Mobility Issue in Shared Lesson
Found in: Shared Lessons
Unmani, AU
My query is regarding balancing two lots of physicalities at a shared lesson.
I have a – how can I say – large lady who can’t get up and down from the stool with ease or speed, and can’t play standing up so round robin’s etc don’t work.
Her playing mate is a very cruisey able 70 year old who is now starting to sit down a lot also because her mate is.
They have only been put into a joint lesson in the last couple of months – the woman with agitlity issues has had lots more lessons but is hard on herself and I felt the ‘no fuss’ partner would be good for her plus all the other shared lesson benefits for both of them.
Now I’m not so sure because I am concerned the 70 yr old isn’t getting access to each end of the keybd etc. – because once I have the other in place it’s hard to move her, to be blunt.
And I feel I can’t teach in small dosages where each have a go to reinforce because it takes too long and is too difficult.
And if I sit them both at the keyboard there’s not much ‘leaning over’ flexibility because of space constraints etc.
I think the large lady would just prefer she could sit at the keyboard the whole time like she used to except when I am demonstrating something.
I’m confused.
I’m wondering should I experiment with a keypad set-up at comfortable sitting height for both when the other is being shown something (that would be a bit of a pain)
Do I plan the lesson carefully around the sitting and standing?
Do I put the younger less able woman back in a solo lesson and reassign the older to another group?
Kerry V., AU
Do you use the practice piano pads at all? That way, they can remain seated and you won’t have space constraints. There are some songs I don’t even go to the piano. The learning is done on the laps, practice pads and then they go home to explore it more.
Terah W., Kansas
Is this something you do in any particular way or fashion? Or is it a now and then thing to keep variety in your lessons? I would feel like I hadn’t finished the job:) if I didn’t hear them play it on the piano first. I am about half-way thru Lev. 1 and have been experimenting with using lap-pads more. I am surprised at their benefit and usefulness. My transitioned students thought it was a little weird at first but think nothing of it now.
Unmani, I had thought to make this same suggestion for your situation. I even thought of a cheaper keyboard/Casio-type that might fit on a lap that you could trade off on per lessons with this unusual challenge you find yourself with but maybe that’s overkill and the lap-pad would be enough. It will be interesting to hear how you resolve this (as well as hearing the input from more experienced teachers!) Please let us know how it goes.
Sue C., AU
Could you sit the two ladies at the piano so they do not have to move to another position for the length of the lesson and still teach using three keypads? One keypad may be placed on the music stand on piano where you demonstrate.
If it is too awkward for you to reach it there, put your keypad in the best position for you. They could each have a keypad on their lap. These could be stored on top of piano and handed to them to use at the appropriate time. Perhaps you could close the piano lid (if that is the type of piano you have) and place key pads on top of the lid for keypad work, otherwise
keep them on their laps.
One person could play in the lower region of the piano with the other playing on the higher notes. It does not matter if they do not play DCT forinstance in middle C position.