Antonio Said:

Teaching a five-year old piano?

We Answered:

Good grief. People can be very snobby sometimes. >.<
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I've just recently started teaching piano to three kids, ages 6-11. I've taken piano lessons for 11 years and I strongly recommend checking out the Suzuki method. It can be very difficult teaching a young student the names of the lines and spaces, especially when they change with the different clefs.

I would start with a an Alfred edition reading book to teach her the finger numbers, what kinds of notes there are, and to help familiarize her with the piano. Don't go very far in it. I would stop when it starts to get into the names of the keys, lines and spaces.

Personally, I feel that introducing the names of keys and chords too early introduces a frame of mind that looks for formulas and a structured way of playing instead of being able to "feel" the music, which is where truly great playing begins.

Make sure her technique is correct. When she first starts, the lessons should mainly help her to know *how* to go about playing, not actually playing as much. Being five, of course she'll tend to get bored, so ask her questions about what she thinks about piano, if there's a song she's played that's her favorite, if she's listened to piano music before and anything else that will cultivate interest and a desire to do well.

Get some CD's together that have some good, interesting pieces that you think she'll enjoy listening to. Having her hear that will do wonders for her playing and will help her see what music really is. I suggest music composed during the Romantic period, along with Beethoven.

In the extra time, emphasize the rhythm in songs and the feeling that comes with it. Again, Suzuki is *the BEST* with this. After she gets familiar with the piano, I recommend starting with Suzuki book 1. It starts with something called Twinkle variations, which is pretty self explanatory I guess. :)

Sorry if this isn't very specific. It's hard to know where to begin with these things. There are two books I **highly** recommend reading: 'Nurtured by Love' by Suzuki and especially 'Studying Piano: More Than Music' by Carole Bigler and Valery Lloyd-Watts.

Good luck!

Edit: Also, make sure not to heap her with work or to do too much too early, or she'll get overwhelmed, confused and probably end up wanting to quit. Music should be a joy, not a chore. Introducing that early on will be wonderful. However, a good work ethic is something that can also be instilled early. Balance is everything.

Edit2: I looked at some of the other answers. I couldn't help it. =/ Dynamics (emotion) should be added from the start, not calculated in after the notes are learned. What is music without emotion? Music is an art that needs to breath, not be smothered.

Eugene Said:

Would teaching piano count as leadership?

We Answered:

No. It would count a.s teaching piano.

You can count it as a job though if you got paid for it.

Eugene Said:

Teaching Piano?

We Answered:

I'd first figure out what you're going to teach. Do you have a particular lesson book you want to use? Do you want to specialize with beginners? Students younger than you, or are you okay with adults?

I'd talk to the elementary music teacher in your town and see if she knows of any students who want to learn piano that you could teach. You can also put up flyers in the local library, grocery store, bank, etc.

As for rates, since you're only in high school and you don't have any college degrees in music, I would only charge between 10 and 20 dollars an hour (less if that's the going rate for more highly qualified teachers). Unfortunately, until you have more experience, credentials, and references under your belt you will be paid less.

Lucy Said:

Piano teaching dilemma?

We Answered:

Your humility, I feel, is a really good sign.

Like Hafwen and Alberich, I think your mother is giving you good advice. If you take a limited number of students with some background (they ARE easier to teach than beginners!), your conscientious approach should almost make up for your lack of experience.

Don't forget that you will have your mother to help you, as well.

It is quite important to remember that you would not actually be teaching the Piano. You would be teaching young people.

A genuine interest in these students AS PEOPLE goes a long way toward achieving success when you teach these people the Piano. Standardised 'Grade x' approaches to teaching are sometimes soul-less and self-defeating, whatever the prevailing attitude to exam 'standards' in your area. [ Perhaps this is what Petr is referring to?]



These young people are not studying Piano as a vocational enterprise. This, I think, is important to remember. Music must be invariably an enjoyable facet of their lives, even if some things they are asked to do are not really exciting in the short term.

Music study for these young people needs to be the involvement in Art, not merely activity designed for the satisfaction of examiners, surely?

Regimented attitudes to 'grades' can seem to deny the student status as a person.
Was this, perhaps, what Petr was saying?

Best wishes.

Kelly Said:

Where can I find another job teaching piano in New Jersey?

We Answered:

you can advertise your teaching services at classified http://www.bokrin.com/united-states_cou/…

Lori Said:

Im 18, I want to start teaching piano lessons. Is that a good idea?

We Answered:

First question: Have you done piano exams? If you are in north America, go for RCM (royal conservatory of music). What level have you achieved? They are going to look for someone who is a higher level, to insure that you can teach the kids.
Second question: Which method are you going to teach? Are you a Suzuki person? Do you like Fletcher? Alfred? Bastien? Faber?
Third Question: Do you know the requirements to move up the examination levels? I would recommend you get yourself a piano syllabus and learn it WELL

These are the types of questions an informed parent will ask you. Can you answer them?

As far as marketing yourself, I would write up a little biography for example:
Jane Do has been playing piano for ___ years. She is an experienced musician who would like very much to pass her knowledge and love of music down to other people. Jane has achieved grade _____ (or performers or teachers) through __________ (exam organization, like RCM). For more information please Contact Jane Do at ___________.

Or something along those lines. One of the best ways to market yourself is by word of mouth. Tell all your friends. Make up an add. Ask your local elementary schools if they will let you put it up. You can also contact your local piano teachers association. If you are well qualified they will probably add you to their lists, so that when students from you area call looking for a teacher, they will have your name and number. Depending on where you are from, this may cost you a small amount, but is definitely worth it. Being recognzied like that by one of those associations says you are well qualified. Another option would be to contact your local examination agency (like RCM) and see if they will add you to their teacher list. Again, if you are well qualified they will, and this looks very good to prospective students.

Good luck :)