Q:
Can I really teach my child if I don't play the piano
well?
A:
Yes! Of course it helps if you know something about piano
or reading music. A good ear for music is very important.
Just as many parents homeschool their children with a
good curriculum, you can use PHONICS 4 PIANO to teach
your child. It is user-friendly because only one concept
is introduced at a time. We are piano teachers ourselves
and do recommend that you find a piano teacher if your
child shows an interest in continuing piano lessons.
Q:
Is there a teaching manual or instructions to help
me teach my child?
A:
In each book there is a letter to parents and teachers
with general guidelines for teaching that particular
book. This will help you know where the hard spots might
be and encourage you to celebrate accomplishments. We
have tried to write down all the important things we
tell our students when teaching each concept or song--right
there on each page. Just read or explain everything
on each page to your child. Each concept is taught
one-at-a-time so it should make sense to you. The good
news is music is logical.
Q:
My three-year-old just loves music and is pushing down
keys on the piano. Should he start PHONICS 4 PIANO
now?
A:
No, buy him some sticks, a tambourine, or maracas and
march around the room with him to teach rhythm; take
him to Kindermusic or children's choir; play CDs of classical
music and children's songs to enhance his love for music
and make him familiar with the songs in PHONICS 4 PIANO
when he does start. Bookmark our site and check back
with us in a year or two.
Q:
We don't have a piano. Is a keyboard all right for
my child to start?
A:
Yes, especially if your child is very young. Keyboards
can be really fun. Just be sure you purchase one that
has full-sized keys, has touch response and can add a
pedal. You will need these features! You should be able
to get such a keyboard for about $150. You should know
that almost all pianists prefer the feel of an acoustic
(real) piano. So whenever your child's playing deserves
one-for an older child, probably a maximum of one year-you
will want to purchase an acoustic piano. A used piano
can be quite reasonable and if properly maintained will
offer years of enjoyment. You may be surprised at the
boost it will give your child's playing.
Keep
the keyboard, however. It will be great to take to grandma's
or the beach, use in the van with batteries, practice
with earphones when someone's sleeping or both children
want to practice at the same time, or play in the park
for a wedding.
Q:
Should I sit with my child when he is practicing?
A:
Most children will enjoy your attention to their music.
Of course, you must offer encouragement with your presence.
No one wants to be annoyed, so your correction should
be done with good voice inflection and preceded by praise
for something done well. ("I just love the way you
held that half note 2 beats!") Our experience is
that children whose parents participate in their practice
do better. It will be essential for small children, but
even older children need for you to assist in the instruction
and then be listening from other room for correct rhythm
and notes. You need to watch for correct fingering and
keeping eyes on the page rather than hands also. A keyboard
stuck off in a child's room for practice whenever he
decides is likely to be used less often and finally not
at all. A piano in the family room to play for everyone
who comes over can result in encouragement from many
sources and some great music fun.
Q:
Are there any theory pages in PHONICS 4 PIANO?
A:
Yes, the theory is mixed right in with the songs. The
advantage is that you don't have to flip back and forth
between books to coordinate the theory. The student gets
a new book more often and feels good about his progress.
For siblings, get a piece of plastic to place over the
theory page for the older child to write on with a marker
so the younger child can write in the book.
Q:
How long does the average student take to complete
the PHONICS 4 PIANO series?
A:
Every child is different, of course, but the average
would be about 2 years. Older, very musical children
may complete the series in a year or less. Very young
children may take as long as three years.
Q:
My child is taking piano lessons but is kind of bogged
down. She doesn't like to practice. Will PHONICS 4
PIANO make a difference?
A:
We can't promise that our series will make her practice,
but if she loves music, you should try. If she can read
the lines and spaces, the problem may be that she has
been introduced to too much too quickly and not been
given the opportunity to enjoy songs she loves. You will
have to be the judge of where she is in her progress.
Test her to see if she knows the alphabet names of the
piano keys, then the names of the notes on lines and
spaces. If so, consider purchasing FUN, PALS, and ONE
ACCORD. Her reaction to these books will help you determine
whether she wants to play the piano. (Remember: As a
general rule, we enjoy what we do well. We are frustrated
when we try to do something over and over and it is too
difficult.)
Q:
What will my child do after he completes PHONICS 4
PIANO?
A:
A child who has completed the series will be ready for
Level 2 in any other method of your choice. We
are working on level 2 and hope to have it completed
soon.
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