Saturday, January 05, 2008

Kids need simple language

My piano student Rebecca was learning the technique to play repeated notes with different fingers. I explained the reason is for efficiency. Then I remembered she's 8 and asked, "Do you know the word 'efficiency'?" She shook her head, and so I said the technique allows us to play the repeated notes faster and better.

Later when we're doing another piano piece, I told her to play with confidence in applying the dynamic markings, like "crescendo," "diminuendo." She knows the Italian terms because I have taught her. But I asked, "Do you understand the word 'confidence'?" Her expression was negative. And so I explained, "Believe in yourself when you play. Believe that you're playing well."

She nodded and understood.

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