Need a Piano Curriculum (or just advice) for Young Beginners

[Einen]

I've been using Alfred's Piano Course with dd. We get pretty frustrated with each other during every lesson. I'm wondering if there are any other curriculums I should check out before we throw in the towel.

Or does anyone have any words of wisdom for teaching a 5 (almost 6) year old piano? :bigear: :bigear: :bigear: Should I ditch the metronome? How close to perfect do I require her to reach before we move on to a new piece? Anything else you feel like sharing?

Thanks!

[apheartsong]

Have you checked out Kinderbach? You can get online lessons to use with an electronic keyboard very inexpensively or pay a bit more (still reasonable) and get the lessons on DVD. The first two weeks are posted free on the website. It's designed for 2-6 year olds, but my 9yo wants to do it.

Allison in TX
mommy to 3 blessings

[momsquared]

My DD's teacher uses Alfred with my daughter and it is working out fine. We do not use a metronome though and neither does the teacher. She claps the rhythms a few times and then plays them a few times. I actually think it is a decent program.

[inashoe]

I've been using Alfred's Piano Course with dd. We get pretty frustrated with each other during every lesson. I'm wondering if there are any other curriculums I should check out before we throw in the towel.

Or does anyone have any words of wisdom for teaching a 5 (almost 6) year old piano? :bigear: :bigear: :bigear: Should I ditch the metronome? How close to perfect do I require her to reach before we move on to a new piece? Anything else you feel like sharing?

Thanks!

I teach my kids with Alfred's. The progress they are making varies depending on each child's differing aptitude for music.

ds10 made slow progress initially, I was glad that I was teaching him myself, so I could relax on my expectations for him, and allow him to plod along at his own pace. I am now really glad that I did. This year he suddenly started doing much better, and best of all, he loves it. He now really enjoys music, and I have always avoided any pressure with him.

dd8 is making even slower progress. She is willing, but has a very poor ear for music, and low muscle tone so she doesn't have the strength and finger control. She is willing so we continue.

ds6 is making the best progress. He is obviously musical, he is moving forward in leaps and bounds. He often goes onto the next piece and teaches it to himself before I get to him (big smile from mama - so glad to have one little musician in the family)

You didn't mention on which level you are.

Ditch the metronome for now - she is still too young to have that pressure put on her.
First go through the piece with her clapping the rhythm and counting aloud. Preferably she should also count aloud with you, but if she resists then take off the pressure, and just count aloud yourself.
Then go through the piece pointing to each note, and saying the note name aloud - pause before you say it yourself, coaxing her to say it first. If she doesn't know it, point out something to help her. Perhaps remind her - this is the G clef, this is the G line, so this note is ... Or the previous note is E, this is up a third, so this note is ... (pause giving her a chance to answer, if she doesn't then say it for her).

As they play their piece, if I feel they are not keeping a steady beat, then I count aloud for them - even if I have a long pause while they are searching for the note. So I might count : 1 .. 2 .. (long pause) 3 .. 4 .. etc. Sometimes I might also clap gently while counting.

When they are reasonably comfortable with a piece, but far from perfect, then we move onto the next piece. I keep them practicing the previous three or four pieces that we have done - this helps improve their fluency in each piece.

Loving music is far more important than mastery at this age. Loving music is what will keep her coming back for more. Have her play one piece for dad (or someone else appreciative) so that she gets plenty of positive feedback.

Let me know if you have anything other specific questions.

[Einen]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I will ditch the metronome and I will move to new pieces faster. It is so good to hear another mom's experience.

I do like Alfred's program (we're on 1A). Honestly, I think it's my unrealistic expectations that are making piano lessons so frustrating. I guess I was just embarrassed to make the OP solely about that! :tongue_smilie:

[brehon]

(Love that name by the by)...I'm teaching my two eldest children (ds7 & dd5). We don't use Alfred, so I can't comment on that program; but, I loved Inashoe's comment, "Loving music is far more important than mastery at this age."

