Performance-readiness is like peak physical fitness: it must be maintained, or it disappears. That’s because rehearsing and performing, in and of itself, does not develop any of the skills required for retaining long-term piano skills. Here are three ways of playing that are essential for keeping piano skills for life.
In the more widely-taken survey, there were varied responses, with many saying online is just as effective. Here is the survey summary of your thoughts on resuming lessons.
I will simply be delighted to have my students in the same room with me again. Whilst online teaching is an excellent option when in-person teaching is not practical, it most definitely has its limits, and most of my students are hankering to come back.
There are lots of studio families who have been caught up in the financial nightmare of COVID-19. I know many teachers, including myself, who have been helping these families by teaching students on scholarship or for free, as needed. That is not what I am talking about here.
Like everyone else, I have experienced a very steep learning curve by embracing online teaching. I have developed skills I never thought I’d have: camera use, audio adjustment, screen-sharing – the list goes on! Teachers have been SO generous in sharing their insights, discoveries and expertise with each other that I think I have actually become a bit overwhelmed with all the information.
So this short post is about the ONE thing I have found to be most useful in online teaching.
Me, the week before last: “I DREAD online teaching!” Me, last week: “I HATE online teaching!” Me, this week: “I LOVE online teaching!” Me, all of those weeks: “I’m EXHAUSTED.”
So, it has been rather a roller coaster ride. And every single piano I teacher I know is taking this ride along with me.
For parents who say they “just want their child to have fun”… 4-5 practices per week means students can actually have fun with piano.
Last week, I learned how to play the piano. This may sound strange, as my bio clearly states that I’ve been playing piano for 47 years.
I’m pretty sure I have never taught the same piano lesson twice in a row. Even if my student – you know – DIDN’T PRACTICE ONE BIT. I tend to start new things, rather than reiterate last week’s lesson.
With a COVID-19 edit to this post, here are five helpful strategies to get students out of a rut, work through that trough, and get back to a peak of enthusiasm!