My name is Peggy Jo Thomas and I head up the pjtPIANO studio in Durham, Connecticut! As both a piano teacher and retired homeschool teacher, I believe that private lessons should be a blend of real learning and fun. I combine different methods of learning, for both my adult and younger students. I reinforce my student’s piano learning with musical theory, and also teach both notation and sound-pattern recognition.
Here is an example of a six-year-old student learning to read and play groups of notes as rhythm, for the first time:
As you can hear, this little boy did beautifully, and we continued this game by changing up the individual rhythm cards. In essence, he was creating and then playing his own rhythm patterns!
My goal for each student is that they be able to: read the musical staff, site read music, become familiar with chord progressions, practice basic transposition, and be exposed to different musical genre. I like to start each beginner student with Thomson’s books, since their material provides ease in learning to read music and basic transposition.
I am comfortable supplementing with other teaching series’ and will change material to fit a particular student’s learning needs. I enjoy working with students of all ages and have taught both young and old alike, up to the intermediate level.
Is Your Child Ready For Private Lessons?
Once you've chosen to commit to piano lessons, your role as a parent is just as important as your child's time with their teacher. Your encouragement in their progress is essential. Make sure your child knows that you are serious about their decision to learn to play the piano. You are most often going to be the source of your child's motivation! If your child is struggling during practice, it may mean your child needs more help and support with a new concept they are trying to master. Please make their daily practice time as distraction-free as possible. Set a specific time in their day for piano practice, just as you would do for any other activity. I also recommend playing different types of music around the house to supplement their ear and rhythm training.
Generally, your child should be able to recognize their numbers and letters, and be able to clap to a beat. Your child must be obedient, and be able to sit still and remain focused for 30 minutes. If your child can do these things, then he or she is probably able to begin lessons. If your child cannot yet focus, pushing them into a lesson situation is a tremendous disservice to them. It will only cause frustration for everyone and make the possibility of a long term committment to learning an instrument distastful to them. I require all students to have a parent present during their lessons, but, if your child is a pre-reader when beginning lessons, I will expect you, as a parent, to be even more involved with their practice time and staying informed of the lessons. However, sometimes a child just is not ready. This is never a sign of failure and should not be treated as such. It is common to wait 6 months and to try again, supplementing the child’s days with musical listening, dance movement and activities in the meantime. Listening is learning too!
Teaching: My Home,Practicing In Yours...
Parent-Teacher Teamwork!
In order for me to be able to teach your student and in order for your student to practice and learn, there must be an in-tune, acoustic piano available. Electronic keyboards are acceptable in a pinch but insufficient in the long run. They often create poor posture habits and delay proper muscle control, development and dexterity of the student's hands. Make sure you have adequate lighting, a good piano bench, and a quiet space conducive to practicing.
lessons for children and adults