Practice , Prepare , Plan

Teaching Diary 2011 ( May 6, 2011)

Keep on practicing, prepare and plan.

It is rewarding to be hardworking. The regular practice on Grade 6 pieces has certainly built up my piano technique. Stamina is built, fingers agility has improved a little and most of the “difficult” pieces has become manageable. Constant practicing the piano is like fresh water. It refreshes the passion for music and teaching. It is definitely not the only element to make me a better teacher but it helps me not to backslide.

Professional insight is important for me. Today I read the Teaching Notes on the Piece by Edward Grieg and was taken aback by the challenge of the pedal works involved. I did not expect that. It goes to show that a teacher needs to plan and study what she is going to teach and be well prepared. Indeed fail to plan, plan to fail. Though it is not easy to plan, but it is a vital part of teaching.

As I start to plan, more ideas tend to fall in place. Sometimes when I plan or record my lesson, I begin to realize which area I can improve on. Take for example I started planning my lesson using the format attached in the book The Music Teachers’ Companion written by Paul Harris and Richard Crozier. After using the template for a few student, I came up with another format whereby 4 lessons can be input on a sheet and progress of the student is visibly recorded. The new format consists of specific areas like scales, technique, repertoire, aural, sight-reading, improvisation, composition and theory. As I began to teach in the simultaneous style, I would like a clear plan and record of what is taught specifically in each area.