Teaching Adult Piano Students

Both young and older adults have chosen to learn to play the piano. They have certain preconceived ideas about what playing the piano will be like. Each adult expects the experience to be pleasant, but each might define in different ways what the pleasure means personally to the student. One may be hoping for instant fun and may be satisfied to play "recreationally" and happy to play a few well-known tunes. Another has always wanted to know the "basics" and master the foundations of learning music, and wishes to learn how to read, count, build technique. Another has great curiosity about music composing and improvisation, much more eager to learn about the creativity side of music. Few adult students are looking to establish a career in music, so there is no urgent desire to learn technique beyond late-intermediate level.

The majority of teachers have been classically trained and find it difficult to accommodate keyboard instruction that does not include technical development along with learning a certain repertoire. They are accustomed to thinking about long-range musical goals, even though most of their students never really complete years of study. In agreeing to teach an adult, the piano teacher must think in terms of more immediate goals, because the adult is not likely to take lessons for many years or be willing to work patiently.

It is important to realize that both the beginning adult student and the teacher have attitudes about playing the piano. The teacher is likely to be more successful in helping an adult player achieve results if the adult's attitudes are acknowledged. The teacher always plays an important role in influencing a student's attitude and in setting the tone of the lesson. It is easier to influence a child student who is more accustomed to responding to instructions than initiating actions. The adult student, however is generally not so easily influenced with preconceived opinions, ego and unrealistic expectations about learning piano. Dealing with the adult student in an adult manner is the most proper mode of teaching.

Tips for teaching adult students:

• Create an atmosphere of partnership.

• Offer choices of pieces, allow the adult to select those most attractive or meaningful to him or her.

• Arrange opportunities for feedback.

• At all times be encouraging but honest.

• Remind the adult to maintain a relaxed posture and be aware of body

• Induce the adult to think by asking questions that call for judgements and opinions.

• Provide frequent short reinforcing pieces or exercises so there can be several successes in each lesson.

• Avoid seeking for perfection.

• Don't polish every piece in the beginning, stress different things at different times - sometimes pitch accuracy, sometimes rhythmic, tempo..

• Encourage the adult to play in social settings or self-record performance

• Maintain a sense of humour. There is nothing as helpful in inducing relaxation, relieving frustration and fostering self-confidence than a light word offered at the right moment