Piano Parent Podcast

Episode Highlights: Rondi Allen is a piano teacher and studio owner of The Studio of Music in the Northwest Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She can be reached at Rondi@thestudioofmusic.net. Student reminder: Mistakes are a normal part of learning. Parent reminder: Check the studio handbook or policy. Teacher motivation: The smile of pride from a student who knows they are playing their piece really well. Resources mentioned in this episode: Useful App: Piano Maestro Contact Rondi: The Studio of Music Kids can learn more about Rondi’s favorite composer, Sergei Rachmaninoff here. Watch fellow Texan, Van Cliburn, perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 below.    

Welcome to the 10th episode of Piano Parent Podcast!

Kids are often surprised to learn that their parents don’t know something…until they become teenagers, and then they don’t think their parents know anything.  Links Mentioned in this episode: Ted Talk “The First 20 Hours” Josh Kaufman’s Book: The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything . . . Fast! Josh Kaufman’s website Episode Highlights: Four Main Points from Kaufman’s talk: * Deconstruct the skill – (Episode 008) * Learn enough to self correct * Remove practice barriers – (Episode 001) * Practice at least 20 hours – 45 minutes per day for a month Let your kid see you deal with the “frustration barrier”. Play a video game with your kid. My daughter is fluent in Minecraft – I am not. Wii Sports levels the playing field between kids and parents. Mario Cart is the fast track to my own frustration level! How do you deal with frustration? Do you throw things or spew negative talk? Do you give up too quickly? Do you pause, take a deep breath, and try again – from a different angle? Do you see these same reactions in your kids? Students sometimes think their PRACTICE is supposed to be perfect and mistake free.  As a parent, it is your job to encourage them to keep working at it and remind them that playing the piano is a gradual process.  They should expect their fingers to play wrong notes and figure out how to get to the correct notes. Parents and piano teachers are using the medium of piano to teach children many life skills such a perseverance, time management, discipline, and respect for themselves and others. Piano playing is not brain surgery; our mistakes are not a matter of life or death! What is something you’ve learned recently? I’d love to hear about it in a comment below

Every week or two, piano students are assigned a new piece of music to learn. This ongoing challenge of facing new music can be daunting so here are a few suggestions to help the process run more smoothly. Like solving a jigsaw puzzle It helps to see the picture.  Listening to a piece of music helps students hear what they are aiming for in their own performance. Work on the straight edges first, then fill in the middle. In music, notice the key signature, time signature, tempo, repeats and codas. Put the pieces together. Work on smaller sections of the music and find patterns that are the same in the piece. Enjoy the beauty of what you’ve created. Once you’ve invested in a piece, come back and play it often.  Don’t let it get rusty. Consider the Historical or Conceptual Context Where does the piece fit in history? You play Mozart differently that you would play Beethoven’s music. What skill or concept will I learn by mastering this piece? Focus on the concept the music is teaching: contrasting loud and soft or working in a new key signature or in a larger range of piano keys. What’s the point? Some pieces are assigned to give the student a rest after working on a challenging piece.  Some pieces are assigned for the simple joy of music. Seeing, Hearing, Doing Eyes see – always scanning and looking ahead in the music for information to send to the brain and fingers Ears hear – should be actively engaged, listening not only for mistakes but also for musical expression. Fingers do – so much of learning new pieces has to do with training your fingers to execute new patterns; finger crossings, leaps, piano key combinations, in/out motion, etc. Take a break When you’ve worked on a section for a while and your brain and fingers aren’t cooperating, stop and take a break.  You can come back and try again when you are fresh. A little break helps calm our frustration and lets the information settle in our brain.  When we come back to the music, we might notice something that we missed earlier when we were tired and frustrated. Talk to your teacher to help you work through a difficult passage. This week’s challenge: Work a jigsaw puzzle with your child! Use teachable moments if they arise but don’t forget to simply enjoy spending time with them. Post your puzzle pictures here.  

Episode Highlights: As a Piano Parent, should you stay at the piano lesson with your child or should you go? Follow their lead: Follow your teacher’s lead What does their policy state about attending the lesson? Some teachers prefer one-on-one lessons with no distractions My studio operates with an open-door policy.  Parents are welcome to stay for the lesson at any time. Follow your child’s lead Some children aren’t bothered by their parents’ presence in the lesson Some children are more self conscious when their parent is listening in on the lesson If you decide to stay: Let the teacher take charge of the lesson. No comments, please. Sit quietly. Observe the lesson. Your teacher might allow you to sit in a chair close to the piano so you can observe hand placement. Take notes to be able to help your young child with home practice. Your best intentions can still be perceived as a distraction by your child or their teacher.  Be respectful of their perception and act accordingly. If you decide to go: Be more proactive with communication between you and the teacher.  Read emails and texts they send you.  Read your child’s assignment sheet. If you leave the property, manage your time well and pick up your child when the lesson is completed. Use the last few minutes of your child’s lesson to communicate with your teacher or listen to your child’s progress. Your top priority is the well being of your child; emotionally, psychologically, and physically. So even if you don’t stay for the lesson, I suggest you always make your presence known. Now that you’ve invested money for piano lessons, you need to make another investment: time by staying in the lesson, or space by giving your child freedom to experience the lesson alone. **Many thanks to The Clash for their great and catchy song, “Should I Stay or Should I Go.”** What do you do?  Are you a stayer or a goer?  Tell me here.    

