I've recently acquired a new student who's taken a year's hiatus from the piano and decided to take it up again. She's not that old, only 11, and at about the grade 4 level. What recommendations can you give to "bring her back up to speed"?

I was thinking I should start her on some technical exercises and have her play through old pieces before starting on new repertoire. Should I be jumping right into new repertoire and work out the rusty technique as we go?

I say give her the technical exercises and give her one piece that she sort of knows and a couple of new pieces. That's more interesting. I'd say technical stuff first, though. You have to see where she is first!

I would add to vocis' advice that you should pick music that is perhaps a bit below what you assessed her level at when she was previously taking lessons. Don't give her something too challenging, because if it's too easy, she can be done with it quickly, but if it's too hard, you'll have to backtrack and that can be very frustrating for everyone. It will also be good in case you have "holes" to fill in her education, because this will really give you a good idea on how she learns. I wouldn't really bother with having her play an old piece, but if she really wants to, then go for it.

What can she play? What pieces could she play well before stopping? Grade 4 doesn't mean very much, as grading systems vary so widely.

I would start, as others have noted, with some technical material, but I would also locate a different set of repertoire for her, at a significantly lower level, so you can review concepts and she has near immediate success in her work.

Try Kabalevsky Op. 39 and Burgmuller Op. 100. Then progress to Kabalevsky Op. 27 and Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook. Insert Clementi Op. 36 and Kuhlau Op. 55 when ready.

This is, of course, assuming the student doesn't have "holes" in her prior piano education.

I'm in a similar situation with two recent transfers. Both are playing at "advanced" level, but with gaping holes in their piano abilities. I'm dropping both of them down several levels to address important issues like sight reading, fingering, rhythm (!!), and legato by finger substitution. They are complete revamp projects.

I like your suggestions. I've also used the Anton Diabelli set, published by Kjos I think, with students needing extra work in this area.

Thanks for all your input.

After talking and seeing her play some more, it seems like her previous teacher hasn't been too successful in laying down the foundations... Or perhaps just things forgotten over time. I hope it's the latter. Well, back to square one.

Azn, suggestions are well noted. I have learned with and already use the Clementi and Kuhlau with others and find them excellent material.