Nowadays children are so over-scheduled with various activities that they hardly have time to live. Finding an appropriate repertoire that fits into their busy lives and keeps them interested in piano lessons is challenging. Especially for intermediate-level students.
The time of elementary lessons, when students were exposed to learning music concepts and mastered pieces in a week, is behind. Therefore pieces become longer and more challenging. The concepts require exceptional technical, aural, and reading skills. Sometimes students work on pieces for months and have to pay attention to much greater detail. That is why finding a way to keep intermediate students engaged in their piano study is crucial.
Tailor and Prepare
The needs of each and every student are unique. Choose the repertoire according to their learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. Know what appeals to the student, how fast they learn, how are their retention and their level of commitment. All that helps to put together a sustainable learning plan and eliminate stress and frustration.
New Your Weapons
There are quite a few pieces in each grade that can be life savers for teachers and game-changers for students. Firstly, the pieces which sound mature and complicated. But are easy to learn due to sectional structure, substantially patterned texture, length, and not-overwhelming technical complexity.
The next category includes pieces that due to their romantic and sensitive nature are loved and learned by everyone.
Lastly, the RCM etudes are a great resource. You find short, easy and quick-to-learn pieces that do not sound like boring training exercises.
20 Intermediate Piano Repertoire Pieces can be found HERE:
Make Music Matter
It is almost impossible to keep students motivated and engaged if they do not love music. Giving them inspiration, packing lessons with fun activities, and historical and theoretical concepts. What can be better than lessons filled with positive and constructive feedback? Lessons brimmed with different music, such as classical, contemporary, and pop will instill continuing lifelong relationships with piano.
More teaching tips on how to inspire and motivate piano students HERE
Last Thought
Remember that the selection of repertoire should be based on the individual taste of each and every student. Understand the primary area of difficulties and advanced preparation plan. It will secure a sufficient amount of students’ interest and promote healthy engagement in piano learning.
