Sometimes we can become a slave to our piano curriculum, as I mentioned in the previous post. I remember one particular student who practiced every assignment I asked from her. She practiced at least four hours a week, which was tremendous for a beginner student of her age. I was pleased with her progress and she never complained. One particular lesson had several folk-type songs assigned. I didn't think anything of it until her parents saw me at church. They me how happy they were to hear their daughter play a song they actually recognized and enjoyed listening to. I thought they would start giggling from happiness.
I learned a lesson. Piano students do have learn the basics but they also need to make music. From the very first lessons they should play something recognizable, something that brings out the musician in their soul. The entire household can either cheer the student to practice or beg the student to stop practicing. I'm not saying throw out the scales, exercises, and boring studies. They should be part of the practice time, but students should also be musical.
One of my students learned to play the melody to "Fur Elise" by ear. He was so proud and couldn't wait to play it for me. Jennifer Petticoffer from ten years ago might have told him to wait until he could read the notes, but the Jennifer Petticoffer of today couldn't wait to hear what he had done. He loves that piece and he will learn it, but until he does he can enjoy hearing the little melody in between the pages of "Swans on the Lake" and "The Hare and the Rabbit".
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