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Leanne I., Australia

Personally, I would teach the pieces if they are appropriate. I have had requests for songs that aren’t appropriate to the student’s level. I explain to the students why I can’t teach them that song yet and tell them we can learn it later on. I don’t judge their taste in music (even if I don’t like it).

Cate R., Australia

Maybe set a task of listening to the right hand with left hand chords of Eb F Gm F. See if he can work it out himself.

Mark M., New York

I always want to empower students to choose whatever they want as much as possible when it comes to accompaniment and reading.

Susan M., Canada

Thanks everyone, It’s the moral issue I am concerned about. More what the music is associated with. I like the idea of inspiring with no judgment and have always felt that way. But these songs seem so dark.

Mark M., New York

I personally give myself no reason to do anything other than leave the decision between students and their parents. I don’t consider it my business as their piano teacher to pass moral judgments on their music choices. Adult students are free to choose their own materials, and younger students have parents who are involved in lessons and would naturally be involved in those decisions to the extent that they choose to be and on behalf of their children. Not to mention that, when students are learning a piano piece, they’re just learning notes to play with their fingers, separate from any lyrics, and devoid of any content that could be considered moral or immoral or otherwise. And nothing is stopping a student from writing or imagining filthy evil sociopathic lyrics to Dreams Come True and every other seemingly harmless song they may ever learn, singing those lyrics in their head every moment they’re performing for me during lessons. And what can I do about that? Not a thing. So I simply do not see myself, in the role of piano teacher, as having anything whatsoever to do with this issue.

Not to mention–music is about expression. And if students are feeling dark things and want to express them through music, well, frankly, I think that very much is my business as their piano teacher and creative facilitator.

Jacqui G., Canada

Expression and the freedom to choose work both ways. While I might not pass moral judgments on my students’ choices, teaching an inappropriate song to a minor is not something I would feel comfortable doing, and I would draw my own line in the sand. I would also share my reasons with the parent. In this day and age, it is not enough to assume that parents will protect their children from bad influences, or help them make good choices.