Bach Would Be Proud: I Teach Modern Basso Continuo (Chords)

As I talk to prospective students and their parents, I think more about explaining why I teach playing by chords and ear, not just by note reading like most teachers, and how remarkably effective this
teaching method is.  I'm passionate on this and want to spread this method!   Learning chords is a very old and somewhat forgotten essential keyboard skill.  Really, essential.  Like scales.  But it's been lost for the most part.  Why?  Especially since learning to play by ear and aural training is still common in Eastern Europe, Russia (Eur-russia is where a LOT of the greatest pianists and composers come from) and Asia (think Suzuki method for toddlers).

Familiar with Bach? In Bach's day, it was taken for granted that a keyboard player could be given the basso continuo (their equivalent to chord symbols) and realize the appropriate harmony in order to accompany other musicians or simply a melody.  Bach would be proud: I teach that.  Why don't others?

There are many reasons many pianist don't know, much less teach, chord playing today. Since I'm a history buff and music history was my major's concentration, this development was fascinating to me.  One reason for chord playing's neglect is that this skill was not the rage of the mid to late 1800's, when learning piano became a favorite American hobby especially for the young.  The rage was to be able to play like Chopin - or at least play Chopin.  And every other virtuoso that was the rockstar of Victorian audiences.  Seriously, Franz Liszt was the Beetles/BG's/Ricky Martin/One Direction/Backstreet Boys of his day.   (I had to think hard for the names of these girl-gaggle-gathering boy stars.)

  Though the piano rage started to wane as Elvis and the Beatles came on the scene, it seemed like by the 50's, hardly a house lacked a piano, and everybody's aunt taught lessons. For the purpose of playing classical and sacred music by note.

And still today piano teachers are trying to get every student to be Rachmaninoff.  And yes, I totally completely 100% want every pianist to play classical music!!!  But, Bach would say they need to play chord symbols too.  And Rachmaninoff would scoff (I had to) if he heard musicians didn't have aural training.  So, let's all get together, take over modern America, and LEARN TO PLAY THE THREE WAYS!  **cue in 1812 Overture Canons**

Chicago's Magical Piano

Pure pianistic merriment- that's what I'm talking about! Also, see how simple and fun duets are.

Method Books I Use

Method books vary according to age, music styles, and teaching strategies... oh, and price.   The two main categories are adult and children.  Between children's methods there are some variations, and I enjoyed surveying many methods in my pedagogy studies.  I bring in elements of these other methods to my students to supplement the method books I use.  I also use whatever method books students may have on hand.

Students under about 6 can start with this:

Step by Step Piano Course - Book 1 (Step by Step (Hal Leonard))   (like this:http://www.amazon.com/Step-Piano-Course-Book-Leonard/dp/0877180369 )

 These are the first two books for older beginners:

Schaum Notespeller  - a workbook.   (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Schaum-Note-Spellers-Method-Supplement/dp/0769234534 )

M. Aaron Lessons Book One - method book (http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Aaron-Piano-Course-Lessons/dp/0898988551/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380216794&sr=8-1&keywords=aaron+piano+lessons+1)
 
Belwin Piano Method Book One  - method book   (http://www.amazon.com/Belwin-Piano-Method-Book-Grade/dp/B003FQQ96K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380216784&sr=8-2&keywords=belwin+piano+method+1)

 Add note flashcards.

After completing Book 2 of either method book, introduce:

Dozen a Day Book 1 - Technique / Finger agility (http://www.amazon.com/A-Dozen-Day-Book-1/dp/0877180318)

I generally introduce chord symbol and playing by ear around intermediate level note reading, since the reading takes the most discipline and sets a student solidly in a mindset of hard work.   I demarcate intermediate level as my teacher did, with Bach's Minuet in G.

Toddler / Very Young Beginner Lesson Plans

With the very young (preschool), the key is to be quick to give them short things to do.  They are incredibly energetic and the hardest part of teaching them is to keep them interested and busy.  I would go through as many of the following concepts and exercises until one third of the way through their lesson time, then go back to the beginning.