The one thing I would add (and I add it only because I don't know if Alfred already includes this component) is don't forget about music theory. My kids do a formal theory lesson a week (takes maybe 10 minutes, tops). As a music major I really can't stress this enough -- you don't have to drill and kill (to borrow a math phrase), but do a little each week.

OK, there are two things I'd add. The second is to remember that at this age shorter practice sessions are probably better than 1 long session. My ds started piano when he was 6. Even with his musical ability (which is quite high) he simply couldn't sit for 30 or even 20 minutes practicing piano. My solution was to slowly build up the practice time. Now, he practices 20 minutes a day (required) and often noodles about another 10 or 15 minutes on his own. You may already be doing this.

Good job teaching your dd! I think music education is so important to young learners.

[inashoe]

I guess I was just embarrassed to make the OP solely about that! :tongue_smilie:

Don't be embarrassed - at some stage all of us have had unrealistic expectations. That is where these msg boards are so helpful, by bouncing them off others we realize where we need to tweak a bit.

The one thing I would add (and I add it only because I don't know if Alfred already includes this component) is don't forget about music theory. My kids do a formal theory lesson a week (takes maybe 10 minutes, tops). As a music major I really can't stress this enough -- you don't have to drill and kill (to borrow a math phrase), but do a little each week.


Yes, do do theory. I presume you are doing this. Alfred's has a theory book for each level.

OK, there are two things I'd add. The second is to remember that at this age shorter practice sessions are probably better than 1 long session.

YES !!! Short and frequent. Aim for everyday, but don't stress out if you miss days. Make it a part of your child's homeschool routine. Even just one run through each piece is sufficient.

One tip I learnt way back, it wasn't related to music, it might have been reading lessons. Keep the lessons short, end on a high note, that will keep them coming back for more.

[Wee Pip]

I have 8 & 6yos. The 8yo takes 1/2 hr private piano lessons from a teacher. The 6yo is interested in piano, but in short bursts. For her I use Bastien piano (the preschool beginners one). With her, I review the fingers (thumb is 1, pointer is 2, etc.). Then I review with her where to put her fingers on the piano for the song she wants to do in the book. I also remind her that the notes with white in the middle are longer notes and the notes that are black are shorter notes (she seems too young and not interested enough to really delve into the half=2 counts, quarter=1 count thing). I also play the song for her so she can mimic the sound and see how it is played. Once I've shown her that (5mins tops), I leave the room and let her tinker around with it. This has worked out well and has gotten rid of the frustration and anger that comes from me "teaching" her. (And yes, the metronome would absolutely KILL us, LOL). Once she is reading well, I'll start having her take the weekly private lessons, as well.

[Veritaserum]

We've used Bastien (which I like) but now my girls are both using Hal Leonard. My sister teaches piano, so my girls are going to her (less frustration ;)). I like the Hal Leonard books because they come with a CD. Some kids have a much easier time with steady rhythm than others. Relax. Keep working on it, but the metronome really psyches some kids out.

Each kid progresses at their own rate. My 6yo has been playing for a year and a half and is doing great (she played "Away in a Manger" while the family sang on Christmas Eve--so cute). My 8yo self-taught using the Bastien books we have and is just now starting formal lessons.

[JulieD]

I switched my daughter to Music for Little Mozarts, published by Alfred. It is designed for 4 to 6 year olds and moves really slowly. There are 4 levels in the series and after you are done your child will be ready for Alfred 1B.

This would make most sense if your daughter is not naturally musical or has a hard time with finger coordination. (My son had no problems playing piano but couldn't hold a pencil. My daughter's just the opposite.) There is lots of skill repetition, but my daughter loves that she gets to move on to a new song every week, which certainly was not going to happen in a regular piano course.

The Discovery book and CD are wonderfully fun and introduce a lot of musical concepts away from the piano. While I am not crazy about every aspect of the program, it fits my daughter well.

Julie D.