John has been providing piano lessons in Cincinnati for over 30 years!
I am often asked what my teaching method is. I always answer that I have about sixty students and sixty methods of teaching; one for each student. All students, whether children or adults, have unique talents, strengths and weaknesses and each student requires a unique approach. Some students have a facile technique but little innate musicality. Working for a greater range of emotions in the student’s music can lead to a more dynamic personality in the student and affect all aspects of their life. Other students have great natural musicality but weak technique. Building a relaxed, fluent technique at the piano can liberate a student’s musical gifts.
The goals of the student should always be the goals of the teacher. If preparing for a competition, remember that the preparation is for the benefit of the student and not for the benefit of the teacher’s reputation. I never recommend a career in music for any student. There are already too many professional musicians. If a student asks me if I think they should go into music as a career I immediately say no. To go into music the student should be so committed that he or she would never think of asking this question. We teachers do not need notches in our belts for the number of professional musicians we have “produced.”
Teaching Goals for Piano
My teaching goals in general are to build a relaxed approach to the keyboard with the use of weight rather than muscular tension to produce a warm, singing tone. The creation of a singing melody at the piano is so important to the successful performance of a piece of music. The melody must be served to the listener on a silver platter with the phrases well projected and shaped to have a dynamic contour. A great legato is very important. The phrases must breathe as though being sung. A pugilistic hitting of the keys is really unappetizing to the ears. If the student doesn’t listen to the sounds being created all is lost. The architecture of a piece of music is crucial to a true interpretation; the high points in the music must always be well marked. All of this contributes toward giving the student an awareness of the joy of music making at the piano. Then playing the piano becomes a lifetime companion and not just gymnastics at the keyboard.
Accept the limitations of the student and be patient. Some students need one repetition to get a passage right and some may need ten. Change your approach and expectations with each student who comes through the door. Never show your impatience; acknowledge progress even if slight. Make sure your criticism is constructive. You can say almost anything with a laugh and a smile and the student will know it is not personal. I often say “If I didn’t think you have great potential I wouldn’t be so picky. Take it as a compliment.” Music teachers are not just teaching notes, we are building self-estime and confidence that spills over to all facets of life. I took on a transfer high school student who was totally demoralized by her previous teacher who called her playing “disgusting.” The student was so afraid of making mistakes that she could hardly play in front of anyone. It took a year of confidence building but she is now doing a great jobe with Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin. So be aware of your comments and the good or bad lasting affects they can have.
The Focus of Music Study
There is a huge emphasis now days on teaching theory to all students. My feeling is that too much of a good thing distracts from what should be the focal point of music study which is creating beautiful music. The typical student who is over booked with school work, sports, clubs and video games has at best 30 to 45 minutes a day for practice. If extensive theory study is added to this mix the piano suffers. The few students who plan to major in music in college are another story but for the average student the study of theory should be the means to more musical playing, period.
Teaching music is a demanding, taxing and often tiring job but we need to remember it is also a noble profession with far reaching influence. After many years of teaching many hundreds of students a significant reward has been the number of ex-students coming back or calling to say how important music has been in their lives.