Pianos provide a great extracurricular activity for kids. Here, we’ve reviewed 7 things you should know before your child begins playing the piano.
As a parent, it’s always a proud moment when your child comes home having achieved something great. Extracurricular activities are very important for your child because they help to positively develop them in a general manner.
Musical instruments and particularly the piano, pose a great challenge to kids who are learning how to play them. Research finds that kids who start taking piano lessons at an early age register significant advancement in their psychological abilities.
Therefore, the challenge is actively responsible for bringing out some of the hidden potentials in your child. Therefore, the challenge is actively responsible for bringing out some of the hidden potentials in your child.
Before enrolling or selecting your youngster in piano lessons, it is a good thing to fully prepare them for the task ahead. That is why in this article we have a rundown of what you can do before your child begins playing the piano.
1. Allow Your Child to Play with the Piano Before Taking Lessons
In most cases, when we’re talking about what to know before your child knows how to play piano for beginners is allowing them to explore the piano freely. But, allowing your kid to play around with the piano is actually setting the pace for their musical journey. When your child starts playing the piano, he/she is able to familiarize the keyboard layout.
They get to understand what side of the keys has the heavier sounds and the ones with the lighter sound production. The keys to the right possess heavy sounds as opposed to the left ones. So, with this knowledge, your child is able to learn fast during lessons.
Also, the availability of free play allows your child to grow their interest in this musical instrument. They will probably want to explore more of its potential, and by so doing their creativity is directly advanced. If you allow this to happen, your child won’t be intimidated when they start taking piano lessons.
2. Be Patient and Don’t Rush Your Child
When talking about what to know before your child knows how to play the piano easy, ensure that you are there to support them every step of the way. You may find that your child is not learning as quickly as other kids. But, this is not to conclude that piano lessons are not for them. It is just a phase that can be fixed by not only the instructor but also as a parent.
Take time to study your child when they are using the piano. What tune, rhythm and style they are familiar with and also what is he/she not doing right. This awareness is going to instruct you on how to approach and assist them in the various issues they might be facing.
At this point, it is not advisable to talk to your child in musical terms. Just make it simple and ask them how it feels when they play or listen to a certain music piece. Play a piece for them if you can once in a while. Allow and encourage them to explore the different attitudes and emotions of the musical piece.
Your child will end up acquiring the confidence to talk more about their style of play and will also be able to learn quickly.
3. Buy Your Child a Piano
Another crucial factor when considering what to know before your child knows how to play piano for free is to make sure they practice as much as possible. Without some a bit of practice, your child may find it quite difficult to advance their skill. Piano practice is a very essential part of a child’s musical journey. It would be considered unreasonable if you are going to send your kid to take piano lessons, and can’t invest in one yourself.
With their own piano, your kid is able to practice anytime and perhaps perform a repetition of what he/she has learned during the lessons. Your child is thereby going to progress further and learn the tricks of the piano in a more in-depth manner.
You might consider getting a digital piano since they are very flexible and convenient too. Also, if you have issues with the space in your apartment or house, digital pianos have a compact design and only require minimum storage space.
With this instrument around, your child is highly advantaged as they can record their music and judge their work. Most digital pianos also come with touch sensitivity options just like acoustic pianos. Therefore, it takes your child closer to playing the alpha of all pianos.
ALSO READ: Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano Review
4. Buy a Flexible Stool/Bench to Go with the Piano
One of the things you should know before your child begins playing the piano is posture. It is one of the many essentials that contribute to the right attitude in playing the piano. If your child is sitting in the correct stature, then the results are most likely to be good. Your child will be able to practice for long hours with the correct posture. All of this highly depends on the type of bench that your child uses.
Of course, a more cushioned bench brings more comfort and concentration. But, what really matters is the height and the capability of its adjustment.
When your child is sitting at the standard height, he/she is able to reach the keyboard keys without much strain. Therefore, striking the required keys will be much easier, limiting making any mistakes.
Look for a stool that is not only comfortably designed, but also adjustable in height. Your child is definitely growing and with time may outgrow a fixed design type of stool. So, to make sure that you cope with this, ensure that you are prepared for it.
5. Teach Your Child the Difference Between Left and Right Body Sides
As a parent you should help your child to understand the different sides of the body, and how to use them when needed. One of the methods you can employ is by jumping to the left or right on cue.
This action will highly familiarize your child with the console. When you formulate such body shifting activities, they are able to become better piano players.
If your child understands that they can conduct an activity on one side of their body and shift whenever to the other side, they become very concise when adapting new abilities at the keyboard. Physical articulation of the keyboard is thereby advanced.
6. Motivate Your Child
Always strive to motivate your kid to continue taking piano lessons. It is one strategic way to ensure that they follow the right direction in their musical journey. Motivation actually builds a strong mental and emotional foundation in your child.
Therefore, they will always try to do as their loving parent wishes of them. They will not only want to make you proud but also believe in themselves as you’ve already instilled the courage in them. With good motivation, your child is able to have confidence in piano lessons and in different life challenges as well.
So, get involved and help them in training all the time. Down the road, you will realize how much growth your kid is registering.
7. Educate Your Child on the Different Meanings and Functions of Treble and Bass Clef
Teach your child that the bass is allocated to low notes while the treble facilitates high notes. Also, they should know how both of these functions differ in appearance.
When your kid is able to recognize both of these symbols, it will help to push them ahead in their learning process.
Your kid will have valuable knowledge and won’t find it difficult to learn and advance in piano lessons, as you would have already put the basics in check.
Final Thoughts
It is only right as a parent to support the musical journey of your child. Be patient, support, and motivate them. There are many things you should know before your child begins playing the piano. Therefore, ensure that you give them the freedom to exercise their potential and further enhance their creativity.
Piano lessons boast of a lot of benefits-mentally, physically and even emotionally. So, seeing your child through it is a way of establishing a solid-minded individual.
