Do you provide the parents of new students with written suggestions for dealing with a piano student? Instead of writing the suggestions do you just discuss it with them?

Parents who have never had music lessons themselves probably have no idea what to expect, what the students are going through, what to expect for practicing etc. etc.

How about this article by Karen Berger ??

Thanks for the link.

The reason I asked is that my Granddaughters are starting piano lessons and their parents have not had any real ideas from the teacher regarding how they can help the process and what's involved.

They want them to succeed and it would give their Grandfather (me) great joy if they achieved some success at music.

I'll point them to this article.

- Teachers will want a student to practice regularly, at least 5 days a week. A shorter period daily is more effective than a long period once a week, because the body is growing in skill which needs to develop like for any sport, and concepts have to come into the mind and the senses.

- If a teacher stresses a particular thing, then that is what the teacher would like the student to focus on. If it is knowing the notes from C to G, or playing with a relaxed hand, then this is what they want to see signs of. They are not looking for perfect artistic playing.

- If a teacher hasn't said anything, then it is good to ask how she perceives the parent's role, what things she would like happen and NOT happen for helping the child practice. I think if a parent expresses interest in being involved, and knowing what the teacher advises, then this is an extremely welcome sign for the teacher.

- Other things we often see: make sure the child has time to practice and maybe "a" time to practice, is not overwhelmed with too many activities, does not have to content with t.v. blaring at the same time, and other things that should be common sense but apparently often aren't.

It could also be in part that they don't want extra pressure so they just respond to your questions vaguely.

It also depends on the age of the student. My daughter started at 9 and the teacher communicates to her what she wants done all week and writes her notes in her music notebook. If I don't hear her practicing a variety of things , I just remind her to get out her notebook and see her teachers goals for the week. But her teacher rarely asks me about practices, she hears what she needs to know during lessons.

ezpiano, I loved that article, thank you.