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FAQs: more of the world
according to Kim...
Q1:
At what age should a child start lessons?
Q2:
Do you teach adult students?
Q3:
What
method(s) do you use or prefer?
Q5:
Do you teach scales and exercises? Why?
Q6:
I do not like to learn theory, so do I have to do theory if I take lessons
with you?
Q7:
How often do students take a lesson?
Q8:
To take lessons, do I need a piano?
Q9:
Is there such a thing as "tone deaf?"
Q10:
What is your musical background and education?
Q13:
Do you know of a good piano tuner-technician?
Q14:
Where could I get a good used piano?
A1:
Age isn't as much a factor as is developmental abilities and interest.
I have
started students as young as three years old. There are many reasons
parents ask this question...perhaps they feel music should be just one
of many facets
in their child's education, or perhaps, music is an important part of their
household.
Maybe their child is asking to take lessons. Ideally, I love to hear
this last statement
along with other observed behaviors, such as the child loves to sing,
is drawn to sounds, and best of all, seeks to play on a piano whenever
the opportunity arises. Should a child display this last behavior,
I might be inclined to take them as a student regardless of their ability
to answer
affirmatively to the following list of questions. (Interest and being "musical"
can go a long way in compensating for other deficits.) If the child hasn't
specifically displayed a musical interest, I like to know the following:
-Can the child write their name?
-Can he/she recognize different letters, especially the first 7?
-Can the child count to 10?
-Can he/she clap a steady beat, or march in place?
-Can they sit and work at a guided task for at least 15 minutes?
If a child can do all of the above, I would be willing to give them
some lessons to see how they progress. Sometimes a child doesn't
know whether they are interested in doing something until they try it.
(Summer lessons are ideal for this sort of "trial". See my event
calendar
page for information regarding the summer session.)
A2:
Yes, I teach both beginning adults, as well
as those who have played before.
A3:
I use many methods. If a new student comes to me with books from
a previous
teacher, I will use them unless they prove to be unsuitable for the student.
I have come to know many different methods this way. When I start
a
student from "scratch", many things go into determining which method
I will use.
If a child is pre-school age, I tend to begin with the Bastien Piano Basics
Primer A.
If a child is between the ages of 7 and 9, and are proficient readers of
books,
I will use J.W. Schaum because it starts off with notes on a staff.
If a student cannot read well, I will use a method that starts off with
notes and finger numbers only. I usually use the Alfred All-in-one
Adult series
for beginning adults. After I become familiar with a student's learning
style,
I am able to then "tailor-make" my private lessons to fit an individual's
needs.
For example: a student may do well with chord theory and love learning
to play by ear, while another student excels at note reading,
but perhaps needs to work on playing musically.***
Occasionally
a student will quickly learn all lesson books have to offer. If this
is the case,
I will branch off into a more individualized curriculum, using standard
pieces of repertoire
to teach theory, and chord analysis and other concepts. Some
students excel in one area
and need extra patience and time in the development of others. In
the mean time,
I try to emphasize and make use of their strengths, all the while "pecking
away"
at their weaknesses. I try to always give a student enough encouragement
so that they do not lose the hope needed to overcome their flaws as players.
***Regardless of strengths, weaknesses and preferences,
my goal for
ALL of my students is for them to become proficient
note readers,
rhythm readers, to develop good techique, a solid foundation
in theory and to be able to play a good amount of standard repertoire.
A4:
I am open to all styles and use any and all that will keep my students
interested.
That said, I studied classical music myself and do all I can to teach a
student
to appreciate this style. As a student progresses in their lesson and theory
book,
I begin to add supplemental pieces. I will give a student as many
different styles as possible. Quite often, a student who has been
playing
for a year or two, in additon to their lesson book, will work on a
classical piece, a jazz piece, a popular tune, and some sort of worship
song
all at the same time. I find that there is a lot to be said for playing
other
styles besides classical music. Most popular songs have complex rhythms
and
learning to play them is a great way to expose students to these rhythms.
A5:
Yes, I do. Soon after a student begins, I introduce them to finger
exercises. Quite often I use
Edna-Mae Burnam's Dozen A Day for young children. They soon grow
to love them! The titles
are clever descriptions of what skill the child is learning on the piano.
Children are thrilled to
complete each group of 12 exercises, thus knowing "a dozen" at one time.
I also use
Hanon exercises for older students, plus various other exercises I print
from a wonderful CD called
CD Sheet Music, Piano Studies and Exercises. www.cdsheetmusic.com
Exercises come to be "old friends" that are
great to warm up a practice session with.
Besides increasing the strength and agility of their fingers, a student
can use the
familiar exercises to perfect their technique. With thoughtful and
careful practice,
a student can use an exercise to learn to play with great economy of energy
and smooth,
artistic choreography.
I also introduce scales (usually in contrary motion at first because the
finger numbers are the same for both
hands), one octave progressing to two. Scales are necessary to understanding
music theory. I
use the scales not only to enhance technique, but to teach primary chords
and key signatures.
A6:
If you are an adult student, I will not force you to learn theory.
I, will, however, find ways
to "sneak" it into your lesson. I implore you to give it a chance.
I guarantee that if you learn
theory along with your practice, you will increase your understanding of
music by a great
percentage. (Of course you do not have to turn a light on at night, if
you prefer to stumble
around in the dark!)
If you are a child, I will automatically assign as much theory as appropriate
for your stage of
development. I hope to have a computer lab set up in the spring that
will allow students to
work on theory assignments, as well as ear training drills, composition,
and history.
