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Leeanne I., Australia

I think you have answered your own question. I tell them it is preparation for when they get to harder songs and will need to watch the video. You are setting up good habits. Do it anyway even if you feel you don’t need to.

Cate R., Australia

I don’t teach them the tail ending. Private lessons I just watch the video during the lesson and explain if they don’t have a culture of watching the lessons everything falls apart by level 4.

Ian B., Pennsylvania

I usually have a conversation with families toward the beginning about “learning a new way of learning” and about how we’re not JUST learning new songs. We’re also building skills that will need to be used later. The example I often use is sentences from Dreams. If their concept of song structure is unclear then Fur Elise arrangement and sentences will be more confusing both in Level 1 by especially in Level 5. A lot of this issue can be brought to the surface by asking students deeper questions each week about things that they’d only understand if they watched the videos multiple times, like the diagrams. If they cannot explain what the diagrams mean then there’s a possibility they didn’t watch or didn’t watch closely enough.

Shelly E., Utah

Ian B. he can explain the diagrams too. But I will ask more questions about what learning tools were used in different levels to see where he is at with that

Scott J., Australia

here is a letter i give to my parents who address this with me. i give this letter to the parents who kids can do this

Dear Parents,

Sometimes a student may feel that they can already play their pieces without watching the lesson videos. While this can certainly happen as students grow more confident, the videos remain an extremely important part of the learning process, and I strongly encourage students to continue watching them regularly.

When a student watches a demonstration of a piece being played, a special system in the brain called the mirror neuron system becomes active. This system allows the brain to internally rehearse movements simply by observing them. In other words, when your child watches someone play a piece, their brain is already preparing the finger movements, timing, and coordination needed to perform it themselves — even before they touch the piano.

Watching the videos also engages the visual processing areas of the brain, which help students recognise hand shapes, movement patterns, and the geography of the keyboard. At the same time, the cerebellum — the part of the brain responsible for timing and coordination — begins to predict rhythm and flow. All of this primes the motor areas of the brain that control the hands and fingers.

This means that when a child sits down to practise after watching a demonstration, they are not starting from scratch. Instead of guessing what to do and correcting mistakes along the way, their brain already has a clear model of the movement and sound they are aiming to produce.

Even when a student can technically play the piece without watching the videos, the demonstrations still reinforce correct movement patterns, timing, and musical flow. Watching helps the brain strengthen the patterns that lead to confident, fluent playing rather than accidental habits that may slow progress later.

For this reason, I encourage students to watch the lesson videos regularly, even for pieces they feel comfortable with. Think of the videos as a way of refreshing and strengthening the brain’s understanding of the music before practice begins.

This small habit can make practice smoother, more enjoyable, and ultimately far more effective.

Thank you for supporting your child’s musical development.

Scott J., Australia

yes of course

Nancy N., New Hampshire

I tell my students to watch the videos even if they’re sure they remember everything because: 1. It’s another way of practicing (I love how Scott details this!) 2. If they do remember anything incorrectly, watching the video will prevent them from having to unlearn. I myself find that rewatching videos as I prepare to teach upper level pieces is enormously helpful for my own ability to play well.