Anyone taught their kids to play piano?
Discussion
I have an 8 year old who is expressing an interest in playing piano. I have one in the house and I play it often. Problem is, I was grade 8 on the organ as a teenager (came from keyboards) but never played piano til I was in my thirties. I'm grade 5 theory from a long while ago (much of it has left my memory and been replaced with other stuff!). I very rarely play pieces, a lot of music now is played by ear and it's usually contemporary stuff anyway. A lot of my time is just working around my own ideas and just enjoying playing music I like.
Just wondered if anyone else had taught their kids or whether it's best getting some private tuition? If it's worth giving it a go, does anyone have any recommendations on books to use to get them (and me) going?
Just wondered if anyone else had taught their kids or whether it's best getting some private tuition? If it's worth giving it a go, does anyone have any recommendations on books to use to get them (and me) going?
Pauline Hall - 10 Little Fingers and Piano Time are a good place to start. The Vamoosh series is good and I see they have brought out a piano book which is probably fun.
However.
Children respond differently to other adults than they do to their parents, as it is a relationship that has clearly defined boundaries. Of course, it can work, but in general a professional teacher is probably the better bet. It's also worth pointing out that, just because you can play and instrument doesn't mean you can teach it. Teaching is a career path/skill that many people disparage ("those who can't, teach"), but nothing could be further from the truth. If you find a good teacher that your daughter engages with it will pay massive dividends.
Put it this way - my wife and I are both professional musicians and instrumental teachers; however, although our daughter plays the same instrument that my wife plays and teaches, she learns with a different teacher. Also, my dad tried to teach me the guitar when I was 6 or 7; despite him being a fantastic musician and teacher it didn't end well
However.
Children respond differently to other adults than they do to their parents, as it is a relationship that has clearly defined boundaries. Of course, it can work, but in general a professional teacher is probably the better bet. It's also worth pointing out that, just because you can play and instrument doesn't mean you can teach it. Teaching is a career path/skill that many people disparage ("those who can't, teach"), but nothing could be further from the truth. If you find a good teacher that your daughter engages with it will pay massive dividends.
Put it this way - my wife and I are both professional musicians and instrumental teachers; however, although our daughter plays the same instrument that my wife plays and teaches, she learns with a different teacher. Also, my dad tried to teach me the guitar when I was 6 or 7; despite him being a fantastic musician and teacher it didn't end well

Keep playing yourself, hopefully inspiring and encouraging your child.
Maybe play more stuff that your child can associate with.
I didn’t start getting my now two grown up children instrument lessons at a very early age and never pressured them; it was a formula that has worked for them.
Their first music lessons were with somebody who taught the Kodaly method, and so they had acquired musical literacy before they ever picked up an instrument for the first time; they then didn’t have to cope with having to learn both instrumental technique, and cope with music on the printed page at the same time.
Maybe play more stuff that your child can associate with.
I didn’t start getting my now two grown up children instrument lessons at a very early age and never pressured them; it was a formula that has worked for them.
Their first music lessons were with somebody who taught the Kodaly method, and so they had acquired musical literacy before they ever picked up an instrument for the first time; they then didn’t have to cope with having to learn both instrumental technique, and cope with music on the printed page at the same time.
I was always taught by a professional teacher with my Dad (professional keys/piano/organ) insisting it would be better for me than him trying to teach me.
I did the same with my daughter although it was more of a passing fad and she lost interest, but it was worth giving her the opportunity. I was actually seeking lessons myself (similar situation to yours, grade 8 in teens/school days and then barely progressed until mid 30's) so combined it so I had 60-90 minutes of tuition with my daughter's shorter lesson tacked on either side. That meant a teacher wasn't coming to the house just to teach a kid for 30 mins.
I had some organ lessons as well, something I wanted to get into more, but the obvious lack of practice capability meant it was hard to progress it. I do aspire to build one of these virtual instruments which have transformed the ability to play without having access to an instrument which, let's face it, usually involves affiliation with a church. Grade 8 organ is really quite some achievement coming from somebody who is heading for piano diploma but revert to 'grade 1' at an organ console. Do you any ongoing interest in the repertoire and is it something you would like to get back into?
I did the same with my daughter although it was more of a passing fad and she lost interest, but it was worth giving her the opportunity. I was actually seeking lessons myself (similar situation to yours, grade 8 in teens/school days and then barely progressed until mid 30's) so combined it so I had 60-90 minutes of tuition with my daughter's shorter lesson tacked on either side. That meant a teacher wasn't coming to the house just to teach a kid for 30 mins.
I had some organ lessons as well, something I wanted to get into more, but the obvious lack of practice capability meant it was hard to progress it. I do aspire to build one of these virtual instruments which have transformed the ability to play without having access to an instrument which, let's face it, usually involves affiliation with a church. Grade 8 organ is really quite some achievement coming from somebody who is heading for piano diploma but revert to 'grade 1' at an organ console. Do you any ongoing interest in the repertoire and is it something you would like to get back into?
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