Five Essential Pointers for Piano Lessons
Information You Need Before Choosing Piano Lessons.
Music plays a significant role in all of our daily activities. It’s crucial to our evolution as human beings and serves many other purposes besides pleasing our ears.
Scientists from the University of California, Irvine, conducted an experiment back in 1993 that lasted several years. The researchers (whose findings appeared in Nature) randomly assigned college students to either listen to Mozart’s Sonata for two Pianos in D Major, a relaxation tape, or nothing at all. The students then performed a test of their spatial reasoning (their ability to put together puzzles) immediately following these sessions and showed significant gains in performance as a result of having listened to the Music. The reason for this is that musical and spatial abilities share similar neural pathways.
Later, researchers at Appalachian State University replicated the initial study’s findings, showing that musical stimulation increases cognitive performance.
Preschoolers (those between the ages of 3 and 4) received instruction for a full year. There were four groups of kids: those who took keyboard lessons, those who took singing lessons, those who took computer lessons, and those who didn’t take any lessons at all. The children’s scores on tests of spatial-recognition reasoning and spatial-temporal reasoning after 8 months of treatment were significantly higher than baseline. Children who took the keyboard lessons were the only ones who showed improvement on the spatial-temporal test. (The kids didn’t get any better at spatial-recognition, though.)
The fact that the vast majority of doctors also have classical music training is another fascinating correlation I’ve noticed. Many people I’ve met have responded to my question about the similarities between the medical field and the musical arts by saying that both involve a high degree of concentration and a quantitative approach to solving problems from multiple angles at once. It requires extensive study in one subject, or both, which complement one another. To them, it’s clear that the medical and musical fields share fundamental similarities in terms of brain function and focus, and this is of great value to both. The findings of future research into this topic will be fascinating to observe. At this time, there is inconclusive scientific evidence linking medicine and music.
Here are the top five things to remember when learning to play the piano.
First, Determine how interested your youngster is. Do they actually enjoy this, or is it just a fantasy of yours? A positive and fruitful learning experience is more likely if the child is genuinely excited about music and the piano. If they’re not enthusiastic, you could wonder why you bothered. Is it because you truly want it on some deep, primal level? It is never too late to get started. If that’s the case, I recommend enrolling in some piano classes. I teach pupils of all ages, including some who used to play but stopped when they were older. They came to resent their decision to stop at some point and promised themselves they would start up again someday. On the other side, some retirees finally have the time to pursue their dreams after years of wanting to but never having the chance to. They have developed into genuine piano masters. Pssst! I’m giving you hope and a gentle push by providing you with these great examples. You can always start over. An authentic curiosity on the part of the pupil is required.
As for the second part of your question, an electronic keyboard can serve just fine for beginning piano instruction. In time, the student will develop a sense of their own goals for their piano studies and be able to tailor their lessons accordingly. It’s acceptable to stick with a keyboard if your intentions are just recreational.
The pupil should be transferred to an acoustic piano if they are studying classical music. As a professional pianist and educator, I can say that unless it is given as a gift, a Spinet Piano (one with a low back) is not something you should buy. Rather than a Baby Grand Piano, which has strings running vertically, a “Upright” would be the better choice because the strings run horizontally. It sounds noticeably better to the ear, and the motion on the keys is much better technically for the student’s hand.
Third, learn from the experiences of others by hearing how they felt about their teachers. Investigate the school and teacher’s history. Ask questions like, “Where did they go to school, how long have they been teaching, where do they teach from, and what is the environment like?” Find out how current students feel about the teacher’s patience by inquiring about their experiences in class. How well existing pupils are doing under the teacher’s tutelage should give you a solid indication of the teacher. Find out if your child gets along with the teacher. You have a choice, keep that in mind. It’s for the best that students learn to work with whoever has been assigned as their teacher. While kids gain experience interacting with people of many personalities, they should find their piano class to be a positive, enjoyable experience.
Fourth, Children might easily become overwhelmed by a packed schedule. We’ve made it to adulthood having experienced the futility of overload. It’s best to keep the kids’ schedules light so they’re not being tugged in too many directions.
Once the exercises have been selected, I have found that setting down a daily calendar helps ensure that everything gets done that there are no excuses for failing to practise with my own children and with my students.
Fifth, Dedication: Playing the piano will become a regular part of your life once you set a schedule. The learner will eventually become less “worried” about the clock and more motivated to meet the instructor’s expectations. Learning the craft and taking it from a mechanical to melodic level will require the student’s undivided attention. Motivate children to discover their own musical preferences by exposing them to a wide variety of styles and genres. Recitals, talent shows, and worship services are all great ways to instil a sense of dedication in young students. To make piano an art form, one must practise hard and make sacrifices.