Piano Teaching Tip: Look Inside the Piano

So, this may be a silly question…

…but have your students ever seen the inside of a piano? Do they actually know how it works? Do they know that the sound is made by hammers hitting strings? Have they seen the dampers at work? Do they know how the damper pedal works? Do they really have an understanding of how cool and intricate the inside of a piano is, and what an amazing instrument this really is?

If the answer is no, then waste no more time – open up that baby and let them climb up on a chair and see it in “action” (pun intended)! Then let them play some notes or a piece or some arpeggios with the damper pedal (if they haven’t tried it already) and not only will they have lots of fun, but will also understand why it sounds the way it does.

Looking inside the piano is a great group class activity, where you can let your students take turns playing while everyone else looks inside to watch the action move! I like to play something fast for them to watch as well, something like Fantasie-Impromptu that will really get those hammers moving.

If you have preschoolers or young students, here is a cute fingerplay you can teach them! I wish I knew who wrote this, I found it in a library book years ago:

“Here is the hammer,” (Right hand in fist like hammer)

“Here are the strings!” (Left palm flat with fingers outstretched)

“Put them together,” (Tap left fingers with right fist)

“The piano sings!” (Continue to tap left fingers with right fist)

What fun activities have you done to teach your students about the piano?

This post was originally published on February 28, 2012 but has been expanded here.