Tips for piano lesson success at any age

Want your child (or yourself) to succeed at playing the piano - or anything else in life? It's not so much about the talent or ability your child has, it's not even so much about how old they are. It's about the quality of their practice. Here are some tips from a piano teacher to parents...

1. know what your child is learning - ask if you can sit in on a lesson now and then so you know what your child is supposed to be practicing. Then reinforce it at home during practice time. (Note - some teachers are easy to talk to. Try to sit quietly and not interrupt the lesson too much.)

2. what seems simple to some parents is actually quite tricky to the kids - differentiating between left and right hands, moving fingers independently of each other, building basic finger strength, even relaxing tense muscles. Try not to undermine the struggle of your child - everyone is different and struggles with different things.

3. Any time spent practicing what has been asked of them is time well spent. Even 5 minutes of moving your fingers in the right pattern, or focusing on the letters of the keys can make an enormous difference.

4. praise progress but be realistic - don't tell your child they are the best, but rather emphasize the progress they are making.

5. SIT WITH YOUR CHILD while they practice - at least for a few minutes to be sure they are practicing what they are told. Parent involvement is invaluable.

6. the last one is tricky for some parents and might sound a bit rude but if you've hired a teacher, then let THEM be the teacher. I can't tell you how frustrating it is when a child comes back to a lesson and says 'my mom says I don't have to learn that.'

   
   

In my years of teaching I have had parents blame me for their child not improving. I've had talented kids quit because they refuse to put the work in when things get tricky. I've also had kids who seem to have no talent at all become fabulous pianists and vocalists. It all depends on hard work and practice.

As for Presto's Piano Adventures - if you choose to do this program on your own (which is what I've designed it for,) and if you want to see your child succeed, be involved. Sit at the piano with them, dance around the house with them, pay attention,

learn together. I've compiled the program, but ultimately it is up to you to see it through.