Tips to Use the Metronome

The metronome isn’t just a cool think that ticks. It’s actually the best tool the pianist has available! Here are some tips to use the metronome.

• Work slow to fast.
• Start slow enough that the music can be played absolutely perfectly. I suggest using the “tick” of the metronome as eighth notes.
• You should hear the same small section played over and over. The trick is repeating the same section slow to fast. This means over a few minutes, the metronome clicks will start out slow, and get increasingly faster.

This is the sure-fire method of learning pieces quickly, and as perfectly as humanly possible.

Memorizing Music

With recitals coming up, it’s time to start memorizing music. Many children often end up memorizing just by repetition. This means your child is consistently at the piano 5 days a week. Playing games with your child will also help.

Memorization Games:

Cover Up #1 – Take a 3×5 card and cover up a small portion of the music. He’ll be able to read most of the music and is “forced” to have only a small part memorized.

 

Cover Up #2 – Take a 3×5 card and cover up the section of music being played. Keep sliding the card over actual notes your child’s reading. This will force her to not only read ahead, but improve memory.

 

Floating Music – Hold the music away from the piano. If possible, point along to the music while your child’s playing. If she needs to look, she can, but the goal is to look at the music as little as possible.

 

Let’s Make A Deal – For every one time your child plays with the music, you get one time to close the book. This is great for playing 4-8 measures at a time and really solidifying his memorization.

Brian Tracy and Goals

Brian Tracy says this about goals:
“Success is goals, and all else is commentary. All successful people are intensely goal oriented. They know that they want and they are focused single mindedly on achieving it, every single day. Your ability to set goals is the master skill of success.”       [excerpt from Goals, by Brian Tracy]

Use learning the piano as a tool to teach your child how to be goal oriented! This will help your child be successful in life. Every time your child practices, take a few seconds to think about a goal together. Your participation will further increase your child’s desire to learn this master skill.

Keep Piano Fun

Sing! Since we’re learning how to accompany others, you can help! Please sing along with several of the songs. Keeping a steady beat and not going back to fix mistakes will be the two hardest things for your child. By singing along, you’ll allow him/her more practice accompanying and s/he will enjoy the one-on-one time.  

Flashcard Games  Pull out the notes your child’s learned and time how long it takes to say them. Include it as part of the practice every day, writing the times down on a chart. You and your child can decide prizes together.

Creating Goals

To reinforce the importance of setting and meeting goals, ask your child to name at least one goal s/he set and accomplished every day of practice.  

By asking for a goal each day, regardless of whether or not one was made, you will set the standard in your child that goals are important in life. Your child will learn to create goals in everything s/he does.  

The power in this is that your child will base his/her self worth on his/her own accomplishments rather than the opinion of others.  

Consistency is the key to building the successful habit of meeting goals.

Proper hand position

Fingers should be curved and strong without “breaking” at the joints. The wrist should be level with the forearm. Back is straight, shoulders relaxed. Having great form will help your child play better. Praising your child for great posture and form.

Setting Goals

Your child will learn more efficiently and effectively if s/he makes a goal every practice session.  

The goal should be small enough to be accomplished in one sitting!  

Examples of goals:New Piece: “I will clap and count the first 4 measures correctly, both hands.”“I will learn measures 9-16 with correct counting and notes, right hand.” 

Familiar Piece: “I will correctly play with the metronome starting at 72 and finishing at 88.”“I will add all the dynamics in the piece.” 

The key is to have complete awareness of the music that’s being created.  (And then to apply that awareness and exactness to all aspects of life!)