Beginners (7-9)
Benefits of childhood music education.
Research has confirmed that there are long-term benefits to starting musical training before the age of 7 (reference). Check back for more information soon!
What to expect from lessons.
For many students, age 7 to 9 is an optimal time to start taking piano lessons. At this age students are becoming adept at reading and writing, are used to paying attention at school, and are generally more focused and driven. Students of this age will learn pieces exclusively by ear and rote for the first 6 to 8 months of lessons. After about 4 months the student will begin to learn to perform rhythmic notation, followed by pitch in the treble and bass clef. During the first few months of lessons we will explore a repertoire of basic movements through playful songs and exercises designed to help them lay foundations of fine motor coordination that will allow them to perform comfortably and with fluency as they progress throughout the years. I believe the key to developing sustainable, injury-free techique is establishing ergonomic movement habits early on and facilitating an exploratory approach to movement learning, encouraging students to discover their own technical solutions to musical problems. Students will be encouraged to compose their own songs and improvise. As lessons progress students will be encouraged to revisit well-loved pieces, perform for family and friends, and listen to music at home. Each week the student will have a specific list of practice goals encompassing pieces, technique, and special challenges.
Setting up a good practice routine.
The key to success in piano lessons is setting up and reinforcing a good practice routine. The most important way parents can support their child is by reinforcing a regular schedule of practice. Just like adults, children develop routines when practice sessions are scheduled at a regular, reoccurring times. It is best if the parent can determine when those times will be and set them aside the very first week of lessons. Getting a kitchen timer or using a phone app can be a great way to help children regulate the length of practice sessions. See the Parent Resources page for more tips to help you set up a good practice routine!
Research has confirmed that there are long-term benefits to starting musical training before the age of 7 (reference). Check back for more information soon!
What to expect from lessons.
For many students, age 7 to 9 is an optimal time to start taking piano lessons. At this age students are becoming adept at reading and writing, are used to paying attention at school, and are generally more focused and driven. Students of this age will learn pieces exclusively by ear and rote for the first 6 to 8 months of lessons. After about 4 months the student will begin to learn to perform rhythmic notation, followed by pitch in the treble and bass clef. During the first few months of lessons we will explore a repertoire of basic movements through playful songs and exercises designed to help them lay foundations of fine motor coordination that will allow them to perform comfortably and with fluency as they progress throughout the years. I believe the key to developing sustainable, injury-free techique is establishing ergonomic movement habits early on and facilitating an exploratory approach to movement learning, encouraging students to discover their own technical solutions to musical problems. Students will be encouraged to compose their own songs and improvise. As lessons progress students will be encouraged to revisit well-loved pieces, perform for family and friends, and listen to music at home. Each week the student will have a specific list of practice goals encompassing pieces, technique, and special challenges.
Setting up a good practice routine.
The key to success in piano lessons is setting up and reinforcing a good practice routine. The most important way parents can support their child is by reinforcing a regular schedule of practice. Just like adults, children develop routines when practice sessions are scheduled at a regular, reoccurring times. It is best if the parent can determine when those times will be and set them aside the very first week of lessons. Getting a kitchen timer or using a phone app can be a great way to help children regulate the length of practice sessions. See the Parent Resources page for more tips to help you set up a good practice routine!
Contact Jillian to get more information or to schedule a free 30 minute consultation.
FAQ
HOW MUCH SHOULD MY CHILD PRACTICE?
I recommend 10 to 15 minutes per day no fewer than 5 days per week. Breaking up practice time into shorter 5 to 8 minute sessions can be beneficial for very young students. Students will likely not progress if they practice fewer than 4 days a week.
DO I HAVE TO PRACTICE WITH MY CHILD?
Practicing with your child can be a great way to spend quality time together! Parental involvement in practice sessions will likely be required for the first year to two years of lessons, but may persist depending on the age and personality of the child. Although I believe self-motivated practice and unsupervised practice sessions are beneficial and necessary for student progress, the expectation that a student will go to sit at the piano and practice consistently of their own volition is unrealistic for many students, especially those under the age of 8.
I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MUSIC. HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD WITH PIANO?
Parents frequently worry that they will be unable to help their children practice because they do not know anything about music themselves. Don’t worry! Providing encouragement, displaying enthusiasm for music, and reinforcing practice schedules require no knowledge of music and are the most important way parents can support their child’s musical development. This may include asking your child to show you what they are working on, encouraging them to perform for friends and family, or listening to music with them. It will also include going over their list of piano homework in their notebook and making sure they’ve practiced everything on the list.
Should The parent attend lessons with the child?
Parental attendance is encouraged but remains optional. I strongly recommended parental attendance for the first 6 months of lessons for beginners. This is to ensure that the parent knows what material was covered during their lessons to help support good practice routines at home.
Sometimes my child doesn't want to practice. Should we stop lessons?
Almost all children will occasionally find it difficult to practice. The occasional bad day shouldn't be anything to worry about. If getting your child to practice is a constant struggle and regularly disrupts the peace of the home, the child is likely genuinely disinterested in piano and the parent should consider stopping lessons Establishing expectations for practice and a regular practice routine from the outset can guard against future bouts of practice-time blues.
DO WE NEED A PIANO IN THE HOME?
Yes, absoultely. If the student does not have an instrument at home to practice on between lessons they will not progress and will likely become discouraged or lose interest in playing the instrument altogether. The piano may be an acoustic or electric, provided it has 88 weighted keys. Keyboards with fewer than 88 keys will not suffice. If the family wishes to find out if their child enjoys piano lessons before buying their own electric or acoustic piano, electric pianos can be rented from music stores, such as Long and McQuade, for about $40/month.