LESSON #5

THE FIRST PIANO LESSON

The first lesson is really quite special. Of course, the parent feels special, perhaps with their own memories of first lessons.

But to me it is the best single chance I have of convincing a child that I am absolutely in love with the piano and they will have nothing but fun with it. It’s the first chance for them to speak the language of music, and I am determined they will enjoy it and want to do it more.

If you think about it, all you must really accomplish in this first lesson is that they like doing it, and they like you helping them. To accomplish this, it must be fun.

Still, there are skills to be learned, so I have created a list that I use myself. Depending on the age of the child, you will be able to do more or less of the list. If you finish early, start over. They will love this approach. Here we go.

1. Play something lively that they know. If you can’t play, get a CD of some piano music. Listen to it. If you can, take a moment to sit at the piano and play a few songs until you find one they know. Get them to smile with recognition.
2. Take their index finger and play Middle C with it. Ask them to do it without you. If they smash down lots of keys say, like a game show host soon to offer valuable prizes, “Oh, no, we have to play the most special note in the world. Only that one special note.” Then take out a set of numbered stickers and immediately start putting them on the keys. Number one goes on Middle C, etc. Ask the child if they want to put on a sticker. Do it quickly so that with in thirty seconds or so, there is a sudden new order to the keys: numbers!
3. Now ask them to take their index finger and walk up the keys, from number one to twelve. If they play a mistake laugh and say, “Oh, that’s okay, everyone plays wrong notes. Keep going!” If they need you to take their finger and do it for them, do so. Once they physically get the idea of pressing down keys with their index finger, you are off to the races.
4. Next ask them to play four times on each white key as you go up. This would be 1111 2222 3333 4444 5555, etc, but don’t insist on a rhythm, just let them try to play four in a row. Younger kids may only be able to play two keys, like 11 22 33 44 55 66, etc. Even if it is only one key (frequent,) praise them and move on.
5. So far there has been nothing difficult at all, and that’s the way we must keep it. Now play glissandos up and down the piano. Ask which goes up (to the right) and which goes down (to the left.) Let them play glissandos. Yes, it will be noisy. Let it be noisy. Show that noise doesn’t bother you.
6. Now ask for the top key. Then ask for the lowest key. Now try playing the keys 1-12 up again, just for review. This is their first skill, and we must make it fun. Sing along and make up words if you have to, but make them smile.
7. Now ask for the keys 3 3 3. Then ask for 3 3 3 again. Show them that they have just played the beginning of the song Jingle Bells.
8. Take out the Piano by Number book and show them the song Jingle Bells, and ask them to read the numbers on the page. 3 3 3    3 3 3    3 5 1 2     3.  Then let them play Jingle Bells with their index finger or any finger they like. The point is not fingering but recognition of themselves playing the song. You have to convince them immediately that they can play a song they know, right away. If they falter after a few notes, praise the few they did right, but do not criticize them in any way, ever. The mood is light and fast. The first lesson cannot have any negativity or critiques. There is no place for it. Criticism is useless.
9. Play a game of looking at the black keys and finding the pattern. The pattern is alternating groups of two and three black keys. Now remind them that the key with the number one sticker is right next to the two black keys. Ask them to find more C’s (the note C is always the white key to the left of the two black keys.) You point to two black keys, and they have to find which white key is to the left of it.
10.  Take out the colored stickers from I CAN READ MUSIC and put the red sticker on the key with the number one sticker. Yes, that key now has two stickers. Letting them put the sticker(s) on is a good option and builds the feeling that this is THEIR piano.
11. Now point out that the key with the red sticker, and the number one, is called “Middle C.” Play a silly game and ask, “Is it called Uncle Fred?” No, they will laugh and try to remember the name. Remind them. “The key with the red sticker is Middle C.” Make them play the key. Then suddenly ask them, as if you forgot, “Gosh, what was the name of that key, um, Dave, Bob, Uncle Fred, Santa Claus?” They will be delighted to offer the right answer. Play this game until they get the right answer, even if the game becomes as silly as “Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?” The point is, they must shake hands with Middle C, and know its name.
12. Take stock of the situation. Are they exhausted or exhilarated? Depending on how fast you have gone, and how young the child is, you may or may not have completed the above list. You have to be very careful at this point. An older child will want to go further. A younger child will need the security of perhaps going over all the steps again, put in “new clothes,”of course. You will have found a couple of these games that they liked a lot. If so, play them and run them into the ground as only a child can with something they are taken with. That is what you are looking for, the point that interests them. Once you have that, you have the first key into their musical imagination. Take note if it. It is worth its weight in gold.

Let’s assume it’s a younger child and conclude at this point. Open the book and show them that there are lots of songs they can play by themselves. Go through the selection until they find some other songs they like. Try the beginnings of a few songs. Put a Post-It marker on the pages they like, and leave a pack of Post-Its for them to flag their favorite songs. Kids love Post-Its!

