Piano Lessons for Kids and Adults
Studies have shown that listening to music releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine in the brain which causes joyful, pleasurable emotions to a person. Learning to lay the piano improves your mental, physical, social, and emotional health.
Benefits of learning piano
- Increases reading comprehension through long term and short term memory
- Increases IQ levels up to 3 points
- Improves mood and elevates confidence
- Strengthens hand dexterity through repetitive practice and muscle memory
- Decreases aging through the growth hormone HgH
- Encourages socialization and collaboration
- Fosters the ability to take constructive feedback in a positive way
Beginner piano lessons for kids and adults
My goal is to revitalize people’s passion to play piano, and also help them have a life long relationship with piano, even if they don’t pursue it as a career. Because I found pitfalls in classical traditional methods, I bridge the traditional to more contemporary methods of music teaching.
I specialize in beginner piano lessons for kids and adults. Some students have never touched a piano and are starting from scratch, while others are picking up their past hobby and revisiting their childhood recital pieces again.
I also offer intermediate piano lessons for kids and adults. These lessons emphasize on scales, more technical finger exercises, and a wider range of repertoire songs.
Why take piano lessons with Joann?
I have been teaching piano lessons for over 12 years. You will achieve your goals- whether it’s to just learn some piano skills, master a song, or land a lead role in a show.
Every week, I give my students various books to help supplement their practice. For example, every week, they have a musical concept they are learning. To supplement they have a theory book that help reinforce what they are learning not just by reading by writing. For example if they are learning the quarter note, they will be learning to draw the quarter note. In the same theory book, there will be ear training and sight reading exercises. Ear training tests the students ear on new musical concepts and sight reading tests the student on how well they can read notes , incorporate dynamics, and rhythm by reading it for the first time.
In addition to their lesson and theory book, I have my students practice scales, chords, and other technical exercises that increases their finger dexterity and strength. Then we integrate all that training into learning specific pieces of all different types of genres ranging from classical, jazz & blues, pop, rock, et. I give students choice in what songs that like because when students have some ownership of what they are learning they are more motivated to learn.
Lastly, I try to incorporate improvisation and songwriting into their lessons as well. This means I will have my student write their own music that is related to the musical concepts we are learning in class. And to practice their creativity, I may play a musical pattern which they improvise on top of. This exercise helps students find their own melodic line that supplements what I’m playing.
My teaching approach for kids and adults
My approach in teaching adults are somewhat similar except that with children, I use more games and weave in stories to teach musical concepts. Children are full of imagination and they often have plenty to say if you have developed rapport with them over the years. They can be chatty. However, I find it is very important to allow the child to speak and share what’s on their mind because it helps them refocus their attention on the music. With adults, it is more pragmatic and to the point. Although no matter what age the student it, my job as a teacher is to see what is the most effective strategy to teach the student with different personalities and goals in mind. I tailor the lessons to fit each student.
My piano teaching strategies
I usually use the Faber method book because it gives a good holistic approach to learning piano. The Faber series includes a Lesson, Theory, Technique, And Performance book. I like this method because it includes musical concepts, sight reading, improvisation, eye training, and technical training. It also offers a variety of repertoire music at each students’ level.
For technical training I sometimes use a series of books called “A Dozen a Day.” These are finger exercises for the piano player like “finger gym” time.
After about a year of piano, I try to incorporate scales, chords, arpeggios, cadences, and inversions in their regularly practice routine. When using these methods and books, I usually see great results because the student are sharpening skills in all areas.
Not all teachers incorporate theory into their lesson time but I believe it’s crucial to include upon the inception of music learning because theory comprehension allows a student to compose music.
Apps to help students learn to play piano
I use several apps to supplement my lessons.
For ear training, I use an app called Aural Wiz which test at student’s ear for scaled, intervals, cadences chords, and modes..
For note reading, I use several apps such as Music Tutor, Flashnote, and Tenuto to help my students become fast at recognizing notes, chords, and scales.
And for general fun in reading music and learning new songs:
I use an app called Simply Piano.
There is quite a lot of fun learning material online and since it has become such an internet-based generation, and younger children really enjoy learning on apps. It feels like less ‘work’ and more like ‘fun’ by playing games. And ultimately it motivates the student to want to continue learning because there is a variety of tools to learn music instead of just learning via books.
What does a typical piano lesson look like?
The most popular piano lessons are 30 or 45 minutes long. Each lesson consists of:
- Learning new music concepts
- Developing music theory
- Strengthening piano technique
- Applying artistry in repertoire songs
Sometimes we don’t go through everything in each lesson, but I emphasize proper hand technique, artistry and dynamics, and select age level appropriate songs tailored to fit each student . After each piano lesson, students have homework, and if those are completed, students will be sure to see progress.
Factors that Impact Piano Lessons
To make the most of beginner piano lessons, consider four key factors:
- Attention
- Motor skills
- Motivation
- Longevity
Children and adults have subtle differences in terms of attention, motor skills, discipline and motivation, and longevity.
| Factors | Children | Adults |
| Attention |
Attention span can be shorter and scattered, depending on age | High attention and focus |
| Motor skills |
Children are still learning to multi task and have split concentration where their hands are doing different things while their eyes are still on the page. | Adults have better eye hand coordination because their brain has developed, and they have the hands strength in their fingers |
| Motivation | Children often need external support and reminders from their parents. | Adults are usually self motivated to learn because they are paying for their lesson. They have goals in mind already. However, many distractions like work and family can get in the way of practicing. |
| Longevity | Chidlren with parents who encourage music learning are more likely to see progress and continue lessons. | Often, adult learners are juggling so many factors with stages in life, such as career, finances, moving, children. Adult learners may be eager to learn consistently for a period of time, but they can easily stop lessons. |