I have been playing the piano for about 8 years and recently a little girl ask me to give her lessons, which I would love to do. But unfortunately I have no idea where to start. Can you give me some tips? Thanks, Brittney

-- Brittney Oxentine (brittine88@aol.com), July 29, 2004

Answers

Hi, Brittney: It is wonderful that you want to teach this 8 year old girl! You do not say how old YOU are, but if you are at least 14 or 15, I think this would work well. I have been teaching many, many years, but I started when I was 15, and still remember my first two students. There is terrific teaching material on the market right now. The best in my opinion is the Piano Adventure series, by Nancy and Randall Faber. Each level has a lesson book, technique and artistry book, theory book, and performance book. There is also a web site, Piano Teaching.com, or something like that. Just look up Nancy and Randall Faber on the search engine, and I'm sure you will find it. Randall Faber was just here in Idaho Falls this past Thursday and gave a fabulous workshop! On the web site is a teachers' message board for exchanging ideas, and that is quite helpful--(also humorous at times!) There is also a new accelerated course for students; if this girl is bright and eager this might work. It tells you exactly what to teach first, second, third, etc. So does the regular primer book, and then that progresses to Level 1, 2a, 2b, etc. Good Luck! Ruth Farkas (satb88@sbcglobal.net)

-- Ruth Farkas (satb88@sbcglobal.net), August 14, 2004.