Piano Teachers please help!?

Question

In a couple weeks I will start giving piano lessons and I was wondering if u could me some pointers on what to start with first???

Thank u so much.

Answer 1

if you have books, you should start with the first page of the easiest one.
if they are young, dont even give them lines yet,
mailly tell them that in some songs their thumbs will be sharing a key (tell them where middle C is), and in others they will be "next door neighbors" and have them do little excersizes. fgabc cdefg
maybe teach them the names of the keys in the next week or so
then in maybe a few months, you can teach them a sharp b flat and c nutural
maybe teach them little things that you could even make up..
cdccdccdcdcdc

if they are teens or older, most of them will probably already know the lines and spaces, but if not, its never too late to teach them.
if you dont have books, you can print out sheet music on the internet, maybe mario, or harder disney songs

but still, i would say the books would be the way to go.
thats how i did it.

good luck!

Answer 2

I use the Piano Adventures books by Nancy and Randall Faber and have found them to be very helpful, especially when I was in your shoes just a few years ago. I start the students) at about first grade or up) at the primer level and have them get the lesson book and theory book, which reinforces the lesson book. The lesson book begins with how to sit, hold the hand, and teaches the finger numbers. It progresses on until the students are reading from the staff. It is easy to follow and understand and is super colorful, which the younger students especially like. There are also little ear training and creativity activities at the bottoms of many of the pages that the students like as well as a "duet part" for the teacher to play with the student.

Also, this series is neat because there are several books, which all go by level so you never have to wonder what book to buy, that you can supplement with the lesson book. Some of these other books are the performance book, technique and artistry book, Christmas book, classics, favorites, hymns, jazz & blues etc. The books are inexpensive (my students paid $7.95 for their lesson book and about the same for the theory book), and they are at most music stores as well as online. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

First, start them off exploring the keyboard. Show them the black note pattern of 3 and 2, and have them play them all over the keyboard.Teach them some names of notes, and have them find each one. Do not shy away from the black notes. Kids love to find all the notes, say all the "f"s, once they know what an "f" is. Don't overload them with stuff like dynamics, slurs, etc. Once they are comfortable with what the notes are, teach them to read some of those notes. Always try to make sure that they leave their first lesson able to play something!

After you have covered a subject, do a quick review every 5 minutes or so. Make them tell you the names of the notes that you play. Then go back to the reading. Alternate these experiences so that they don't get bogged down. Try to make it an exciting experience, not a boring lesson, and an experience that will pay off for them by allowing them to make music. This is true of both adults and kids.

Never, never, never write "u" in a notebook or on a lesson page. You will royally tick any good parent off if they see that.

You can gradually move them into method books, mold good hand position, and all of this stuff when they are comfortable with the keyboard. I have taught many people this way, and they have all become very fine and interested students.

Good luck!

Answer 4

So much depends on who you are teaching. Are the 5 year olds or 15 year olds or 55 year olds? There are different methods to use with different age groups. What do the parents want? Just beginning exposure? Intensive covering of all the basics? What music ed is happening in your local schools? Do your students have keyboards or pianos to practice on? How much are you charging and how much are parents willing to pay for books?

I would at least consider these elements:
1. Basic piano methods
2. A book that has "fun" songs or "performance" songs
3. Music Theory
4. An accountability to notebook (for recording assignments and practice times)

I have used several different methods, many are very similar. You also may want to include finding ways for your students to perform (a different kind of skill!). That can be a recital (private or public) or playing at their church. Nursing homes are usually enthusiastic audiences but their pianos tend not to be in good shape.

Good luck!

Answer 5

If you need to ask people on Yahoo Q and A, I would say you are NOT prepared to begin giving ANYONE piano lessons!

Answer 6

Buy books to teach the kids from.

There are these books called Piano Adventures. Great books. They have a lesson book and then a Performance book, and a theory book they all work together and are great books to start from.

Answer 7

To whomever says that this girl is too young, she's 16. Yes, it's a little young, but so? And I'm pretty sure the guy was maybe 4 years older...Woopy Doo...Anyway, yea how does he feel about you? Cause if you keep wondering how he feels, then he probably doesnt feel for you...idk i'm being a ***** sorry

Answer 8

You should ask the students what they would like to play. Go from there. After all, they are the ones paying for the course; they should be able to pick. You don't have to start small. Know they''re not dumb. I have a friend who started playing classical stuff without knowing Mary Had A Little Lamb and she is amazing!

Answer 9

If you have to ask for pointers from people on Y!A, then you are not prepared to be a piano teacher.

Answer 10

work on the fingers and hand postions first.. if they are beggingers... work your way up.. other things you could start with are the different note and their placements on the piano... get them piano books they have all different kinds for begginers and so on!