Professional Piano Teaching, Volume 1 (2nd Edition)

A Comprehensive Piano Pedagogy Textbook

By Jeanine M. Jacobson / ed. E. L. Lancaster and Albert Mendoza

Piano Book

Level: Elementary

Item: 00-44565

Professional Piano Teaching offers a practical guide to the art of piano teaching. Volume 1, now available as an updated second edition, is an excellent introduction to the profession of teaching piano. This revised second edition has been expanded to include chapters on teaching adult students and teaching popular, sacred, and other familiar music. Designed to serve as a basic text for a first-semester or lower-division piano pedagogy course, it provides an overview of learning principles and a thorough approach to essential aspects of teaching elementary-level students. Special features include discussions on how to teach, not just what to teach; numerous musical examples; chapter summaries; and suggested projects for new and experienced teachers. Topics: The Art of Professional Piano Teaching * Principles of Learning * Beginning Methods * Teaching Beginners and Elementary Students * Teaching Rhythm and Reading * Teaching Technique and Musical Sound Development * Elementary Performance and Study Repertoire * Developing Musicality in Elementary Students * Group Teaching * Teaching Preschoolers * Teaching Adults * Teaching Popular, Sacred, and Other Familiar Music * The Business of Piano Teaching * Evaluation of Teaching. 428 pages. Index.

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

CHAPTER 1: The Art of Professional Piano Teaching

Characteristics Common to All Professionals

Characteristics of Professional Piano Teachers

Developing a Teaching Philosophy

Helpful Questions for Developing a Personal Teaching Philosophy

Professional Resources for Piano Teachers

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 2: Principles of Learning

From the Known to the Unknown

Discovery Learning and Rote Learning

Prevention of Errors

Applying Principles of Discovery Learning and Systematic Presentation

Correction of Errors

Experience and Follow-Through

Good Learning Habits

Trial and Error

Varied Activities

Simultaneous Achievement of Multiple Goals

Individual Learning Styles

Sound, Feel, Symbol, Name

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 3: Beginning Methods

Note-Reading Approaches

Counting Approaches

Choosing a Beginning Method

Specific Criteria for Evaluating a Beginning Method

Methods for Special Age Groups

Teaching With or Without Printed Methods

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 4: Teaching Beginners and Elementary Students

Concepts and Skills Covered in Early Instruction

Starting a Beginning Student

Common Problems of Beginners

First-Year Goals

Lesson Plans and Assignments

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 5: Teaching Rhythm and Reading

Teaching Rhythm

Teaching Reading

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 6: Teaching Technique and Musical Sound Development

The Natural Way to Play---Good Posture

The Role of the Whole Arm

Appropriate Hand and Finger Positions

Moving Out of Hand Positions

The Role and Development of the Fingers

Hand Independence

Playing Scales

Other Technical Skills and Concepts

Musical Sound Development

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 7: Elementary Performance and Study Repertoire

Knowing the Teaching Literature

Selecting and Evaluating Teaching Materials

Determining the Difficulty of Pieces

Organizing Pieces in the Proper Teaching Order

Preparing Piece Summaries

Lesson Planning

Developing a Lesson Plan Using One Piano Solo

Presenting New Pieces

Diagnosing Problems in Pieces

Working on Practiced Pieces

Coaching Pieces

Assigning Homework

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 8: Developing Musicality in Elementary Students

The Role of Mood, Emotion and Character

The Role of Aural Development

The Role of Music Literacy

The Role of Creative Activities

The Role of Ensemble Playing

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 9: Group Teaching

Advantages and Disadvantages of Group and Private Instruction

Preparing to Teach Group Lessons

Types of Group Lessons

Equipment, Materials and Games

Using Digital Pianos in Group Instruction

Scheduling Group Lessons

Lesson Plans and Assignments

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 10: Teaching Preschoolers

Advantages of Preschool Music Experiences

Musical Goals for Teaching Preschoolers

Characteristics of Preschool Music Teachers

Role of the Teacher in Preschool Music

Role of the Parent in Preschool Music

Characteristics of Preschoolers

Musical Activities for Preschoolers

General Teaching Strategies

General Musicianship Approaches for Teaching Music to Preschool Students

Equipment and Materials for Preschool General Musicianship Instruction

Teaching Piano to Preschool Students

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 11: Teaching Adults

General Characteristics of Adult Piano Students

Categories of Adult Piano Students

General Strategies for Teaching Adults

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 12: Teaching Popular, Sacred, and Other Familiar Music

Playing Popular Music

Playing Sacred Music

Playing Other Familiar Music

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 13: The Business of Piano Teaching

Whom to Teach

Where to Teach

How to Acquire Students

Policies and Policy Statements

Determining Tuition

Scheduling

Summer Lessons

Record Keeping

Communicating with Parents

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

CHAPTER 14: Evaluation of Teaching

Traits of Effective Teaching

Role-Playing and Peer Teaching

Observation and Evaluation

Summary

Projects for New Teachers

Projects for Experienced Teachers

Index