LYRIC PIANO STUDIO

PARENT INFORMATION

GROUP PIANO LESSONS

Evening class students are often tired during classes in the first month or two. However, I have found that the situation improves greatly through the fall- and I don’t even notice it in the Spring!

1)Keyboard/Piano: It must have at least 48 full-sized keys. Minimum price for these is ~$75. Preferably, the keyboard will have at least 61 full-sized keys (~$150). A keyboard at this level will be touch sensitive, and capable of interacting with a computer through use of MIDI cables.

2)Making up missed classes: Please let me know when you have to miss a class. If possible, I will help you arrange a swap. Most of the time, when a student misses a class, a make up is necessary. Please contact me, so that I can arrange one. Makeup lessons usually occur 30 minutes before the next class time, and are taught by experienced helpers.

3)Watching class: Whenever possible, it is a good idea to watch class. Even if you already know music, this is probably a very different approach than the way you learned. If you don't know music, it will give you double value because you will learn some from being in the classroom. Also, if your child is interested in practicing, you will get ideas about how to be there in a supportive (not nagging!) way.

4)Practice: As many of you know, I offer this final year of group lessons to bridge students up to an age when regular practice on an instrument is more developmentally appropriate. Thus, only minimal, weekly practice is required. I will tell the children that they need to practice every possible day, when they are learning new music. There are some lessons that fall between pieces, and many children will choose to take a break from practice during these weeks. Practice sessions may be very short- 5 minutes or less. Don’t worry if this is all your child will do. They will still be able to keep up with the class.

Some students at this level are ready for longer practices. My advice is to follow your child's lead. If they are consistently interested, but need the support of a reminder or suggestion, go for it. I will probably have given them a more complicated way of working with the material. However, if they show little interest in going beyond the minimum, let it go. It does not mean that they don't love music or don't want to study. They just are not ready for a deeper commitment. The best way to encourage a child to practice is for you to practice. Please, by all means practice the things you see us do in class, and be open to sharing that practice with your child. It is very rare for children of this age to regularly initiate practice without the support and help of an adult on a daily basis. Notice that I said support. I did not say enforce, nag, or force. If that's necessary, your child is telling you that they are not ready to meet your expectations!

8)Listening: As you know, an important part of a musical education is listening to music. I have compiled the following list for home listening.

Baroque: Brandenburg Concertos J. S. Bach

Baroque: The Four Seasons Vivaldi

Classical: Jupiter Symphony (No. 41) Mozart

Romantic: Symphonies 9 and 6 Beethoven

Romantic: Scenes from Childhood (Kinderscenen) Schumann

Early Modern: Pictures at an Exhibition Mussorgsky

20th Century: Appalachian Springtime Copland

All of these titles are available in discount labels. The Blockbuster Music, on Shepherd, just north of I-59, carries several of the discount labels. They cost $3-$5/CD or cassette.

In addition, there are some full priced CDs that would be an excellent supplement.

Switched-On Bach 2000 Wendy Carlos

Summon the Heroes (Olympic Themes) John Williams

Star Wars, Raiders, ET, etc. John Williams

Mozart's Magic Fantasy

Mr. Bach Comes to Call

Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery

Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Tchaikovsky Discovers America

Hallelujah Handel