Including the Clavinova into the lesson

[pianogirl]

Hi,

Are there any teachers that have had experience using the Clavinova in the private piano lesson? I am talking about more than just playing it and experimenting with different sounds. Any suggestions would be apprecitated.

Thanks,

pianogirl

[jimbuist]

Hi Pianogirl,

First, don't discount the value of using different voices (sounds) with your students. I have found that students really enjoy and get excited about hearing what they play with different sounds. Actually, I've had students try different sounds to "see which they like best". What ends up happening is that they play the song several more times than they would otherwise have done and don't necessarily think of it as "practice" because they are "experimenting".

Another thing that is definitely helpful is the use of the sequencer (song recorder). I've used it to have them hear exactly what they played and used that as a teaching tool. If they play the song correctly, they get a kick out of hearing it and that also builds confidence. If they played something incorrectly, they are more aware of it during playback of the recording.

Lastly, I also like to use the rhythm section with students, providing that they have some basic understanding and feeling of tempo control. The drums add another dimension which adds interest to the song the student is playing. Again, by trying different rhythm styles, the student gets to play the song several times "experimenting" when in fact they are getting time to become more proficient at that particular song.

Oh, and back on the sequencer, I've found it helpful when a student is having trouble getting both hands together. If they can do the left &/or right hand alone reasonably well, have them record that part solo, then play the recording back and play the other hand. What I have found is that sometimes it's not just the hand coordination that's the trouble, but hearing both hand's parts together that gets them confused.

As a last change of subject, does your question mean that you got with another dealer and bought a new CVP?

I hope the above suggestions help. Take care,
Jim

[dbjorck]

Hi!

A variant on the last suggestion; I always record the piece myself first and when the student practices one hand, she can hear the other hand as I play it. That way they get used to the phrasing and dynamics I'm using, so when they play both hands themselves it comes automatically.

I only record the student once she masters both hands. And then I add backing (including percussion), and copy it to a tape that she can play for friends and family.

Brgds

Danny

[pianogirl]

Hi,

Sadly, no. I just thought it would be a good idea to get suggestions about the logistics of incorporating the instrument into the lesson. I want to have a good idea where it can be useful so I will be prepared.

I'm working of getting the clavinova though. I guess I'll have to be patient.

Thanks so much for all your help.

pianogirl

[dbjorck]

Hi!

In the beginning I thought Follow the Lights was a real good teaching aid. The student enjoyed it, and could learn the pieces more quickly. However now I have noticed some negative effects;

When she is tired she gets lazy and just follows the lights instead of reading the notes. So she's not practicing reading music, and more importantly, she gets the fingering all wrong since you can't see that on Follow the Lights (or on the display for that matter; to have fingering on there would be a nice feature!). So now I only use it for the first few lessons on a new piece, then I switch it off.

Brgds

Danny

[jimbuist]

Regarding the "Follow the Lights" feature, I totally agree with you that you need to be very careful in using them as a teaching tool. I never liked that feature when Yamaha first started incorporating it into their instruments. To me, it nothing more than a "gimick" to get parents who don't play the piano to move into CVPs (instead of CLPs, other brands, or acoustics) because "they, too, can play the piano because it's so easy." I was surprised to see Yamaha put that on the instruments as virtually everything else they do is so right on. To me, it seems it doesn't do much more than improve your eye/hand coordination and motor skills, if that. And considering that the piano will wait for you to hit the next key, it can really mess up someone's ability to learn timing.

Well, that's just my nickle's worth!

Jim