 I like to approach their lesson as visiting categories of learning: aural training, visualizing keyboard/ keyboard awareness, tactile (finger dexterity/technique), vocalization, rhythm, and notation.  Combinations of these categories are inevitable, especially the physical aspect, which the child craves. In the beginning, relationship is of utmost importance: develop mutual trust, appreciation, and optimism.

Some method books have activities for the very young.  There are so many methods, and so many different activities, since teaching the very young is challenging.  They have less skills and basic understanding then an older child.  You can't take much for granted (e.g., ability to distinguish loud and soft on different octaves).

 Here are some ideas from the recently post video and my experience:

First Lesson:

Sitting in Front of Piano - quickly ask to sit with feet in front.  Repeating this frequently is unecessary; if child moves, it is usually because you aren't keeping them...you guessed it... interested and busy.

Find groups of 2 black keys.
Play together, separately, with index fingers only.  Repeat in all octaves.

Copy game:  Play same key as me.  As many times. Loud, soft, short, long. 
 I copy you!

Finger Exercise - Discover if child is right/left handed.  Teach R and L.   Count fingers. Show me 2, 3, etc. 
Simon says touch the piano with finger 2, 3, etc. Switch hands.

Play hi and lo keys.  Tell me too!

Teach Hot Cross Buns

Second Lesson

Student claps, teacher counts 1 - 2, by twos. Switch.

Aural/Visual : Play and ask questions about Loud, soft, short, long. 

Watch and Copy game on 2 black keys.

Use previous finger exercise game.

Hot Cross Buns with both hands

Chinese Chimes

 Third Lesson:

Student claps, teacher counts 1 - 2, by twos. Fast, slow.   Switch.
Hot Cross Buns


Repeat in all octaves.

Repeat with teacher accompaniment.

Repeat  using E, D, C.

Finger Exercises on 2 keys, copy teacher


Find groups of 3 black keys.
Teacher counts 1 - 2, by twos, student improvises. Switch roles. 


Fourth Lesson

Introduce posture and hand position.

Learn Hot Cross Buns with 3 Fingers

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Toddler / Preschool Piano

Three year old, four years, five....
This video has some ideas ("Physical and aural connections!")


I love how the teacher pretended to make a mistake, and he's taught the child mistakes are ok, and funny.  Of course, we want to enjoy the right notes more!

Quick Reference for Very Young Students

3-5 years old -  Use braced 2nd fingers.

I've ordered these songs by degree of difficulty, but of course, each student is different!  Appropriate for 3-9 years old.

Black Keys:

Hot Cross Buns on 3 black
Chinese Chimes on black
 Fist Play
Mary Had a Little Lamb

In C :

London Bridge
Ode to Joy
Twinkle Twinkle
Old McDonald
Chop Sticks
Happy Birthday in C


Transpose to different key areas: B, G, Gb, C

Review old pieces as duets.

Copycat on black, then white keys:

intervals, rhythm, dynamics, using different fingers (23154)

Article: Music Teaching Philosophy

 A parent shared found this interesting article on Music Teaching interesting from the The Parents' Review,  A Monthly Magazine of Home-Training and Culture, edited by Charlotte Mason.   A philosophy of music teaching that is worth reading! 
And teaching in general, as seen from the  motto of the magazine, 

"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life."

______________________________________

Beginner Students and the Three Ways to Play

I was considering how to begin with students, especially young ones of about 3 or 4, and came to the conclusion that I need to think more about when to introduce the different ways to play.  For years I've seen the wisdom in beginning the young with ear training.  This is generally done in Europe more than in America.  Especially in Eastern Europe, it is required that the child learns aural skills simultaneously with note reading.  Perhaps with older people, whose eyes and hands are more developed, starting with note reading and chord symbols first is better.   Just some thoughts (and questions too, it seems)!   I think I'll bring this up with some music teachers soon.

Note Flashcards

You can order note flashcards as part of a larger set of music flashcards here.   I've never found a set of just notes, so when you order you get more cards than I teach with.

