MOTIVATION IN PIANO STUDY AND PERFORMANCE
Dr. Magrath is the author of The Pianist's Guide to Standard Teaching Literature and has edited numerous volumes of music published by Alfred.
Dr. Magrath has a great deal to tell us. Her hand-outs speak for themselves. She said that as a young pianist, she really "only wanted to play" but somehow fell into teaching. We learned from her amazing knowledge of repertoire and her life-time of hard work to become a better teacher. Her reputation as a renowned pedagogue is richly deserved.
JM played herself or showed on an audio-visual screen her students playing bits of almost every piece listed in her hand-out. Then she remarked on when and to whom that piece might be useful and appealing. "One must match music to student." She noted that Gurlitt is a good composer to use in developing sight-reading.
She has separated the listing by Levels: one through ten takes the student to the advanced level. Every student on the screen played fast, (fine for the piece, but surprisingly fast for young performers). At intermission, I asked her how they had developed such speed. Answer: notching the metronome up one notch a day. "If you can't do the new speed, you go back two notches."
She has students practice on the fall-board for feeling balance between the hands and also to work on voicing.
She recommended Practicing the Piano by Nancy Breth: "very insightful." (available at Amazon for $11.00)
After the break, JM came down from the stage and using more audiovisuals, talked about motivating students. She gave us many thoughtful hints about how to praise students: feedback should be informative and specific, notice what they are doing well. "Good for you," is not helpful. Always say exactly what was good. Always notice when they do well. Constructive criticism should be followed by how to improve with specifics on what to do next.
She also talked about fixed vs. growth mindsets and recommended Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck et. al.
JM also recommended Motivating Minds: Raising Children to Love Learning by Deborah Stipek and Kathy Seal. This book discusses Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic motivation. Is the student motivated by social approval or competition for a good rating rather than by achieving competence? "Nothing motivates children more than their own competence."
JM had many helpful suggestions such as:
*To help a student build competence and confidence, JM suggested having them play with other students and playing for others in casual settings such as school gatherings, nursing homes, etc. "Feeling competent is as good as being competent."
*The teacher should always prepare a student to perform well, no matter the level. She recommends they know their piece one month before the performance date!
*If something doesn't go well in a performance, it is best to be empathetic, rather than sympathetic, and talk together about what happened and why. "You have to make mistakes to grow."
*From time to time, show where they were and where they are now.
*Have some fun together--and no boring lessons.
*There was much more, but you will see from the attached that Jane Magrath knows her pedagogical onions.
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