How to Teach Piano and Link with Professional Examination Boards
Some jobs bring a high level of satisfaction such as teaching piano. It is very rewarding to see your student who could not read music nor identify the keys on the keyboard become an accomplished musician. There are different teaching objectives for every progressive grade in piano. This article will focus on teaching piano to the beginner who falls into the initial and grade one levels. Two very popular examination bodies for piano are The Associated Board of The Royal School of Music (ABRSM) in the UK andTrinity College London.First steps for teaching a beginner“School for the Pianoforte Volume One” by Theodore Presser and John Thompson’s Modern Course for the Piano- Grade One”, are two books that many piano teachers use for their beginning students. “Hanon Studies” edited by John Thompson can be used at the grade one level as a supplement. The focus for the beginner at the initial stage is hand position, key identification, note reading, rhythm and basic techniques.Hand positionThe student is asked to imagine holding an orange while positioning his hands over the keys on the piano. The five finger position is required for the initial level.Key identificationHere is one method for teaching the student to identify and locate the keys on the piano. Firstly, make the distinction between the white and black keys, then proceed to teach the student how to identify the various keys by using the following; letting the student say aloud while gently striking the keys: C before two black keys, D between two black keys, E after two black keys, F before three black keys, G between one and two black keys, A between two and one black key and B after three black keys. Additional directions can be found in Theodore Presser, Volume One.Teaching the student to read the notesThe notes in the treble clef can be taught using the EGBDF (Every Good Boy Does Fine) acronym to represent the lines of the staff and “FACE” to represent the spaces between the lines of the staff. You can explain to the student what are the staff, the treble and bass clefs. The next step will be to have the student play the notes on the piano while reading aloud: E is on the first line, G is on the second line, B is on the third line, D is on the fourth line and F is on the fifth line. Similarly have the student play the notes and read aloud the following: F is in the first space, A is in the second space, C is in the third space and E is in the fourth space. The hand position should be correct, the student must read the music and feel for the keys without looking at the keyboard; using the correct fingering while playing.The student can now make the link between the notes in the written music; and the keys on the keyboard for the treble clef. You can do the same for the bass clef. Show the student GBDFA (Good Boys Do Fine Always) for the notes on the lines and ACEG (All Cows Eat Grass) for the spaces between the lines of the staff in the bass clef.Now that you have taught the student the hands position, fingering, how to read the music and play the notes on the keyboard, the major hurdle has been passed. A milestone has been reached. The well-selected pieces in John Thompson’s grade one book, helps the student to develop muscular control, technique and timing. Music theory and tests are included in his book.At the time of writing, the syllabi for the initial and grade one examinations for the Trinity College London, were not included in the 2012 -2014 brochure. However, you can review the one for2009 to 2012to glean the requirements. The syllabus for thepreparation testfrom the ABRSM includes exercises, simple aural tests, one set piece, and one’s own choice of music between 16 to twenty bars. The syllabus for the first grade is also available on-line. TheLibrettois a magazine published by ABRSM three times per annum providing its most pertinent news.Linking with professional examination boardsTrinity is present insixty countriesworldwide. You canregister with the collegefor free, to receive updates, syllabi, and other information. Similarly, you can join theABRSM's mailing listto receive all relevant information on how to link with the organization. There aremany useful linksfor music teachers on the ABRSM’s website to assist with professional piano teaching. Trinity College London has partnered with the Open Learning University to providecontinuing educationfor music teachers.