Get up to leave, and I’ll bet you $100 they are still sitting at the piano, fascinated with some aspect of that we have done, playing a song.

And what have we done? We have introduced a child happily to the piano without referring to any sheet music symbols whatsoever, and only by reference to the keyboard itself. The only reference to a page is in regards to the songbook, which contains easy-to understand numbers.

Don’t assign them anything. Wait a week and come back. See if they go to the piano by themselves. Don’t even think of asking them to practice. You are, by omitting the natural demand to practice, letting them set their own terms with the instrument. The whole trick is to get them to come to the instrument by themselves, and they cannot do that if you ask them. Let them take the time to do it by themselves.

If they do not play anything that week, don’t even mention it. But one week later, try again with the above list. 90% of children will pick up on the idea of the piano and at least be somewhat fascinated.

Do not give in to the urge to have them work at it. Do the opposite. And if they don’t play, you go play. That’s right, if they take no interest, you take over and see how long they can stay away.

The point of the first piano lesson is to have a kid who wants to have a second piano lesson.

by John Aschenbrenner Copyright 2008 Walden Pond Press All Rights Reserved

You can follow the lessons in the order we present them, or select your own courses from the Course Directory

START LESSON 6

COURSE DIRECTORY

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PIANO TEACHING HOME PAGE

RETURN TO OUR MAIN WEBSITE http://www.pianobynumber.com

 

Course One

TEACHING TOOLS

#1 TEACHING CHILDREN'S PIANO

#2 WHAT A CHILD SHOULD EXPECT FROM PIANO LESSONS

#3 WHAT IS FINGERING AND WHEN DO WE USE IT

#4 PIANO BY NUMBER AND OTHER STARTING METHODS

#5 THE FIRST PIANO LESSON

#6 MINUTE BY MINUTE PIANO LESSON

#7 TOYS AND ACCESORIES FOR FUN PIANO LESSONS

#8 READING MUSIC FOR KIDS STEP BY STEP

#9 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORST AND BEST TEACHER

#10 A CHILD'S CLASSICAL MUSIC LISTENING LIST

 

Course Two

TEACHING BACKGROUND

#11 A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PIANO

#12 A SHORT HISTORY OF PIANO METHODS

#13 A PLEASANT PIANO LESSON ATMOSPHERE

#14 ADVICE TO A YOUNG PIANO TEACHER

#15 WHY I TEACH PIANO

#16 A PIANO TEACHER'S EMOTIONS

#17 PACE AND CHILDREN'S PIANO LESSONS

#18 CHILDREN'S PIANO MOTOR SKILLS DEFINED BY AGE

#19 CHILDREN'S PIANO FINGERING OVERVIEW

#20 GUILT IS THE WRONG WAY TO BUY ATTENTION

 

Course Three

PIANO GAMES

#21 FOURS, A PIANO COUNTING GAME

#22 THE PIANO DICE GAME

#23 PIANO HAND POSITION GAMES

#24 THE USE OF HUMOR IN PIANO LESSONS

#25 HAPPY OR SAD: EAR TRAINING FOR KIDS

#26 FOLLOW THE LEADER: VISUAL PIANO GAMES

#27 PIANO GAMES TO PLAY WHEN ALL GOES WRONG

 

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

See also: PIANO BY NUMBER, a series of fun books for beginning piano students of all ages.

See also: EZINE ARTICLES, a list of publications which include John Aschenbrenner's writings about the piano.

 

See also: ARCHIVES at pianoiseasy.com, which contains a large collection of games and articles about children and the piano. Below is a list you will find on that site:

ARTICLES ABOUT CHILDREN AND PIANO
Click here for the FREE EBOOK, a good place to start.  
Click here to read the NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES, including lots of valuable information from teachers and parents from various sources.
Click here to read ARTICLES FROM NEWSWEEK and other periodicals regarding children and piano study. 
Click here to read an INTERVIEW with the author of PIANO IS EASY.
Click here to read the essay, HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD READ MUSIC?
Click here to read the entire tutorial HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILD TO READ MUSIC
Click here to read the report WHAT IS A GOOD AGE TO START PIANO LESSONS?
Click here to read the essay PIANO LESSONS: A CHILD'S POINT OF VIEW
Click here to read the essay WHEN IS LEARNING FINGERING NECESSARY?
Click here to read the article  A CHILD'S BILL OF RIGHTS FOR PIANO LESSONS 
Click here to read the article IS PRESCHOOL A GOOD AGE TO START PIANO?
Click here to read the article BRAINS, CHILDREN AND PIANO
Click here to read the article WHY THE PIANO IS THE BEST CHILD'S MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 

