Kids love unstructured play time and it is necessary for their development. I try to incorporate that into my lessons with the young ones. I have played a "call & response" game with one of my students who absolutely loved it. I play something very simple on the piano, the student mimicks that in a different octave (we're sitting at the same piano). Then we switch it up. She plays something and I mimick it. Then we switch it up where I play something and she comes up with a different "response." This allows the student to become familiar with the keyboard, the sounds and rhythm. It's also fun and it can teach focus, empowerement, cooperation and musicianship. I do add in some structured teaching in the lesson as well, such as learning the notes on the piano, learning a scale, learning to read notes, etc. Depending on the student, and some have a really hard time staying focused, I try to make sure that they are enjoying the lesson. I think the key is to not be rigid with kids. It's not always easy, and some students are really good at paying attention and pick things up easily while others are just not interested at all. The latter ones I find I have to incorporate learning moments with play time a lot more than with students who can stay focused for longer.
In my experience teaching 4 different instruments, it seems piano is best suited, generally for students starting around 8 or 9. At that age they learn much more organically without the use of distractions or games. At that age, they've heard a lot more music as well, which I think is necessary to be able to learn a pitched instrument with the least amount of frustration. When parents ask which instrument their 5-year-old should learn, I suggest drums first. Digital drum kits are small, sound great, kids love them, and they don't have to learn anything about notes or pitch. Digital drums already have a preprogrammed great tone, so the kid won't get frustrated by the bad sound and they can basically jump right into enjoying music. Best situation is to have 2 drum kits set up so you can both play, and basically jam the entire time and immerse them in the language and experience of music. This way they get to listen to tons of music as well, which will make it easier for learning anything else a few years down the road. They respond so well to this. Of course if the kid already loves the idea of piano at age 5, then cool, jump right in. My philosophy is that if the kid doesn't already love the idea of playing the instrument, there is no point in putting them through lessons. If you want to suggest something as a parent, definitely drums until they're old enough to be able to focus on piano. Definitely any person of any age who acts like they don't want to be there, it's just a bad idea to keep them there. Why force the issue? There is a reason a lot of children don't like piano lessons when they're super young, and that should not be ignored. Drums are far more suitable for that age.
I teach piano both privately and through my local Conservatorium. My son is 2 and I’ve been teaching him piano quite successfully over the last 6 months. With new students around 5-6 years old, I might start with warming up their ears playing games like major minor and singing do re mi. We play games on the piano like pointing out 2 tall trees and three black bears. Or playing each white note from the top of the piano to bottom. We may go to the iPad or possibly play clapping games. The student only fit in 1 or 2 short songs during a 15min lesson, but they’re still developing musicianship skills, and practising sitting at the piano. Playing longer songs on piano will come over time.
Thanks for your video. I came across a term called Novelty Effect which is what you described as always coming up with new ideas for creative incentives. What I discovered also was that playing make believe roles in drama is one easy way for fresh ideas to spring up easily without it being boring. And then you place your music lessons in between these dramatic role plays. According Jean Piaget 's stages of psychosocial development children from the preoperational ages (3-7) love pretend play.
Thank you for sharing your most helpful ideas. I've had experience teaching children over 6 years old and I feel confident planning lessons for that age range. But pre-school ages are another totally different challenge. And I've been feeling stressed about some new lessons I have now with toddlers. The attention span is the main issue. Although I did my best so far, I feel I made slow progress. Now I'll try to apply your wonderful ideas and hopefully I'll get better at reaching out to them. Thank you so much. Keep up the great work. Cheers!
Good ideas in this video, thank you. I have a microphone and an amp in my music room, and one student loves to sing, so we spend about 5 minutes on a vocal warm up. Then a little on the piano. Just basically getting her to play one note on a time. We put new stickers on the keys each time. Then we get to sing a Disney song on the microphone. Then a little more on the piano. The student is under 5. And the lesson is 45 minutes! LOL!
Good day, the relationship between teacher and students/ parents is very crucial. You have to let the boy or girl know everyone is serious about the music lesson and you're not a walkover but a business man . At times you're strict, while at others you pretend to be simple. That's the game
Thanks for eplained teaching lesson😊👍 I have problem for teaching my student..he cannot hold longer in rhe class, just want go back home as soon as possible..he can play 1 song properly but after that he doesn't want to play piano again..is there any solution for that..?thanks🙏😊
You are performing a great job. Keep going. You are so talented! I look forward to see the next one. Meanwhile, stay blessed! Greetings from Sri Lanka............
Please could you take thebackground music out? It’s distracting and it’s louder than the voiceover. Also your overall level is too low and the voiceover is over compressed as it’s going up and down…..I couldn’t hear a lot of what is being said on headphones and I really wanted to hear it !
Kids love unstructured play time and it is necessary for their development. I try to incorporate that into my lessons with the young ones. I have played a "call & response" game with one of my students who absolutely loved it. I play something very simple on the piano, the student mimicks that in a different octave (we're sitting at the same piano). Then we switch it up. She plays something and I mimick it. Then we switch it up where I play something and she comes up with a different "response." This allows the student to become familiar with the keyboard, the sounds and rhythm. It's also fun and it can teach focus, empowerement, cooperation and musicianship. I do add in some structured teaching in the lesson as well, such as learning the notes on the piano, learning a scale, learning to read notes, etc. Depending on the student, and some have a really hard time staying focused, I try to make sure that they are enjoying the lesson. I think the key is to not be rigid with kids. It's not always easy, and some students are really good at paying attention and pick things up easily while others are just not interested at all. The latter ones I find I have to incorporate learning moments with play time a lot more than with students who can stay focused for longer.
jbassmesser183 thank u for this 🙏🏽, will try it out with my 5 year old student
Thank-you for this, this is really helpful.
