Piano Lessons

I teach children as well as adults; the charge is $30 an hour. I and generally prefer to teach the lesson at the student's house, although arrangements can be made to have the lesson at my house. In any case, for children I require that at least one parent be present during the lesson. I studied piano with Sr. Anne Cecile Daigle, at Marylhurst University, and have taken several courses in Piano Pedagogy with Mary Kogen at Portland State University. I have done extensive research into the various piano methods available, and do not use any one method exclusively, but use what I like from various methods.

Some methods that I use with children include Faber and Faber's 'Piano Adventure", and with adults, J.Like's 'Keyboard Musicianship'. I prefer to teach the landmark, multiple-key approach over the middle-c method, so that students become familiar with the entire keyboard (using both treble and bass clefs). Different key and time signatures are introduced early on, although I also think it is wise, with children, to introduce the lines of the staff gradually, one or two at a time.

Basic music theory is an indispensible part of each lesson, as it is important that the student knows, for instance, exactly what a major or minor scale is, and how to construct one from any note on the piano. Last but not least, creativity is nurtured, as the student learns how to compose and notate his or her own melodies and accompaniments, and how to make up harmonies for a song.

I have composed a set of instructional pieces for children, 'Piano Playtime', which I use with my students, as well as selections from Bach's 'Anna Magdelena Notebook', early minuets, etc. by Mozart and Beethoven, and Bartok's 'Microcosmos'. There are many other pieces to chose from, and I always encourage the student to chose something he or she likes, maybe a popular song, or a ragtime by Scott Joplin, or a jazz or blues piece. As I said in the introduction to 'Piano Playtime', 'I hope to invoke the spirit of fun, and spark a sense of excitement in the student, as new musical experiences are explored.'