1. Are you clear on the goals you have for your kids and piano? 
2. Do you have time to participate in their learning? 
3. Do the kids have time to practice? 
4. Do you know how to help them practice? 

1. Are you clear on the goals you have for your kids and piano? Are you, the teacher, and the child in agreement? Possible goals: recreational pianist, exam superstar, etc. This is an important first step. 
   
2. Do you have time to participate in their learning? A children's hockey team is coached. The kids are not left to their own devices with a bucket of pucks, and instructions to practice their drills while the adults go for coffee. 
   
3. Do the kids have time to practice? Monday piano, Tuesday tennis, Wednesday hockey, Thursday dance, weekends more hockey. If their schedule looks like this, recreational keyboard is possible, exam superstar not. 
   
4. Do you know how to help them practice? Details in a future blog. 

Cheers, 


David 

It depends on how good you want to be is the short answer. A thoughtful answer takes a little longer.

1. What are your goals?
2. Are they realistic with the time and resources available to you?
3. How detailed are these goals?
4. Are these goals your own or someone's else?
5. Do you know how to practice?

Let's break it down.

Realistic Goals: Are your goals in tune with the rest of your life? What would you give up to reach them? Piano takes time, lots of it. For example to complete my ARCT in 2007, I started Grade 10 in 2003. Five thousand hours later I graduated! (This 5,000 hours included my theory studies as well as my piano lessons.) I gave up the music business to do this.

If you goals are more modest, aim for 2 hours a week of practice to start. Without practice, piano is no fun! The caveat is this. If you are a recreational piano student with the goals of learning some tunes and having some fun, skipping practice is no big deal. We can do it together at lessons, I will supervise.

Whatever the depth of your ambition, I suggest strongly that you schedule piano practice into your schedule.

On the subject of practice, another blog post for that.

Cheers,

David Story

Many Students learn to play blues scales in the normal course of learning an instrument. The question often arises: What do I do with them?

Nothing, unless you want to learn to play the blues. To use the blues scales a student needs to listen to and enjoy blues music! Otherwise they have just learned some interesting sounds from an unknown language! Similar to learning a few words in a language you have never heard or will ever experience. A wasted exercise.

On the other hand let's explore some options on learning a new type of music.

1. Head for YouTube and search "Blues Piano"
2. Explore this list: In a bluemood: A personal listing of great blues pianists.
3. Watch "The Blues" By Martin Scorsese. A great place to get an overview on the subject.
4. Go to a blues club.
5. Sightread some music from a blues piano book.
6. Take some lessons.

Cheers,

David Story

This fall I've resumed my piano coaching sessions with Leon Karan. We are doing great work together. Weekly lessons are a motivation to practice and stay sharp. 

My progress is slow and steady. Maybe too slow though. Leon suggested gently that I practice more this week than last. Ouch!

Message received. I will be a the piano bright and early tomorrow for 90 minutes. I've booked time on Thursday and Friday as well.

Cheers,

David