No stress necessary in teaching for the first time! by: Anonymous
I was also very insecure the first time I taught a piano lesson, but it is actually really easy. There are so many good materials to help a teacher that it takes the stress away from you.
I used the John Thompson books for the simple reason that I grew up on them myself. These books are great and almost self-explanatory. Once you are in and doing it, you will wonder why you were nervous at all.
Just bear in mind that children have limited attention spans, so I mix in games like "find the note on the keyboard" (a spontaneous game I made up in the lesson) or "feeling your fingers", having the child without looking, find the numbers on his fingers. Then "naming the notes" with cards. Etc. Be creative and you will have fun too.
Comments: Do you have a story or a question about music teaching? Share it!
Please note that all comments are moderated, and will not appear until I have approved them. Also, IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR MUSIC THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, YOUR REQUEST WILL BE IGNORED. That's pretty much any music written in the last 75 years...
This Broadway musicals list features the songs I've found to be most singable, easily learned, & beloved among my own students. Also, warnings of some pitfalls!
Classical piano sheet music - 1 or 2 page intros, & some longer. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart & more - bite-size classics for beginning & advancing players.