I teach two wonderful sisters and am very good friends with their mom, Jane.

She adopted 3 young (almost) special needs boys.. and has one of her own the same age. We discussed the possibility of them starting off with a group lesson.

i am a bit stumped.. i am incredibly enthusiastic and know I can enchant them.. but how do I start? They are complete beginners and while they don't have behavioral problems, they might have issues i might have to address.

boy oh boy oh boy oh boy.. Yes there are 4 of them... identical triplets, very small btw, and a brother which is her own son. The mom is wonderful and willing to do whatever it takes... including individual lessons... or two by two.

What do you think..? HAs anyone done anything like this, or even taken a group lesson?

they are six years old, homeschooled and seem to be learning well in 'school'. They can read, do math and are incredibly well behaved, at least on the surface. (i am always a bit suspicious of boys tho) They are ecstatic to be with Jane and 'the family' and out of their filthy, abusive, first home, and I know she will be of great support.

I love teaching her daughters.. they are like the joy of my life.. both so enthusiastic and talented.

Tape masking tape down to the floor to form a staff, I'd start with treble, and then teach them to find the bottom anchor line on the piano by having them jump on it and then play it. You should also make sure you teach skips and steps and have each of them skip up the staff or step up the staff and have them play them on the piano too. Just a simple idea.

You might check the Faber's 'My First Piano Adventures' curriculum. It's for 6 year olds and I know several teachers who teach this in small groups. Be prepared for lots of 'off the piano' activities.

I think you should do individual lessons. Each child needs your undivided attention to solve his unique problems, to understand his unique personality and program requirements, and to hear him express himself musically and verbally without an audience.

I would always opt for individual lessons IF possible. However, with several starting at the same time, you might be able to overlap a bit. It has to do with chemistry.

I don't like teaching even two at the same time.

If the parent is alright with individual lessons, then do individual. You can always have a little overlapping time for each so that they can play duets or games. I do this with siblings on occasion and it works out well. But being triplets, they are still individuals and should be treated as such.

i spent some time with the boys last nite at a wedding rehearsal dinner. They already love me and are excited. Actually the triplets are a 7 year old (mildly retarded) and 2 six year old twins.. the biological son is a 7 year so they don't really match except that they all just happen to be super tiny.. the size of 3 or 4 year olds. I'd like them to eat meat, drink milk (get some of those hormones we shouldn't be ingesting in their system) for a year and come back next year.. I'll share a pic soon. they really are adorable and wonderfully behaved and happy.

Individual lessons will most likely work best, but i am going to do a few group lessons to lay basic groundwork, teach them rhythm, explain the way 'reading' music works. we marched in 4/4 time to the restroom last nite. I must have looked like a fool in this restaurant.

Yes, yes, and yes.

Group MUSIC lessons can work for a few weeks, maybe up to 2 months but yes, they do need individual attention. Special needs, needs special needs. Twins need to have their own ID, and other 7 yr old, his as well.

Lots to do with music prep and introduction to music/keyboards. They will be thrilled with anything they learn or are exposed to, until they reach a certain point of one can do it, and another needs more time.

Also lots of hand coordination can be done (theory without the name) so you can do some individual attention. Charts to fill in/ copying notes, staff, clefs, skips, steps, etc.

Got drums? Got triangles? play marching music, waltz music with accent 1 playing etc.

Black key (pentatonic) playing with some guidelines that can grow each week. Bass child can play just two note in half note rhythm while others explore. Take turns at each.

ROTE music on keyboard. Make up a song. Teach finger numbers and write those down to follow. 12345 54321 is really not that easy in first lesson. Legato, staccato.

Names of keys UP AND DOWN (finger 2)

Game of find a note or name the note

Find all C's next one, find all F's Etc

But as soon as they outgrow this, they need individual attention AND THEIR OWN BOOKS. Or write out made up songs. Have them name the songs.

Have fun Apple! They'll enjoy their lessons with you!