樂器老師其中一個重要的任務就是替學生解難，例如幫助學生自己不能處理的技巧及音色。如果你未練熟琴，我只能在課堂上聽你練琴，你的進度自然慢。
有些家長眼見別人的孩子彈得好，考試distinction，比賽獲獎，便會說那孩子有天份。試問你知道該學生有多用功？有幾堅持？他們遇到困難也不會退縮的。當然也不能排除有天份的可能性，但不要以一句「有天份」抹煞他們的努力。
Miss Wong’s Sharing 我的分享
我們的小樹苗
一棵茂盛的大樹是由一粒種子開始，我們要替它灌溉、施肥，經悉心打理後便會慢慢長出小幼苗，我們不可鬆懈，還需繼續打理，小樹苗才可茁壯成長，漸漸生長得更茂盛、更粗壯。學習音樂就像小樹苗一樣需要時間醞釀，過程中，學生要學會思考、聆聽和感受，經過艱苦的練習，學生才可發揮得淋漓盡致。
家長要明白學習音樂不能太心急，也不應強迫小朋友在自己設定的限期內考畢八級或演奏級，過量的肥料和水份也不能令小樹苗加快生長。此外，老師對每位學生的進度是最了解的，所以老師會作出專業的判斷安排學生考試的級數及何時應考，老師和家長之間互相信任和尊重，得益的當然是我們的小樹苗。
有效的練習方法
有耐心
要把樂曲練至流暢不是一時三刻的事，練琴要有耐性。
要把樂曲練至流暢不是一時三刻的事，練琴要有耐性。
分段練習
別以為把樂曲由頭至尾練上一百次便會把樂曲練好。把樂曲分手練，再分為小段，把小段練習好後，再小段加小段練習。當各小段都彈奏自如後，便可嘗試練習全首樂曲。但如發現在同一地方出現同一錯誤，便應立即解決問題。
聆聽
練琴時必須聆聽自己彈奏出來的樂曲，想一想樂曲應怎樣表達，用自己的耳朵分辨音色的好與壞。
追求完美
練習一個較難的選段，嘗試彈奏五次至十次都沒有錯誤，如果做得到，即你能掌握該選段的彈法。大部份學生在練琴出現很多錯誤而自己不察覺。你越能夠察覺自己的錯誤，自我改善的能力越高，這也能提昇你的聆聽能力。
練習要有好開始
一開始練習時要確保音準、節奏和指法的準確性。若你錯誤地練了十次、五十次，你腦袋已經牢記著錯音、節奏或指法，你更正的過程會更艱難。
了解樂曲
找尋樂曲的調號、音階、和弦、曲式、樂句、節奏、伴奏形式以及重覆樂段，若你能了解樂曲的細節，會學得更快、練得更輕鬆、彈得更有音樂感。
謹記老師的話
老師通常會在學生樂譜上寫上彈奏時的注意事項。但老師不可能把所有事都記下來，學生應在學琴後回家彈奏所教的樂曲一次，記一記老師上課時所提及的要點。
錄影
經常把自己練習的情況錄影或錄音，透過錄音或錄影，你能更有效找出問題的所在，然後在課堂前更正。不用害羞，留心聆聽及想一想解決問題的方法，你也能給自己一堂課，是自我評估的學習機會。你不用待樂曲接近完美才錄影，嘗試在不用階段錄影，看看自己的進度。
幫助學生找出錯處
其實教授初級鋼琴課一點都不容易，學生就是一張白紙，老師為他們加添色彩，由基本音樂知識、如何運用手指力度，單手彈奏、雙手彈奏，這個經過眼、腦、手的協調的動作實在不容易。在學習過程裡，學生常會彈奏出現錯誤，老師光是指出其錯誤，吩咐學生糾正，「這個不是D音，是E呀」，或乾脆把學生的手指放在正確的位置上，這個方法的確能夠快速解決問題，但往往成效很低，這一刻彈對了，回家後呢 ? 教學生找出答案才是最佳方法，但同時是最花精神的。所以我承認我的初級課堂進度不會快，因為光是教導如何用力、教學生自己找出答案，什至聽出自己的錯處已經花了很多時間，但這樣才可以替學生打好穩健的根基。彈琴除了用手外，還要用眼看，用腦思考和打開你的耳朵。
“Rules and Maxims for Young Musicians” by Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Translated by Fanny Raymond Ritter
- You must practise scales and other finger exercises. There are people, however, who think they may attain to everything in doing this; until a ripe age they daily practise mechanical exercises for many hours. That is as reasonable as trying to pronounce “a, b, c” quacker and quicker every day. Make a better use of your time.
- Dragging and hurrying are equally great faults.
- Try to play easy pieces well; it is better than to play difficult ones in a mediocre style.
- Lose no opportunity of playing music, duos, trios, etc., with others. This will make your playing broader and more flowing. Accompany singers often.
- Sing in choruses industriously, especially the middle voices. This will make you a good reader, and intelligent as a musician.
- Observe the tone and character of the different instruments; try to impress their peculiar tone-colours on you ear.
