Comprehensive piano learning process

Comprehensive piano learning process

https://www.piano-composer-teacher-london.co.uk/single-post/2018/03/01/Complete-Piano-Learning-Cycle

Developing an individual as a musician is a major project. I’m so used to seeing how piano teachers just restrict themselves to teaching solely piano to their students. Obviously, we have to teach the technique – the best one possible indeed -, but we also need to inspire our students. I’m not referring to the cliche: “All teachers need to be inspiring”, or “I’m a truly inspirational teacher”. I have seen these phrases used without making sense at all. As if someone with schizophrenia was just repeating them over and over again…

Trying to be inspirational is a huge challenge. Trying to be inspirational requires structure. It is an artistic and pedagogical endeavour, but it needs a lot of planning. You can’t just believe that because you are a musician you will be inherently inspirational for your piano students. Motivating your students to become passionate musicians imply making the effort of arranging complementary musical activities that enhance their immersion into the world of music.

I remember how my first piano teacher was constantly organising group lessons, concerts and lectures. These activities were meant to bring us, students, together. They were also meant to provide us with a platform to meet each other, to discuss music and to learn about how much each other knew about music. In this way, we were constantly challenging ourselves. We were competing to play the most beautiful and difficult pieces. We were battling to participate in the conservatoire’s concerts and we tried as hard as we could to excel.

Providing your students with concert opportunities is just one element of a complex pedagogical system. This system doesn’t have the single purpose of giving them the chance to play, it also has to grant them the possibility of being together. They have to criticise music and see the consequences of what they say about others!