1.Why study piano?Piano opens up a whole new world of beauty and inner enchantment only known to the performer. Creating and playing music nurtures the mind and soul. Besides the artistic enjoyment, there are many practical benefits related to studying the piano. Through piano study you are not only learning to play a musical instrument, but also expanding your mental capacity, improving coordination and motor skills, increasing self-esteem, gaining an appreciation of the arts, providing a greater emotional outlet and learning greater self discipline. A recent study shows that children who study piano score higher on their SAT's. Preschoolers with musical intervention show nearly a 50% boost in spatial IQ. Another study of 78 preschoolers found that learning to play the piano enhances the abstract-reasoning skills needed for learning math and science. The children in the study were divided into four group: the first received the piano keyboard lessons; the second group - singing lessons; the third, computer lessons; and the fourth, no training. The children who were taught piano performed 34 percent higher on "thinking" tasks than the children in the other groups. the benefits of playing the piano begin in early development, and last a lifetime.2. Aren't private lessons better than group lessons?Initially all children genuinely want to learn to play an instrument. However often this initial enthusiasm quickly fades. A group lesson format helps children through this difficult starting-up phase by making music study an enjoyable activity rather than a solitary pursuit. Group teaching is the most enjoyable way to begin music study. Each lesson provides a diversity of musical experiences: playing piano, singing the melodies and harmonies, utilizing the magnetic white board, playing rhythm instruments, reading and writing music, learning accompanying skills and some activities that are not possible in private lessons like ensemble playing and group performances . Children develop relationships with other students who also play piano. This peer support helps keep students in the piano experience. 3. How many students in a group class? Class sizes vary from a minimum of 3 students to a maximum of 7. 4. How are Harmony Road Music Courses different? This program based on the belief that every child is naturally musical. The curriculum is based on child development and age appropriate learning through music. Harmony Road offers more that just "piano lessons," since it provides a holistic approach to music learning including keyboard playing, music theory, ear training, creative movement, singing, rhythm ensemble, music vocabulary, note reading, composing and improvising all in a creative and nurturing atmosphere. Since Harmony Road is keyboard based, it is more comprehensive a kinder music program. Harmony Road's founder, Jan Keyser, developed a layered, age-specific approach to music study. Currently there are 120 Harmony Road locations in the United States as well as Britain, New Zealand, Holland and Canada. Lessons are based on the time tested Harmony Road Triangle of parent, child and trained Harmony Road instructor.5. Where are you located? We are located in the Parkway Center at 549 West Highlands Ranch Parkway, #109. This is just west of Broadway, on the north side of Highlands Ranch Parkway. (see map on the Home tab)6. How old should a child be to begin music lessons? Our programs begin at 18 months but students can begin at any age. Our graduated age specific programs allow each child to move at his or her own pace.7. Do I need to buy a piano or can I use a keyboard? You can begin to learn using a keyboard. However long-term students usually purchase or rent a piano at some point in their development. Keyboards have a number of advantages for beginning students. Their keys are easier for little fingers to press. Keyboards also boast a variety of instrumental sounds that children typically like. They also have accessories such as headphones that can enable late-night practice without disturbing others. Additionally Keyboards are usually less expensive and unlike pianos, they don't require tuning . Keyboards should have at least 61 full-sized keys. Having said all that, we recommend learning to play on a piano whenever possible. While the electronic instruments are getting better and better. They cannot duplicate the sound and feel of a piano. A well-maintained piano offers a truly intimate expression between player and instrument.8. How many times a week do you have a lesson? Lessons take place once a week.9. How much should I (or my child) practice? We prefer not to tell my students exactly how much to practice. As with any pursuit, the level of dedication and commitment varies enormously from person to person. Short practices a little each day work best. There will be days when your child will not want to practice. This is normal and does not necessarily mean that they have lost interest in studying music. Discovering what works best in the context of your own lifestyle is best. Try to start and end practices with something fun. Schedule practices for a time during the day that your child is at his/her best, and keep this practice time constant. Please take time to listen to the CDs as they are an integral part of the learning process. 10.Why do you use solfege (do, re, mi, fa...) in your curriculum?The physical act of singing and saying the solfege syllables is a right-brain activity. Reading is a left brain activity. Children learn the alphabet as it relates to their written language and are often confused relating it to the language of music. The solfege syllables become their musical language. Also, the letter B,C,D,E and G all end in a long E sound and therefore rhyme, making it difficult to distinguish them. Singing a sequence of letter names is very awkward, while singing a sequence of solfege syllables is very melodic and flows smoothly.
