Session 2: Q&A Recording
Thank you for those who attended and asked questions at our recent sessions. This session was recorded on July 11, 2021. Due to privacy of the participants, I am posting Audio Only.
Category Archives: Piano Teacher Tips
Session 1: Q&A Recording
Thank you for those who attended and asked questions at our recent sessions. This session was recorded on June 29, 2021. Due to privacy of the participants, I am posting Audio Only.
Why does Mrs. Curwen teach Ear-Training?
“The unsatisfactory performance of nine-tenths of the young players we hear – pupils of careful and painstaking teachers, who wonder why they do not do better – is due to the lack of ear-training.”
Recordings of the Teacher’s Part for 1st Step Duets
These are the recordings of the duets for the 1st Step book. These are for use with your student when the teacher is not available or able to play the teacher portion of the duet. Hopefully your student can play along with the duet and experience the joy of both parts being played together.
Should I Purchase this Version of the Teacher’s Guide?
Which edition or reprinted version of the The Teacher’s Guide should you purchase?
In short, I’m not completely sure yet. There are clear differences between the editions I have, but much of the content is the same.
How does Mrs. Curwen’s Method compare to other Piano Teaching Methods?
I am asked this question often: How does Mrs. Curwen’s method compare to other piano teaching methods?
I’ll answer this question as best as I can (in a somewhat generic sense). As you compare methods, feel free to graciously comment with your own thoughts and interpretations. I’m curious what you think as well!
Kabalevsky’s Pieces for Children
I like this piano book. It’s called Pieces for Children by Dimitri Kabalevsky. If you’re looking for additional recreative music for a beginner to intermediate pianist, I think this book is full of songs with character.
What did Mrs. Curwen’s Students Practice for their Lessons?
What list of assignments would we see if Mrs. Curwen was making a list for her students to practice through the week?
Instructions for 1st Step, 1st Lesson
If you are ready to start your students with the 1st Step, but you haven’t studied Mrs. Curwen’s Teacher’s Guide yet, below is a video to get you started. It’s a summary for teaching the 1st Lesson of the 1st Step.
Scope and Sequence of Mrs. Curwen’s Preliminary Lessons
What is the depth and breadth of the content to be taught here? What is the order in which the content should be taught for the best learning? These are the questions I’m hoping to clearly answer here.
Songs for Two, Three, and Four Pulse Comparison
Early in Mrs. Curwen’s preliminary courses, the teacher plays piece after piece of music with two pulse, three pulse, and four pulse measure. This gives the opportunity for the student to feel and hear the accented pulse and the following weak pulses.
How does Mrs. Curwen Teach the Staff?
In the below video, you’ll see the over arching principles Mrs. Curwen uses to teach the staff. It encompasses facets from all five preliminary lessons. This is not something that would be taught in a single lesson. One of the defining traits of her method to teach the staff is her use of the continuous intervals of the thirds.
How did Mrs. Curwen Teach a Quarter Note?
Mrs. Curwen believed firmly that you “teach the thing before the sign.” In this video, let’s discuss how she applies this idea to the teaching of pulse, measure, and finally the quarter note.
When and How does Mrs. Curwen Introduce Key Signatures?
Remember, Mrs. Curwen always draws upon the known to teach the unknown. What does the child know?
The child knows the Sol-fa scale. The child usually can hear and sing doh, ray, me, fah, soh, lah, te, doh. They know what that should sound like. Let them choose a starting sound on the piano (a middle pitch that works for their range) and sing the scale.
What mistakes do Piano Teachers commonly make? Part II
Mrs. Curwen had a watchful and observant eye when it came to children. She had their best interest in mind and pointed out some common faults of teachers, including myself, that could be made much better with a little work and thoughtfulness.