I have started teaching at my Keyboard Club, and I love it! I'm teaching 9 children and they are all of differing levels, using the Keyboard for Young Beginners books. It's so satisfying to be teaching them! Unfortunately the last teacher was so inconsistent with technique and note reading, and parents ended up pulling their children out of her class, but that's another story....

I have 2 very different pupils that are already setting my mind whirring. And I've only been there for 2 weeks so I don't know if I'm jumping the gun here, but any advice would be so helpful?

Child one: she could virtually be a musical prodigy! She is only 10 but she is so keen and committed, practices everyday and also learns Suzuki violin. She is on the last Keyboard book but that will be done by Christmas, and then to be honest, on the Keyboard she won't have much further to go. There is as usual the problems with Keyboard books in that they don't teach you the Bass Clef and only put the letters above the bars for chord changes etc (and don't even get me started about writing EACH AND EVERY FINGER NUMBER above the notes...!!!). But she could really go far if given the right encouragement. She has a cousin who is in the intermediate area of learning, and her cousin seemed to pick things up so quickly when I explained them to her... of course it turns out that the more advanced child helps her, which should have been expected. My question is, I want to move her to the Piano after Christmas to make sure she is actually progressing and doesn't spend the next 6 months sitting in the class helping other people rather than playing herself because she knows everything. Is this a wise move? Have you ever dealt with a child that is moving so quickly in her studies that you have to be on your feet all the time?

Child two: This is a totally different story. This child is apathetic to everything. He was previously in a class with one other student who was slightly ahead of him, and he sat there playing and scribbling rather than coming to join in. Because I suspected that this was because he was wary of playing with someone who was higher in ability than him, I moved him into a class where he could be with someone who is a fast learner but the next level down from him, to give him more of a push and a sense of responsibility. I was convinced this would work, but he was so arrogant towards this child and basically nonchalant towards the whole lesson (the usual thing, he strolls in late forgetting his books, and then when I ask him to give guidance to the younger child he says 'If I have to' or 'If you want me to I will'). He has ability but this is overshadowed by the fact that he just sees it as fun and not something he has to do unless he wants to. His mother is paying for his lessons and I can't understand where the attitude problem is coming from. To top it off, the child I have put him with is not only younger, he also has problems at home apparently and isn't given much attention. When this younger child has lessons on his own with me he smiles and shines and is so happy, which apparently isn't like him in classes or at home. But the older child came in and because he was so apathetic the younger child retreated into his shell... and I don't want him learning bad habits. I know I haven't been there long but I want to nip this in the bud, how would deal with a child who has ability but just doesn't care???

The lessons are only for half an hour each and it's two to a class....

Is this a final beginners book? If so, why not prepare this pupil for Trinity/Guildhall Grades. She can attain up to Grade V to start with. These exams will be challenging for her, will definately expand her musical skills in many areas and she will be rewarded with her certificates (which are beautifully presented now by the way - gold lettering!)

Child 2 - set him a small challenge. By way of a homework, ask him to write a page for you (about exercise book size), telling you why he wants to take keyboard lessons, what he likes/dislikes about them and what he would like to do during them. Ask that this homework is signed by his parents before it is presented to you. If needed, follow up his wee composition with a chat with them.

There are many more advanced keyboard books. I only do a small amount of keyboard teaching, in a couple of my primary schools, but I use the Sarah Walker books. Bass clef is introduced in the 2nd book and the finger numbers are not generally written in. I find them educational & good preparation for the Trinity Guildhall exams.

I would talk to the parents about your pupil changing to piano if you think it's a good idea, but she could still progress a lot further on keyboard if she wants to. If the other children aren't keeping up, she needs more individual attention.