In my experience teaching 4 different instruments, it seems piano is best suited, generally for students starting around 8 or 9. At that age they learn much more organically without the use of distractions or games. At that age, they've heard a lot more music as well, which I think is necessary to be able to learn a pitched instrument with the least amount of frustration. When parents ask which instrument their 5-year-old should learn, I suggest drums first. Digital drum kits are small, sound great, kids love them, and they don't have to learn anything about notes or pitch. Digital drums already have a preprogrammed great tone, so the kid won't get frustrated by the bad sound and they can basically jump right into enjoying music. Best situation is to have 2 drum kits set up so you can both play, and basically jam the entire time and immerse them in the language and experience of music. This way they get to listen to tons of music as well, which will make it easier for learning anything else a few years down the road. They respond so well to this.
Of course if the kid already loves the idea of piano at age 5, then cool, jump right in.
My philosophy is that if the kid doesn't already love the idea of playing the instrument, there is no point in putting them through lessons. If you want to suggest something as a parent, definitely drums until they're old enough to be able to focus on piano. Definitely any person of any age who acts like they don't want to be there, it's just a bad idea to keep them there. Why force the issue? There is a reason a lot of children don't like piano lessons when they're super young, and that should not be ignored. Drums are far more suitable for that age.
I teach piano both privately and through my local Conservatorium. My son is 2 and I’ve been teaching him piano quite successfully over the last 6 months. With new students around 5-6 years old, I might start with warming up their ears playing games like major minor and singing do re mi. We play games on the piano like pointing out 2 tall trees and three black bears. Or playing each white note from the top of the piano to bottom. We may go to the iPad or possibly play clapping games. The student only fit in 1 or 2 short songs during a 15min lesson, but they’re still developing musicianship skills, and practising sitting at the piano. Playing longer songs on piano will come over time.
Thanks for your video. I came across a term called Novelty Effect which is what you described as always coming up with new ideas for creative incentives. What I discovered also was that playing make believe roles in drama is one easy way for fresh ideas to spring up easily without it being boring. And then you place your music lessons in between these dramatic role plays. According Jean Piaget 's stages of psychosocial development children from the preoperational ages (3-7) love pretend play.
Thank you for sharing your most helpful ideas. I've had experience teaching children over 6 years old and I feel confident planning lessons for that age range. But pre-school ages are another totally different challenge. And I've been feeling stressed about some new lessons I have now with toddlers. The attention span is the main issue. Although I did my best so far, I feel I made slow progress. Now I'll try to apply your wonderful ideas and hopefully I'll get better at reaching out to them. Thank you so much. Keep up the great work. Cheers!
yeah the background music is too loud and honestly it is distracting
Good ideas in this video, thank you. I have a microphone and an amp in my music room, and one student loves to sing, so we spend about 5 minutes on a vocal warm up. Then a little on the piano. Just basically getting her to play one note on a time. We put new stickers on the keys each time. Then we get to sing a Disney song on the microphone. Then a little more on the piano. The student is under 5. And the lesson is 45 minutes! LOL!
45 min is far too long and I feel unproductive. You would get more done in a 20min lesson than a dragged out 45min one.
Good day, the relationship between teacher and students/ parents is very crucial. You have to let the boy or girl know everyone is serious about the music lesson and you're not a walkover but a business man . At times you're strict, while at others you pretend to be simple. That's the game
45 minutes with a 5-year old?! Wow! You must do a pretty awesome lesson. Congrats! 🌟
Thanks for eplained teaching lesson😊👍
I have problem for teaching my student..he cannot hold longer in rhe class, just want go back home as soon as possible..he can play 1 song properly but after that he doesn't want to play piano again..is there any solution for that..?thanks🙏😊
Thank you for the tips---background music is annoying.
Background music is extremely distracting!
Great spin on flip the perceived problem, to solution!! 3-minute segments for itty-bitties (my name for them)
This video is interesting, but the background music is very distracting.
Please turn the music off so I can hear what you are saying!
Thank you...yes just looking for creative ideas to keep an extremely shy young 6 yo who is just starting ...
Why is there music in the background?
Thank you for your input. Good ideas!
Piano is awesome. 😄
What Is Confidence?
You are performing a great job. Keep going. You are so talented! I look forward to see the next one. Meanwhile, stay blessed! Greetings from Sri Lanka............
good one--leverage the games!
Interesting approaches!
Thanks so much for this video...I'm gonna follow your suggestions and see how I get on :)
Please could you take thebackground music out? It’s distracting and it’s louder than the voiceover. Also your overall level is too low and the voiceover is over compressed as it’s going up and down…..I couldn’t hear a lot of what is being said on headphones and I really wanted to hear it !
The videos 9 years old ...
Great tips! Thank you.
Good Video thank
Why talk over the nice music?