Piano teaching involves training students in reading, listening, finger coordination, technical skills, and the ability to analyze and appreciate music from all perspectives. Important skills in piano teaching include “sight-reading ability,” “aural skills,” “ability to play with both hands,” “coordination with the feet,” and “analytical and judgment skills.”
1. Sight-Reading Ability
Sight-reading is the most fundamental skill in piano learning. Accurate reading of music is the foundation of good performance. Even the most advanced playing techniques cannot compensate for errors or omissions in reading music. Developing good sight-reading habits is essential for accuracy.
For younger students, I focus on helping them correctly interpret a variety of musical symbols. At the beginner stage, I train students to read music separately. For more advanced students, I emphasize understanding the meaning behind the notes.
Additionally, speed in sight-reading is another critical measure of a student’s proficiency. To improve sight-reading speed, we must not only engage in extensive sight-reading practice but also encourage students to read ahead in the music. I often ask my students to adopt the habit of “eyes ahead of hands.”
2. Aural Skills Development
Accurate reading of music lays the foundation for good playing, but a successful performance also requires strong listening skills. Focused, deep listening is key to cultivating aural abilities. In my teaching, developing aural skills has always been one of my main priorities.
In addition to offering ear-training courses for systematic study, I expose students to a wide variety of sounds through different materials and model performances. These methods effectively help students train their ears and develop a habit of focused listening—both to their own playing and to that of others.
3. Hands Coordination and Playing Technique
Hand coordination and technique are often a major concern for students. In my teaching, I emphasize the importance of relaxation, especially for beginners. Once students learn how to play in a relaxed manner, they will be able to coordinate their hands more smoothly. Improving hand coordination, especially in rhythm, is a common challenge that requires consistent attention and practice.
4. Pedal Coordination Training
Pedal use is another important aspect of piano playing. Students must learn how to use the pedal effectively from the beginning. Understanding how to achieve the desired effect with the pedal and developing good pedal habits are essential skills that should be introduced early on.
5. Judgment and Analytical Skills Training
Music is inherently emotional, but young students often struggle with understanding it in a structured way. It is important to guide them in approaching music with an objective, rational mindset to develop their judgment and analytical skills. Through proper training, students can learn to analyze music critically while still appreciating its emotional depth.