encourage them to perform for family gatherings, parties, church groups, and more. In doing so, they are more motivated to perfect their pieces.
Make the lessons encouraging
Adults, in particular, need to know they’re making progress in lessons. I make it a point to (sincerely) praise their strong points and positively address their weaknesses so they can improve and gain confidence.
How to Teach Yourself Piano
Many people believe that you need years of expensive lessons to learn how to play the piano.
However, with a little time and effort, it is possible to learn how to self teach piano. The first step is to find a suitable instrument. If you do not have access to a piano, there are several apps and websites that offer virtual keyboards.
Once you have found a keyboard, it is time to start learning the basics. There are a number of excellent resources available online, including video lessons and articles that explain the basics of music theory.
As you progress, you will be able to tackle more complex pieces. With practice, you will eventually develop your own style and become an accomplished pianist. So don’t be discouraged – with a little effort, anyone can learn to play the piano.
How Long Does it Take to Teach Yourself Piano?
Many people dream of playing the piano, but are discouraged by the thought of taking years of lessons. The good news is that it is possible to teach yourself piano, and you can make significant progress in a relatively short period of time. The key is to find a method that works for you and to be patient as you master the basics.
There are a number of different approaches you can take to learning piano on your own. You can purchase books or online tutorials, or even attend group classes. The important thing is to find an instruction method that you are comfortable with and that provides clear, step-by-step guidance.
Once you have chosen a method, it is important to set aside some time each day to practice. Even just 20 minutes of practice can make a big difference in your progress.
Most people will start to see results after a few weeks of consistent practice. However, it is important to keep in mind that everyone learns at a different pace. Some people may take longer to learn than others, but as long as you are making steady progress, you are on the right track. With patience and persistence, anyone can teach themselves how to play
How to Find a Piano Teacher
A good piano teacher can be hard to find. If you are new to the instrument, you may not know where to start your search. However, there are a few things you can keep in mind that will help you find the right teacher for you.
First, it is important to find someone who has experience teaching beginners. You want a teacher who can start from the basics and help you build a strong foundation.
Second, it is helpful to find a teacher who is familiar with the style of music you want to learn. If you are interested in classical piano, for example, you will want to find a teacher who specializes in that genre.
Finally, it is important to find a teacher who you feel comfortable with. This is someone who you will be spending a lot of time with, so it is important that you click on a personal level. Once you have found someone who meets all of these criteria, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful pianist.
How to Become a Piano Teacher
Becoming a piano teacher requires more than just being able to play the piano well. It also involves an understanding of music theory, pedagogy, and child development.
Those interested in becoming piano teachers should consider pursuing a degree in music education or a related field.
This will provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the classroom. In addition, those who are interested in teaching piano should have a strong passion for music and working with children.
Those who possess these qualities will be well-positioned to become successful piano teachers.
How to Teach Piano Lessons – To Anyone!
Anyone can learn to play the piano, and with a little bit of guidance, anyone can teach themselves how to play as well. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when teaching piano lessons to others.
First, it is important to be patient and understand that everyone learns at their own pace.
Break down the concepts into manageable pieces so that they can be easily understood. Also, provide feedback that is both positive and constructive so that students can see their progress.
By following these simple tips, anyone can become an effective piano teacher.
Many piano teaching principles are constants, and non-negotiables we should continue to practice. However, we should also keep in mind individual needs, especially for different age groups.
While some of your students may fit perfectly into size small clothing, others need mediums and larges. In teaching piano, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach–and that’s good.
Photo by Woodleywonderworks
Rhonda B. has taught piano for 20+ years in two piano schools and now at her home studio. She has a B.A. in Music Education from Culver-Stockton College, and studied post-graduate piano with instructors at Truman State University. Rhonda operates Listening House Studios in St. Charles, Missouri with her son and business partner Eric B. Book lessons here!
Brooke Neuman