Piano Methods Online - What To Avoid

I'm a manufacturer of piano methods, so although whatsimpler and more transparent the method should be.
I say may seem self-serving, it also bears the weightBetter to go slowly in the beginning and make the child
of a lot of experience. I'm not going to refer to anyfeel a success than to rush into complexity and
specific products, but rather examine some of theconfuse and frustrate the child.
things you may wonder about along the way to your7. Does the method or product involve computer
purchase.software? Some starter methods nowadays involve
1. What does the site offer you in terms of samples?the usage either partially or exclusively, of computer
By this I mean an actual view of what you will receive.based systems or software. While these things may
There needs to be a simple explanation with drawingsseem attractive at first, you should be aware that in
or photos that lets you imagine exactly how thismy experience children find computer learning
product will be used. I say this because there aresoftware for piano and music profoundly boring. That's
many products out there that offer miracles and quickright, boring. They'll use it a few times and then quit.
learning, but just as many sites do not showThere is really no substitute for the old fashioned
ANYTHING describing exactly how their product willmethod of trying to play music on a musical instrument.
achieve these miracles. Frankly, I wouldn't buy anyFor one thing, the piano requires a type of dexterity
educational product such as this if I can't actually try itunrelated to keystrokes and mouse-handling. It's not
online, for example, with an online virtual piano.that musical concepts can't be communicated through
2. What sort of contact will they offer you? You maysoftware, but rather that there is something more
need help or want to return the product. Look for asatisfying about the feeling of sitting at an instrument
prominently displayed 800 number. You shouldn't haveinstead of a computer monitor.
to search for it. Send an email, ask a simple question8. What are the educational credentials of the creator
and see how long it takes them to reply. You want aof the method? Music is a very technical art, and thus
company that is small enough to serve you personally,the method you select should ideally be created by
but not so big that they do not offer real customersomeone with an accredited track record in terms of
service.education, teaching and performance. See if this is
3. What is their return policy? Is it readily displayed? Ifposted anywhere on the offering piano method site.
there is none, you can safely avoid that company.9. Is there any way to have your child try it online
4. What age group is this product appropriate for? Thisbefore you buy it? This will give you a good idea of
is a little harder to answer, because the answer varieswhat their reaction is going to be. You'd be surprised
widely according to the product and the age of thehow many methods keep you in the dark so you are
child you're shopping for. If it's, say, a piano methodforced to buy it to try it. Look for the sample pages
using colored marks to delineate the notes, is thisand try online
method perhaps more appropriate for a very young10. What is the slant of the method, and does it fit the
child who cannot even find numbers or letters? If thepersonality of your child? Some methods are
method uses letters, make sure your child understandsmarketed to appeal to you as a parent, offering
how to find the symbols for the letters. If the methodconventional values such as achievement and
uses numbers, does your child have facility with lowerexcellence. Others suggest that you have fun with the
numbers such as 1-10?piano, and not worry so much about recitals and
5. Is there a link between the "starter method" and thetraditional educational values. My advice is to err on the
real task of reading music? For example, let's sayside of fun: better to have a piano method be fun and
there's a piano method that uses dinosaurs tohave your child learn less than have the piano method
delineate the keys (Sticker with Brontosaurus is Middlebe rigorous and not child-friendly.
C, sticker with Tyranosaurus is the next key, etc.,) That11. What about group lessons? While not strictly within
may be a good method hypothetically, but once youthis discussion, it is an important point. If you want
discard the "dinosaur" method for reading music, whatsimply MUSIC activity for preschoolers, groups would
good has the "dinosaur" done the child? Theoretically, itbe a good outlet. I have several preschool music
would seem none, but there are hidden benefits togroups that I lead, and you need a group for general
almost any starter method at the piano: if it succeeds,musical fun. But I have also taught group piano lessons,
it has introduced the child to the instrument happily, withand would have to say that they are not as good a
no frustration and an added sense of self esteem forchoice for children for several reasons. First, piano
playing fun songs everyone knows.lessons require nothing but personal attention from the
6. Does the method involve fingering? Fingering is theteacher, and that's all but impossible with a group.
means whereby the five fingers of each hand areSecond, piano lessons, even fun piano lessons, require
numbered for easy reference. The truth is that veryconcentration, and no matter how well organized, there
young kids, even up to age eight or so, have troubleare many distractions in a group environment.
coordinating their fingers, and, while they mustTake the time to comparison shop, and above all, use
someday address the issue, to thrust it on them in theemail and phone to ask questions. Piano teaching is a
very beginning is often a recipe for disaster. Look for acomplex field, and you'll need to be well-informed to
method that is simple, and the younger the child, themake a good choice.