Miracles take place every day in our piano studios… and while they may not be as grand as the Statue of Zeus or the Pyramids of Giza, they are “wonders” all the same.
I’m all about celebrating the positives of piano teaching – sure there are headaches to this job, but if given the choice between teaching piano and doing anything else (except for a Food Critic… I really think that’s got to be the best job ever!) I’d choose piano teaching every time!
Check out Piano Teaching’s Seven Wonders and then feel free to add your own wonders in the comments below…
Announcing the Seven Wonders of the Piano Studio…
1. The Hands Together “Moment”
We all know “that” piece… the one that is the first opportunity your piano students have where they play two notes at once. The harmony that results makes their eyes immediately light up. Usually, it’s a 3rd; usually, they then hammer it out repeatedly and want to use the pedal, play it up high, down low… upside down… It’s a moment where they simply delight in the enjoyment that is producing beautiful sounds.
2. The Memorization Miracle
When you sit back and think of it, it’s truly amazing that these small children we see each week can not only master the skills needed to correctly play through a piece, but they can also then completely memorize it. Their little fingers fly over those keys with nothing but their memory to guide them. It’s truly incredible.
3. The “I Did That” Realization
There’s something magical about watching your piano students at your recital march up on stage and perform beautifully knowing that, without you, they wouldn’t have been able to do so. There’s also something incredible about listening to a piano student perform whom you have taught for 8+ years, knowing that their mad piano skills are a direct result of you!
4. The Perfect Piece Phenomenon
In every piano student’s life, there will be one piece that seems to complete something inside them. It’s a piece that motivates, resonates, and accomplishes more growth and progress than any other piece they’ve encountered. It’s different for every piano student, but it is a wonderful thing when it happens!
5. The Student Saver Sensation
Piano lessons have the ability to alter the course of your students’ lives. So many of our teenage students are kept on the “straight and narrow” because piano lessons have given them self-confidence, purpose, an identity, an emotional release, goals, skills… the list goes on. The fact that our influence as piano teachers can literally “save” these kids we work with each and every day is a true phenomenon.
6. The Self Motivation Revelation
The moment when your piano student excitedly shows you a piece they learned top to bottom all by themselves is a “wonder-worthy” moment. Wasn’t this just the same child who insisted you write note names and finger numbers, demonstrate, re-iterate and remind? Now, this student can take a piece of music, and (using the skills you’ve given them) decode this new language into something beautiful. It’s an “aha” moment for your student when the world of sheet music becomes completely accessible to them; it’s a “wow” moment for a piano teacher as you watch your student blossom.
7. The Chain-Reaction Marvel
Have you ever sat down and actually calculated the number of children you have influenced over your piano teaching career? By the time you’ve taught for 20+ years, this number is truly amazing. Now consider how many of those students then went on to inspire others to take up piano lessons, and how many of those who were inspired then ignited the spark of “piano passion” in a whole new circle. Each of these people who were touched directly or indirectly by your piano teaching will impact those around them whether it be through their playing, their own teaching, their decision to involve their own children in piano lessons… the list goes on! You’re just one person, but you have mass amounts of piano proliferation power!
Yup, We’re Pretty Awesome!
Others may think we’re simply Piano Teachers; working away diligently in our individual studios around the world. In actuality, we are miracle-makers… these “Seven Wonders of the Piano Teaching World” prove it 🙂 What “wonders” would you add to our list? Share in the comments below.
Feeling full of wonderment? Well, while you’re in the wondrous frame of mind, there are lots of “wunderful” things happening at WunderKeys.com! As you start your planning for the coming school year, be sure to check out our Preschool Piano Program and give yourself the opportunity to offer this unique program to a whole new age group in your community.
Leia says
Beautiful post, and I agree with every word!
Michelle Tukachinsky says
I especially love number 5. I believe that lessons do keep students on the straight and narrow. I believe that the relationship with the piano and the student is truly special and transformative in so many ways.
Dana says
Great post! Sometimes we all need a reminder of why we do this piano teaching thing. This week at Kids&Keys I started a series of Summer Celebrations posts about the wonderful musical miracle moments that happen in piano students’ lives. Thanks for giving me some more moments to look for and take note of!
LeeAnn says
Great post!! You are such an encouragement!! Just started Mutzart and rat. Today with one of my students!! She was so excited. She said, “I never knew I could compose my own music!” Talk about an “aha” moment. Thanks for all you do.
Andrea says
So great to hear LeeAnn – I hope you have lots of fun with the book with many many students 🙂
Michele says
I had a discussion on #7 The Chain Reaction with my very first piano student just the other day. He is now on the world stage of orchestral conductors. I thought him 31 years ago. He turned 37 this year. We marvelled at how far reaching the music we shared really is. My head spun as I realized just how many students I have taught and how many of them are now parents of children who now take lessons. When I was done chatting with him, I broke down and cried. How many 10’s of thousands of persons would not have been touched as I have been by this young mans music. very humbling. Thank you Andrea and Trevor for stepping out and encouraging new and seasoned teachers to be the very best they can be. Thank you…