I took on an adult learner a couple of weeks ago. Four years ago she had a tumour removed from her optic nerve and has some irreparable damage to her eye sight as a result of the operation to remove it. She also has a cataract on her left eye. It's not 'ripe' enough to remove yet, but is causing added problems.

She had piano lessons many years ago, and it hasn't taken her long to remember the basics. However, she is clearly struggling to see the notes, having to lean right forward to see them. She is going to the optician this weekend to be tested for glasses that will help with reading the music. As these will be specialist glasses, they will take longer than normal to come through.

Apart from the obvious solution of printing music on large staves for her, how else can I help? She says she doesn't mind until her glasses come through, and doesn't want to give up lessons until then either. It's sad to see her struggling though.

I've never taught anyone with a sight impairment before, so want to do my best to make her lessons enjoyable.

Thanks for any advice.

Could you intersperce reading from music with some picking out of tunes by ear and then perhaps adding some simple chords underneath?I suppose a lot depends on how much she remembers of what she did a long time ago but I think spending some time on the aural side of things might help not to tire her eyes.

I expect you'd have to be very tactful but it might work.

Funnily enough, we were talking about different styles of music this morning, and I mentioned pentatonic music using the black keys only. We managed to work out 'Mull of Kintyre'; 'The Skye Boat Song' and 'Marie's Wedding'. She used her right hand only and was thrilled to bits that she could play these tunes. Next week, I'll improvise a simple bass line.

Thanks, Aquarelle

If she has a good memory, she might be able to learn by ear and demonstration (especially if you chose a short ABA form piece). This could turn out to be very advantageous - she'll listen more and feel where the notes are - good luck!

Removing the music is also useful for pupils who don't practise - I get fed up of listening to them sight reading what they were supposed to have practised, so I get them to play it from memory for next time!

Could you do some basic improvising, some outline notes on a large stave over an ostinato bass which your pupil could learn by memory. I'm sort of thinking along the lines of the graded jazz pieces and the outlines in the solo parts of the pieces.
Failing that, could the notes be redrawn in colour ie C's are red etc. there are some tutor books available that use colour on the notation but they might be too simple for your pupil. I have not used them myself so don't know how effective they are but you could possibly adapt some music that is at the right level for your pupil.
Good luck, would love to hear how you get on so keep us informed.

Good lighting really helps. You and your other pupils may not need a separate light on the music, but a visually impaired person will usually benefit from a direct white light source straight on the music. She may have a specialist light at home and it hasn't occurred to her to bring it with her to lessons so find out if she already owns one. In many areas the local authority will give one free to anyone with a certain level of vision loss, she'd just have to ask for one. I have my dad's old one (he's totally blind now) and use it for close craft activities. The new energy saving types of light bulbs are not popular with the visually impaired community as they shed a different type of light which is often insufficient, if you have those then definitely try to find an angled lamp that you can use to shed some more light onto the music stand.

That's why I love this forum, such a simple suggestion that I would never have thought about, now you have highlighted it seems so obvious. Experience from everyone else is invaluable when you work in isolation as a private teacher. Thanks.