Repetition

Author: admin

20 Jul

Repetition is a great way for kids (and adults) to learn. Kids (and adults) learn well through repetition. Repetition helps kids (and adults) learn.

Ok, ok. I’m being obnoxious.

But it’s a truth! Repetition is so helpful and necessary. Especially for a beginer. Your brand new student may understand finger numbers after one lesson, but it’s very likely that without another reminder of finger numbers, that knowledge will become fuzzy. Be sure to find time to bring early concepts into later lessons.

Subjects I find myself repeating and repeating with each student:

finger numbers
quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, and whole notes
middle C
Treble C
Bass C
correct hand position
names of keys
notes on staff

What subjects make you sound like a broken record?

Filed under: Thoughts

4 Responses for "Repetition"

Suzan Pleva July 20th, 2009 at 6:02 pm 1
I think that the one thing that I say the most to my beginners is,

“If we go UP on the grand staff, we go UP on the piano. If we go DOWN on the grand staff, we go DOWN on the piano”. “UP- to the right, DOWN- to the left”.

It seems to help. Of couse you have to show them that up on the piano is to the right, and down is to the left. So I make sure to be as animated with showing my students this as possible!
Rebecca July 21st, 2009 at 2:41 pm 2
I am with you on the hand shape and rhythms! I always have to remind my students of repeat signs (they tend to fly right past them) and the “saving ink rule” (if a note is flat or sharp once in a measure, it will stay flat or sharp for the rest of the measure, unless there is a natural sign.)

Of course, you’ll also hear me constantly repeat…

To my littlest students: “I know you are a big kid, but even big kids need help sometimes! You MUST have your Mom or Dad practice with you this week!”

To my beginners: “See how this hand makes an L shape when you hold it up? That L is for Left, and for Low! The LEFT side of the piano is the LOW side of the piano, and we play it with this hand!”
Piano books for children July 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 am 3
Hello,

First of all great blog. I shall be returning. We provide a great selection of childrens piano books that make the notations much easier to learn and in a fun, beautifully illustrated manner. We find that’s it getting the young children a great start whilst learning the piano.

Suzan, I think it is essential to be as animated as possible whilst teaching your students. That way it sticks in their minds and will do throughout learning.

Kind Regards,
Dogs and Birds
Suzan Pleva July 27th, 2009 at 9:26 pm 4
Hello Rebecca and “Dogs and Birds”!

Rebecca, the L example is absolutely wonderful. If you don’t mind, this will be used quite frequently at Melody Piano from now on! LOL!

Dogs and Birds,

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE COMPLIMENT about my blog! I really appreciate this feedback. Whether it be bad or good, it is always needed. Thanks so much for opening me up to your site. I will be using this as a resource. You of all people understand the way that children respond to certain things. I always say that I am able to work so well with kids because I have the same attention span as them!