[Dommy]

Do you consider Piano lessons to be prepration for practice, or practice as preparation for lessons?
I'd really appreciate your opinions on the above.
My email is retrotarget@hotmail.com if you feel you can help.
Dominic

[fingerstaylor]

Hi there,
Oh yes... the age old question. In my days as a student is was certainly the latter (left too late I might add).

What I try to do is the former. I strongly belive that the lesson should prepare the student for the practice they will do afterwards. Practice is the key to learning the piano and if they are to succeed, the student must be taught how to get the most from thier practice.

Of course, which one actualy becomes the case is largely in the students hands. Will they practice? Will they aim to experiment and go beyond the guidance they have been given? If they dont, they will simply practice in preperation for the next lesson. It's about freedom and allowing the student to feel in control and responsable for their own development.

Hope this helps!

Regards,
_________________
Chris "Fingers" Taylor

[Geminoz]

What came first...the chicken or the egg.

When I was taught piano as a child....my teacher showed me how to play pieces....taught me the various things I needed to know to be able to play a piece...and sent me home to practice so that hopefully with enough practice I would have improved by the time the next lesson came around....and then with even more practice I might eventually become proficient at playing the pieces either at a future lesson or for an examination or eisteddfod.
In my view piano lessons are just that...lessons to teach you how to play....if you don't practice no amount of lessons will help you play.
Now I am almost in my dotage and have taken up playing again.....but this time no lessons....but practice....practice....practice...practice in order that I might play the pieces I enjoy for my own pleasure.
I am finding the grounding I received for many years from a very good teacher is standing me in good stead.