Advice To Students Of The Piano
Teaching piano music is something that is truly a joy to me. I love watching people learn how to play the piano, become familiar with it, and even start creating their own pieces. They gravitate toward different musical styles, and it's neat to see that happen. Some people like jazz, some classical, some modern or new age, and even a few who take on country and honky tonk! Yes, it's a joy to learn the art of piano playing. But it doesn't come without its obstacles...
I think the biggest hurdle I've discovered for people wanting to learn depends on the age of the student. If you're a young child, not yet into the middle school years, the struggle will most likely be Actually having to work at it. Children just want to play, to create. Unless they're one of the very few who genuinely love to practice, they probably aren't going to like studying notes, counting out loud, etc. Why would they? It's work!
Then there's middle school. During these years, it's almost a given that my students will entertain the idea of quitting lessons. Call it a phase or what have you, but middle school years are a time in a childs life when the piano is the last thing they're thinking about-even if they've been enthusiastic, exceptional students up to that point.
For adults it's almost invariably a time issue. Overtime, unforeseen circumstances, personal "fires to put out" all contribute to an adult students unwillingness to continue. Life gets in the way, and as we all know, life can be very overwhelming, no matter the age.
So What's my advice? Stick with it. It's that simple. If you love music, and have a passion for beautiful melodies or swinging rhythms, then don't let your present conditions stop you from learning this fantastic instrument. In the present it can seem like the right thing to do, and sometimes it is. If you don't enjoy it at all, if you've lost any kind of respect for the piano then it's time to reconsider your motivations. But these things aside, if in the end that love for music is still there, then it's probably a bit hasty to quit lessons just because "I don't feel like it" or "I'm having a rough week." One of the reasons that you're taking piano is to have a hobby that you can enjoy! And with practice and determination, you'll learn many pieces that will bring some peace and comfort to that rough week, and you will feel more and more like playing as see yourself moving forward and doing what you set out to do.
This is one of the most rewarding things for me to see as a teacher-someone who makes it out of that present slump, whatever it might be, determined not to let it end their learning. What a joy it is for me. It can be for you too! At some point, you'll probably want to stop your lessons. Reconsider. Ask yourself the big questions, then make your decision. I hope you decide to continue this very important work. I hope you decide to continue this joyful venture with the rest of us, here in the world of piano music.
-Donovan Johnson, 5/26/10
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