What I Cover in Music Lessons

Repertoire:

I offer a large array of different styles of music. Students get to study classical pieces by a vast variety of composers such as Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and many, many more. Students also get to choose to play post-modern era music, or music of the 21st century. The piano lessons include a set of classical pieces that students must learn and be able to play as well as music that they want to play, perhaps pieces that they’ve heard in movies or on the radio. I also offer sacred music studies which include Christian hymns and spirituals like Amazing Grace, To God be the Glory, and many others.

Sight reading:

Students begin learning notes and sight reading (or reading music from the sheet) from their first piano lessons. It is vital that students are able to sight read quickly and accurately, so sight reading is a big part of our studio. I offer many activities and exercises that help students to gain the skill of sight reading.

Eye training:

Similarly to sight reading, the purpose of eye training lessons is to train the students’ eyes to look at music and play without error. Students are trained to play as solo performers as well as perform in groups and ensembles. In order to play well with others, students must be able to train their eyes to be able to musically multitask with as little or no error as possible.

Ear training:

As part of a full musicianship skillset, students are given ear training lessons and activities in class to help them train their ear. These activities include rhythmic, dynamic, intervallic, and many other types of ear training. Students will be able to hear and play back difficult rhythms as well as different dynamics, various lengths of notes, different intervals, and many more. Students are also given ear training quizzes and exams in class. Ear training also helps with performance; therefore it is an important part of learning how to play the piano.

Theory:

Theory is the foundation of music. In order to grow strong pianists and good musicians, we study theory from the students’ early music lessons. I make sure students understand all of the concepts well before moving on to the next level. However, I challenge my students to grasp and absorb the information as quickly as they can and be able to demonstrate the theoretical concepts that they have learned. Theory is integrated in the repertoire that the students play. I teach students to think theoretically when they practice and perform, which makes them better pianists and musicians overall.

Music History:

Music history is an interesting and fun part of our studio. We learn about the composers whose pieces students play. We learn the background and styles of the composers which helps students better understand the character and various musical attributes of their pieces. On their piano lessons, students are given handouts and are also tested on the historical facts that we cover on our one-on-one or group lessons.

Improvisation:

In addition to the formal part of playing classical pieces, I also take time to train students to improvise. Although some are better at improvisation than others and some like it more than others, I believe that every student should at least know how to do it. Improvisation is usually a fun part of the music lessons. Students get to show their musical talents by simple improvisation with my guidance. Music is not black and white. Improvisation makes studying music fun and enjoyable.

Performances:

Performances are a large part of our studio. Our performances act as deadlines for students to learn their pieces on a timely matter. Recitals also help students to show and strengthen their artistic ability as well as demonstrate all of the musical knowledge that they have gained during their private and group lessons. Performances also help build self-esteem and confidence and help students develop strong intellectual abilities. The purpose of students learning how to play the piano is to be able to play this beautiful instrument for others. To help build this performance confidence, I believe students must play in recitals at least twice a year.