2/20/12 Update: I am not taking on any more piano lessons at this time. However I am taking on vocal students, that will include introductory piano and/or songwriting.
PIANO LESSONS (Age 7 and Up)
Piano Lessons are a wonderful way to introduce music to your child. I love playing guitar, but piano is my very favorite instrument to play and compose on. I believe that Piano Lessons at an early age builds a very strong musical foundation for all other instruments. Research shows that piano lessons produce a 40% rise in math scores, improve handwriting and problem solving skills. You don’t need to have a piano at home – a keyboard works just as well for beginners. {Although, I do recommend an 88-Key Keyboard with Weighted Keys.} Although I do follow certain curriculum beginning books with my piano students {such as Bastein or Alfred Series}, my actual lessons are very individualized based on your child’s interest / skill level / learning style. I am very flexible in my approach, and teach in a relaxed, fun manner.
Here is what will be introduced in Beginning Piano:
*Fun Finger Strengthening Exercises I have developed over the years that improve finger strength and agility.
*How to Memorize all the Key Names on the Piano Keys in a fun, mathematical way that makes sense.
*Easy to understand Basic Music Theory.
*How to Read Basic Sheet Music
*Option for placing numbered or note named stickers on your piano/keyboard. I am open to this, as this helps students not get overwhelmed and build confidence during their first few songs.
*I like using colorful beginning picture piano books, that make learning fun and non-threatening.
* I aim to make learning the piano a fun experience for kids. Sometimes seeing “all those keys and notes on the paper” get overwhelming. This can cause too much frustration and quitting early on. I want to make it fun, to bypass this quitting stage and prevent giving up. How many adults have you heard, maybe yourself, say, “I wish I would have continued piano lessons.” Well, most likely, they quit because they were too overwhelmed.
*Once a child feels confident in playing basic piano, I encourage them to start Writing Their Own Music. We start with very small fun songs – musically and lyrically – and draw pictures, on the sheet music, as well. This builds incredible confidence and satisfaction, and becomes an intergral part of the lesson.
~Jennifer