The Piano Adventures® Teacher
Philosophy
To the student, Piano Adventures® implies an exciting exploration. To the teacher, Piano Adventures® implies a mission and mindset which puts the student's personal development in the fore. The Piano Adventures® Teacher refers to a philosophy of teaching, not just to the choice of method materials.
Attitude
The Piano Adventures® philosophy puts the student first—before the music, pedagogy, or performance goals.- The spotlight is on the individual student's growth.
- The goal is to awaken in students the awe of music as an art, being always mindful that music study should enhance and not hinder self esteem.
- We enrich students by revealing the musical artistry within them and by developing their skills for all kinds of musical expression.
Multiple Outcomes
Most of us grow to recognize the potential for deep influence on our students' personal development. Piano study can be a vehicle for fostering a host of valuable life skills that lie outside the realm of musical skill. Whlie the focus of a lesson is to develop musical proficiency, we also have the opportunity to nurture other positive characteristics.
- Confidence
- Curiosity
- Discipline
- Patience
- Self-esteem
- Sensitivity to nuance
- Understanding how process relates to product
- Work habits
Teaching Process
It is necessary to recognize that fun is an important motivator for children. In fact, the need for pleasure and fun carries into all ages. Consequently, early piano study should be conducted with a spirit of play. This does not imply inefficiency or ineffectiveness. To the contary. A spirit of play in the lesson engages the attention and energy of the student, promoting deeper learning. The degree of student participation predicts the degree of musical absorption and application.The Piano Adventures® Teacher invites student talk. The relationship and the dialogue between student and teacher can provide
- A foundation for stimulating musical growth
- A platform for addressing elements of motivation that may arise
- A vehicle for developing valued life skills
We engage the student with a sense of adventure and discovery. There is purpose and direction in the lesson and lots of hard work. But discipline can be rewarding when one's attention and senses are actively engaged. This blurring between "work" and "fun" is precisely intended as it leads to deep learning, effective practice habits, and a healthy work ethic.
Teaching Materials
A discussion of The Piano Adventures® Teacher would be incomplete without mention of teaching materials because the choice of music and method can dramatically influence the success of piano lessons.
The teacher, the student, the parent, and the choice of music form the essential building blocks. For the teacher, the method offers a musical highway on which to travel. For the student, each musical mile traveled well increases pianistic skill. Consequently, the importance of the music and method of learning cannot be overstated. They are vital in retaining student interest and creating a sense of achievement.
A good teacher chooses teaching materials wisely and knows how to teach the materials thoroughly—analytically, creatively, expressively. This enables the teacher to exploit the strengths of each student's learning style while simultaneously stimulating less-developed learning areas.
The Piano Adventures® Teacher
- Involves students in the purpose of the curriculum as they travel through the course
- Intervenes appropriately when a skill falters or motivation flags through a combination of patience, listening, innovation, and enthusiasm
- Provides helpful feedback, physical modeling, and personalized supplementary materials that celebrate individual student interest