Some ideas to keep the kids interested in piano

michjas wrote: I thought I'd write a few points as to how I am keeping my daughter interested in piano as I know there are quite a few parents here who don't play/are learning the instrument at the same time.

I completed my AMEB Grade 8 piano and was halfway through completing my AMus, but quit as I was preoccupied with finishing my uni degree at the time. I also learnt the Kodaly method as a kid too when I was involved in a children's choir - loved learning solfege as you could transpose in any key you liked, learn to sing in harmony and gain excellent ear training. I liked, but do not love playing the piano - I wish I did though. I think back to the times as to what I would have liked my parents/teacher to do with me to increase my interest in practice and am now implementing it with my daughter.

1. When we were learning Ode to Joy, we read a story about Beethoven so we can learn more about the person who wrote the piece. (My First Classical Music Book by Genevieve Helsby & Jason Chapman)

2. I looked on YouTube for a professional pianist playing Ode to Joy - it was a man who was playing a few variations; just so my daughter would know how she could sound one day

3. We sing in Solfege during the day, including songs we aren't learning on piano. Plus I teach her hand signs with it, pretending each hand sign is part of a house eg. doh - knock on door.

4. I do solfa jumping - taping flash cards onto plastic plates and my daughter jumps on the cards (from do to to, ascending then descending); then interval training by taking away eg. re, fah, la, ti - so she would only jump on do, me, so, do - and she also learns tonic triad at the same time!!! Then I take away me, soh and let her jump on remaining plates.

That's it for now..will continue when I can remember some more.