1. Why study piano? 

Piano opens up a whole world of beauty and inner enchantment only known to the performer, and to a lesser degree to the listener.  Music nurtures the soul, mind & spirit through its marvelous language of touching inner feelings of humanity. There are many practical benefits accruing from piano instruction. Did you know that by studying piano, you are not only learning to play a musical instrument, but also expanding your brain capacity, learning better coordination and motor skills, attaining higher self-esteem, learning a higher appreciation of the arts, learning how to interact better with others, tapping into a greater emotional outlet and learning greater self discipline. There is development of muscular coordination, increased confidence, reasoning ability & problem solving.                

Science & math grades are reasons to be vastly improved as well as school performance in general. Children who study piano score higher on their SAT's. Preschoolers with musical intervention show nearly a 50% boost in spatial IQ! A recent study of 78 preschoolers found that learning to play the piano enhances the abstract-reasoning skills needed for learning math and science. The children in the study were divided into four group: the first received the piano keyboard lessons; the second group -  singing lessons; the third, computer lessons; and the fourth, no training. The children who were taught piano performed 34 percent higher on "thinking" tasks, such as puzzle solving, than the children in the other groups. These benefits play into your life every day and will stay with you for the rest of your life.

2. Aren't private lessons better than group lessons?       

All children genuinely want to learn to play an instrument, but all too often their initial enthusiasm quickly fades, and they become resistant to practice, or attending lessons. A group lesson format helps children through this difficult starting-up phase by making music study a social activity rather than a solitary pursuit. Group teaching is probably the most enjoyable way to get into music. Each lesson provides a diversity of musical experiences: playing piano, singing the melodies and harmonies, utilizing the magnetic white board, playing rhythm instruments, learning accompanying skills, ensemble playing, reading and writing music…  Develop relationships with peers who also play piano helps keep students in the piano experience.

 

3. How many students in a group class?

Classes are with a minimum of 3 students and a maximum of 8.

 

 

4. How is  Harmony Road  Music Course different?

This program based on the belief that every child is musical. From birth to age seven children can participate without pressure to perform, as they are encouraged to explore, express and discover. The curriculum is based on child development and age appropriate learning through music. Harmony Road offers more that just "piano lessons," since it provides a holistic approach to music learning including creative movement, singing,keyboard playing, ear training, music theory, rhythm ensemble, music vocabulary, note reading, composing improvising and so much more, all in a creative and nurturing atmosphere!                                              

Since Harmony Road is keyboard based, it is more comprehensive than Kindermusik^® or Music for Tots^®. By the 5 months of a 5-year-old's first year in Harmony Road, students will be reading music off the grand staff (bass C through treble G) and playing beginning level piano music. Harmony Road incorporates the rhythm and movement of Orff and Dalcroze,the solfege singing of Kodaly and the child centered learning approach of Montessori. Its founder, Jan Keyser, has taken a layered, age-specific approach to programming, developed over many years with Yamaha as a teaching specialist. In 1980 she created and began teaching the  Harmony Road  program in  Portland, Oregon  where 600 students enjoy her musical guidance today. Currently there are 120 Harmony Road  locations in the United States as well as Britain, New Zealand, Holland and Canada. The program boasts 98% retention over four years in nearly all locations. Lessons are based on the time tested  Harmony Road triangle —parent, child and trained  Harmony Road teacher.

 

5. Where are you located? 

Group classes well be taught at Dunkley Music Store in Boise. Private piano lessons will be at my home studio which is by Airport. (Off of Sunrise Rim) 

 

6. How old should a child be to begin music lessons?

The peak age for the development of the brain is around three years. Our programs begin at 18 months but students can begin at any age. Our graduated age specific programs allow each child to move at his or her own pace while being supported by parents and the group itself.

 

7. Do I need to buy a piano  or can I  use a keyboard?   

You can learn to play using a keyboard.Many of my students have done so.On the other hand,long-term students usually purchase or rent a piano at some point in their development. I'll explain. Keyboards have a number of advantages. They're usually less expensive, and, unlike pianos, they don't require tuning (which costs close to $50 and should be done at least twice a year).Keyboards also boast a variety of instrumental sounds,and, if used with headphones, can enable late-night practice that won't disturb others.

Keyboards should have at least 60 full-sized keys. Having said all that, I recommend learning to play on a piano whenever possible.While the electronic instruments are getting closer and closer to duplicating the sound and feel of the piano, they still have a long way to go.A well-maintained piano is infinitely responsive to the touch. It offers a vehicle for truly intimate expression, much like the human voice.

 

8. How many times a week do you have a lesson?

Group students come once a week. But if you are private student and you want to come twice a week, I will give you a 10% discount.

 

9. How much should I (or my child) practice?

I prefer not to tell my students exactly how much to practice. As with any pursuit, the level of dedication and commitment varies enormously from person to person. Short practices a little each day work best.There will be days when your child will not want to practice. This is normal and does not necessarily mean that music lessons should come to an end.Discovering what works best in the context of your own unique life story is half the fun. Try to start and end practices with something fun.Schedule practices for a time during the day that your child is at his/her best.Please take time to listen to the tape-they are an integral part of the learning process! Students can sing the songs or dance to the music.

 

 

10.Why do you use solfege (do, re, mi, fa...) in your curriculum?

The physical act of singing and saying the solfege syllables is a right-brain activity. The letter B,C,D,E and G all end in a long E sound and therefore rhyme, making it difficult to distinguish them as different without unnatural or non-musical emphasis. Saying, but especially singing, a sequence of of letter names for notes is awkward. Singing a sequence of solfege syllables flow more smoothly. Your children are learning the alphabet as it relates to their language and are often confused to relate them to the language of music. The solfege syllables become their musical language.