Does it make me a controlling person if I choose my piano students’ New Year’s resolutions? Yes? Darn! Does it make me a controlling person if I let my students select from 3 pre-determined resolutions? Sort of?
OK, I can live with sort of, because this year that is exactly what I’m about to do. I’m going to carefully guide my piano students’ resolution selection while still allowing them to take ownership (Great… now I’m sneaky and controlling!)
Keep reading to discover the 3 resolutions my piano students will be devoting themselves to come January 1, 2014.
Resolution #1: Play With Passion
Kids who choose this resolution will commit to playing everything… even the simplest little ditty… with dynamics, phrasing and emotion. We’ll work on the concept of rubato, strengthen their abilities to play legato when needed, and really focus on telling a story with music. Learning to play while listening will be key in helping these students achieve their “play with passion” resolution.
Resolution #2: Play With Perfect Hands
I’m a stickler for hand shape anyway, but sometimes I will let it slide momentarily if it means they are focusing on another concept at the moment. But… for the kids who choose this option they will resolve to play with a beautiful hand shape no matter what. Each child has their different idiosyncrasies when it comes to their hands, but with a few small adjustments and gentle reminders (and actually a whole lot of fun!) those bad habits will be put to bed for the kids who choose this resolution. (Need help with this? Check out our posts on good hand position, stiff pinky fingers, and stiff wrists.
Resolution #3: Banish “I Can’t” For Good
My piano kids who choose this option will be resolving to try anything, accept new challenges, let go of perfection and sight read everything in sight. They’ll be committing to be confident piano students who will work ahead on their own at home, accept challenging repertoire with a smile and an “I can do this” attitude and take on any and all performance opportunities that come their way. I have a few piano students who would really benefit from this approach to their lessons and I’m excited about the possibilities it holds for their progress.
Resolutions Aren’t Just About Adults
Yes, I’ve already started my own New Years Resolutions… I’ve been juicing everything in sight and drinking spinach smoothies like they’re going out of style (you can pretty much leave your teeth at the door when you come to our house now!) but it’s important to remember that resolutions aren’t just for adults. Kids who learn how to set goals and who are provided with guidance in working to achieve those goals will eventually be self-motivated and pro-active adults.
I’m setting those gears in action in my piano studio with this simple activity. The goal is to have achieved these resolutions is mid-March when they head off for Spring Break and we’re going to have a “Resolution Piano Party” for all who have participated. Give it a try in your own studio and see what happens!
Kelly Koch says
What a wonderful idea! I am thinking of ways to “start fresh” with my students and this is awesome. Do you have them sign a resolution page or something like that? Some kind of reminder that they can keep in their book?
Jessica Pawlitzki says
What a brilliant post! I had never thought about extending resolutions into the teaching situation but I can see students (kids) really benefit from it. Especially if the teacher is working with them along the way. Lots of resolutions wither away because we lack a buddy to keep us on track.
Happy New Year!
Jessica Pawlitzki
Kathy G says
HaHA. What a great idea. I am so going to steal it. I join Kelly in asking how you implement this for each student. In their notebook? Wall chart?
Donna Lee Wright says
Awesome idea. Was already thinking about this. Great minds think alike. Thanks for expanding on this idea. The time limit and party idea really gives this the finishing touch. Your site encourages new ideas continuously. Thanks for sharing and blessing the teachers and their students. Looking forward to your comments and ideas in 2014.
Donna-Lee Wright
Susan McGuire says
Thank you and Happy New Year! Though I’ve always required students to write their Piano Resolutions in their assignment books, I’ve never thought to mention some of your ideas – I especially like the first about passion!
When I ask them to write theirs, we talk about what the word “resolution” actually means, and what resolving to do something requires. I compare it to setting goals but that it is a step beyond – to a commitment to carry them out. So I ask them to only write things that they can see themselves accomplishing. When what they write is too minimal in my mind, I encourage them to think larger!
Sometimes I suggest things to them and now some of your ideas will be included! Thanks again!
Susan McGuire says
PS – Since I so enjoyed (laughed til I cried) over your posts about gifts to teachers, maybe you could call for outstanding resolutions?
Patricia Moore says
I just love your site. Everything I have read so far is so helpful. I also think that for a teacher that’s taught for a long time and needs re-invigoration, information on this site can give them fresh new ideas. It keeps the teaching fresh as well.
Bev Conway says
I liked all 3 of the resolutions and I’m thinking about having the kids draw a new resolution every week or month(?) As I’m thinking about my students, I’m thinking that they’ll not “last” for long (just like adults/me!) but they might get more motivation from a weekly choice.
Sara says
Love this idea. Thinking of printing off their resolution really big in a fun font to stick in their book at their current piece, to remind them of it!
Barbara says
I took that a step further and printed it out into a poster for the music studio – for all to see and discuss! Thank you fantastic Dow duo for yet another brilliant tool!
Karen Campo says
Excellent! I am going to have my students write their resolution in the front of the practice journal I gave them as a Christmas gift this year. Thank you for the great ideas! Happy New Year!
Katey Kratz says
I love this idea! I was looking for a way to work resolutions into my lessons and have students create goals, but this is a great way to keep it relevant and focused. I love the three resolutions you have come up with as well! Good Stuff! Happy New Year!
Daphne Walters says
Thanks for the idea! We have three big posters, each with a different resolution as a heading. The students paste their names onto the poster with their desired resolution. They were actually super excited! (And they all picked the “right” resolution for them — no, I’m not a control freak…)