PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
Many parents ask what they can do to motivate a student's progress. Without
question, the teacher-student-parent triangle constitutes a team effort. Parent
involvement and encouragement are highly recommended. Students whose parents
take a daily active role in their practice times are highly motivated.
Remember that enthusiasm is contagious. Also, NO child will learn perseverance
unless a parent is coaching that quality at home. The following are some
suggestions which can help to make progress happen at home.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
-
Decide on a practice time and Post a written daily practice schedule on your refrigerator. This makes time-management possible, so that practice is not skipped. FYI: To be prepared for a piano lesson, a student should not skip practice more than two days in any week.
- If your child is a beginner, it is necessary to sit down next to your child during home practice times on the day after the piano lesson. The day after a lesson session is the most important day to start practicing a new assignment-this way the child is able to RETAIN what was taught.
Other practice days, you can try giving the child the responsibility to practice on his own. Remember that some children experience a feeling of isolation when practicing piano and lose motivation if no one is nearby to listen to him/her practice.
- At least once a week check student notebook entries to see if practice technique suggestions are being followed. Parents are to ensure that a minimum of 5-7 days of PRACTICE ENTRY is made on the PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT SHEET. Weekly lesson notebook journals make provision for this form of tracking.
Remember that confident piano-playing happens as a result of regular daily careful practice, not from "crammed" practice done at the last minute. Habits of procrastination create anguish and failure in a "performance."
- Fingernails must be clipped and kept VERY short to allow correct hand position. It is impossible to learn to play piano correctly unless the fingertips touch the keys at all times, with fingers standing COMPLETELY VERTICAL at the tips. Then, the first joints above each fingernail can learn to be firm and stable, not wobbly, for control and mastery of the touches required.
- Provide a piano-lamp or other good lighting for the student's music page. Students hate to practice if they can't see the music well. Good lighting also prevents eye-strain.
- A good firm piano bench allows for proper posture which creates a good sound on the keys. Also, make sure the distance between the piano and the bench is NOT TOO CLOSE since this will prevent the upper-arm and forearm from forming the "L" shape necessary to be able to play piano well. Reason: the arms will feel crowded, causing lots of finger-stumbling and mistakes.
If the piano bench is low, you can use a 'stout' telephone book to help build height, since sitting too low on the bench causes uncomfortable and damaging wrist positions. Elbows must hang slightly above the white keys.
- Children younger than 4th grade may need help with ATTENTION SPAN so that MINDLESS PRACTICING doesn't happen. Set a timer for 10 minutes of practice, then a 2-minute break. These breaks allow the mind to rest, since CAREFUL PRACTICE demands EXTREME CONCENTRATION. (Minimum: 3 sets of 10 min.)
- For Teacher assignment in practice for "performance by memory" a great strategy is to form an "AT HOME" audience of one or more persons sitting QUIETLY to listen-no talking allowed, so that the student builds TRUE CONFIDENCE and the ability to concentrate on his SOUND of DYNAMICS (louds and softs).
These performances allow the student to become accustomed to the atmosphere he/she will experience at a "festival," even though a festival only allows the "judge" to be present in the room-no other audience.
NOTE: "AT-HOME" Performances CAN ALSO INCLUDE NEIGHBORS and other friends and family. Performance before less familiar people helps build confidence. For this project you may use worksheet included in your child's music journal note book.
- Encourage the student to work long enough periods at the piano to concentrate. Getting up for a drink, a snack, a phone call are common occurrences. For older students, a break planned in advance is fine.
- Listen for technical work-scales, arpeggios, chords. These are usually assigned with each lesson.
- Listen for the metronome. (Metronome practice is required for all intermediate and advanced students.)
- If your child is racing through a piece, ask what his/her goals are for that particular piece that week.
- Take your child to concerts! Piano recitals are available at the University of Central Florida, Rollins College and Steinway Piano Gallery in Altamonte Springs. (Universities charge a small fee of $20 per attendee. At the Steinway Piano Gallery, there is no cost.)
- Listen to piano music in the home. Young children love sonatas or concertos by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, Chopin waltzes, Scott Joplin rags, etc. Listening is of vital importance to the developing musician.
- Make gifts of music that your child enjoys listening to. A trip to the music store to browse can be fun and motivating.
IN-HOME TUITION
- Students should always be prepared prior to teacher's arrival - books laid
out; homework assignments ready and writing materials available. This
allows for efficient use of time
- Television , cell phones and radios should be turned off during lesson.
- Exhausting and distracting activities prior to lessons should be limited
since this results in poor focus and lack of enthusiasm.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Functionality: On occasion, the studio receives requests for student performers to participate in fund-raising or other social functions. Stipends or gifts are given to the performing students by the event host.
Volunteerism: With parent's permission, senior students are encouraged to utilize their talent and learning to:
- assist their instructor to teach piano at the Boys & Girls Club Southwest Orlando [during summer]
- perform for the elderly at selected Social Hall Retirement Centers.
EXPECTATIONS
- Student learns - discipline, responsibility, and poise in social situations.
- Student develops - concentration, coordination, and confidence.
- Student achieves - higher grades in school, self-esteem and happiness.
ANNUAL MUSIC TEACHING CALENDAR
General Schedule:
The Studio's annual teaching and summer schedules have been patterned against
the general guidelines of teachers within the National and Local Federation of Music.
Studio year commences 2nd Week of August and ends on May 31st, with a
total of 37 planned weekly lessons and a mandatory 4 weeks summer session.
Months - November, December, and March will always have fewer lessons.
(Please note copy of the studio’s annual teaching schedule of the school may
be obtained from the Resource Center of Website . The studio is closed
for 5 weeks ~ month of July and first week of August ~ Summer Break.)
ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR: 2005~2006
A PDF version of the Annual School Calendar can be
Downloaded Here.
SUMMER LESSONS
Begin 1st Week of June, ending last Week of June. These are mandatory
sessions, comprised of (4) - 1 Hour Sessions ONLY. Scheduling is
flexible and students may complete their hours within a 1 - 2 - 3 or 4 week
plan. This plan allows freedom to plan vacations around lessons schedules.
The tuition for this period is prorated, and this will be reflected in the
Quarterly invoice.
NOTE: Reservation requests for Summer classes must be submitted by parents by
end of April. Reminders will be sent to you via e-mail and also included with your
2nd Quarter (delivered 3rd week of May). In cases where students must be
absent for the June Period, then arrangements must be made to make up summer
sessions prior to Summer session or during Fall session. Note:
There are no price reductions for being unable to complete summer
classes.
Students are encouraged to complete summer classes in order to avoid major
setbacks in loss if technical fitness, reading and memorization skills. This
requirement is reasonable especially for students preparing for the National
Federation Festival and Music Guild auditions.
PRACTICE RECOMMENDATION
(Use of a timer is recommended)
Pre-Kindergartners (5-10 minutes) with direct Adult Supervision
Kindergartners (10-15 minutes) depending on attention capability Plus Adult Supervision
Grades 1-5 (30-45 minutes) See Parent Tips Section
Grade 6-12 (1 Hour) 30 minute splits AM and PM
