Over many years of teaching I had regular phone calls from parents who were desperate to bring some music to the lives of their children… yet tentative because of their active personalities. I’d hear: “He doesn’t really like to sit still for very long, so I’ not sure how this will work…” or, “Her teachers say she’s so bright, but she has trouble focusing” all the time. Parents of active children were often concerned that piano lessons wouldn’t “speak their language”. Sports seemed like a safer bet, yet they knew the benefits of piano lessons and wanted that for their children.
Over many years running a very large studio, we’ve taught hundreds of rambunctious boys and girls. I never once said “no” to a parent on the phone, and had a ton of success all thanks to the following 7 principles.
7 Ways You Can Adjust Your Piano Lessons To Suit The Needs Young Students
1. Get Them Off the Bench
Point number one should come as no surprise, but for those of you who are new to teaching young children… make piano lessons active. All young piano kids cannot sit happily at a piano bench for 30 or 45 minutes. The shy and polite ones may pretend to be happy, but in their heads they checked-out a long time ago. Get those kiddos off the bench and having a blast!
2. Begin With An Anecdote
Children love interesting, funny, startling, gross and, of course, true stories. Make sure to share funny little stories about the piano and the music your student is learning. Talk about Mozart playing with his nose, a thief who was arrested after stopping to play a tune mid-robbery… little music-related stories that kids will love. Every little anecdote helps to keep their interest so the learning can continue.
3. Be Competitive… But Not With Others
Kids love a challenge… in particular practice incentives. Give them a goal with a reward and they’ll be all over it. Try to avoid challenges against other students as this can leave young students stressed out when the pressure to compete and win gets in the way of learning and having fun.
4. Give Them A Purpose
When piano lessons are competing with soccer, hockey, hip hop, dirt bikes, lacrosse, and skating, playing for simple enjoyment just won’t hack it all of the time. Piano lessons are fun… and then hard… and then fun again. The pure act of learning piano will not be enjoyable 100% of the time. So to get kids through the “hard times” it is important that they always have a purpose… be it an upcoming recital, a practice incentive, or a family concert.
5. Incorporate Game-Based Learning
Want to see your student’s face light up? Bring out a piano game when he or she walks through the studio door. Children retain more information when they are invested in the outcome… and who doesn’t like to get down and have some fun attempting to beat their piano teacher?! Our PianoGameClub games are “kid-approved” in that they are visually exciting, quirky and hilarious (think Dust Bunnies running from the vacuum or Pirate Pancakes walking the plank) and created in a way that allows your young students to actually beat you fair and square!
6. Provide Role Models
It is important that kids see what they can become. Piano lessons become much more relevant for children when they are able to play lead sheets from popular artists that are “cool” and current. Providing opportunities for the young children in your studio to frequently see your more advanced students “in action” is also really important.
7. Focus On Action
It is tough for young piano kids to connect emotionally to a piece of music. That is why, for active students, piano pieces with a bit of a story line or clear actions are always a favorite; it is simply easier for them to relate. If there is no clear story… create one together!
Piano Resources For The Action-Obsessed Kiddos In Your Studio.
Our comic-based piano series, The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo is great for active piano students. If you have a young student who is working from a Level 2 method book who needs that “something special” to get inspired be sure to check out what this series has to offer. Find it on Amazon here.
Kelly Koch says
We love Fearless Fortissimo with our boys (my studio is more boys than girls…), I have a “plan” to make an I-movie of fearless with each student playing a different piece as background music. Super-cool music and fun to teach from!!!
Kelly Koch
Minds On Music
Gulf Breeze, FL
Andrea says
What a cool idea Kelly! So glad the books are working well for you 🙂
Terri DeLuca says
My young male students LOVE the Fearless Fortissimo songs. And Mom’s are pleased, too. A big THANK YOU to you!
Andrea says
We love to hear this Terri – thanks so much for commenting… it means a lot! 🙂
Amy says
My boy students LOVE the fearless series….any beginner versions in the works? (Just learning to use white keys)
As always – thank you!
Amy
Michele says
I used the Imovie idea for my final spring recital this year. The cool factor was over the top…the movie went around the globe, literally. I have students who have relatives everywhere!
totally upped my street cred with the boys…LOL
Andrea says
Street cred is so important too! Kudos to you for the great idea to make a video – such a great motivator for kids!
Alice says
Fearless Fortissimo kept my student Sam in the studio for the last two years–would love another installment! Great stuff! Thanks.
Andrea says
Yay! We love hearing stories like your Sam. This was the exact reason we created these books… we had students like Sam who needed something different 🙂 And yes, we’re working on Episode 3!
Joel Sherlock says
As a former piano student, I certainly agree with the idea of giving boys purpose. I really enjoyed playing duets and trios. Looking back, even in times when it was hard to practice, I ALWAYS practiced my duets and trios because I didn’t want to let my fellow performer(s) down.
Andrea says
It’s so true Joel! That peer to peer motivation is really powerful. Thanks for commenting.
Jane says
I live in France, work in two music schools and have over 50 pupils.
‘Fearless Fortissimo’ episode 1 has been a great success with my boys who can’t wait for episode 2! Thank you so much.
Elaine says
Where do you get your anecdotes?
I could use some ideas.
Thank you for all your inspiration and great ideas
Brooksmusic says
Also changing the words to a song to reflect their interests works great. Even change the note values to something gross, like “puppy turds” fot two eights, quarter. Lol. One of my 2nd grade boys came up with this one! The grosser, more shocking, the better! Have them come up with their own ideas.
Nancy webb says
Would love to hear excerpt from the beginner books and elementary books. Not just the advanced book
Andrea says
Hi Nancy – the pieces are actually the same in all 3 books – they are just adjusted to match the levelling. You can see an in-depth video tour of all 3 books on http://www.pianomusicforboys.com where we discuss the changes that were made to each level.
Christine says
As someone who’s taught music to boys in schools, I say your experience really shows, because your points are right on regarding what actually works with boys (and most girls enjoy these things, too)!
Incorporating interactive learning, interesting information, competition, an overarching purpose, technology and/or games, role models, and action are practically guaranteed to keep boys engaged with music lessons!
I would only add that I’m a little more hopeful than expressed here that most are able to appreciate the “cool factor” of traditional classical composers and their music right from the start, as long as we’re thoughtful about how we set up the introduction by making it relevant and sharing our own genuine enthusiasm.
Great article!
Kara Wardell says
My kids love Fearless Fortissimo! We did a superhero themed recital earlier in June that featured the songs from episode 1 from all 3 levels! The kids all wore capes as well! It was super fun!