Q. Ive been checking out some YouTube videos of small children playing the piano, and some people call it child abuse. I disagree. If you have experience with this, can you tell me about how long it takes for them to learn the song well and how difficult is it?
A. I think it's only child abuse when parents slap a "prodigy" label on a little kid the minute the child picks out a simple tune on the piano. Most of these kids are even particularly good when compared to other children, but a lot of unearned and over-lavish praise is heaped on them. When they lose their cuteness--and their playing ability doesn't noticeably improve--then what?
Most children really love music, so giving them piano lessons to help nurture that love of music isn't a bad thing.
That's different from THIS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAbJO6FmbQ8&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz-5HHaMWwg&feature=relmfu
I especially love the PBS special. There are times he is just playing some basic chords while an orchestra, singers, and other musicians are backing him up.
This is his Wikipedia article that lists his credits--and he's just 11.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Bortnick
He's still going strong and has many fans among people you would think would know better. The Emperor is naked, but no one wants to say.
Many famous composers and musicians did start playing and even composing music at a very early age. Of course, there are stories that Beethoven's father used to beat him regularly, but this may just be folklore--I've found sources that both confirm this story or shoot it down as false. However, it is true that Ludwig's Dad was extremely harsh with the young boy if he made mistakes and forced him to practice many hours, often into the night. On the other hand, Beethoven--as an adult--was recognized as a true piano virtuoso.
http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=7250
http://www.sjsu.edu/beethoven/about_beethoven/faq.html
For the average kid, I think playing the piano is fine. It might be easier for a 7 or 8 year old to play than a 5 year simply based on the typical attention span at those ages, as well as physical dexterity, but I myself gave my 2 year old a small keyboard of her own to play with when she showed interest in her grandparent's piano. (Notice I said "play with"--but even a very young child can teach herself or be shown how to play simple tunes---it doesn't make them a musical genius)
If you play the piano, how did you develop a love for it?
Q. How have you developed a love for music?
If you play the piano, how have you discovered your love for it, what has it taught you?
A. I have had a love-hate relationship with the piano since childhood. Love music & love to play for my own therapy/pleasure; hate to practice & hate recitals!
Over the years, I have gradually gotten less nervous about playing in public (for worship, etc.), but it stills gets to me at times.
When I was a kid, the only time Mom could get me to practice was when it was a choice between that and helping clear the table/wash the dishes after supper!
My favorite thing about the piano now is the therapy and stress-relief it provides. When I am angry, I can bang out a loud piece and relieve tension. When I am sad, I can play some uplifting hymns or a melancholy classical piece and work through it. When I am happy, I can play praise and worship music or peppy little tunes to embrace this mood.
Piano fingering helped me be better at typing and keyboarding. Music theory probably helped me be better at math and fractions, and learning chords helped me be able to teach myself guitar later. Playing piano helped me to be able to hear and sing harmony, and to be able to sight read choral music.
I have more appreciation for all different types of music. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to take lessons, and to be able to serve the Lord by sharing this gift with others.
How to play an octave well in the piano?
Q. I'm 25 years old. I've learned piano for a couple of years. I wasn't started it when I was a kid. I tried to play some stretching exercise before. Such as, Hanon No. 19 and 20. But it seems doesn't have any improvements. I really would like to know how can I improve the problems of stretching. Thank you! I really appreciated.
A. Increasing your octave technique will take dedication and patience, especially if you didn't start when you were a kid. I would continue with the Hanon excercises, but make sure that you aren't playing past when it starts hurting, because that's when injury happens!
I would begin by always relaxing any tension in your neck, shoulders, forearms, and wrists before you sit down to practice. (Remember, increasing agility and flexibility WILL take months and months of practice - even music majors who practice constantly are always working on overcoming technique difficulties) I would try slowly relaxing your neck, rolling your shoulders, and just loosely shaking your arms from your shoulders - let gravity release any tension in your arms. If you are trying to warm up or stretch any muscles with tension, you'll just hurt yourself.
Once you are loose, I would work with blocked chords first - try inversions of the major and minor triads (C-E-G, E-G-C, G-C-E) and eventually add the upper root (for example, play blocked C-E-G-C, E-G-C-E, G-C-E-G) so that you are playing an octave, but it's easier on your hands because you are supporting the stretch with your middle fingers. Do everything slowly - there is no need for speed, as that just builds tension and accomplishes nothing.
Another thing that might help is to "drop" into the notes. Hold your wrist above the piano and drop into a blocked 5th - rather than push the keys. If you can naturally drop into that 5th without too much stretching or tension, then try a 6th, 7th, and finally an 8th. Do everything in increments - never push past pain! Talk to your teacher about it too, since he/she can watch your hand position while you play and give you some specific critiques/corrections.
Hope this helps!
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Title : How hard is it for children age 5-8 to play classical piano?
Description : Q. Ive been checking out some YouTube videos of small children playing the piano, and some people call it child abuse. I disagree. If you h...