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Michael was also extremely lovable, always laughing and smiling. But he did not measure up to his brother in terms of crawling, walking, feeding, and dressing himself. I was concerned about a developmental disorder, but my doctor assured me that all was well.
We saw an ADHD specialist, who referred as to several medical professionals whom, unfortunately, the insurance did not cover. We were really struggling financially at the time, but somehow, we found the money. Michael saw a child psychologist, occupational therapist, audiologist, speech therapist, etc. Still, the doctor told us that, because Michael had ADHD, he would probably drop out of school early. The best thing we could do was to let him start school early, so that when he failed and repeated a year, he would still be the same age as everyone in his class.
At the age of 9, Michael discovered a toy piano that a friend of mine had left lying around. He found that he was able to listen to tunes on the radio and work out to play them on this piano. Though his father and I were divorced by then, we immediately recognized his talent, clubbed together, bought him an ancient piano, and organized for him to have music lessons.
He excelled in piano lessons, which in turn had a positive impact on his schoolwork. He found that he was able to concentrate better in class and the work at school started to make more sense. What was most important, though, was that he started to believe in himself. Until he started playing the piano, he was convinced that he was stupid and not capable of doing the things that other children could. Playing the piano was something he was good at, and not many other people were able to do. When he started to get 100% on his music theory exams year after a year, he began to believe that perhaps he was not as stupid as everyone made him out to be.
Michael began to contradict the psychologists who diagnosed him years earlier. He graduated high school and went on to study music in college. Completing the degree took dedication and practice. In addition to attending lectures, completing written assignments and essays, Michael also practiced the piano between 4 and 6 hours a day. In this environment, Michael was able to use his dyslexia to his advantage. He found that he was able to condense extensive textbooks on subjects such as harmony and counterpoint to a few pages of underlying principles. As a result, Michael excelled in these subjects and was able to help other students in his year by showing them these underlying principles and how to apply them in assignments and exams.
As a music teacher, he began to reflect on his own experience of how music had helped him overcome his learning difficulties and started doing some research into this area. He found research by Glenn Schellenerg that found children who studied a musical instrument scored better in IQ tests than children who had not studied music. Playing a musical instrument apparently activates both sides of the brain, which enables the brain to process information more effectively.
Either they are passionate and should keep going strong, have lost interest and need to take a little break for a while, or show no desire and want to quit. Some students thrive in a traditional piano lesson and surpass even the teachers expectations and this is fantastic.
If you are wanting an idea of a great keyboard to start on (I have the same one in my home), then I recommend the this one that comes with the keyboard, headphones, music stand, pedal and bench. I recommend some other keyboards you can check out here. If you are wanting a piano, you can find really great ones at your local music stores or even on Craigslist. Whether you go the digital piano route, or are wanting an upright piano, the choice is really yours.
We all can imagine the situation: Jordon or Kayla resists practicing, will not prepare for lessons, and certainly does not appreciate the time, money, and effort expended to make lessons possible. So, is it worth it to continue?
But my particular experience does not necessarily apply to a mother today, tearing her hair out and wondering whether to continue lessons for a recalcitrant child. So l will offer these thoughts, several especially applicable to students in their first years of study.
Music is not meant to occur in isolation. Children who begin with band or orchestral instruments, or in choir, immediately find themselves part of something bigger. They belong to an ensemble where they make music with others. Their individual practice, to whatever degree they do it, serves not just to make their own musicianship better, but to improve the whole.
Kids in band and orchestra, once they reach a basic level of proficiency, play chamber music (duos, trios, quartets, quintets) and get to go to summer clinics or festivals where they interact with children from across the city or across the world. The same is true of choral students who rehearse and sing together in choir concerts. If they have a modicum of talent, they may find themselves singing in other settings like festivals, theatrical productions, church services, or ensembles that bring music to hospitals and nursing homes. These experiences seem far more glamorous than practicing for a weekly piano lesson.
One solution may be asking you, or someone else, to sit nearby during practice. Organize plans, mend clothes, answer emails, or simply close your eyes and get a few precious moments of rest, but be nearby. Practice the discipline of saying nothing unless the child asks. Just be the presence that makes practicing less lonely.
Third, ask the teacher to assign and play as many duets with the child as possible. Obtain a book of simple duets for the home. Learn to play well enough yourself, if possible, to manage the second part, or ask someone else to play or record a version of it. When possible, have someone play guitar, mandolin, ukulele, recorder, autoharp, or whatever else is available.
Seventh, try to find ways for the child to use whatever skills he or she has with piano in a public forum. This may mean accompanying a friend who sings or playing for a peer in a school recital. Find chances for the child to bring the uplifting joy of music to those who are shut in. Watch eyes light up as your child stumbles through even the simplest pieces in a facility where people are isolated.
Finally, consider changing to a different instrument. I would have loved to have played in band or orchestra. My piano playing and general musicianship would have benefited from the stimulation of playing a vastly different instrument in an ensemble.
Every new skill is fun at first. Later, the complexity of the more advanced skill makes it more work than fun. This is exacerbated in pleasure seeking persons and ameliorated in those who have a natural inclination for the skill. Once the skill is mastered, the fun and work together take on a new face, where the old fun is less pleasurable and the work less onerous.
Exact prices depend on the program and may vary between locations. What's included? Unlike most hourly keyboard lessons, our programs include weekly private keyboard lessons and group rehearsals that inspire confidence and teamwork. Keyboard students are also welcome to use our facilities whenever we're open, even if they just want to hang out and learn from or collaborate with other musicians. Find your location.
While the keyboard is one of the most accessible instruments for young students, four years old might be a little young for formal keyboard lessons. At School of Rock, your 4-year-old can participate in the Little Wing music program to learn fundamental concepts using fun, dynamic musical activities that often feature keyboards.
School of Rock does let kids borrow keyboards for lessons and rehearsal, but for best results students are encouraged to have a piano or keyboard at home for daily practice. As students reach higher skill levels on the piano or keyboard, our keyboard teachers recommend that students purchase their own instruments to use at home for daily practice.
With steady practice, playing in a group, and weekly private keyboard lessons, kids and adults can play with basic proficiency in as little as 6 months. Some students can reach the more advanced skill levels in as few as 3-5 years, but it does vary depending on age and the level of practice at home.
Keyboard and piano lessons don't stop once your child leaves the School of Rock classroom. To see the best results, our piano and keyboard teachers recommend students spend at least 30 minutes a day practicing what they learned in class.
At School of Rock, we teach private keyboard lessons in-person or online in conjunction with weekly band rehearsals meant to build confidence and teamwork. While we do offer private keyboard instruction, we strongly encourage students to play in band rehearsals as a way of exploring group dynamics as they become more proficient on the keyboard.
At School of Rock, our piano instructors encourage students to regularly practice, ask questions, and use reliable equipment. We also teach students key skills like chords, scales, rhythm, and how using a keyboard versus a piano can affect playing.
Children can play piano at any age, but there are signs that you can look for to tell you when your child is ready for lessons. Check out our resource on the best age to learn piano for more information.
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