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A Note on FORTE Student Recitals

 September Newsletter

Exciting NEW PROGRAMS

New student registration special

It’s an image engraved on our cultural memory, right next to skate keys and hula hoops: the child at the piano, forced to practice scales while friends play ball outside. Today, with the advent of new approaches, new teaching methods and new attitudes, that's all changed.

Study of Music - An Important Guidelines:

Parents should begin by deciding when to start a child's piano instruction. Six or seven is an average age, but kids can start earlier or later--and, as millions of adult piano students can attest, it's never too late to begin.

Pay attention to your child's interest in music, attention span and eagerness to learn are indications of when the time is right.

Choosing a teacher is an important step, so don't let cost and convenience be the sole factors. While home-run studio is a traditional way to take lessons, check the other options such as established school of music. There you should be able to have more choices re the program, teachers, live-performance opportunities and more. Be aware, however, that the size of premises means very little. Most large schools today are focused on providing profitable group classes that are well marketed as "fun", provide minimal individual attention and often a very small chance to develop any significant level of skill . However, there is nothing like a one-on-one, quality, private music lesson.

Some very young kids (3-6 years) may respond well to introductory group lessons. Individual instruction is clearly the best choice for study of any musical instrument.

Find out if program is recognized nationally. Ask about the school credits: You want to make a wise educational investment both musically and financially. Finally, evaluate the teacher's personality, and how well you think he or she will get along with your child. When it's lesson time, the rapport between student and teacher can make the time fly--or crawl.

Whether or not you play the piano, there's a lot you can contribute to your child's enjoyment and success. Show enthusiasm for the process, and sit in on a lesson if the teacher feels it's appropriate. Be available, whether it's for giving pointers, listening appreciatively to what your child has learned, or even just for driving to lessons. Finally, be the grown-up and provide structure. Young children shouldn't decide whether or when to practice the piano, any more than they should decide on reading, writing or their own bedtimes. And never let children practice when they're tired; doing it well requires the ability to concentrate. If you make it clear what you expect from your child, then contribute your own cheerful, patient involvement, the results will amaze you.

Provide a good environment for your child's piano study. Make sure not only to have a well-tuned piano with a properly sized bench, but also a quiet room, good lighting, and freedom from distractions such as television, radio and other people's activities.

Make sure other members of the family know and respect how important your child's piano time is.
 

If there's enough time, you should also try to schedule lessons and practice sessions so that your child doesn't miss out on other activities they enjoy. Kids need to do karate, play ball too, and they'll have more fun at the piano if they get to do both.

Every child is an individual, so create expectations that conform to your child's abilities and interests. See to it that he or she has a chance to play fun music, pieces that hold interest, in addition to the classical assignments that are necessary for progress. Children should be encouraged to make music their own: they shouldn't feel as if they have to play as well as their favorite stars on television, music videos or CDs. By playing at their own pace, going slowly at first over difficult parts to build up muscle memory, they'll be on the road to true mastery. Good schools offer periodic concerts, open-classes, presentations - find the time and be the audience with your child(ren): those can offer  valuable support and motivation!

Finally, don't impose unrealistic long-term goals. Not every kid in the schoolyard is going to be a professional athlete, and not every kid taking piano lessons is going to play at Carnegie Hall. Some kids will indeed become virtuosos, but all those non-musical benefits of study of music - perseverance, concentration, coordination, learning strategies, working habits, aesthetic perception, poise, self-esteem and more will be a true gift for SUCCESS in LIFE! And remember, gift of music lasts a lifetime!

Many adults decide to start learning the piano - and it's NEVER to late! It's okay for the pure enjoyment of the piano to be your only reason for learning!

Visit us again soon: Our entire site is getting  new features, links and more important content!

What we learn with pleasure we never forget.

~Louis Mercier