What 4 Surprising Things Improve Student Playing

July 5, 2021 Leslie Young

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When I think about things that improve student playing, a mental picture of a previous piano student comes right to mind. This fellow was in his late 40s and had large, thick, wide fingers – which made it difficult to maneuver around the keys. He watched me play during one lesson and immediately said, “You’re playing in-between the black keys!” Apparently this was a concept he had never thought of before, probably because he just couldn’t do it.

I said yes, we use the black keys to locate the white keys. I covered up a section of black key groups, just having the white keys visible, and said, “If there were no black keys, I wouldn’t know what to play!” I could tell he was really pondering this.

1. Use Black Key Groups to Locate White Keys

At this time, I was still developing the Revolutionary Piano Method. His student’s observation, along with experiences I had had with younger students, made me realize that “playing by touch” should somehow be included into each beginner lesson in the method books. Eventually, the Warm-Ups! section became part of every new song.

Here is page 49 in Lesson Book 1. Since both hands are playing, there is a Warm-Ups! for the treble and one for the bass. If the student will follow the directions before playing the song, the Warm-Ups! should encourage the thought process that will make this easier for the student to play when reading the notes.

The Warm-Ups! are a natural extension of the very first lesson that used the group of three black keys under the piano brand name in order to locate Center F. If they are used before practicing the song, and if the teacher instructs the student to “use the black keys to find the white keys,” then this soon becomes a natural habit. It’s an effective way to improve student playing.

2. Cover the Hands to Focus on the Notation

Another thing a teacher can do to reinforce using black key groups to locate white keys is to cover the student’s hands with a paper or book so that he/she cannot see the hands on the keyboard. This also encourages the student to focus on the written notes of the page, instead of looking too frequently at the keyboard and the fingers.

3. Play Reading Backwards

It can also be helpful to occasionally have the student play a song backward. This encourages the thinking process of reading note names, rather than using note positioning (step or skip) to play the song. The students perk up when asked to do this, if it is not requested at every lesson.

4. Play with Eyes Closed or While Timed

Another way to encourage focus on the written notes rather than too much attention on the keyboard and fingers is to close the eyes! Young students just beginning like to locate keys with their eyes closed, making a contest or game of it. A teacher can be very encouraging and pour on the excitement, and these students really respond! Another “game” is for the teacher to measure how many seconds it takes a student to play a measure, or a line, or a group of notes. Done several times in a row, the student’s incentive is to concentrate and think faster/play faster to beat one’s own best time. This is a fun way to improve student fluidity and timing while playing.

Ask students how do people play piano who are blind. Usually this question has the student really think about that situation. Showing a video of how the black key groups are used by the blind performer can be a great example for students. One of my favorites is the young Japanese pianist, Nobuyuk Tsujii.

Leslie Young is the author/composer of the Revolutionary Piano Method. She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for about 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning students.

She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the Revolutionary Piano Method with students. It is an easy way to learn piano.”

Leslie believe that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.

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