Episode Highlights: Sometimes it seems like no progress is being made in lessons. Keep an audio record of your child’s piano playing to compare musical maturity Let them listen: to critique their own performance and to realize how they have improved over the course of time Intermingle easier pieces Students face a new challenging piece as soon as they complete the current one.  This can be frustrating. Allow students to play an easier piece before jumping to the next challenge if they are feeling pressured or frustrated. In my studio, students are assigned a “for sure” piece and a “bonus” piece. This gives them a second piece of equal difficulty to the assigned piece they may choose to study or not. As a teacher, I enjoy giving my students this ownership and freedom. My students also have “tag” songs.  They select their favorite piece in each completed unit of their method book to put a sticky note tag on it.  These pieces become review pieces and serve as a great confidence boost. Supplemental books can also help students master concepts and skills while allowing them to play genres or styles they enjoy. Be Patient Remember you are learning a new language.  Build fluency with a few concepts then add more. Practicing new pieces and new skills can be awkward (See Episode 001). Help your child stay motivated by sprinkling in easier pieces to balance things out. Plateaus are still musical.  It’s okay to just enjoy the music where you are – that’s the whole point of studying piano, right?!  

Episode Highlights: A piano or keyboard is a MUST HAVE for piano lessons.  (Seriously, you’d be surprised how many parents don’t take this into consideration) I suggest delaying piano lessons until you have purchased a quality instrument. Bad sources for finding a quality instrument: Craig’s List Grandma’s garage Garage sale down the street Good sources for finding a quality instrument Local music retailers (East Texas has an excellent retailer in Tyler and Longview – Mundt Music) Ask about their rent-to-own or lease options Piano Tuners Local Universities

Links mentioned in this episode: Purchase Roth’s Book: Do Re Mi: If You Can Read Music, Thank Guido D’Arezzo Grand Staff Information Sheet from Susan Paradis Episode Highlights: Historically, until Guido d’Arezzo devised a form of written notation, music was passed orally from generation to generation. If a song was forgotten, it was lost forever. Today, part of a student’s piano lesson is teaching them to read music notation. Music is a type of language and piano students truly learn to READ music.  Every music symbol has meaning that must decoded to create beautiful music. Piano students in particular learn to read multiple notes on multiple staves. This makes piano an excellent beginning instrument because piano students are able to transition to band, orchestra, and choir fairly easily because these activities read single notes on one staff. The treble clef identifies G above Middle C. The bass clef identifies F below Middle C. Help your child to be patient.  Learning to read music is extremely challenging – just give it a try yourself! This is why regular practice is so important. Mnemonic Devices – good or bad? Ask your teacher.  Support their method of teaching this complex concept. Mnemonics are very popular and can be helpful for getting the big picture. You may have heard these sentences to teach the order of treble clef lines: Every Good Boy Does Fine Elvis’ Guitar Broke Down Friday How about these sentences for the bass clef? Good Boys Do Fine Always Great Big Dogs Fight Animals Try to include your child’s initials or personal interests in the sentence to make a stronger connection. Mnemonics can slow down the reading process and deter students from reading and playing fluently. Many teachers prefer intervalic reading; teaching students to read the direction and distance from one note on the staff to the next. The ultimate goal is for students to see a note on the staff and associate it with a specific piano key.  Anything that gets in the way of that process is a crutch rather than a tool. Piano keys work on a horizontal plain. The Grand Staff works on the vertical plain. Links mentioned in this episode: Purchase Roth’s Book: Do Re Mi: If You Can Read Music, Thank Guido D’Arezzo *this is an affiliate link Grand Staff Information Sheet from Susan Paradis  

