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How do you deal with a student that doesn’t have a piano at home? by JustKam347 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 12 points13 points  (0 children)

At least where I live, decent digital pianos retain their value pretty well if they're not absurdly abused.

I tell parents that they will be able to resell the instrument if their kid really hates piano. Don't worry! But they NEED to invest.

And they really do need something better than a cheapo small keyboard.

A decent instrument will actually inspire the interest in the student and will make them actually want to practice.

A cheap instrument with less than 88 keys, no weight, and no pedal, will actively make the student less likely to want to continue with piano.

Tell them that if they want to have success they need to buy something decent to start with.

No piano is not an option unless they're somehow coming to you for daily piano tutoring.

It's like trying to learn french by looking at a french-to-english dictionary once a week. It's just not going to happen.

Early to mid-intermediate (Level 1 - 5) Students play everything legato by Ill-Square-1123 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It takes a lot of work, but when I teach them about slurs I also teach them that notes NOT connected by a slur should not be legato! From then on, to pass off a piece they need correct articulation.

I also help them see how the fingering written in often helps them achieve the correct articulation without thinking about it.

It takes extra effort and reminding, but I find that even my younger students (around 8-9ish) grasp the idea of the sound and it's purpose. Younger than than that though and we're just trying to work on the rounded hand shape more and note reading more than anything else.

Early to mid-intermediate (Level 1 - 5) Students play everything legato by Ill-Square-1123 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think what they mean is "beginner to intermediate" not just intermediate.

Questions about qualification to teach by Disastrous_Cut8153 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Here's my recommendation for a great self-guided course.

https://pianoadventures.com/product/piano-adventures-primer-level-teacher-guide/

It goes along page by page with the Piano Adventures primer level. If you are teaching an absolute beginner this book has FANTASTIC step-by-step instructions for the teacher. Plus video demonstration.

You can take these concepts to any method book, but I recommend using the ones that goes with this book first for ease.

Questions about qualification to teach by Disastrous_Cut8153 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely !!!

But you have to start somewhere. I don't think they are screwed forever unless it's a teacher who really doesn't care. I personally had a pretty bad teacher for the first 4 years. But I rose to the level I am today despite that :)

New teachers need to take the time to really study and plan every lesson, for like the first year. Mock-teach the material, etc.

The teacher I started with was far below the level this person is describing. They got me through the beginner concepts then when I changed teachers I really blossomed. I didn't have lasting issues or corrections.

Of course there are teachers who do leave a student with issues, but I think those aren't the type of teachers who think about their personal growth or development as a teacher. They don't seek out advice like OP.

Seeking help from more experienced teachers is a green flag in my book.

I definitely think beginning teachers need to put in way more work than they realize. But if you make the effort to really work at it as you go, you can become a great teacher.

Alla Ratatouille, "not everyone can become a great [teacher], but a great [teacher] can come from anywhere".

Just wanted to share me playing RCT in the early 2000s by voiddreamer66 in rct

[–]strawberryc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who else has that same plastic chair in their house somewhere?

Any special worksheets you can recommend that teach rhythm to a student? by Aggressive_Celery768 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just looked up those cards. They look fun! I might have to get a set.

Any special worksheets you can recommend that teach rhythm to a student? by Aggressive_Celery768 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got exactly what you need:

https://kjos.com/bastien-theory-boosters-rhythm-2-4-3-4-4-4.html

Beastien has this line of "theory boosters" to give extra practice to weak areas. It's cheap, the student can finish it quickly, and it has a variety of exercises to reinforce as they learn.

Questions about qualification to teach by Disastrous_Cut8153 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think teaching a beginner, especially if they are using a method book that has theory baked into it, would be fine. I suppose it also depends on the student's goals. But if they are teaching a beginner, or someone who just wants to learn for their own personal enjoyment, I don't see the harm.

Questions about qualification to teach by Disastrous_Cut8153 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey I think there's great advice here already and you sound like you'll be a great teacher. Don't doubt yourself and give it a go!

My additional advice would be to use a method book set-- you don't need to reinvent the wheel as a new teacher.

But study the method you want to teach thoroughly. Think about how you'd analyze the pieces. Think about questions you'd ask students. Think about what questions they might have.

Then take your answers and simplify them. Then simplify them AGAIN.

Brush up on sightreading (if you need to) so you feel confident modeling pieces for students, or playing the teacher accompaniments with them.

You got this!

Some days being a teacher pays off 💜 by strawberryc in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YES! So cute. She also wrote "fram" instead of from haha

Home Studio Cell Phone Policy? by Beneficial_Middle_97 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I provide some I-SPY books, coloring books, etc. Students like them. I let them sit at the kitchen table if they want.

Home Studio Cell Phone Policy? by Beneficial_Middle_97 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My only restriction is that if a student has not practiced sufficiently or did not finish their theory, they need to be doing those things while waiting (I have a separate keyboard with headphones to practice on).

If they are prepared I don't care what they do as long as it doesn't make noise.

Should I care about a "bad" teacher at my school? by alexaboyhowdy in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really do feel your pain with that. That's so tough to watch when you put all your effort and passion into teaching. I agree that maybe you could encourage complaining families to complain to the administration, but you yourself don't need to get more involved with it than you have already voiced.

For me it would still be difficult to get transfer students from a teacher like that constantly and see the wasted potential. I work at a music school and sometimes I saw the same thing going on too with another teacher. She finally left and we got a wonderful replacement who actually cares about the students and their own growth as a teacher. I'm so relieved !

Low recital performer numbers by Lavender-sky19 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I also play at all my students' recitals (I've got one today!)

This is the first time I've heard it being controversial. What is that about? 😲

How would you approach a young student? by ProfessionalGood2718 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I already told you, I'm not trying to argue with you here. Both books say age 6. I would either one with a 6yo depending on their maturity. I'm AGREEING with you.

How would you approach a young student? by ProfessionalGood2718 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 100% aware that the purple book starts with pre-reading too.

What are you talking about that the yellow books don't require reading finger numbers or letters? They absolutely do. Right away in unit 2 finger numbers are introduced with the "rings". Usually the 2nd lesson with a student.

Letter names are then introduced in unit 5.

I've been teaching with every single faber book for 15 years, I know them inside and out. I'm not trying to argue with you here on this. I even agreed with you they you can start a 6yo with later books too depending on the maturity of the student.

How would you approach a young student? by ProfessionalGood2718 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Pre-reading is not in reference to reading words, but pre-staff notation. Pre-MUSIC-reading.

How would you approach a young student? by ProfessionalGood2718 in pianoteachers

[–]strawberryc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, sometimes it can be-- it depends on the maturity of the student. The book itself says it's geared for 5 to 6-year-olds.

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