Method
- When I start teaching a beginner piano student, the first thing I teach is a line with three rhythms. After recording and clapping the line on their cell phones, students can practice at home.
- By using flash cards, students will learn the first three notes for the right hand and the first three notes for the left hand.
- We select a new piece of music from the piano book FLETCHER, and I record clapping the notes and the rhythms of the first page for them to practice at home. When they clap the notes and rhythms five times daily, they will be able to play the music singing the notes at the same time.
- When they master the first three notes for each hand, I add a new note. I also composed ten pages of rhythms and little by little, I record every page so they will know how to clap them and learn their musical names.
- They have to pay attention, checking the starting finger number and looking at the first note location.
- It's very important to be aware of the height of the bench. Arms and elbows should be level with the keyboard. If not, I suggest using a cushion.
- Technique is developed equally on both hands from the first lesson. When they know the notes and rhythms of the song perfectly, they can learn the dynamics and interpretation as a second step.
- I encourage them to play duets as a way of introducing a variety of musical styles and different music periods and composers. I use flash cards and ear training exercises along with rhythms, notes, musical terms, intervals, chords, scales, etc.
- I emphasize using a metronome to help the student play with a steady pulse.
- Every week, students have homework in a Master Theory book. At the end of the book, there is a test to check how much information they remember from the twenty eight lessons in each level.
The most exciting part is that the student will begin a musical journey, and I will be applauding every step of the way.
After many years of piano teaching, I have had extraordinary results. In a short period of time children or adult students read music correctly.
Some students who have had other instructors come to me after playing piano more than three years. They imitate by memory what they hear the teacher play. When I ask rhythm names or notes, they know nothing. They memorize songs without having the tools to read music by themselves.
Following my teaching steps, children or adult students learn how to read music accurately in a short period of time. This method is not only efficient, it is fun and easy. Some parents have told me: "Irene, your passion for music and enthusiasm are contagious".