ARTICLES ABOUT PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND PIANO
Click here to read the article TEACHING PRESCHOOL CHILDREN PIANO
Click here to read the article PRESCHOOL PIANO ACTIVITIES

ARTICLES ABOUT CHILDREN AND READING MUSIC
Click here to read the article HOW TO HELP KIDS FIND MIDDLE C
Click here to read the article WHAT KIDS REALLY UNDERSTAND ABOUT SHEET MUSIC
Click here to read the article WHY DELAY READING MUSIC
Click here to read the article AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR KIDS LEARNING TO READ MUSIC

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND PIANO
Click here to read the article AMAZING MUSICAL ABILITIES OF AUTISTIC AND ADHD CHILDREN
Click here to read the article HYPERACTIVE KIDS AND PIANO 
Click here to read the article PIANO BY NUMBER FOR A SEVERELY DISABLED GIRL 
Click here to read the article DOWN'S SYNDROME AND PIANO BY NUMBER 

ARTICLES ABOUT CHILDREN AND PRACTICING
Click here to read the article WHY NAGGING YOUR CHILD TO PRACTICE WON'T WORK
Click here to read the article RULES FOR PIANO PRACTICE
Click here to read the article DON'T CALL IT PRACTICE, CALL IT PLAY
Click here to read the article SETTING UP A CHILD'S PIANO PRACTICE REGIME
Click here to read the article WHY CHILDREN SUCCEED AT THE PIANO

ARTICLES ABOUT CHILDREN AND PIANO BY NUMBER
Click here to read the essay THE PIANO WHISPERER 
Click here to read the article STARTING TO PLAY PIANO BY NUMBER
Click here to read the report USE PIANO BY NUMBER WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN
Click here to read the article BUILDING A CHILD'S CONFIDENCE WITH NUMBERS
Click here to read the article TURN YOUR PIANO INTO A TOY

ARTICLES ABOUT ADULTS AND PIANO
Click here to read the introduction to EASY CLASSICAL PIANO BY NUMBER
Click here to read the introduction to TEACH YOURSELF PIANO, an excellent guide to important self-teaching points.
Click here to read the article RULES FOR PIANO PRACTICE
Click here to read the article TIPS FOR ADULT PIANISTS
Click here to read the article PIANO FINGER STRENGTH IS CUMULATIVE
Click here to read the article THE PIANO ZONE
Click here to read the article MAKING EVERY MINUTE OF ADULT PIANO PRACTICE COUNT

ARTICLES ABOUT THE PIANO
Click here to read the article HOW GOOD ARE TOY PIANOS?
Click here to read the article ORIGINS OF THE BLACK PIANO KEYS
Click here to read the article HOW TO BUY AN INEXPENSIVE PIANO OR KEYBOARD
Click here to read the essay WHY GRAND PIANOS ARE BETTER THAN UPRIGHTS
Click here to read the essay PIANO WARS: EVOLUTION OF THE PIANO IN AMERICA
Click here to read the essay THE GREAT PIANO CRAZE OF 1910
Click here to read the essay THE BALLET OF THE PIANO HANDS
Click here to read the essay A PIANIST'S MEANS OF EXPRESSION
Click here to read the report HUMIDITY AND YOUR PIANO

ARTICLES ABOUT PIANO TEACHING
Click here to read the article HOW TO FIND A GOOD PIANO TEACHER
Click here to read the article SO YOU WANT TO BE A PIANO TEACHER
Click here to read the article MY CHILD WANTS TO QUIT PIANO
Click here to read the article WHY KIDS NEED FREEDOM TO LEARN PIANO
Click here to read the article PSYCHOLOGY OF HOMESCHOOL PIANO
Click here to read the article THE PIANIST WITH TWO BRAINS
Click here to read the article YOU CAN ONLY ENJOY PIANO MY WAY
Click here to read the article TEN WAYS TO BE A BAD CHILDREN'S PIANO TEACHER
Click here to read the article KIDS SONGS FOR PIANO
Click here to read the article TEACH YOUR CHILDREN PIANO
Click here to read the article ARE KIDS PIANO RECITALS HARMFUL?

