| Children in piano lessons often have ideas about | | | | other activities that would compete with their lesson |
| learning to play that come from television, the movies, | | | | practice time. Keeping a routine is the best because it |
| and well, their own imaginations which are not | | | | builds the practice habit and that's most of the battle. |
| accurate. To make sure your beginner in piano lessons | | | | At any given time there will be a choice of how to |
| has realistic expectations help them to focus on the | | | | spend that time. When this decision is make ahead of |
| basics - simple things that make a big difference. Here | | | | time it is a lot easier for kids to stay focused on their |
| are five simple things that will make a big difference to | | | | goals. |
| your beginner in piano lessons. | | | | 4. Following the teacher's practice instructions - The |
| 1. Attending weekly lessons - The enthusiasm beginning | | | | best way to get some place is to focus on specific |
| students have when they start their piano lessons | | | | goals that will help us achieve our dreams. Each piano |
| needs to be capitalized on, not forgotten. Students | | | | lesson assignment will require specific learning and |
| who are excited about starting lessons quickly lose | | | | playing strategies that will make learning easier. By |
| interest when they miss their lessons. This is because | | | | following the teacher's instructions students will make |
| they forget what the teacher has already shown | | | | much more progress, much faster. For example, |
| them, and when they return to lessons they have to | | | | singing the note names as they are played and |
| review the same lessons again. Having to stop and | | | | keeping eyes on the music, not looking down at the |
| start over an over again with the same information | | | | hands. |
| because students miss too many lessons is | | | | 5. Attending piano recitals and activities that set |
| demoralizing and breeds discouragement. | | | | important learning goals - Goals are important because |
| 2. Bringing music books to every lesson - Without their | | | | they give us direction and something to work toward. |
| music books the piano lesson has no plan or focus. It | | | | Without goals the idea of time management is just an |
| ends up being whatever the teacher can make-up on | | | | empty word. Recitals target specific learning goals that |
| the spot because the music the students need to be | | | | will help piano students achieve their musical dreams. |
| following up on isn't available. When students come to | | | | Focusing on those goals helps students manage their |
| lessons in a haphazard way not bothering to bring their | | | | time in order to be prepared for their recitals. |
| music the result is equally haphazard training that | | | | By following these five steps to a good piano start |
| results from an unnecessary lack of organization and | | | | your beginner will make a lot of progress in their first |
| lesson planning. | | | | year of piano. This foundation of good habits, |
| 3. Setting aside a routine daily practice time - Children | | | | knowledge and skills are what students need to |
| need help from their parents to set a routing practice | | | | achieve their goals and go on to reach their musical |
| time. Parents can help by making sure their student is | | | | dreams. |
| home at the agreed upon time to practice and limiting | | | | |