Piano TECHNIQUE
Technique Teaching boxes
Piano technique is at the forefront of my instruction because I believe it is the most vital factor in learning how to play piano well.
The difficulty with teaching technique is that it is made up of so many different parts. Each component takes a long time to develop AND requires what can seem like endless adjustment on a teacher’s and student’s part. This is a main reason why I believe technique is often overlooked in piano lessons.
Therefore, my mission is to focus on building a solid technique, but in a playful manner so kids get motivated about piano from the moment they start lessons with me!
How do I embed good technique while keeping students engaged?
Meet the animals!
Each stuffed animal represents a technical component in the process of developing a good piano technique. These animals are a studio favorite and kids gets excited whenever a new one is introduced. On these special days, students might even play a piano/forte dynamics game with music (like the hot/cold game) to find one hiding in the studio!
Each animal represents one technical element and has:
Its own exercise
An improvisation
A song that covers the entire keyboard
Whether your child is a complete beginner to piano or has years of prior experience, using Piano Safari as my foundation, all Little Paws students will benefit from meeting these animals. Older students will also learn these same technical skills, but in a more sophisticated manner. In addition, I also infuse the basic tenements of the Taubman Approach with all of my students, which is the study of the movements that make up virtuoso piano playing. Read more about the Taubman Approach here: www.golandskyinstitute.org .
why i use Piano Safari
“We really like playing the songs, especially playing duets with each other. We both get to learn a part and then play them with each other. It sounds really cool when we put our parts together!”
Claire & Amelia Aschman - Little Paws Buddy lessons
“While playing the piano, sometimes I have trouble or get distracted; Michelle never gets mad at me, and she just tries her best to help me every time.”
Mila I. - Little Paws Student
“We play so many fun and new games each week! We like that the games are fun and challenging and that you learn new things about piano. We love every single game that we play together.”