Here's a very primitive outline of things I've been brainstorming about for my Wiki article. I hope to make available the resources I have been learning about in my piano pedagogy class on a Wiki page. I'm not sure how in-depth this article will become without turning into a textbook, but I thought it may be a good idea to begin with at least a list first.
Piano pedagogy
editPiano pedagogy is the study of the teaching of piano playing. Whereas the professional field of music education pertains to the teaching of music in school classrooms or group settings, piano pedagogy focuses on the teaching of musical skills to piano students on the level of the individual. This is done most often via private or semiprivate instructions, which are most commonly referred to as piano lessons. The practitioners of piano pedagogy are called piano pedagogues, or simply, piano teachers.
Professional training
editThe range of professionalism among available teachers of piano is undoubtably wide. "Competent instruction is not always assured by the number of years one has taken lessons", warned piano pedagogue and writer of numerous pedagogical books, James Bastien.[1] The factors which affect the professional quality a piano teacher include one's competence in musical performance, knowledge of musical genres, history, and piano repertoire, experience in teaching, ability to adapt one's teaching method to students of different personalities and learning styles, education level, and so on.
Musicians with background in piano performance
editIn the United States, piano lessons may be often found offered by teachers without higher education specifically focused in piano performance or piano pedagogy. Some teachers may hold undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in another discipline in music, like music education or performance of a different musical instruments. Other teachers, without higher education in music, may have studied piano playing independently or have been self-taught. For better or worse, the quality and knowledge these teachers offer can range widely.
Undergraduate and graduate studies in piano pedagogy
editThe field of piano pedagogy may be studied through academic programs which culminates to the attainment of a bachelor, master, or doctoral degree at music colleges or conservatories. The undergraduate level may require many years of prior piano studies and previous teaching experience as prerequisites for application. At the graduate level, many schools require applicants to have some teaching experience and at least a bachelor of music or equivalent experience in piano performance and/or pedagogy.[2]
Although virtually all piano pedagogy programs include a significant portion of performance requirement, the pedagogy major may be distinct from the performance major at some schools. Some members of the latter group may have the option to take courses in the teaching of piano, but not all do.[3]
Professional organizations in the USA
editMany piano teachers hold memberships in professional organizations for professional networking. These organizations often offer teachers' workshops, conferences, mentorship programs, publications on piano pedagogy, and opportunities for scholarships, competitions, and performances for the students of members. Some prominent organizations in the United States include:
Notable piano pedagogues in history
editCarl Czerny (Austria, 1791-1857)
Theodor Leschetizky (Poland, 1830-1915)
Tobias Matthay (England, 1858-1945)
Heinrich Neuhaus (Russia, 1888-1964)
Topics of study
editPiano pedagogy involves the study of the teaching of the motor, intellectual, problem-solving, and artistic skills involved in playing the piano effectively.[3] Citing the influence of Zoltan Kodaly, Carl Orff, Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, Russian-American piano pedagogue at Longy School of Music, Dr. Faina Bryanskaya, advocates a holistic approach which integrates as many aspects of music-making as possible at once would result in the most effective piano teaching.[4]
Ear training
editDr. Bryanskaya argues that the foremost important task for piano teachers at the onset of a student's time of study is the introduction of a habit of listening to quality performances of “descriptive and strikingly expressive music”, as a means for "sensitizing [the student] to the meaning of music".[4] Ear training
Rhythm
editNotation
editTechnique
editImprovisation
editThe modern trend of piano lessons tends toward an overemphasis on learning notation, and neglects the nurturing needed for developing the creative spirit and sensitive ears which lead to expressive music-making. Studies point to the need for using multiple approaches in learning musical skills which engage both sides of the brain--the analytical and the intuitive--for students to master all aspects of playing.[5] Therefore, teaching improvisation skills may help students take ownership of the expressive quality of the music they make, and to keep music learning and practicing alive and interesting.[6]
Sight reading
editMemorization
editEffective memorization results from the “combination of visual, kinaesthetic, aural and analytical skills”.[5]
Method books
editAdvantages & Disadvantages
Repertoire
editWell-known keyboard works written with special attention for its pedagogical purposes in mind include:[4][7]
- Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (1725) by family and friends of J.S. Bach
- Klavierbüchlein für Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Little Preludes and Fugues, Inventions and Sinfonias, & the Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach
- Album For the Young, Op. 68 (1848) by Robert Schumann
- Album For the Young, Op. 39 (1878) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Music for Children, Op. 65 (1935) by Sergei Prokofiev
- Mikrocosmos, Sz. 107, BB 105 (1926-39) by Béla_Bartók
Venues offering instructions in piano playing
editThe teaching of piano playing most often take place in the form of weekly private lessons, in which a student and a teacher have one-on-one meetings. Instructions may sometimes be offered semi-privately (one teacher meeting with a small group of two or more students) or in classes of larger groups, in other intervals of time. Piano lessons are offered in a variety of different settings, including the following:[3]
- Studios of independent piano teachers
- Piano and music stores
- Community music schools
- Continuing education programs
- Preparatory division of music colleges or conservatories
- Music colleges or conservatories
See Also
editReferences
edit- ^ Bastien, James (3rd Ed. 1988) How to Teach Piano Sucessfully. Neil A. Kjos Music Co: San Diego, CA. ISBN 0849761689
- ^ University of Michigan Piano Department: Degree programs
- ^ a b c Ulszer, Marienne (1995). The Well-Tempered Keyboard Teacher. Schirmer Books. ISBN 0028717805
- ^ a b c Bryanskaya, Faina (2nd Ed. 2007). Teaching Fundamentals of Music Making: A Holistic Integrated Approach, A Handbook for Piano and Music Teachers. Brighton, MA (USA). LC 2003-552304. http://www.chipublib.org/search/details/cn/1902269
- ^ a b Chappell, Sally. “Developing the complete pianist: a study of the importance of a whole-brain approach to piano teaching." Piano Journal, Winter 2000.
- ^ Kampmeier, Valerie. "Intuitive Improvisation: A Guide for Beginners." American Music Teacher. Dec/Jan 07-08.
- ^ Braudo, Isaiah. On the study of key board works by J. S. Bach in music schools. Washington DC: H. A. Frager & Co ISBN 0929647106
Further reading
editBryanskaya, Faina (1988). The Key to Music Making: Piano Method for Beginners, Parts I, II, & III. Providence, RI: White Lilac Press. ISBN 0929571002, ISBN 0929571010, ISBN 0929571029
Gerig, Reginald (2nd Ed. 2007). Famous Pianists and their Technique. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253348552
Magrath, Jane (1995). Pianist's Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature. Alfred Publishing Co. ISBN 0882846558
Business skills for piano teachers and artists
editRiley, Peter Jason (2002). The New Tax Guide for Artists of Every Persuasion. Limelight Editions: New York. ISBN 0879109661