Learning a new piece of music can be daunting for beginners, especially young children, if they don’t know how to approach their learning at the piano. The first thing to do is set a goal. For beginners obvious goal would be to learn their new assigned piece of music or one they have chosen on their own. Taking the next step, however, is where students often get discouraged and express their frustration. "It's too hard. I can't play it." When this happens here’s what to do; and, parents, even very young students will benefit from this advice, so listen closely.

The way to learn something difficult is to simplify it. Yes, it’s that simple. Learning the whole piece of music at one time would be too difficult for a beginner. To achieve something difficult, the goal it has to be broken down into manageable size pieces. If after breaking the task down once, it’s still too difficult, break it down again until it’s no longer difficult. Then work on each piece of the goal one at a time.

Here’s a way to explain this goal setting process to younger children in a way they'll understand. Think of your goal as a puzzle. How would you begin? You would start sorting the individual pieces by colors and end pieces. Then you would work on one section of the puzzle at a time. Then you'd fit the different sections of the puzzle together until the picture is complete.

Jeff Herring, a business coach, family counselor, and columnist in Tallahassee, Florida refers to this process as Goal Getting. Here’s Jeff’s advice for “Goal Getting” in a nutshell.

1. Write it down

2. Break it down

3. Take small steps

4. Take the next step

5. Take one more step

Whether you’re an older beginner or a parent who wants to support your young child in piano lessons, this plan will work time and time again. And even children can learn a valuable lesson by transferring this good habit to other life areas whenever a creative solution is needed.

For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.

These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com

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