Set your hands free!
The Old Way
Most piano methods proceed as follows. First, the hands are placed in a fixed position on the keyboard, providing a range of ten notes with which many songs can be played. Students remain in this position for quite some time. Then, still in position, they begin occasionally to play a note with both hands simultaneously. However, because the left hand is now relegated to accompaniment, and the authors want them to remain in the familiar position, most of the songs must be specially invented so that they stay within a small range. This eliminates the ability to figure anything out by ear, and the songs are often dull.
A More Natural Way
In contrast, my approach uses familiar melodies at the outset, with the right hand only. While this soon takes the student out of the fixed hand position, students often work out perfectly acceptable fingerings on their own.
Dispense Only as Needed
Fingering should definitely be dealt with at the early stages, but not in every part of every song. Providing fingering on an as-needed basis avoids extra numerals cluttering up the page, causing serious overstimulation!
By Ear, Not By Fingers
Familiar melodies allow many students to learn largely by ear, which should be encouraged when there is a talent. The printed notes, in whatever format, are only an aid to the ear and memory.
- The approach in a nutshell
- Why it works
- Helps with school work
- Why use chords?
- How is ear/chord playing different?
- You can teach your children!
Email: PianoByEar@yahoo.com