Music By Art Scott

I often tell parents that selecting the right teacher is so important. Over thirty years of teaching private piano lessons I have learned the following things to be true; -Every good parent wants to have their children learn from teachers who are good educators; dedicated people who know how to teach many different types of students. -If the relationship is a positive one, it should last for years which will allow any good qualified teacher to transfer their knowledge effectively at an appropriate rate so students are challenged, encouraged, monitored and well supported towards an ongoing greater success at the piano. -Proper LEARNING should NEVER be a guessing game; a good teacher should be able to convey their subject area so clearly that a student will know exactly what is required in each lesson. -Good parents will always set the stage to RESPECT TEACHERS and their children should be taught to be compliant to a teacher's request. -Always ask a prospective teacher t

Back in 1961, I had my first piano lesson. I remember how excited i was; I remember flinging the front door open to meet Mrs. Johnson. Little did I realize the impact this wonderful teacher would have on my young life. My first exposure to the joy of the piano was from a neighbor across the street. These neighbors has an upright piano and I used to listen to a lady who lived their play on her old upright piano Broadway show tunes. Since they were renters at some point they moved and I remember distinctly crying my eyes out thinking music was leaving my life forever. I ironically another set of neighbors were re tiling their basement and offered to give us this beat up old baby grand piano. My dad sunk a lot of money into fixing this piano up, new hammers, new strings, even new key tops. Unfortunately the piano had a cracked pin block so all that money was spent in vain but the piano lasted a few years and I was on cloud nine. I think lessons back then cost a huge 50 cents.

I am asked this question often. The answer generally is YES. You make your child eat their vegetables, you make them go to school, you make them clean their room, you make them do homework, you make them brush their teeth. Very few children know what is GOOD for them. This is why GOD GAVE CHILDREN PARENTS....to nurture them, love them, be their parent - not just their friend..... too many parents today are too worried that their child will not be their friend if they discipline them. Children yearn for boundaries even though they may act like that do not want them....they do! I think it is reasonable to do what my dad did forty years ago - a parent should have a VERBAL AGREEMENT with each child that they are going to take a minimum of one year of piano lessons. After that commitment is fulfilled, then a child should be rewarded and allowed to go on and perhaps play another music instrument. During that first year a child will learn many things and not just about music ....

I get calls every week from parents who are either looking to start their kids for the first time with lessons or they are contemplating switching teachers. I am always amazed when I ask a parent who is considering a switch of teachers and I ask them, "How Long Have you Been with your teacher?"....and I get responses like, three years, or two years. I explore deeper then and ask, what are the issues your having? Here are some common responses; 1) My child is not progressing. 2) The teacher yells and screams and my child. 3) My child is bored with the music the teacher is giving them. 4) The teacher is always cancelling lessons or not showing up. 5) The chemistry is just not good between my child and the teacher. The bottom line here if things are not working right, talk to the teacher and see if issues can be corrected. If they cannot be resolved, by all means stop the lessons and try out some new teachers and keep trying till you find the right fit. I

Readiness is a very individual issue. Some children are ready to start private lessons at 4 and 5 years old. I base it on attention span....if mom, dad or the grandparents can sit with a young child and read a book for 30 minutes - usually they can be taught well in a private piano lesson. I does take parental involvement....a parent of grandparent must be willing to support and encourage a child and be hands on present for them during the first few weeks. Even just having a adult present makes a child feel safe and important; the validation that taking piano lessons is a good thing and that we hang in there and not just quit because it gets hard...we keep perservering and get the 'job' done. Never be afraid to try out a lesson or two and by all means try out several teachers and find the right person to connect with your child. You will know when this happens if you know your child well. Best wishes, Art Scott   For more information, see another of my 50 websites

Back in the 1890's through the 1950's, the PIANO, the VICTOR VICTROLA, the PHONOGRAPH RECORD and the RADIO were the Entertainment Centers of every home here in America. There were no TV's, no Nintendo's, Computer games, Weii machines, etc. Families turned to live music in the home to entertain themselves. People actually learned how to play the piano and sing around the piano. It was a family affair. Young people took piano lessons as part of their Education and Personal Enrichment. Here we are in 2009 - and we need as a nation to get back to the basics. When your kids grow up they will need to have skills that will last them the rest of their life. Consider the list that I have compiled below. "Taking Piano Lessons does MORE than just teach MUSIC....." Confidence - your child will be able to play with ease and confidence and be envied by their peers Concentration - controlled studies have proven that children who take Piano Lessons are