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When Is The Right Time To Begin Work On Grade 1 Piano?

Piano

Date : 27/06/2015

Author Information

Suzanne

Uploaded by : Suzanne
Uploaded on : 27/06/2015
Subject : Piano

When parents are faced with their children learning skills that they didn`t pursue it is especially hard to know how to measure their child`s progress. I have often found that children have benefited not so much from having a parent who can already read music or play the piano but from a parent who works alongside the teacher to support the common goal and to encourage regular practise. It is important that an instrumental teacher does communicate at the right level for each parent and provide ways in which a parent can be an actively positive influence in keeping their child interested in playing. To briefly and informally teach the parent aspects of playing that they can support allows them to be involved and continues the `voice` of the teacher between lessons.

For each student the `right time` to begin grade 1 preparation is quite different. Skills such as note reading and coordination of hands together playing are something of a prerequisite for grade work. However, a child who feels a bit lost playing through various beginner books and apparently unconnected pieces can experience an injection of motivation by knowing that they have begun work on grade 1. Many times I have witnessed students who I thought might struggle at starting to learn these pieces have in fact blossomed and become intensely motivated by knowing they are en route to an exam, a certificate, a date and something which is recognised by adults and school friends alike.Through this motivation their note reading and general standard of playing can sky-rocket. As a teacher this is a magical process to observe. Students who have felt overwhelmed by playing much hands together previously can suddenly flourish and learn solidly at this level simply by having their eye on a target.

In the end many children, like adults, want to be able to play something that sounds like a `real` piece, something that stands alone as a full item in a concert and looks impressive to their peers. It requires experience to feel when this sometimes almost intangible `right time` is. In some cases it is something a teacher feels in their gut although outward evidence might at that time seem to say the student is not yet ready. A good teacher is such a valuable asset to a parent and so if you sense that your child has a knowledgeable, passionate and supportive teacher then use this resource to your best advantage.

This resource was uploaded by: Suzanne