I came across a video this weekend that I just had to share and you just HAVE to watch. As well as being wildly entertaining, it has a ton of practical applications to our piano teaching…
1) Despite us all having taught the songs in the video SO MANY TIMES in the last year… they are still like a strange addiction; kind of like those sour key candies that make you pucker and yet you can’t stop eating them.
2) I would never steal someone else’s piano students… but these kids do tempt me. Teasing. Only sort of.
3) It reminded me of my own sibling practice enjoyment (like when my sister would do duets with me or sing along) and my own sibling frustrations while practicing (like when my brother hit the piano with a snow shovel to make me stop playing). I probably very much deserved that 😉
You simply MUST watch this video if you like to smile.
The Powerful Role of Siblings In Piano Practice
Obviously this family is not the norm… I mean… who gets along with their siblings well enough to practice that much. But it did remind me of the powerful role that siblings can play in piano practice… and how we as piano teachers can capitalize on that power to create lovely “home practice” memories.
It’s likely that your piano students have siblings. And it’s likely that your piano students have siblings who also take piano lessons. But even if they are the only pianist in the family, including siblings in home practice activities can have a lot of benefits. Here’s why… and how!
1. Buddy Practice Is Beneficial – Not only do piano students often practice alone, but they often practice alone with their backs to everything that’s going on around them! Grabbing a buddy to spend time with at the piano is one way of kicking the loneliness factor to the curb. Plus… one of the most effective ways of learning a concept is to teach it to someone else!
The handiest of “buddies” during home practice is likely a brother or sister… they’re always there whether desired or not. How can piano teachers capitalize on this? Make a point of sending home a simple “Teach Your Buddy” activity every few weeks where your student is asked to sit down with a brother or sister and be the teacher. Even if your students are well beyond preliminary piano level, they can have a lot of fun teaching their siblings to play simple songs or understand simple concepts. Plus, they’ll be strengthening their own understanding, learning different ways of thinking about concepts and honing their own teaching skills!
2. Family Music-Making Is Memorable – Family Music-Making doesn’t need to be a structured activity. It can be as simple as giving a sibling a tambourine and a steady rhythmic pattern to copy while your students play the piano. Does a sister play the guitar? Then quickly write simple guitar chords above your piano students’ music and ask them to play together at home. Most method books include words to pieces… so highlight them and ask a brother to sing along.
Making a small effort to include siblings in your piano students’ practice time is well worth your time. Bonding on the bench is one of the most effective ways of strengthening a connection to the piano. Plus… do you think a parent is ever going to discontinue piano lessons after they see their beloved DNA all making music together? Answer? NOT A CHANCE !!
3. Music Calms The Savage Beast – Some of you may be thinking “This sounds like a recipe for disaster… If I had asked my brother to sing along it would have been WW3 on the bench” but in reality, music naturally brings people together.
Even the most squabbly of siblings can find equal ground around music, and this means they will be more apt to gravitate towards those happy times at the piano… which means more practice time and happy piano teachers!
You May Not Make A Video… But…
Sure… sibling piano time may not result in a fantastic youtube-worthy video. It also may not even sound all that great. But the reality is that including siblings in home practice is fun. And when practice becomes fun everyone wins. Give it a try by encouraging sibling participation amongst your piano students. And remember, if the kids in this video are your students… I might be coming for them 😛
And If You Need More Help Inspiring Practice…
How to Create Peaceful Practice… And End Practice Wars for Good!
21 Days To Consistent Piano Practice
Your Not-So-Musical Piano Parents Need This Piano Practice Cheat Sheet
Milla says
That is the greatest idea ever! I have several students with siblings. I just started a family with 4 kids – 6, 8, 10, and 12. The 12 year old boy wanted piano lessons at first, but then the 3 girls wanted them too. Now, the boy is the one who practices the list. Maybe it’s because he does not feel that special anymore since his sisters are doing piano also. He and 10 year old sister are in the same books. Any suggestions how to engage both of them? Or maybe involve them with younger siblings? Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Milla – I’ve found the suggestions mentioned in the post work really well (Teach a Buddy activities sent home, adding a “rhythm” part to pieces, asking siblings to sing along etc.) Sometimes giving them a project to work towards (a video recording, a performance at a recital etc.) can really get them working together to create something great. If your 10 and 12 year old are in the same books they’re likely the perfect pairing for equal-level duets too!
Milla says
Thank you, Andrea.
Beth Yantz says
I loved how the family included other siblings in the video! Sure, the duet was fantastic, but I imagine the sibling support increased dramatically when the others were incorporated. They’ll watch that clip for years to come with pride, even if they were the “extras” in the movie. Win, win, win…
Andrea says
My thoughts exactly Beth!
Wendiann says
So fun! Do you know where to find the sheet music for this duet? That would be a great song to pass along to my sibling students.
Emily says
I believe they arranged it themselves, so it’s not published. The older brother has done quite a few arrangements and you-tube videos.