Written Preliminary Lesson 2b
To help the pupil to recognize pulse, accent, and measure in the music that he hears.
Author: Kelli Rummel
Written Preliminary Lesson 2
To teach the names of some of the sounds and their places on the piano’s keyboard.
What does ‘N.B.’ mean? Some Important Notes for Piano Teachers.
Throughout Mrs. Curwen’s book, you see “N.B.” in various places. This is Italian for Nota Bene. It means to take note. She is marking sometime as significant. She wants me, as a piano teacher, to stop for a moment and read carefully.
Here’s a growing list of notes I’m finding as I go.
Written Preliminary Lesson 1
To engage the child’s interest in his new work. To enable him to get first hand – i.e. by experience – ideas about the piano and about those musical facts which we call Time and Pitch.
How much should a Beginner Piano Student Practice?
If it is possible, Mrs. Curwen suggests a beginner student having a short lesson every day. If you are a parent capable of teaching your own child, this is what Mrs. Curwen recommends.
Mrs. Curwen also addresses the weekly piano lesson with a visiting teacher.
Where do you Start with a Beginner Piano Student?
Mrs. Curwen has specific instruction for how to start a beginner piano student. She lays out five lessons that she refers to as the Preliminary Course. The child needs to investigate and discover for himself the elementary facts of music.
Why did I pursue Mrs. Curwen’s Pianoforte Method?
“Mrs. Curwen’s Child Pianist method is worked out, with minute care, upon the same lines; that is, the child’s knowledge of the theory of music and his ear training keep pace with his power of execution, and seem to do away with the deadly dreariness of ‘practising.'” Charlotte Mason
What does Mrs. Curwen have to say about Rote Playing?
Rote playing is simply playing by imitation and repetition. As a piano teacher, I’d sit by a student at the piano and play a simple tune. I would not use music in front of me. The child would listen and watch me play. After watching and listening, the child would repeat what I just played.
When Should my Child Start Piano Lessons?
This is such a common question I receive as a piano teacher.
What does Mrs. Curwen have to say about children taking piano lessons? How old should the child be when they start taking lessons?
What did I Change First?
So what did I learn first? What did I first put into practice? What did I immediately change?
As I read her book the first time, I pulled out what I considered some monumental changes in how I approached piano teaching.
What is Mrs. Curwen’s Pianoforte Method?
Mrs. Curwen is Annie Jessey Gregg Curwen. She is the daughter-in-law of John Curwen. John Curwen happens to be the man that made sol-fa famous (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do).
Humility
“Do tell me who taught you to build your nest,” entreated the thistle, half expecting to give offence, yet wishing to ask the question. But no offence was taken, and the rook, after an instant of grave consideration, replied, “Why, you see, I understand it all, for I am what is called a genius.”