Hey there, parents!

The Role of a Teacher

If you remember, throughout our guide, I've emphasized how important it is to have a great teacher who can give clear instructions for home practice. And there's a good reason for this! I'd love to give you a universal recipe for learning any piece of music. But – and I hate to break it to you – there just isn't one.

Each piece has its own learning quirks. During private lessons, your teacher will gradually introduce your little pianist to new material and break down its structure, ending each lesson with detailed homework points.

Pro tip: If home practice isn't giving the results you're hoping for, your teacher might ask for video recordings of practice sessions to analyze mistakes and provide specific recommendations.

Here's my golden rule: Jot down ALL questions and problems that pop up during home practice right away (in a notebook or on your phone) to discuss with the teacher in the next lesson. It's super important to tackle these little issues early on, or else they risk piling up into the Great Wall of China between your child and the piano!

Teach your child this crucial truth: There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. Stick to this rule and don't leave a single question without an adequate, kid-friendly answer.

How to Know If a Piece Is Learned

One of the FAQs I get from parents is: "How do I know if my child has actually learned a piece?"

This is such a brilliant question because it shows you understand that memorizing notes ≠ knowing a piece. It's like reciting a poem – first, we focus on memorizing the text, then we work on the overall expressiveness.

Here are 5 criteria to help you understand where your child is in the learning process:

• Playing the right notes without mistakes or stops, in the correct rhythm, from memory.

  Rhythm is crucial! It tells us which words to emphasize and where to pause, like in a poem. Understanding the rhythmic pattern (the sequence of note durations) helps bring the music to life.

• Playing the piece at the right tempo.

  Tempo = speed. Your pianist first learns notes and rhythms slowly, then gradually increases speed to match the composer's instructions (often found in the sheet music).

• Following all nuances and articulation.

  These include volume changes (like piano for soft and forte for loud) and articulation (e.g., legato for smooth connections or staccato for sharp detachment).

• Style characteristics.

  For more advanced pianists, this means understanding the piece's character and composer's style.

• Personal unique interpretation.

  This is the performer's special touch – the ultimate goal of learning any piece.

Memory Types Pianists Use

Let's talk about the super cool types of memory pianists use to learn pieces:

• Auditory memory

  Like singing a favorite song, pianists use this to remember note sequences, intervals, and rhythms.

• Muscle memory

  Repeated movements during practice become automatic over time, freeing the mind for musical expression.

• Logical memory

  Understanding the music's structure and harmony (thanks to music theory!) prevents relying on note-by-note memorization.

• Visual memory

  This involves recalling the sheet music's layout and hand positions on the keyboard.

• Emotional memory

  Connecting emotions to parts of the piece deepens the performance.

Teachers assign exercises to develop all five memory types, ensuring well-rounded preparation. Why is this important? If one memory type fails (e.g., a distraction disrupts auditory memory), others can step in, allowing the performance to continue seamlessly.

Building Repertoire

Every musician needs a good repertoire, but what does that mean?

Repertoire consists of pieces your child can play perfectly at any moment. These are their "go-to" pieces for casual performances, like when guests visit. It's important to regularly practice and maintain them, even while learning new material.

How to move a piece into long-term memory repertoire:

1. Learn the piece (using the criteria above).
2. Perform it publicly.
3. Analyze the performance.
4. Work on mistakes and relearn it.
5. Perform again.
6. Repeat this cycle until performing feels as natural as practicing at home.

Building repertoire is like mastering any skill – repetition and consistent improvement lead to success.

And on that note, I'll catch you in the next section! Bye for now!