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Guidebook for Piano TeachersDesigning a lesson planCustomizing your lesson plan for the individual studentChoosing the right books and teaching toolsWhere to buy your books onlineMaking sure your student not only learns piano but hasa great time doing it!Learning music should be an exciting and fun experience based on a strong and well-roundedfoundation of music fundamentals. You will want to design each music lesson plan according tothe student’s specific needs. You then want to pick a lesson book series that is just right for thatparticular student. The biggest and most important goal is to make sure your student not onlylearns piano, but has a wonderful experience! That comes from you!! Your ideas andtechniques are what make you a strong, unique teacher!Designing a Lesson PlanThere are 6 basic elements to designing a lesson plan.1.Theory The building blocks of music Note names and values Key signatures and scales Terms and definitions2.Technique Hand positioning Posture Expression3.Songs that build ability and strength These are the songs that put all of the theory and technique into use The “Lesson Books” of each book series will be full of songs for this usage.
4.Performance songs These are the songs that develop a student’s ability to perform a song. While they stillincorporate theory and technique they focus more on expression. Book series will often have Performance Books or Recitals Books. Those are wonderfulresources for this type of song.5.Songs just for fun Supplemental songs to suit their taste or expose them to new kinds of music. Sheet Music in a style they love6.Motivational tools Stickers and sticker charts Lots of encouragement!!Customizing Your Music Lesson Plan for the Individual StudentEach student is unique. That’s actually one of the most enjoyable things about being a musicteacher, finding the exact teaching combination that motivates and excites each student!! Whenyour student’s face lights up because something connects with them. there is no greaterfeeling in the world!!1.Experience Have they taken lessons before? If so how long? What did they like about that experience? What didn’t they like?2.Level Are they at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level?3.Books What books have they used before? Did they like them? What can they afford?A couple little tricks.aIf a student has taken music lessons before but took a break, using a different book series can bewonderful tool!! You can do a refresher course at an easier level and the student won’t feel likethey went backwards since it will be all new material! You also may find they like the new bookseries better!You can also use a switch in book series if a student isn’t progressing. You can back up a levelto give the student more time with and a new approach to the same musical fundamentals!
4.Personality Are they shy, outgoing? What will motivate them the most?5.Learning style Will they respond better to a more relaxed or strict approach? Do they respond more to games or certain activities?6.Learning speed and pace You always want to make sure you are teaching at a pace that keeps them challengedwithout overwhelming them!7.Preferred musical genres Do they love jazz, classical, rock or heavy metal? The list goes on and on! It’s always great to broaden their horizons as well!8.Musical Goals Do they want to pursue music for a living or is it just for fun? Are there certain techniques they want to learn? Do they have a specific timeline for goals? Are they preparing for an audition, contest, special performance, college, etc.?Choosing the Right Music Books and Teaching ToolsThis is a list of some of my favorite and most successful books and tools. I encourage you toresearch specifically for your students to meet their individual music education needs!Primer LevelBooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Primer Level: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular PerformanceSupplemental Books(These easily carry over to Level One)Faber Pretime Series- Primer Level: Children’s Songs Classics Favorites
Jazz and BluesPopularRock and RollLevel OneBooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Level 1: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular PerformanceSupplemental BooksFaber Pretime Series- Primer Level and Playtime Series- Level 1: Children’s Songs Classics Favorites Jazz and Blues Popular Rock and RollPiano Adventures Advanced Series- Level 1 (units before the introduction of eighth notes): Lesson PerformanceAlfred- Level 1 Composition Note spellerLevel 2ABooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Level 2A: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular Performance
Supplemental BooksFaber Playtime Series- Level 1 and Showtime Series- Level 2A: Classics Favorites Jazz and Blues Popular Rock and RollFaber Advanced Series- Level 2: Lesson PerformanceAlfred- Level 2 Classics RepertoireLevel 2BBooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Level 2B: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular PerformanceSupplemental BooksFaber Chord time Series- Level 2B: Classics Favorites Jazz and Blues Popular Rock and RollFaber Advanced Series- Level 2: Lesson PerformanceAlfred- Level 2 Classics Repertoire
Level 3ABooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Level 3A: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular PerformanceSupplemental BooksFaber Funtime Series- Level 3A-3B: Classics Jazz and BluesAlfred- Level 3 Classics RepertoireHanon: First Hanon Studies Level 3Supplemental Sheet MusicFinding Your Voice- Angela FoxLevel 3BBooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Level 3B: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular PerformanceSupplemental BooksFaber Funtime Series- Level 3A-3B: Classics Jazz and BluesAlfred- Level 3 Classics RepertoireHanon: Schumann StudiesSupplemental Sheet MusicFinding Your Voice- Angela FoxExpressions- Angela Fox
Level 4BooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Level 4: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular PerformanceSupplemental BooksFaber Bigtime Series- Level 4: Classics Jazz and BluesAlfred- Level 4 Classics Lesson Performance RepertoireHanon: The Virtuoso Pianist Book 1Supplemental Sheet MusicExpressions- Angela FoxLevel 5BooksFaber and Faber Piano Adventures Series- Level 5: Theory Technique Lesson Performance Popular PerformanceSupplemental BooksAlfred- Level 5 Classics Lesson Performance RepertoireHanon: The Virtuoso Pianist Book 2Supplemental Sheet MusicExpressions- Angela Fox
Additional books to choose fromIf there is more than one child at the same level with their music lessons or close to the samelevel in a family, sometimes it is nice to have each student work in a different series. That waythere is less competition and feeling of failure. Also, using an alternate series comes in handywhen a student is returning to piano lessons after not taking for awhile. You can work out the“rust” in the alternate series comparable level to the one they had most recently been in or theprevious level if needed.Recommended Series: Hal Leonard AlfredMusic lessons for adult studentsAdult students taking music lessons should be given the same teaching structure as a youngerstudent. The lesson plans are a bit more customized due to previous experience, time awayfrom the piano and limited practice time. Believe it or not, adults like stickers too!Recommended books Faber: Adult Piano Adventures Book 1 and 2 Bastein: Piano for Adults Book 1 and 2 Alfred: Piano Second Time Around (for more advanced students)Tools for every level1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Flashcards (Students can make their own or you can buy pre-made in stores.)Notebook or Lesson Book/Practice LogPencilsStickersSticker ChartsManuscript PaperMemorized song recordBuy Your Books Online!1.Faber and com/piano3.James Bastien(including the Hanon series)http://www.sheetmusicplus.com
4.Hal Leonardwww.halleonard.com5.Angela e1 2(type in Angela Fox in the search box for a list of all music published Angela Fox)Finding Your Voicehttp://apimusic.org/catalog/sku.cfm?mode full&pbid 3201&productname nshttp://apimusic.org/catalog/sku.cfm?mode full&pbid 5055&productname EXPRESSIONS%20%20VOL.%201%20%20AP-599
Guidebook for Piano Teachers Designing a lesson plan Customizing your lesson plan for the individual student Choosing the right books and teaching tools
