Piano Lessons

Yesterday was my first time teaching piano lessons. I would have to say I now understand what teachers talk about with students forgetting things over the summer. Both my new students and Christiana have forgotten things over their summer of no piano. At least for Christiana that won't be happening again. I have also realized that there are many ways of teaching music and some are definitely better than others. As I have been looking for what I want to use to teach music, I have noticed many books start out without the staff. I wasn't sure I wanted to do that so I have kept looking. My new students were taught out of one of these types of books. I can tell the difference. While the students get to "play songs" quicker, they have no real understand of what the basics of the staff and such are. Andy said he learned how to play piano with those kind of books and (realizing he only took a couple of years) has trouble picking out notes on the staff to play on the piano. (This is one sided as he played Trombone so he knows the bass clef.) I get to figure out how to go back and teach the basics without frustrating the kids cause they have already "done" this stuff. It should be fun!!