NOT ANOTHER SCALE!

Many children are excited about starting keyboard lessons but as the year progresses and we are learning a new scale they begin to wonder whether scales will ever end!

One of the questions that always gets asked when a student is learning to play the piano is “Why do I need to play scales?” There are many benefits of learning to play a scale when taking piano lessons.

They will help to increase finger strength and agility. They are a great warm up exercise and perfect time to focus on a good hand position. They will also help the student learn and play in different key signatures which will help in overall performance. Once the notes of a scale are mastered, they can also be used to practice different techniques.

Here are some ideas to help make things more interesting when practising scales:

Play different rhythms

Play different dynamics

Play legato / staccato

Play different tempos

Children learn to play scales during all beginner Music for Young Children classes. In the group setting, the scale is one of the first things the class is able to play as an ensemble with a steady beat.

Ms. Teresa Moser

How long should my child practice?

One of the most frequently asked questions is “How long should my child practice?” Each child is different but a beginner probably needs from 15 to 25 minutes per day at least five times per week. Just like sports need warming up of muscles to begin a practice, fingers need warming up with finger games or exercises. The keyboard pieces can then be tackled in many different ways. Some songs are short and they can be played through without much difficulty. Other songs may be needed to be broken down by playing one hand at a time or one phrase at a time. There may be just one section that needs extra work. It is important to set a goal for the practice so it does not become frustrating when the song cannot be perfected during the first practice. The list of new songs can be intimidating if trying to learn everything all at once. If your child can play something they were unable to before they started their practice, it was probably a very successful practice. If your child can play all the assigned warm-ups and keyboard pieces at the next lesson then it was an excellent week and you should celebrate the great achievement you and your child shared together.
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We all want our children to do their best and in order to learn to play the piano, it requires the dreaded practicing. The first few weeks seem to go pretty smoothly as the children are excited about learning but as it gets more difficult practice time is not always as easy. Here are a few tips to help make the practice more enjoyable:
Pick the same time each day so that it is part of the daily routine (i.e.: before breakfast, after school)

• If it is difficult to do everything in 1 practice, try 2 shorter practice times
• Break new songs down into smaller parts
• Sing and play
• Play a song as a duet
• Clap some rhythms
• Play with the tin sheet

Mrs. Teresa Moser