For Adult Students

For Adult Students

Expectations for Adult Beginning Piano Students

TRENDS

It was once thought that in order to learn how to play the piano or keyboard instrument, one would have to start lessons as a young child. However, countless students, including those who've learned how to play when they were past retirement age, have proved this perception to be untrue. During the past few decades, trends in adult education have encouraged many to take classes in various subjects. So these days, it's quite common for adults to begin piano lessons. They learn to play beginners' pieces, then intermediate level pieces, and sometimes, after enough study, even advanced level pieces.

Time Commitment Needed for Lessons

Q: As an adult keyboard student, how much time do I need in my schedule, to take keyboard lessons, and make progress?

Our lives are so busy these days, so it’s wise to consider what the time commitment will be, in taking keyboard lessons. Average requirements for getting started with lessons and sticking with it are:

Weekly attendance of lessons
Regular practice between lessons

Beginning students should expect to practice their weekly assignment for about 30 minutes daily for at least 5 days between lessons, to insure steady progress and successful results. If you want to study piano or keyboard, you must make this commitment!

Curriculum for Adult Beginners

The curriculum for an adult beginning keyboard student is based on the student's interests. Adult students simply need to learn whatever they'll need in order to play the pieces they'd like to play. Depending on the student's goals, the curriculum may include any and all items from the following:

• MUSIC READING
• MUSIC THEORY
• LIMITED ROTE TEACHING
• EAR TRAINING
• IMPROVISATION
• COMPOSING
• RHYTHM
• MUSICAL INTERPRETATION
• PRACTICE TECHNIQUES
• HOW MUCH TO PRACTICE
• SIGHT PLAYING
• TECHNIQUE
• TRANSPOSITION
• HARMONIZATION
• MUSIC ARRANGING
• MUSICAL VOCABULARY
• FORMAL AND HARMONIC ANALYSIS
• ENSEMBLE PLAYING
• MEMORIZATION
• MUSIC HISTORY

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