ARTICLES ABOUT PIANO LESSONS
Click here to read the article DISGUISING REPETITION IN KID'S PIANO LESSONS
Click here to read the article PIANO LESSONS FOR CHILDREN: HOME OR TRAVEL
Click here to read the article PIANO METHOD BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
Click here to read the article GUITAR OR PIANO: WHAT'S BEST FOR A SIX YEAR OLD?
Click here to read the article TEACHING GUIDE DOGS IS JUST LIKE TEACHING KIDS PIANO
Click here to read the article HOW COME MY KID HATES PIANO?
Click here to read the article USING FAMILIAR SONGS IN CHILDREN'S PIANO LESSONS
Click here to read the article HOW KID'S COMPUTER TIME AFFECTS PIANO LESSONS
Click here to read the article PIANO SOFTWARE OR PRINT BOOKS: WHICH IS BETTER
Click here to read the article FOLLOW THE CHILD'S PACE WITH PIANO LESSONS
Click here to read the article TOYS YOU SHOULD BRING TO A CHILD'S PIANO LESSON
Click here to read the article THE TRANSPARENT PIANO LESSON STRATEGY
Click here to read the article WHAT KIDS LIKE ABOUT PIANO LESSONS
Click here to read the article WHY CHILDREN FAIL AT PIANO LESSONS
Click here to read the article ATTENTION SPAN, CHILDREN AND PIANO
Click here to read the article PIANO FOR KIDS
Click here to read the article CHILDREN'S HIDDEN PIANO TALENT
Click here to read the article SELECTING CHILDREN'S SONGS FOR PIANO
Click here to read the article KIDS MUSIC AND THE PIANO
Click here to read the article CHILDREN'S PIANO POSTURE
Click here to read the article SHOULD PARENTS FORCE CHILDREN TO TAKE PIANO LESSONS?

ARTICLES ABOUT PIANO STICKERS
Click here to read the article WHY PIANO NUMBER STICKERS WORK FOR CHILDREN
Click here to read the article WHY PIANO STICKERS WORK FOR READING MUSIC

ARTICLES ABOUT PIANO GAMES
Click here to see the game QUARTERS: A PIANO GAME KIDS LOVE
Click here to see the piano game FUN PIANO GAME WITH A PAIR OF DICE
Click here to see the piano game MOZART'S FAVORITE MOVIE 
Click here to see the essay BASEBALL, KIDS AND PIANO
Click here to read about PIANO CHORD GAMES FOR KIDS
Click here to read about VISUAL PIANO GAMES
Click here to read about THE FUTURE EFFECT OF KIDS PIANO GAMES
 
MUSIC HISTORY AND HUMOR
Click here to read the article PIANO LESSONS WITH PAPA BACH
Click here to read the article PIANO LESSONS WITH FREDERIC CHOPIN
Click here to read the story HECTOR BERLIOZ AND THE TRAIN WRECK
Click here to read the story TCHAIKOVSKY'S GREATEST FAN
Click here to read the story STRAVINSKY'S GOOD LUCK
Click here to read the article CHOPIN'S SINGING TONE
Click here to read the article MUSICAL FEUDS
Click here to read the article MUSICAL GENIUS
Click here to read the story FRANZ SCHUBERT: THE FIRST BOHEMIAN
Click here to read the story BEETHOVEN'S RAGE OVER A LOST PENNY
Click here to read the story MOZART'S LAST DAYS
Click here to read THE STORY OF HUGO WOLF
Click here to read the story THE WORLD'S LARGEST BLUE DANUBE WALTZ
Click here to read the story BEETHOVEN WAS NO BEAUTY
Click here to read the story VLADIMIR HOROWITZ GOES TO THE RACETRACK
Click here to read the story EINSTEIN'S GYPSY VIOLIN
Click here to read the story IGOR STRAVINSKY LOSES HIS COOL
Click here to read the story ARTUR RUBINSTEIN WAS A VAMPIRE
Click here to read the story EINSTEIN'S PIANO
Click here to read the essay WHY BRAHMS MUST HAVE BEEN FAT
Click here to read the article PIANO HANDS
Click here to read the article THE MASTER'S HANDS
Click here to see the article TAKE YOUR KIDS TO THE OPERA
Click here to see the article GEORGE SAND KILLED CHOPIN
Click here to see the article I MEET AARON COPLAND
Click here to see the story CARL TAUSIG COOKS HIS CAT

CULTURAL CRITICISM
Click here to read the op-ed opinion column WHY AMERICA IS LOSING THE CULTURE RACE
Click here to read the op-ed opinion column WHAT KILLED THE GOLDEN AGE OF PIANO
Click here to read the op-ed opinion column AGAINST FILM MUSIC
Click here to read the op-ed opinion column CARNEGIE HALL STARTS IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

CHORDS AND MUSIC THEORY TUTORIALS 
Click here to read the tutorial ROOT POSITION CHORDS
Click here to read the tutorial FIRST INVERSION CHORDS
Click here to read the tutorial SECOND INVERSION CHORDS
Click here to read the tutorial THE SIX BASIC CHORDS FOR CHILDREN
Click here to read the tutorial TWO NOTE CHORDS FOR KIDS
Click here to read about PIANO CHORD GAMES FOR KIDS
Click here to read the article WHY CHILDREN SHOULD LEARN ABOUT PIANO CHORDS

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