Piano Methods Online

I'm a manufacturer of piano methods, so although what I say may seem self-serving, it also bears the weight of a lot of experience. I'm not going to refer to any specific products, but rather examine some of the things you may wonder about along the way to your purchase.

1. What does the site offer you in terms of samples? By this I mean an actual view of what you will receive. There needs to be a simple explanation with drawings or photos that lets you imagine exactly how this product will be used. I say this because there are many products out there that offer miracles and quick learning, but just as many sites do not show ANYTHING describing exactly how their product will achieve these miracles. Frankly, I wouldn't buy any educational product such as this if I can't actually try it online, for example, with an online virtual piano.

2. What sort of contact will they offer you? You may need help or want to return the product. Look for a prominently displayed 800 number. You shouldn't have to search for it. Send an email, ask a simple question and see how long it takes them to reply. You want a company that is small enough to serve you personally, but not so big that they do not offer real customer service.

3. What is their return policy? Is it readily displayed? If there is none, you can safely avoid that company.

4. What age group is this product appropriate for? This is a little harder to answer, because the answer varies widely according to the product and the age of the child you're shopping for. If it's, say, a piano method using colored marks to delineate the notes, is this method perhaps more appropriate for a very young child who cannot even find numbers or letters? If the method uses letters, make sure your child understands how to find the symbols for the letters. If the method uses numbers, does your child have facility with lower numbers such as 1-10?

5. Is there a link between the "starter method" and the real task of reading music? For example, let's say there's a piano method that uses dinosaurs to delineate the keys (Sticker with Brontosaurus is Middle C, sticker with Tyranosaurus is the next key, etc.,) That may be a good method hypothetically, but once you discard the "dinosaur" method for reading music, what good has the "dinosaur" done the child? Theoretically, it would seem none, but there are hidden benefits to almost any starter method at the piano: if it succeeds, it has introduced the child to the instrument happily, with no frustration and an added sense of self esteem for playing fun songs everyone knows.

6. Does the method involve fingering? Fingering is the means whereby the five fingers of each hand are numbered for easy reference. The truth is that very young kids, even up to age eight or so, have trouble coordinating their fingers, and, while they must someday address the issue, to thrust it on them in the very beginning is often a recipe for disaster. Look for a method that is simple, and the younger the child, the simpler and more transparent the method should be.

Better to go slowly in the beginning and make the child feel a success than to rush into complexity and confuse and frustrate the child.

7. Does the method or product involve computer software? Some starter methods nowadays involve the usage either partially or exclusively, of computer based systems or software. While these things may seem attractive at first, you should be aware that in my experience children find computer learning software for piano and music profoundly boring. That's right, boring.

They'll use it a few times and then quit. There is really no substitute for the old fashioned method of trying to play music on a musical instrument. For one thing, the piano requires a type of dexterity unrelated to keystrokes and mouse-handling. It's not that musical concepts can't be communicated through software, but rather that there is something more satisfying about the feeling of sitting at an instrument instead of a computer monitor.

8. What are the educational credentials of the creator of the method? Music is a very technical art, and thus the method you select should ideally be created by someone with an accredited track record in terms of education, teaching and performance. See if this is posted anywhere on the offering piano method site.

9. Is there any way to have your child try it online before you buy it? This will give you a good idea of what their reaction is going to be. You'd be surprised how many methods keep you in the dark so you are forced to buy it to try it. Look for the sample pages and try online

10. What is the slant of the method, and does it fit the personality of your child? Some methods are marketed to appeal to you as a parent, offering conventional values such as achievement and excellence. Others suggest that you have fun with the piano, and not worry so much about recitals and traditional educational values.

My advice is to err on the side of fun: better to have a piano method be fun and have your child learn less than have the piano method be rigorous and not child-friendly.

11. What about group lessons? While not strictly within this discussion, it is an important point. If you want simply MUSIC activity for preschoolers, groups would be a good outlet. I have several preschool music groups that I lead, and you need a group for general musical fun.

But I have also taught group piano lessons, and would have to say that they are not as good a choice for children for several reasons. First, piano lessons require nothing but personal attention from the teacher, and that's all but impossible with a group. Second, piano lessons, even fun piano lessons, require concentration, and no matter how well organized, there are many distractions in a group environment.

Take the time to comparison shop, and above all, use email and phone to ask questions. Piano teaching is a complex field, and you'll need to be well-informed to make a good choice.

by John Aschenbrenner Copyright 2000 Walden Pond Press. Visit http://www.pianoiseasy.com/ to see the fun PIANO BY NUMBER method for kids.