​The six skills of pianists

Playing jazz in the 1990s at C'est What? in Toronto.

​The six skills of pianists

I don’t believe in talent. In my experience, all the so-called talented people turned out to be the hardest working, patient, and focused people of any cohort. However, they also had access to resources, like time and money to support their journey. Fortunately, there is a consensus around the core curriculum and its proper sequencing in formal piano studies. 

1. Technique is the foundational set of skills required to play competently without injury.
2. Musically satisfying music which systematically builds musical skill in a logical and sequential manner while maintaining the student’s enthusiasm and satisfying their musical interests. 
3. Theory helps to decode and understand the patterns within the music, memorize music easier, and knowledgably communicate with the teacher.
4. Aural skills encompass guided listening, sight singing, pitch recognition, and transcription to connect the ears with the hands. Aural skills are tightly bound with music theory skills.
5. Sightreading skills work with theory knowledge to make music reading easier, quicker, and effective. Skilled sight readers can play a wide variety of music for fun without teacher input. Therefore, for recreational pianists, becoming a great sight reader should be the number one goal.
6. Reviewing old repertoire builds a student's confidence that all their hard work is paying off.

​If I can help you on your journey, call me.
 
David 
Revised 2024