Parents the world over recognize that music lessons, particularly piano lessons are beneficial for the intellectual development of their children. Many are not aware that there are some prerequisites, that if attended to prior to lessons commencing, will make an improvement to the whole learning experience and will greatly increase the chances of a successful outcome and the lifelong enjoyment of playing the piano. For young children in the early developmental years, the music teacher is not just teaching music but dealing with a wider range of skills and understandings that are an integral part of learning to deal with the instrument at hand, and are not necessarily musical skills, but part of the essential early development that is necessary for success at school. These skills require mastery of 7 basic components:
- A recognition of the letters of the alphabet - A B C D E F G are the letters used in music
- A recognition of numbers - 12345 are the finger numbers for each hand
- Right hand, left hand knowledge and security
- Eye tracking left to right in sequential order
- Ability to keep a steady beat
- Ability to listen and repeat a rhythmic pattern
- A concept of high and low sounds. Ability to understand high sounds are to the right of the keyboard. Low sounds are to the left.
The next step is the practical application of all these components. Ask yourself: does my child know and recognize the letters of the alphabet? Children may be able to parrot the alphabet song but can they recognize individual letters from the printed page? When learning the piano, finger numbers are important so games can be played to reinforce this. Left and right hands have the same finger numbers. Ask questions: can you wiggle finger number 2? This is a good one for the development of finger independence. Can you tap together fingers number 5? A tabletop is helpful, or you can simply wiggle each finger or tap the fingers together.
These are the numbers allocated to each finger for piano:
Thumbs are 1
Pointers 2
Tall Man 3
Ring finger 4
Little pinky 5
Does your child really know his left hand from his right hand? Ask the question: show me your right hand? Put a stamp or sticker on it to reinforce. Can your child track a series of objects from left to right? Use a pencil and point to each item on the printed page. Tracking from left to right improves with practice and is essential for all music reading and all reading per se. There are many counting storybooks you can use to reinforce this. Point and count and take things slowly.
Play with your child with percussion instruments so you have time to establish simple call and response games. Start with steady beats and turn into a game of count the beats or what time is it? Answer is 6 o'clock if 6 beats have been played. If you don't have simple percussion then they are readily available at Kids Music Toys. You can move on to rhythmic patterns of long and short beats and get child to copy. This is developing an ability to listen.
Can your child reproduce his name as a rhythmic pattern? Demonstrate by tapping out his name. All instrumental learning requires an ear as well as an eye. Can you make thunder sounds on the left side of the keyboard? Can you make pitter patter raindrop or bird sounds to the right of the keyboard? Make a game of distinguishing high and low sounds, or even sounds moving up or moving down. This introduces more concepts and of course can include loud and quiet.
The skills outlined may seem absolutely basic and mistakes can often be made in assuming they are understood. Understanding these principles are really the keys to success and are fundamental skills that all parents can help their child to master. Don't assume that children must know these things already. This conceptual knowledge is not innate but learnt. These concepts are the foundation of all music learning and yet music teachers waste the majority of the first year of piano tuition establishing these very basics that should be done at home prior to ever embarking on a series of formal piano lessons.
Christine teaches piano in Hobart, Tasmania. You can see a range of musical instruments to encourage music making in young children at Christine's online store located at http://www.kidsmusictoys.com.au. Christine provides music and movement programs in Tasmania as a Kindermusik educator and a Gymbaroo franchisee. Christine has worked with Professor Margaret Barrett University of Queensland, on a longitudinal study of young children's musical identity. The project was funded by the Australian Research Council.
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