Or you can make your own and not have the extra.

 I searched "printable music note flashcards."  Below is what I found, click to see larger.  These documents have more notes than I use, so my students can just bring the sheets to lesson, and I'll tell them which to cut out.  

click to see larger

click to see larger

click to see larger

If you want to make your own, trace the computer screen.  I've never done this, so proceed with care! :)

 It's 15 or 16 cards depending on if middle C is repeated in the treble (higher) and bass (lower) staves (plural for staff).  


Both clefs should be visible on each card.

I use card stock - regular paper doesn't flip!  Index card size is great.

Flashcards in lessons:  I assign students six years old and up to learn to identify the note from note flashcards for the middle two octaves of notes, from C to Middle C and up through the next C.  It is preferable to have Mid C with up and down stems, so 2 cards with same note, just stems are different. When they can flip through all 15 - 16  cards in 20 seconds, they advance to playing them.  Then the goal is 25 seconds.


Source: http://www.music-for-music-teachers.com/music-note-flashcards.html

Why teach (learn) music?

Playing at Nursing Homes with Linus and Lucy

Here they are again, The Piano Guys - my favorite cellist, Steven Sharp Nelson, with his fantastic pianist. My dear Mom took me to nursing homes to bring brightness and variety to shut in people from a young age.  This continues to be a ministry that is near and dear to my heart - being a friend to the lonely.  Playing an instrument can be a great entry into a lonely soul's life. 
Playing at nursing homes is a great way for a pianist to step out of their comfort zone and playing in public. Most of the time it tends to be like you are playing background music.  Another venue is for ministry fundraisers.  I have played in numerous banquets and teas for Pregnancy Care Centers - great atmosphere and response.

Boston Pop's Christmas - Somewhere in My Memory

When I was growing up, Boston Pop's "Joy To The World" with John Williams was my favorite CD at Christmas time, and "Somewhere in My Memory" will always be in my memory.  Home Alone is a great Christmas movie!!  =]  I happened upon this video from another pianist-blogger. Some Christmas, I hope to teach this to some student who shares my joy in this sweet melody.  Enjoy!

http://blip.tv/pianopodcast/somewhere-in-my-memory-from-home-alone-5815895

Happy Thanksgiving!... Songs

I've been assigning Thanksgiving hymns to my students. 

And Thanksgiving would not be complete without good ol' Charlie Brown!  One of my students just began learning this theme.  Should be a fun challenge for rhythm and agility.

 

Expanding

I've just expanded my "Students" page, on the top menu here, to include more links to free sheet music.  This was particularly to give my students some Christmas lead sheets.  It's less than three months away! With Thanksgiving coming next month, I'm thinking I'll post about traditional Thanksgiving  music. 

Go Bug Dad For Anything - Mnemonic Devices

I start teaching staff notation very early.  Even with 5 year olds, it will come in the first lesson -usually.  By the second or third lesson, they are chanting "All Cows Eat Grass."   Here is the chart I teach them, with the exception of the Good Burritos - I teach "Go Bug Dad For Anything," just for laughs:

New tips I learned:

Rhyming and Reading Music

"Notice that if you say it this way, "FACE is for the space" it rhymes.

"Every Good Boy Does Fine is for the lines," rhymes as well.

This will help with the hardest part for students, which is keeping the memory tools for the lines and spaces straighted out in your head. Also keep in mind that there are 4 spaces on each staff and 5 lines. So that helps narrow down the options."   -http://hubpages.com/hub/Learn-to-Read-Music-for-the-Piano-Faster

 For intermediate students: Once I asked a friend, "How do you remember the keys with sharps and flats?" For the order of sharps, she reminded me of the mnemonic I learned so long ago it was like stumbling upon the old train set in the attic: 

Fat Cat Go Down Allies Eating Bird.

 But she lamented not having a mnemonic for the flats.  Now I know why.  On this music theory site, I just learned that the order of flats is the same sequence but backwards. Nice!

♫*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`

P.S.  I always tell students that Go Bug Dad For Anything is not good advice.