Piano Lessons
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If you are looking for a teacher who just teaches piano, find someone else.
My lessons involve a comprehensive approach to music through the piano. Students will not be taught to imitate, but to understand. Lessons will be an experience of music from many angles – improvisation, composition, movement, sight-reading, performing, and more.
Through these experiences, my goal is that students will in essence be able to teach themselves. I strive to help them develop a musical ear, capable of correcting mistakes and making educated interpretations. For example, I may record a student’s playing during a lesson, then listen and discuss together various aspects of success or those that need improvement. With this strategy, I can be confident that students’ practice sessions at home will gradually become more efficient as they learn to correct their own playing. Ultimately, students should be able to understand and interpret the music they are playing without my help.
I am willing to work with a variety of students, including those that may have special needs. I have an interest in the areas of learning and behavioral disorders, including ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. I am constantly updating my knowledge on these topics. I will do my best to make music an enjoyable and beneficial experience for all skill and ability levels.
Students will begin piano study by exploring basic musical concepts, but it is preferred that they have some understanding of the basics prior to starting piano lessons. I believe students should exhibit the following before beginning formal study: 1) a sense of rhythmic pulse, 2) the ability to discern differences in pitch and intensity, and 3) comfort with singing and moving to music. These abilities can be achieved through classes such as Kindermusik’s ABC Music and Me, which I teach on Monday afternoons during the fall and spring semesters.
It is ideal that students begin piano study around age 7 or 8 after receiving some general music education. I will take students as young as 5 or 6 if they demonstrate a level of maturity appropriate for private study. Also, I will need to determine that the hands are at a stage of development ready for exercising fine motor exercises and control.
I believe that anyone can learn to play the piano with the right instruction and ample reinforcement. We all have music inside of us waiting to be given an outlet. Music is all around us in our daily lives, and it enhances our world in so many ways. Each student has his or her own unique qualities, and it is my goal to utilize those to provide a valuable music learning experience that will last a lifetime.
Where I teach: I am currently registering students for Fall semester, 2011. I will be teaching out of my home in Norman, Oklahoma.
Who I teach: I teach beginners through lower-advanced students. I will consider adult students pending room in my schedule.
At what age should a student begin lessons? Children should exhibit mental acuity in the field of music – i.e. awareness of beat/tempo, sensitivity to various moods in music, and ability to answer questions relating to music. Physically, the student should exhibit developing fine motor skills in the hands. The ability to read is not necessary, although it is assumed the student will be working on this concurrently.
Young children interested in music, but not ready to start piano lessons are highly encouraged to enroll in a Kindermusik class. See the Resources for Parents Page for more information on classes in the Norman area.
Lessons: I currently teach 30-minute lessons weekly, as well as hold twice-monthly performance classes. I hope to be able to provide 45-minute and 1-hour lessons in the future.
Please contact me to set up an interview for piano lessons.
Masterclass at OU, November 2009
