Simply Music not considered “real” piano
Found in: Other Methods, Playing-Based Methodology
Susan M., Canada
I got a call from a mom today. Her son (11 years old) is getting teased by his peers at school for not learning ‘real’ piano. I will spend time with him and his family to highlight the differences of the method architecture, explain the big picture, and show him the graph from the “A World Where Everyone Plays” to try to make him feel proud of what he’s achieved (mid level 4). Maybe I should meet with the school music teacher? Has anyone ever experienced this?
He’s phenomenal. He’s a gifted boy, and learns at lightning speeds – has all arrangement flawless. I have a hard time keeping up with him! The comments stem from “not reading music – a baby program”..so damaging and hurtful kids can be. Maybe I should invite their friends/families to an intro session to share the facts.
Mark M., New York
It can also be worth sharing some more general facts like: people have been learning musical instruments for thousands of years and have only used sheet music to do so for the last few hundred.
Brenda D., Colorado
He should play at school sometime for his class, or at a school talent show. When he wows them with his incredible playing, he will not be teased any longer.
Susan M., Canada
He has performed several times for class and I believe this has spurred on some jealousy. Competition was brewing and I think the other kids turned to the only thing they could find to fault.
His mom also asked me to do a “hybrid” lesson and bring in some traditional so he won’t feel left out. I told his mom that he’s close to getting the notes to read (I actually have no idea since I’m only at Reading Rhythm training!), so now my confidence is taking a bit of a hit. And honestly, I am trying hard not to succumb to the pressure of changing what we’re doing in reaction to this. But it’s got my mind percolating…I can’t go any faster myself. I’ve given him music he want to play using a bit of fragmenting (like video game stuff), just to give him something fun. He is in Level 4, working on Sonata in C.
Rochelle G., California
If mom can see the big picture that’s 80% of the battle. The other is having the student understand the big picture and feel confident in what he’s doing so as not to be shaken. My other bit of advice, if you’re in the Reading Rhythm training yourself and he’s in Level 4: just do it. Just get started. Just keep going. I just took my first group through the reading process so I know exactly how you’re feeling. You can do this!
Becc S., Australia
My daughter started her music degree at the Sydney Conservatory and I was delighted to hear that one of her lecturers said music should be taught with delayed reading. I was blown away that such an old institution would have that view. He was in the music education department. So you could tell the parents that. And it’s delayed reading–not never reading.
Leeanne I., Australia
One of my students played the piano at school last year (he was in grade 6, last year of primary school in Australia) and the other kids told him he was a show off and teased him. When he told me this, I told him the other kids were just jealous because he was so good. I think the other kids are jealous. He should offer to teach them a song.
Susan M., Canada
Just thought I’d share the result of this issue. My student advised me that the “teaser” quit traditional lessons this week.