FAQ's
Q--What is a PERFECT age for starting piano study?
A—A great question! I don’t think there’s a perfect age; rather, a little person needs to be ready musically and psychologically. By musically, I mean that they hopefully had musical parents who sang to them when they were babies, and they attended some kind of music classes which explored elementary musicianship. All of this—singing, playing musical games, movement, playing percussion instruments, dance, etc. plants a seed of music into young person’s heart and soul. And a big instrument with 88 keys is much less scary; perhaps by now, they really want to try it. This could be age four, five, etc. Also, they need to be able to count to ten, and be attentive for at least a few minutes at a time…Being interested in music and exhibiting natural curiosity about it, I would say, is on top of my list. Everything else we can and should teach!
Q--Are you the best teacher for our child? Why or why not?
A—We all strive to be the best teachers. But there’s no such thing as ‘perfection’ in music or teaching, any subject. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Some teachers are really good with little ones (which takes a very special person!) and others teach ages from High School and older. Some have more formal education than others. Some compose music for their students (yes!). I think that one of the most important parameters in finding best possible teacher lies in personal connection between your child and potential teacher—are they establishing rapport quickly? Is the teacher treating your child as a whole person, or just wants to get through the lesson plan? Are they solving complex pedagogical issues right on the spot?
So, going back to the question, ideal teachers don’t exist. You have to see where your priorities are. But there’s one (and perhaps, more) that will form a bond with your child AND be a good educator in a given subject. That’s what the interviews are for—ask for a trial lesson! And--read this: http://dianehidy.com/how-to-choose-the-best-piano-teacher-for-your-child/
Q--Are you an American or a Russian teacher? What is a difference between Russian/American ways of piano education?
A—That’s a really good one, and I am asked that quite often :) What IS a difference, and is there one? I believe that there are great teachers and not such great ones. In any place, in any country. I am lucky to have studied with some best teachers in my formative years, in both Russia and United States. To start with, early musical training in Russia is structured; there are Music Schools for children, which include a full load of subjects (such as your special instrument (twice a week), ear training/theory, music history, choir, sight reading, accompanying, etc.). One cannot go on to Music College without completing a study from a junior establishment. Then, in college, it’s a whole another four years of rigorous training. You work really hard… Coming to America, I didn’t know what to expect, and did not quite know what was I going to do with music. What I found out that there was not any defined program of study; no degrees are required for teaching privately, or even at some music schools. Most children study with private teachers, and the lessons are conducted once a week, on average of 30 to 45 minutes. In that frame, you are expected to teach piano, theory, ear training, history, performance, and be entertaining so that the child does not get ‘bored’. It was a shock!! How is it possible? How can EVERYTHING that’s needed to create a whole musician be squeezed in one short lesson a week?!! Unmanageable! Contrary to what I thought, I found a very high level of piano mastery and teaching with all the teachers I’ve studied in America and many more that I've met. And that was like a new discovery! I’ve learned a lot and continue doing so through my own study AND by teaching others. I combine what I’ve been taught in my early years with newer methods, approaches, materials, fun pedagogical repertoire (for younger students and beyond), and continually reaching out for new knowledge. I simply cannot teach now exactly how I was taught decades ago. It’s a new life, new situation, different culture. Russian school of piano playing is full of passion, wonderful traditions, (and many famous pianists), and boasts high standards. In America, we have all of that and more :). So yes, I am both Russian AND American teacher and very proud of it! I have high standards for myself and expect no less from anyone I teach. And I learned (to the greatest extent possible) to squeeze a lot of material into one lesson a week. Well, sort of…I still recommend two lessons a week for a well-rounded approach. If possible.
Q--What is a PERFECT age for starting piano study?
A—A great question! I don’t think there’s a perfect age; rather, a little person needs to be ready musically and psychologically. By musically, I mean that they hopefully had musical parents who sang to them when they were babies, and they attended some kind of music classes which explored elementary musicianship. All of this—singing, playing musical games, movement, playing percussion instruments, dance, etc. plants a seed of music into young person’s heart and soul. And a big instrument with 88 keys is much less scary; perhaps by now, they really want to try it. This could be age four, five, etc. Also, they need to be able to count to ten, and be attentive for at least a few minutes at a time…Being interested in music and exhibiting natural curiosity about it, I would say, is on top of my list. Everything else we can and should teach!
Q--Are you the best teacher for our child? Why or why not?
A—We all strive to be the best teachers. But there’s no such thing as ‘perfection’ in music or teaching, any subject. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Some teachers are really good with little ones (which takes a very special person!) and others teach ages from High School and older. Some have more formal education than others. Some compose music for their students (yes!). I think that one of the most important parameters in finding best possible teacher lies in personal connection between your child and potential teacher—are they establishing rapport quickly? Is the teacher treating your child as a whole person, or just wants to get through the lesson plan? Are they solving complex pedagogical issues right on the spot?
So, going back to the question, ideal teachers don’t exist. You have to see where your priorities are. But there’s one (and perhaps, more) that will form a bond with your child AND be a good educator in a given subject. That’s what the interviews are for—ask for a trial lesson! And--read this: http://dianehidy.com/how-to-choose-the-best-piano-teacher-for-your-child/
Q--Are you an American or a Russian teacher? What is a difference between Russian/American ways of piano education?
A—That’s a really good one, and I am asked that quite often :) What IS a difference, and is there one? I believe that there are great teachers and not such great ones. In any place, in any country. I am lucky to have studied with some best teachers in my formative years, in both Russia and United States. To start with, early musical training in Russia is structured; there are Music Schools for children, which include a full load of subjects (such as your special instrument (twice a week), ear training/theory, music history, choir, sight reading, accompanying, etc.). One cannot go on to Music College without completing a study from a junior establishment. Then, in college, it’s a whole another four years of rigorous training. You work really hard… Coming to America, I didn’t know what to expect, and did not quite know what was I going to do with music. What I found out that there was not any defined program of study; no degrees are required for teaching privately, or even at some music schools. Most children study with private teachers, and the lessons are conducted once a week, on average of 30 to 45 minutes. In that frame, you are expected to teach piano, theory, ear training, history, performance, and be entertaining so that the child does not get ‘bored’. It was a shock!! How is it possible? How can EVERYTHING that’s needed to create a whole musician be squeezed in one short lesson a week?!! Unmanageable! Contrary to what I thought, I found a very high level of piano mastery and teaching with all the teachers I’ve studied in America and many more that I've met. And that was like a new discovery! I’ve learned a lot and continue doing so through my own study AND by teaching others. I combine what I’ve been taught in my early years with newer methods, approaches, materials, fun pedagogical repertoire (for younger students and beyond), and continually reaching out for new knowledge. I simply cannot teach now exactly how I was taught decades ago. It’s a new life, new situation, different culture. Russian school of piano playing is full of passion, wonderful traditions, (and many famous pianists), and boasts high standards. In America, we have all of that and more :). So yes, I am both Russian AND American teacher and very proud of it! I have high standards for myself and expect no less from anyone I teach. And I learned (to the greatest extent possible) to squeeze a lot of material into one lesson a week. Well, sort of…I still recommend two lessons a week for a well-rounded approach. If possible.