Student is learning Fur Elise from keyboard with incorrect fingering
Found in: Musicality, Pedaling, Technique
Joy O., Alabama
I’m teaching Fur Elise to a group of boys in Foundation 1. One came in today talking about his keyboard: “It has all of Fur Elise. It’s a really long song! We’re only learning a little bit of it”. Apparently it has lights or sounds or something to teach how to play the songs programmed into it.
Then he proceeded to play the RH with fingering different from what I taught last week. He said, “I’m learning from my keyboard”. I did point out correct fingering, and encouraged him to work on his fingering. I also asked him, “Are you learning from me or from your piano?” His answer was “both”. Grandmother who brings him told him he was rude with that answer.
At this point, I don’t think this is Claiming Territory–he’s just eager. How do I address this student and this issue?
Cate R., Australia
“Unfortunately, the keyboard won’t help you using the right fingers. My job is to help you with the correct fingers so when we get to the full piece you’ll be a whiz at it. I want it to be smooth and seem less. How does that sound to you?”
Leeanne I., Australia
I have that problem too, with Ode to Joy. It is pre-programmed on a lot of electronic keyboards. I just tell my students we need to learn it the Simply Music way.
Patti P., Hawaii
Invite them to learn other songs from their keyboard, ones they won’t be learning in SM. They’ll probably use strange fingering, and you can simply suggest they try a better fingering. It’s really a lot like learning a piece from YouTube. For some students it is very motivating. I invite them to play it for class if they like. I might make a 2-second recommendation on fingering, then we move on to the projects we are working on. I like to validate their eagerness, while directing them to explore pieces that are not in the SM books.