Group Teaching: Scheduling & Music Selection
had students who were friends prior to lessons or became friends in the previous year of lessons who wanted to stay together. It sounds complicated, but it always worked out somehow!
Music Selection
There is a lot of ensemble music for different sizes of ensembles, but I also needed music appropriate for lessons on a weekly basis.
I chose to use the “Celebrate Piano” lesson books (which I supplemented with a variety of books from other composers and publishers). The songs were interesting and we all enjoyed the accompaniments on the CD. There are many different approaches to teaching beginner students. CP taught by intervals using five-finger patterns and moved into all of the different keys in level 2. (The teacher who inspired me to proceed with the group lessons used the Faber Piano Adventures, so you can use any series for group lessons.) Last year I switched to actually teach from the first book in the Alfred Premier Piano Course and then switching to the 1b
Celebrate Piano book afterwards, as I liked having the students start with a stronger note reading approach and then switch to the intervals.
As the songs and technique exercises were short (5-finger patterns and chords), we would often play the song or exercise a few times if needed. Each time we would focus on a different aspect as needed (FERN practicing style) which further helped them to understand that practicing required playing multiple times and having a different (and specific) focus each time.
I encouraged the use of the accompaniment CD’s. I have met teachers who don’t like to have their students hear the music repeatedly because they feared the kids would learn the music by ear and neglect their reading. However, I feel as Suzuki that kids need to learn music by example (same as you would learn a language by hearing it and not simply be reading it – which is why I can read Spanish but can’t speak it). Plus we did so many theory and note reading activities in the group setting that I was confident in the kids reading level as well.
In regards to ensemble music, each of the online music order websites (Prima, FJH, etc) has lists of ensemble music listed by the type of ensemble (trio, 1 piano duet, 2 piano duet). The NFMC music handbook has ensemble categories with appropriate music listed.
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Thanks for posting entries on this topic. I teach beginner group classes (lasting about 1 year) before the kids go into private lessons. I never really thought of continuing into year 2 but it could work. I find the kids in group lessons DO tend to practice more because of peer pressure. :o)
I have tried group theory lessons for the first time this year during Thanksgiving week and before Christmas for all my students in mixed levels instead of private lessons. The kids loved it. I did 1 hour classes reviewing half steps/sharps/flats. Everything was done off the bench. Each kid had a 2 octave 2 paper keyboard and letter notes.
The second class we went into major scales using the formula of whole and 1/2 steps. I buddied up the beginners with an older kid. It worked out great, especially since I didn't have to compete with itchy fingers hitting random keys on the piano when trying to explain things.
Getting back to your posts… I got a lot more great ideas to try in the near future. I'm almost tempting to have lessons 3 weeks each month and 1 group theory class the fourth week next year. I feel like the kids learned so much more than they would have had I taught this in their private lessons. Anyone ever done this?
Thanks for all the great ideas.