Every side of the triangle is important. Episode Highlights: Communication Read your teacher’s studio policy.  Make sure you adhere to the terms of the policy. Find out the best way your teacher receives communication.  Text? Email? Telephone? Respect your teacher’s office hours. Your child’s teacher has the gift of 30-60 minutes of dedicated time with them.  Be sure you have hired a teacher who will speak positive encouragement to you son or daughter during that personal time. Listen to your teacher when they recommend additional vision, hearing, or learning tests for the benefit of your child.  They are able to observe their students more closely then even classroom teachers and might pick up on potential problems that can be addressed early. NEVER discuss problems in front of your child!  Don’t let your son or daughter hear you speak negativity into their lives.  Address issues with your teacher privately and during their office hours. Payment Follow your teacher’s payment policy as you would any other professional transaction. Time is not for sale.  You do not buy time from your teacher; you are purchasing a reservation in their studio and their program. If you miss a lesson, do not expect a refund or makeup lesson. Cancellations Lessons Cancel a lesson if your child is sick.  Piano keys are a breeding ground for icky germs! In my studio, there are two extra lessons built into each semester to allow for unexpected absences. See if your lesson time can be swapped with another family occasionally. Do not abuse that privilege. Unlike doctors, piano teachers do not overbook their schedule. Unlike salons, piano teachers do not take walk ins. “Sponsor a Break” for your teacher. Events Make every effort to attend special events your teacher plans. Make the Spring Recital important. Mark it on your calendar early to avoid scheduling conflicts. Leaving a teacher When the time comes to leave your teacher, communicate with them. Let them know that you are leaving.  It’s up to you whether you let them know why you’re leaving. Make the transition as smooth as possible. Give your child the chance to say goodbye. A letter of appreciation is a wonderful way to provide closure for both the teacher and your child. Triangle Parent-Child:  You have the most influence in your child’s life.  They learn from you and love you most. Teacher-Child: Piano teachers also have a great influence on their students.  Make sure this is a positive influence. Parent-Teacher: The third part of the triangle is the parent/teacher relationship. Support and communicate with your teacher for the good of your child. How have you made a difficult situation better through simple communication? Tell us about it and inspire other parents to do the same  in the comments below or on our Piano Parent Podcast Facebook Page.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BUY THOSE CHEESY MUSIC ALPHABET STICKERS!! You, as a Piano Parent Podcast listener, are too smart to fall for that retail trap! Helping your child learn the names of the piano keys is too easy and too essential for their piano proficiency to depend on stickers or any other external aid. Resources mentioned in this episode Piano Geography Alphabet Flashcards Episode Highlights: Music uses the first seven letters of the alphabet: ABCDEFG These seven letters go from left to right on the piano in a continuous loop Piano keys on the left side of the piano produce low sounds, like a bullfrog Keys to the right produce high sounds, like a butterfly (though I’ve never actually heard a butterfly) Two black keys are a doghouse.  The middle white key between two black keys is named D for dog. Three black keys are a garage.  The first two letters of the word garage are GA. These are the names of the two white keys in between the three black keys! Use the Alphabet Flashcards to help your child practice finding specific piano keys quickly (Be sure to let them help YOU drill the piano key names too.  Children learn so much when they teach concepts to others.  Make sure to be a good student for your little teacher!) The black keys derive their name from the white keys. Playing the black key to the right of D is called D-sharp (D♯). Playing the black key to the left of D is called D-flat (D♭) Black keys have two names.  D♯ (the black key to the right of the white key, D) can also be called E♭ (because it is the black key to the left of the white key, E) Because there is no black key between B and C on the white keys, they can be called B♯ and C♭.  E and F work the same way.  This information might come in handy during your next Trivial Pursuit game. Let me know how it’s going by posting a comment below or post a success video of our super piano kid on our Piano Parent Podcast Facebook page. Resources mentioned in this episode Piano Geography Alphabet Flashcards  

Links mentioned in this episode: James Clear’s Two Minute Rule Gladewater Opry in Gladewater, Texas Episode Highlights: Practice must be Regular It’s just what you do. Aim to practice at the same time every day. I suggest my students practice three times their age.  A 7 year old student should aim to practice at least 21 minutes daily. Be the parent.  Expect your child to procrastinate and argue about practicing.  This is normal. Setup a good practicing environment Give y.our child a good, quality instrument. Minimize household noises. Turn off the TV. Strike a good balance between being present to help your child and giving them privacy to make mistakes and learn work on their own. Give your child support and encouragement.  Tell them your favorite pieces and let them play for you. Remember what it feels like to learn something new. What to practice once you get to the piano Know your teacher’s expectations. Know your child’s work tendencies.  Do they prefer to start with the most challenging pieces? Do they prefer to warm up with pieces they already know? Practice within 24 hours of the lesson for the best retention rate. Learning new pieces is tedious and awkward. Students face new challenges every single lesson Links mentioned in this episode: James Clear’s Two Minute Rule Gladewater Opry in Gladewater, Texas

Resources mentioned in this episode: Get SMART with your music Episode Highlights: This podcast is tailored specifically for parents of piano students.   My background Began lessons at the request of my father when I was in kindergarten My mother had no musical training but was responsible for my home practice sessions Strong church musician background Been teaching private piano lessons since 1990 Mom of four children with my very musical husband, Duane Justin is a ‘melt your face’ guitar player Keri is on a partial choir scholarship in college Austin brings down the house every time he sings at the Gladewater Opry House in Gladewater, Texas Tracy is one of my favorite piano composers. Goals of podcast To help parents of my own students – help them know how I teach musical concepts To extend the lesson and allow for review To help all parents of piano students, parents who want to help their children succeed at piano lessons but aren’t sure how To foster a good relationship with your teacher To give teachers a third-party resource for educating their piano parents in common business practices regarding piano studios To help teachers, parents and their children make the most of piano lessons. Topics covered in upcoming episodes How to establish good practice habits Choosing a piano or keyboard How to encourage a love of all kinds of music Basic piano geography and music terminology What NOT to do as a piano parent Podcast details  New episodes will air weekly on Mondays Episodes will average between 15-20 minutes (perfect for your morning commute or your child’s practice time) Free on iTunes and other podcast platforms Resources mentioned in this episode: Get SMART with your music