How do you inspire your piano students?

Question

Provide an answer regarding how you keep your students motivated. How do you keep them engaged while they are learning online?

Answer 1

I think students are naturally motivated. It is what we do as the audience or teachers that can dampen their excitement for their piano studies. Music is all around students, that is the constant. How I, as a teacher, respond to students questions and emotions keeps them motivated.

I tell my students I understand that lessons feel like performances and many didn't sign up to be performers. I teach them about musical mistakes and how they can avoid giving cues to their errors. I encourage them to work on a musical phrase they are struggling with for about a minute. That is usually all the special attention that is needed. Practice is crucial because it gives our brains and bodies and memories time to learn the coordinations and what the target sound is supposed to be. And I provide immediate recognition for progress and great piano work.

I keep my students engaged during their online lessons by changing cameras to reflect our activity and stating where they should focus. I'll say "Please look at my hands or the book page..." "Please read the words in the blue box..." I also give them choices of what to do next.

Answer 2

Happiness and fulfillment throughout your musical journey are my priorities. Thus, I construct each lesson such that what you practice is uniquely tailored to match your current abilities and interests at the keyboard. The student should have a choice in what they are playing, which typically keeps them motivated. My wish is not to discourage the student with excessive scale passages, Czerny, or Hanon. I teach legato playing with scales and arm weight with several exercises.

Music goes far beyond the repetition of scales with melodies that are lasting and meaningful. I will add pieces to the repertoire because they represent a skill that helps you to advance. I do not require students to use method books. I teach from real music by real composers. In brief, by selecting their music, students have a vested interest in each session. As they begin to hear sounds they are familiar with, they are constantly studying new pieces, discovering something novel that will serve as lasting musical companions throughout life.

I create champions using a didactic approach, focusing on repetition, sensitivity, and practice. Each successive lesson is a relevant part of your enjoyment and a learning experience that addresses your immediate and long-term goals. My sessions sharpen your abilities and help you gain the confidence to face challenges that once seemed impossible.

Answer 3

Most of the time students remain self inspired because of all of the things they learned and because of how they can walk away from every session having gained new and valuable information. But on rare occasion some of my students lose motivation or feel like they want to quit playing the piano. Usually this happens because of repetitive and boring although necessary practicing, or teachings. What I usually do to prevent this is show my students something "cool" they can play on the piano or a song that they request as a reward for keeping up their practice, and being disciplined. Some songs you can simplify and teach to students are: Autumn Leaves, River Flows in You, Gymnopedie, Fur Elise, Clair Lune, Interstellar, and the 1st Movement of Moonlight Sonata.

Just remember it is equally as important to remind students to stay disciplined and devote at least 30 minutes to practicing each day.

Answer 4

My piano students are motivated because they consistently work towards a goal. I am on the board of judges for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. I encourage my students to prepare for a National program consisting of 10 pieces. Pianists of all levels are encouraged to participate. Beginning piano students can present pre-reading pieces of 8 measures.

Playing in front of a judge is encouraging and allows the student to receive constructive feedback from a pianist and educator other than their teacher.