New piano students usually approach their first piano lesson with excitement and nerves.
Students wonder what their teacher will be like and if they’ll be able to play anything.
Parents wonder if their child will have interest. Will this be an activity to continue? They are already wondering this from the very first lesson.
So the first piano lesson for students is crucial! As a teacher, you have one goal: spark interest.
Here is a lesson plan for a student’s very first piano lesson. This works for students starting at 5 years old and up.
- Introduction. Tell the student what they can call you. Many shy students will be afraid to say your name. Get to know the student – ask how his day was or if he did anything fun at school. Ask simple questions to start developing your relationship. If the student is too shy, don’t pressure him to talk – just get to playing the piano!
- Show the piano – Does the student notice the different colors of the keys? Does the student notice how the black keys are grouped? Play every set of 2-black keys. How many sets of 2-black keys are there? Then do the same for the 3-black keys.
- Hands – Ask the student to raise his right hand, then his left hand. Talk about finger numbers. Using the left hand, ask the student to touch his right hand finger number 2. Continue calling out different finger numbers to make a game out of this. Then do the same for the opposite hand.
- Rote piece – Now use the black keys and one finger on either hand. Teach a simple rote piece on the black keys. Use only finger 2 or finger 3. You can teach something like Mary Had a Little Lamb on the black keys. Once the student can play it, teach the concept of high and low by having the student play the rote piece in different places on the piano.
- Musical Alphabet – Tell the student the musical alphabet uses letters A thru G. Show that the lowest key on the piano is A. Play every key and say the letter names out loud with the student. Help the student figure out the letter name of the last key. Then play and say every white key name one more time.
- Rhythm – Tap some rhythms and have the student tap them back to you. You don’t have to discuss note value names yet or how many counts each receives. Remember, the first lesson is just an introduction to piano to spark interest. Try not to overload the student with information. The student will have fun tapping whatever you tap.
- Review the rote piece a few more times. Play it in the middle, high, then low.
- Now the student will be excited and can play something when he goes home!
Lauren teaches piano to students of all ages. She enjoys creating resources for her students and teachers. She is the author of Ready for Theory®. For personalized help, check out the consultations page for teachers.