Theory lessons are also available apart from piano lessons. If you
are interested, email me:
A7:
The standard is for a beginning child to take a half hour lesson once a
week. I recommend that
my adult students and intermediate students take at least a 45 minute lesson
once a week. (Pieces
are longer, the student is capable of more in depth study of those pieces
and usually have more
questions that need to be addressed.) I am not opposed to teaching
more than one lesson
a week, if asked. Time and money permitting, a half hour theory session
at one time during the week,
and then a piano lesson at another time in the same week, would be
ideal. For the very serious student,
a lot of options could be discussed. Occasionally, some of my students
take bi-weekly lessons.
I am only willing to consider this for intermediate to advanced older students,
and then only
during off hours. From 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. are the most sought
after teaching times,
and so would not be available for a bi-weekly slot. Most (though
not all) students do not do well
in bi-weekly lessons and rather than progressing, they gradually stop practicing
and quit.
A8:
Yes! If you are not sure you or your child is going to stick with playing
the piano,
a digital keyboard with weighted action is an acceptable substitute.
However, they are more
costly than the Yamaha or Casio keyboards. These can be used for
a limited time if they
have a feature called "touch response." When on, this allows the
keys to be depressed at
different volumes. However, most inexpensive keyboards are not acceptable
for a
permanent solution as, among other things, the action does not offer resistance
for the hands to
gain strength upon.
Below is an excerpt of an email I received about this, with my response to the sender's question:
Letter:
Hi Kim
Just a quick question, If I was going to start [child] taking piano
lessons this summer,
which would be better to practice on for a beginner a keyboard or a piano?
Thanks,
[name]
Response: Dear [name],
To be honest, a piano is always better in the long run. Most inexpensive
keyboards have a very light feel
and touch. This prevents the development of strength and coordination as
well as control when it comes
to a regular piano keyboard. However, I would never refuse a student
who used a keyboard.
I have had quite a few students who start that way.
Another thing to consider is where you would place your piano.
Would it be in the same room as the TV?
If so, even more sacrifice will have to be made on the part of the
family when the student has to practice.
The plus side to a keyboard is that it can be practiced anywhere with a
set of headphones...
If there isn't already a piano available for your child to use, the purchase
of a keyboard is also a safe way to go.
Piano lessons take a lot of commitment on the part of parents and students.
To invest in a piano up front is
costly and should the parents or the child lose interest, the money might
be wasted.
If you decide to go with a keyboard, try to get one that has weighted keys.
Some look like pianos
and can have all kinds of extra bells and whistles (which are unnecessary)
These are more costly,
but feel more like a piano. Go on line to such websites as Yamaha,
Korg, Technics.
You should be able to get one that at least makes a piano sound, has weighted
keys, and pedal for
between $500 to $1000.00. I believe Yamaha makes one for schools
to purchase that is about $500.00.
You can also buy a Casio for about $150 dollars and purchase a pedal with
it for about $10.00.
These are not the best as they do not have weighted keys, but again, some
of my students start on them
and they may fit your budget better.
I hope this helps you....let me know if I can do anything else for you!
Kim
A9:
In all of my years of teaching, I have
never met anyone who couldn't hear the difference
between pitches with a little coaching and hard work. Certainly,
the ability to sing, or play musically,
comes easier to some and harder to others. However, everyone has
some aspect of music they will
excel at, be it note reading, a natural rhythmic ability, natural coordination,
or a good ear. Likewise,
everyone will find that they have some natural deficit to overcome
in order to become a good musician.
The key is to realize that everyone will make progress and improve
from where they began, WITH
diligent practice, patience and endurance.
Click
to jump directly to education description on my Biography Page.
A11:
Yes! I usually have a recital during December, emphasizing holiday
music. In June, I have a more formal
recital. While these recitals are not voluntary, and I expect my
students, age 18 and under to participate,
I will discuss this issue should the need arise. For the student
who loves to perform, there is an additional
voluntary audition for an Honor's Recital, held in April each year.
Also, several times throughout the year,
my students will get together for informal "piano parties." For more
information about these and other
events held in my studio, go to:
Click to read more about these events.
Click
to jump directly to information about rates.
A13:
Yes, here are the names of two good
piano tuner-technicians and their contact information:
William McCullough
David Capone
P.O. Box 27,
RR3, Box 2133
Lebanon, Maine
Bridgton, Maine 04009
04027-0027
rock@megalink.net
1-207-457-1277
1-207-647-5754
Picture of Bill on Recording Services page.
A14:
Private sales through your classified ads in your local papers are a good
source, as well as the weekly
publication called "Uncle Henry's", which is for sale at many grocery and
variety stores. I got my
wonderful piano from (tell them, I sent you!): Country
Piano Shop(link to our visit to their shop)
3942 Hillside Way
Burdett, NY 14818
E-mail @ Mrpiano45@aol.com
www.countrypiano.com
Phone @ 607-546-2712
Other possibilities are:
George Family Piano Co.
Piano Exchange and Violin Shop
15 Tannery Street
90 Bridge Street
Norway, Maine 04268
Westbrook, Maine 04092
1-207- 743-8174
1-207-854-3800
Starbird Piano and Organ
Biddeford Piano Co.
525 Forest Avenue
Rt. 1
Portland, Maine 04101
Biddeford, Maine 04005
1-207-828-0888
1-207-283-3002
www.starbirdmusic.com