Simpedia

Kerry V., Australia

some young children think it is going to be too hard to do so instead of giving it a go, they want to knuckle down (sorry for the pun). I ask them if they can clap with just one hand. They’ll try tricks but they concede that the two hands can clap together, they have been doing 2 hands together for along time. ‘let’s see how we can do the same thing on the piano.

So depending on where they are at i have them ‘clap’ both hands on the keys, gently, no thumping. Then I would have him play just the 2 thumbs together. then to the next. then to the next. It doesn’t take long AND also they may need full clarity of what they two hands are acutally doing.

I also show them the difference in playing a song with one hand then two so they can hear the difference and how it ‘works’ together.

Have fun with it.

Mark M., New York

Are you using Tune Toolkit? The very early notion there of Capitals & Periods provides a very discreet way of starting to have the hands work together, but because it’s improv 1) it’s all under the student’s control what notes to choose, and 2) a game approach can be made of it. I mention in Tune Toolkit that one of the great reasons to do C&I is that, just as with SM we can play more advanced things directly compared to having to read them, we can make up more advanced things compared to having to learn particular pieces. Improv with BH could be a really good way to make it easier for a resistant student to start to work BH and prepare for doing so in the actual repertoire pieces.

Leisa B., Georgia

I always assure them that we won’t put our hands together until both hands are very happy and strong with their part. Some take longer than others but I’ve learned to keep playing with them. They play LH while I play RH together. They need to hear the hands together before they actually play them. Keep trading parts back and forth. Every week. After awhile I ask them to try the first note then the first phrase in lesson. I just stay with them every step of the way. Sometimes I put Neil up on the piano/iPad and let them follow him. He’s so good at taking it slow. I really encourage their success with their left hands. How great it sounds. Etc. Their moms are there and know how to encourage them at home and many play along with them like I am in lesson. Parents are a great tool at that age. 😊

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

You might try asking him to play *only* the first event hands together – e.g. in Dreams, just the first note in each hand of sentence 1. Then finish sent 1 RH only. Once that is comfortable, add the LH to the last RH note of sent 1. Micro dosing down to the smallest possible event.

Leeanne I., Australia

Laurie Richards yes! And before you do that on the piano, get down on the floor with them and do it on the floor. Show them how easy it really is.

Mark M., New York

“Control the Events.” “Single Thought Processes.” “It takes as long as it takes.”
The wisdom is always available, we just need to remember it and honor it and be compassionate with ourselves and/or our students in the face of whatever emotional resistance/urgency we and/or our students feel!

Theresa J., Texas

Developmentally this 5-year old may not be ready. Keep approaching and supporting, in time things will unfold