Comments on: That Blynken Piano http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/2107/that-blynken-piano/ Because we need all the help we can get Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ben Trovato http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/2107/that-blynken-piano/#comment-4600 Ben Trovato Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:54:00 +0000 http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/2107#comment-4600 I agree with Naive, particularly about sitting with her during practice.<br/><br/>Al our kids are learning the piano, and three another instrument as well.<br/><br/>This requires a lot of parental time (at first) as it does make a huge difference if they are encouraged to practice daily, and listened to and supported each day (after a few years, this is no longer necessary) This is really worth it, not just for the musical aspect, but also more generally as a way of staying close to them - and it is a joy to me that Ant and Bernie are now really competent on two instruments each). I agree with Naive, particularly about sitting with her during practice.

Al our kids are learning the piano, and three another instrument as well.

This requires a lot of parental time (at first) as it does make a huge difference if they are encouraged to practice daily, and listened to and supported each day (after a few years, this is no longer necessary) This is really worth it, not just for the musical aspect, but also more generally as a way of staying close to them – and it is a joy to me that Ant and Bernie are now really competent on two instruments each).

]]> By: Nod http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/2107/that-blynken-piano/#comment-4585 Nod Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:54:00 +0000 http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/2107#comment-4585 Lots of good suggestions, Naive. Lots of good suggestions, Naive.

]]> By: Naive http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/2107/that-blynken-piano/#comment-4584 Naive Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:43:00 +0000 http://www.catholicdadsonline.org/posts/2107#comment-4584 I could talk for hours about music lessons. You're right that learning to play the piano means learning where and how to place the fingers. However, this can be learned without learning all the other (non-instrument) parts of musicianship while sitting at the piano at the same time: how to read music, count, etc. You can use 8.5x11 inch flash cards to teach note reading to children age two and even younger, but be sure to smile a lot and not quiz. After they learn the names of the notes (quarter, rests, etc.) you can make a game by letting the child place some cards in a row and then you help her clap the rhythm. Use more cards for the notes on the staff (c,d,...) and use "Bea's Keys" to relate the notes to the piano. This is how my son learned to read music and rhythm. You can do this before starting instrument lessons, or at the same time. Music for Little Mozarts teaches general ear training and music concepts before note reading - with a cute mouse and bear that Blynken might like. My son used this for piano. The Suzuki method teaches the instrument and playing by ear first, and then note reading when the children are older. My son used this for violin. He already knew how to read music by this time, but we saw it work successfully with other children who did not read yet. Also, we've found that the child's personality and the teacher's personality have to be a good match. Each teacher has a different style as does each child. So don't be surprised if you end up trying a couple of different teachers before settling on a good match. The teacher isn't bad, the student isn't bad, they're just not a match. If you want HER to WANT to LEARN, make it joyful, and break it into manageable bits. This doesn't mean silly craziness. It means lots of smiling encouragement and breaking it into baby steps just like when she was first learning to talk and walk. It means encouraging perfectly curved fingers and straight wrists, but not expecting to see them for a couple of years. It also means having one of her favorite people (who's more patient at practice time, you or mommy?) sit and help her practice. I could talk for hours about music lessons. You're right that learning to play the piano means learning where and how to place the fingers. However, this can be learned without learning all the other (non-instrument) parts of musicianship while sitting at the piano at the same time: how to read music, count, etc. You can use 8.5×11 inch flash cards to teach note reading to children age two and even younger, but be sure to smile a lot and not quiz. After they learn the names of the notes (quarter, rests, etc.) you can make a game by letting the child place some cards in a row and then you help her clap the rhythm. Use more cards for the notes on the staff (c,d,…) and use "Bea's Keys" to relate the notes to the piano. This is how my son learned to read music and rhythm. You can do this before starting instrument lessons, or at the same time. Music for Little Mozarts teaches general ear training and music concepts before note reading – with a cute mouse and bear that Blynken might like. My son used this for piano. The Suzuki method teaches the instrument and playing by ear first, and then note reading when the children are older. My son used this for violin. He already knew how to read music by this time, but we saw it work successfully with other children who did not read yet. Also, we've found that the child's personality and the teacher's personality have to be a good match. Each teacher has a different style as does each child. So don't be surprised if you end up trying a couple of different teachers before settling on a good match. The teacher isn't bad, the student isn't bad, they're just not a match. If you want HER to WANT to LEARN, make it joyful, and break it into manageable bits. This doesn't mean silly craziness. It means lots of smiling encouragement and breaking it into baby steps just like when she was first learning to talk and walk. It means encouraging perfectly curved fingers and straight wrists, but not expecting to see them for a couple of years. It also means having one of her favorite people (who's more patient at practice time, you or mommy?) sit and help her practice.

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