Piano Matters Archives

My Piano Dream - Why I Want to Play Piano?

"Why?" is a powerful question that yearns to be answered.  It's an important question because the "why?" behind our activities points the way to rewarding and meaningful goals.  So, piano students should answer the question, " Why play piano?"   Once they have the answer they'll be on their way to identifying a personal piano dream.  The next step is identifying action steps needed to put this piano dream into motion. This process is often referred to as Goal Getting.

Keeping a piano journal is an easy way to explore goal-getting.  Even young piano students benefit by imagining how they can bring their musical dreams to life, and what that will take.  It's important to give young children some guidance to help them perfect the goal getting process over time, so that it becomes natural.  Just remember to start simply with kids by helping them identify a piano dream they can get excited about today, rather than ten or twenty years in the future.  An example of a page in a child's piano journal might look like this.

My Piano Dream
(Why I Want to Play Piano)

Why do I want to learn to play the piano?

I want to play the piano like my grandma. She's awesome!

How do I want to see myself in one year?

Playing well at my piano recital. Playing in my school talent show.

What can I accomplish toward my piano dream this week?

Learn the new piece my piano teacher assigned in G Major.

Are there specific goals that will help me achieve this?

Memorize Five-Finger Hand Position in Key of G;

What are some good habits that will help me reach my goals?

Set aside a specific time to practice each day. Avoid distractions while practicing, such as television. Attend my piano lesson with my teacher each week.

By keeping a piano journal students can see the steady progress they've achieved. Including photographs of recitals and recordings let's kids celebrate their success. As they grow and gain experience, they learn to set larger goals that take longer to achieve, and go on to reach their piano dreams and other life goals. That's the beauty of the goal getting process. It's transferable to all areas of our lives.

Piano Bears Musical Storybooks share many goal-getting insights with kids in a way children appreciate.  Below are a couple of pages from Piano Bears Musical Storybook: Little Bear's Piano Goals

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Today's technology is also a powerful tool that can add a new dimension to piano lessons and make them more rewarding, productive, and fun for students and their families.  For more great goal-getting ideas using today's technology, read Using Technology to Support Piano Lessons.

Best Wishes,
Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

Piano Laws Conduct Command Performance

The school year is almost over, recitals are approaching, and summer is upon us, but don't let your child in piano lessons run out of steam before they reach their goals. Read this article for six piano laws kids need to achieve their musical dreams.  

1. The Law of Focus - What we focus on gets our attention.

Have your children draw a picture of themselves accomplishing their musical goals and display it on the refrigerator. Parents can also review their original goals that first motivated them to enroll their children in piano lessons.

2 The Law of Commitment - Commitment is the glue that holds our priorities in tact.

Providing the financial resources necessary for children to succeed in piano is important, but also important is getting kids to their lessons.  Do your best to maximize the number of lessons your child attends.  Sometimes children are sick and have to miss their lessons, and occasionally all our schedules become overwhelmed for a time.  But as a general habit, try to schedule a make-up if possible.  At my studio I offer free additional lessons the month before recitals.  This helps maximize the overall instruction time for my students toward a specific goal.  I really enjoy doing this for my students.  It's so much fun to help them polish their pieces and feel confident about their upcoming recital.  In addition to lessons, review any earlier commitment to upgrade your piano or keyboard, and plan ahead for this purchase. 

3. The Law of Encouragement - Follow the Rule of 'Seven to One.'

Give children in piano seven statements of encouragement for every critique.  Kids need a little sweetener to help the 'medicine' go down. 

4. The Law of Character -  Your child is a different character.

All parents, myself included, need to occasionally remind themselves their child is a different character (person) than they are.  Creativity comes to individuals, and viewing children as individuals (as well as important members of the family) helps them discover their unique gifts.  Together these differences work together to make a stronger family. 

5. The Law of Complaining - Not all complaining is meaningful.

When students complain about practicing it doesn't necessarily mean they don't like piano or don't want to learn to play.  It means they are human.  When this happens, gently redirect your child's focus to their piano goals (refer to Law #1, the drawing on the fridge).

6. The Law of Fun - Everything is more fun if you have a sense of humor.

The point of music is to lift the spirit. Students sometimes want to be a little silly at their lessons and let some giggles out.  I enjoy this creativity too.  I can't count the number of silly songs I've made up during lessons.  Piano is another way for parents to connect with children and have more fun together. Over the long run, adding creative fun into the mix of hard work and persistence leads to a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

So there you have it - The Six Piano Laws that command a lifetime of musical enjoyment, while helping kids take charge of their piano success. 

Have a Wonderful Piano Recital!

Best Wishes,
Cynthia Marie VanLandingham

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