I am about to embark on the wonderful world of private piano instruction (beginners only) - i am currently an elementary school music teacher (3rd year) with about 7 yrs. of piano under my belt. i am curious as to what some of you out there do during the first few lessons with beginning piano students - do you emphasize first the ability to play a piece or two (and technique) and THEN focus on reading or do you start immediately on reading (and technique)? i am teaching 5yr olds, 2,3,and 4th graders, and 7th graders - ANY response would be greatly appreciated!!!! thank you for your time!

IMHO, emphasise fun. When they are that age, give them a pure enjoyment for music.
I always ensure that by the end of the first lesson, a student can play Mary had a little lamb on the 3 black keys.
I also try & get through about 10-11 pages of Alfred's stuff (or similar) in the first lesson (and then go-back over it for a few weeks after) so they can get an idea of what's going on with printed music (nr of pages depends on age).
But, make sure they enjoy it, is my best advice.
Cya
Pete

Hi, Bachinblack;

I would have to agree with Pete. If you want to see them next week, and the week after, etc. then you had better make it fun.

Let me add a bit more about what I do. I believe there are two parts of teaching... WHAT you teach - that is your content; and HOW you teach - that is where you can inject your own personality and have some great fun.

Personally, I teach only one lesson; and that would be on the very first class. After that I coach and continually reinforce what I taught during that first class.

During that first lesson, I teach my students A 5-STEP PROCESS that they will come to rely on at practically every level of their studies.

1) Read the notes and finger numbers OUT LOUD while you play

2) Read only the notes OUT LOUD as you play

3) Read only the finger numbers OUT LOUD as you play

4) Count OUT LOUD as you play

5) SSSHHHHH.... BE QUIET!!!! Think as you play

This incorporates REPETITION which is extremely important in developing skills. But it isn't the old, "I want you to go home and do this 10X" routine. Each step has a particular purpose.

When the student comes back to class the next week, we go through the entire process. I don't care if he/she can play the song by memory, standing on his head in the dark at 3:00 AM. In fact, I DISCOURAGE RAW ROTE TRAINING. My students MUST show me that they can USE THE PROCESS.

Doesn't sound like much fun, does it?

That's where your personality comes in. You have to SELL the idea that this process is the most IMPORTANT and FUN thing the student can do... because it delivers long lasting results, and INDEPENDENT READING STUDENTS in the shortest amount of time.

At the end of my first class, I call the parents in and have the new student tell Mom and Dad their new process. Then I tell the parents to listen to their child practice, with the focus on READING OUT LOUD.

All of my students can tell you what R.O.L. means. That PROCESS is drilled into them from day one.

Think about it for a moment. It doesn't matter what grade level you are in. Before you can play any song, you still have to know:

What is the name of the note?
What fingering should I use?
Where is the location of that note on the keys?

By teaching a PROCESS right from day one, you will develop the independence in your students that will stop you from hitting the wall at about grade three when rote training just won't cut it anymore.

Always stress strong fundamentals... NEVER back down on WHAT you do.

However, as Pete suggests - keep FUN in your FUNdamentals... your passion for teaching and creativity will tell you HOW!

And if you need any ideas, I've got 32 years of full time private teaching experience to share, just an email away.

Warmest wishes from cold and snowy Toronto,
Russ