At some point in our teaching careers we will all be faced with it…. a “two-handed” piano student suddenly becomes a “one-handed” piano student. Whether it’s a broken arm, a sprained wrist, or burned fingers… a myriad of different injuries can throw a bunch of wrenches into a typical piano lesson.
So the question is… how can teachers navigate these “one-handed” weeks while still maintaining piano lesson progress? Is this even possible? This podcast is less than 10 minutes, but it’s packed with info! Listen below …
How To Teach “One-Handed” Piano Lessons (Show Notes)
Today on the Teach Piano Today HelpLine Podcast we’re discussing this topic with Dr. Chris Foley. In the midst of a busy schedule that involves adjudicating, blogging and training Royal Conservatory examiners, Dr. Foley joins us to discuss:
- How it is possible to teach one-handed piano lessons
- Why time spent as a “one-handed” pianist can actually be a benefit
- Repertoire suggestions for right hand only and left hand only pieces
- What to do about practice during this time
- How to start back into lessons once the injury has healed
Looking for Adaptable Lesson Activities?
Dr. Foley’s advice to spend the lesson time on learning activities other than playing is something that we specialize in! If you have a “one-handed” student and you’re looking for lesson activities that focus on aspects such as sight reading and ear training, you’ll want to check out these blog posts for ideas.
How Four Mistake Busters Can Turn Students Into Sight-Reading Superstars
By The End Of This Post You’ll Be Teaching Improv To Students As Young As Five
