I believe that the role of a piano teacher is to inspire creativity and passion in students. Music is not only an artform and education, but also an important aspect of culture that should be taught and shared. If piano is the choice of medium for a student, then it should be fostered. As a teacher, I believe that student-teacher relationships should be carefully fostered. Piano teachers, like any private lesson teachers, fulfill a special place in students' lives. Teachers should guide students in discovering things they did not know before. They should inspire students to learn and discover things that they didn’t know before.
There are many things that students may wish to achieve in piano lessons. Whether that’s to play classically, strengthen their accompanimental skills, learn about music theory, or to develop skills to help composition and general music knowledge, piano lessons can be a great addition to any music study. I believe that by the end of their study, piano students should be able to play and study independently in whatever aspect they choose to. In my studio, I prioritize the theoretical applications to technique. I believe that students should study scales, arpeggios, chords, and know how to apply them to music that they study. Not only will these skills aid in playing previously composed repertoire, but also help students improvise in many different styles. Technique should be developed in a way that makes it so the student can play difficult repertoire at ease. Piano should not be an activity that strains the muscles.
Creating a good tone is one of the most important concepts to learn in my studio. Music should not be played without a beautiful and singing tone. Even elementary students can learn to produce a beautiful sound on the piano with an experienced teacher, and as students grow and develop, the piano teacher should foster a rich, deep, and singing sound from the piano student. Only from then can students learn to shape phrases gracefully and play with artistic passion.
Piano lessons teach creativity, artistry, culture, and history. Students learn many things from music lessons. When studying a piece of music, students will learn the technical, artistic, and creative processes that go along with it. They’ll also learn the historical and cultural backgrounds of the piece as well. When combining all these aspects together, students learn to think critically about how to approach music and what should be considered when tackling a new work. Based on the history of the piece and style, how should an unfamiliar piece of music be approached?
The role of a music teacher is a multi faceted one. Private teachers are not only educators, but also oftentimes mentors to students. Teachers guide students through music and their creative journeys, as well as coaching students to work efficiently and quickly. Students can learn to react quickly during lessons. As a teacher, I am dedicated to bringing an optimistic, patient, and passionate approach to music lessons. Students can only learn as well as their teachers can drive them. I am dedicated towards teaching students how to study with drive, determination, and teaching organizational skills to help keep them learning even beyond private lessons.
When beginning lessons, it is important to choose the most appropriate music to study. It is important for both the student and teacher to be passionate and engaged in the repertoire at hand. Students begin studies in lesson books, but also learn how to create melodies of their own through improvisation. As they develop as musicians, they begin to discover what music speaks to them as people and can collaborate more on what music to study. I believe that once students learn what their personal tastes are in music, it is important to allow collaboration in the choice of repertoire. Students can choose paths to discover in artistic exploration with careful guidance in technique, theory, and ear training exercises to guide them and make the path of learning more clear.
As a teacher, I believe that fostering a lifelong passion for learning and discovery is the most important thing anybody can offer. Whether that is music, art, science, history, or literature, teachers can impact students' lives for the better. If a student develops a relationship with the right teacher, they can build an unwavering passion for learning and music. With the right piano teacher, students will be able to continue studying and playing piano for enjoyment years after their formal studies.