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How To Ensure Failure With Piano Lessons
Here's how to ensure failure with your child's piano lessons.
Get a piano teacher that uses the old 1840's methods. Who are you to question the teacher's choices and methods? When someone suggests a piano teacher that uses "the old methods," you listen to them.
Who are you to question the "experts," even if their failure rate is 90%? Assume that a disciplinarian teaching style would be best. Make sure that the piano teacher uses the same methods for your child that are deemed necessary for kids committed to a life as a professional musician.
Ignore The Child's Reaction
Your child will tell you they want to quit. The experts tell you to ignore this plea. Sticking with it "builds character." In reality, sticking with the wrong piano teacher will build your child's hatred for the piano. Always. Failure is the result of the teacher's attitude, not the child's.
Assume The Child Is Lazy
Assume that your child is lazy and untalented if they don't want to practice the boring pieces the piano teacher supplies. That's what most piano teachers think. In reality, kids don't experience failure at the piano because they are stupid. They quit because they are not properly prepared for a diet of all reading music, all the time.
The teacher insists on going too fast, to mention nothing of the boring music they give to play. It really isn't even "music," it is exercise pieces so dull that kids hate them with a passion.
Only Reading Music Is Allowed
Concentrate on reading music only. Anyone who says that kids need to explore the piano in a simple, visual fashion first is a dangerous iconoclast. Believe it or not, this is the feeling of the musical establishment.
Their attitude is not, "I will teach you to play as best you can," it is, "Keep up with my pace or I will humiliate you." Listen to the piano teacher at all times. They have a failure rate of 90%, so why listen to anyone else?
There's Always Another Kid Wanting Lessons
Sorry to tell you, piano teaching is a business like any other. The attitude of the non-creative, old-school piano teacher is that if your child fails and ends up hating piano, who cares? There is always another six year old around the corner, and their Mom wants piano lessons from "the old school."
Stick with the same piano teacher no matter what. They are professionals and know far better than you whether or not your child has any aptitude for music and the piano.
The truth is that the wrong piano teacher will kill your child's enthusiasm faster than anything. I'll tell you a secret. Kids don't remember what happens in piano lessons. They remember how positive the general experience was, and how kind and gentle the teacher was.
REFERENCES
Kid’s Difficulties
Why Piano Is Better Than A Video Game
The Danger Zone In Kid’s Piano Lessons
Overcoming Frustration
Why Children Fail At Piano Lessons
Piano Games to Play When All Goes Wrong
Kid’s Piano Difficulties
