rate of progress
When To Move Ahead
I have been teaching an 8 year old for 4 months. He’s a really bright kid and generally picks things up pretty quickly. We are just finishing up Chester and I’d like to begin Ode to Joy this week. The reason I haven’t moved ahead…
Teaching a 5 year old
Keywords: 5 year olds, groups, private I’m a new teacher in Medina Ohio, currently with 3 students and about to add 2 more. It’s already been interesting due to the varying ages and experience: I have a sister and brother (10 and 8 years old)…
Starting Lessons with an Experienced Student
I am pretty brand new – only taught 2 lessons so far. I have just got off from a phone conversation with a Dad. He has pretty much decided to have his son (7th grader with 5 years of traditional lesson) taking lessons from me.…
Parent Complaint about Group Lessons
For those of you who teach mostly in groups, how have you addressed complaints from parents about group lessons and the student to teacher ratio? (Meaning they feel their child isn’t getting enough ‘piano time’ in their new group lesson)? I teach mostly small groups.…
Pace of Progress
A teacher expressed concern about how much of the curriculum she gets through each year. Here is Neil Moore’s response. How Many Songs per Year Should Students Learn? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRmE3QrNEmA&list=PL3o0aF_9qHn4F2sy8QRuPb_jf_r4D9823&index=20 Original video posted April 4, 2017
Remembering Compositions
Below is an email from a parent. Any advice on strategies I could suggest? This student has been with me for about 6 months. He is in first grade and is moving through Foundation pieces at a just-under-average pace. I have noticed memory is an…
MAC Program Progression
I posted about the MAC program to someone looking for piano exposure for some younger homeschooling kids in a facebook group I am in. She is now asking me more and I’m not sure how to respond since I haven’t actually been through the whole…
Students Wants to Limit Assignments
How would my expert teachers out there manage a student who was absolutely adamant that they should only have 1 NEW song to practice each week. Regardless of if they get it easy or not; how can I correct this limiting belief in their psychology…
Managing Appropriate Progress
I have been in this situation many times – i.e. students who are only marginally behind my own playing ability. Sometimes I’ve kind of fudged it by avoiding playing the entire piece, if it isn’t sounding smooth yet but I can still teach chunks of…
Comparing Students
I need your opinions/input as to how to intelligently respond to a parent who, after the recital sent an email asking me to share my thoughts: 1. I think my child is moving too slow, isn’t being challenged enough, child is very bright (agreed) WHY?…