How to develop awareness; Every Child Learns Differently, Art Scott

Every Child Deserves A Music Education...

Art Scott

I have been teaching Private Piano lessons for over 40 years.   My experience includes teaching all types of adults (20-80+), children (as young as 4) and teenagers.

I also have had the privilege of teaching many children with special needs including Autism, Aspergers, AD and ADHD.

I like to explain the learning process in some very simple, down to earth terms.   This may be new information to some parents who are curious about Music lessons and what the process is like.

Everyone who learns Music (and other subjects) is usuall based on several factors.   Here are a few to consider;


Visual - some students perceive new information based on what they SEE.   We have all heard the expression; 'oh, they just have a photographic memory', and some students do depend on seeing something first, and this is one of the best learning mechanisms for some students.  

Aural - some students are more auditory and new information is best processed by what they HEAR; old expression, 'oh, they just play (piano) by ear; their hear it once and they capture it'.   Truly, some people do depend on hearing something correctly and their memory is like an 'aural sponge'...they get it ingrained in their brain very quickly.   My first Piano teacher noticed this in my 3rd lesson but, she would not allow me to just 'fake it' by ear; she insisted I read the Music correctly and in her own way, also encouraged my 'natural ear'.

Tactile - touch.  Some students learn best by touch.   I reflect on how people with visual impairment such as partial or total blindness learn by feeling the keyboard 'geography' and memorizing through touch their way around.   The music world has been touched by all types of musicians who were blind, yet they gained mastery of many instruments;

Jose Fleiciano (Guitar)
Art Tatum (Piano)
Stevie Wonder (Piano / Vocal)
Ray Charles (Piano / Vocal)

References:   http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-blind-male-musicians.php

Rote - some folks learn best just through repetition and allowing the brain to map out and
reinforce patterns.   Fine motor control, muscle memory all work synergenically together to
make a student feel a sincere sense of mastery.   It takes an intuitive teacher and parent to monitor
progress and to know how and when to support / encourage the process of learning,

Analysis - this is when a more advanced student studies Music Theory and develops the skill to analyze chord structure and understand the process of how music is written and the internal working of music composition.   Few students make it this far as a choice in learning either due to lack of funds or lack of interest, or both.   University / College Music majors and minors usually will get this solid background in Music Theory 101, 102, 201 and 202.

So these are the five major categories where most students learn best; sometimes a combination of several skills.

This is why I do not support group lessons because children will not get the individual attention they deserve.

All the best,

Art Scott
www.Musicbyartscott.com      949.454.1221 Studio Phone

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