The Mobile Piano Geek: Fresh Piano Lessons Delivered To Your Door

Beginning of Term Newsletter 2016/17

Hello Lovely Parents and Students,
Happy New Year! The beginning of fall and back to school always feels like a fresh new year to me. I am filled with optimism, determination, and lots of energy. I have attached my Studio Policies and Practice Tips 2016/17. Please read and go over them with your child if necessary. I have listed some important points from both sheets below:

Cancellations: Each student receives two free cancellations per school year. Please advise me when you would like to use your cancellation credits. No credits or refunds issued for subsequent cancellations. Make-up lessons: almost any cancelled lesson can be made up, but this is not required. I am available Saturday 3:00-3:45pm or 6:00-6:45pm for make-ups.

Practice Instructions: At every practice session, open the piano lessons binder. Go to the assignment sheet from your last lesson. Do everything on the list as many times it says (more is better) or for at least 5 or 10 minutes if you are at a higher level and number of times is not indicated. Set a timer for every session. If you reach the bottom of the list and time has not run out, start again at the top of the list or practice the item the item that was the most difficult again until the timer goes off.

Practice Schedule: I recommend drawing up a practice schedule for all students. It will help to alleviate the problems of procrastination and outraged protest every time the student is asked to practice. Please build it into your family routine so your child will get used to putting in the time necessary to improve and the expectation that piano practice is part of life.

Students ages 5-8 need supervision during their practice sessions. Someone to help them go through the instructions and work through each item, to keep them focussed, to know when to take a short break and re-engage.
Students ages 9-11 need someone to check their piano assignment at least once a week. Have the list ready and ask your child to show you every item and help them evaluate their progress.
Students ages 12+ benefit from a check of their assignment every couple of weeks and some sincere encouragement and specific praise when you hear them practicing well on their own.
Adult students: don’t be shy about showing your best friend or spouse what you’re working on in piano lessons. Consider showing them the same song at various stages while you’re learning it so they can hear your progress. It is often difficult to hear yourself getting better as the pace of improvement can be slow. Supportive friends and family can provide some encouraging feedback, which is so valuable when learning to play an instrument.

Practice Guidelines – all numbers are minimums. More is better if the student is willing.
Students ages 5-6 15 minutes, four times a week between lessons
Students ages 7-8 20 minutes, four times a week
Students ages 9-10 30 minutes four times a week
Students ages 11-12 30 minutes for piano assignment plus 10 minutes listening to music, four days a week
Students ages 13+ 60 minutes divided between repertoire, lesson book, technique, listening to music and experimenting at the piano

Playing For Fun:
Music is a glorious thing and it is an amazing gift to give your children or yourself. Usually your child’s piano assignment will not touch on the great emotional journey that music can be. It will be about sustained effort, delayed gratification, intellectual challenge, discipline, and if everything goes well, slow and steady progress. Sometimes practicing will feel like kind of a drag. It is very important to round out your or your child’s musical education by giving them the fun, easy side of music as well. Go see live concerts, have a dance party at home, try karaoke, play Rock Band (the video game), and encourage your children to mess around at the piano, with no pressure. Try to figure out some notes of a song you like. Write your own songs. At my house my four year old plays absolutely crazy “music” on the piano and I have to do an interpretive dance. This brings her great joy, and that is the point. Although I must admit my dancing skills are not coming along as well as I would like.

Thank you for reading! Please contact me with any questions or comments you may have. Don’t forget to get your pianos tuned!
Here’s to a great upcoming year of music study,
Alison