- Do not try to attain mere technical facility, the so-called bravura. Try to produce the same impression with a composition, as that which the composer aimed at; no one should attempt more; anything beyond it is mere caricature.
- STUDY IS UNENDING.
鋼琴考試
學生考試考幾級或何時考試，應該是老師決定的，因為只有老師才能判斷學生的能力及進度。勉強考試得到的只是一個數字，而不是音樂的修養及對音樂的欣賞。曾有家長前來面見，只希望子女在中學前”搞掂”八級，其他曲目及音樂知識免問，我直接地問該家長:”學琴的意義何在?”
認真學習鋼琴
現今的香港，學習鋼琴的小朋友越來越多，正面的說法可以是 : 音樂普及化了，小朋友整體的音樂水平及修養也相對提昇。對身為鋼琴老師的我，卻存在一個疑問 : 普及，是因為”人有我有”的心態嗎? 學生會否因此而不認真?
首先要說的，應該是小朋友是否懂得珍惜，現在大多數人生活較富足，小朋友自然覺得所有機會和物質都是理所當然的；另外，多數小朋友都不是十分渴望學琴的，而是家長想他們學琴，他們自然心想：不是我想學的，是你迫我學的……這樣的小朋友，學琴怎會認真呢?
鋼琴也是一個學科，只是上課形式跟學校不同而已，鋼琴課堂後，也要回家溫習，即是每天練琴，初學者更要溫習音名，學習看五線譜。想子女認真學琴，家長也要出一分力，相信家長會著子女先完成功課才玩耍及上街，練琴也是一樣，學生應先練好琴才玩，鋼琴課堂也不應因為要”玩”而隨便取消，因為子女會覺得”玩”比學琴重要，小朋友怎會認真對待鋼琴這個學科呢？
另外，不要以為上了鋼琴課等於懂得彈琴，上課後回家認真地每天練習的學生才會懂得彈琴，這樣的學生還會感受到彈琴的樂趣。各位家長及學生，現在就把練琴成為生活的一部份吧!
學生、家長及老師的三角關係
在Dr. Martha Baker-Jordan寫的Practical Piano Pedagogy中，其中一個Chapter說明了鋼琴教學學生與家長的重要性。
Successful piano teaching derives from more than just the effort and skill of the piano teacher. It requires the dedicated involvement of three or (as family structure indicates) four people.
THE TEACHER
The teacher’s responsibility is to teach. The true meaning of teaching is to insure that students learn not only the content of a lesson but also how to practice it on their own.
The teacher’s responsibility is to teach. The true meaning of teaching is to insure that students learn not only the content of a lesson but also how to practice it on their own.
THE STUDENT
The student’s responsibility is to practice properly and pay attention in the piano lesson. For intermediate student, they should learn to practise piano without parental reminders and making sure all materials get to the lesson.
The student’s responsibility is to practice properly and pay attention in the piano lesson. For intermediate student, they should learn to practise piano without parental reminders and making sure all materials get to the lesson.
THE PARENTS
The parents’ responsibility is to support the student and to see the child practices his assignments regularly.Other parental responsibilities include :
1) Providing a good, well-tuned piano
2) Providing a piano bench of the correct height
3) Getting the student to the lessons on time
4) Paying tuition on time
5) Attending recitals and other activities at which parental attendance is expected
6) Asking the child to play regularly for the parents
7) Being supportive, interested, and encouraging.
The parents’ responsibility is to support the student and to see the child practices his assignments regularly.Other parental responsibilities include :
1) Providing a good, well-tuned piano
2) Providing a piano bench of the correct height
3) Getting the student to the lessons on time
4) Paying tuition on time
5) Attending recitals and other activities at which parental attendance is expected
6) Asking the child to play regularly for the parents
7) Being supportive, interested, and encouraging.
**The ages 11 through 14 are years of many changes in the lives of adolescent students, and it can be quite difficult to teach this age group. their world is moving out from the family structure and more into the realm of peer association and approval. The intermediate student is more concerned about pleasing and impressing peers than a piano teacher or parents. Parents do not assume your child would have more self-discipline as they grows older.
Dr. Martha Baker-Jordan, Practical Piano Pedagogy, The Definitive Text for piano teachers and pedagogy students, (Warner Bros. Publications, 2003, 2004)
Your Musical Child
培養孩子的音樂路的方法節錄於Your Musical Child : Inspiring Kids to Play and Sing for Keeps, By Jessica Baron Turner, MA
1. Stand firm in your commitment to your child’s music education. You child will
benefit from hearing a clear message that making music is important and valuable.
2. Find kind, thoughtful, experienced teachers for you child. Ask for their reference so you
can talk to current or former pupils.
3. Participate in your child’s music lessons when appropriate. Coming into lessons for the
first and last five minutes helps you child get settled and deeps you current with what
he/she is learning.
4. Motivate and inspire your child to engage fully in making music rather than pressuring
him to succeed.
5. If practicing becomes problematic for your child, find ways to adjust his/her approach.
Do not let practice problems escalate. Change is Good.
6. Keep a record or a journal marking your child’s musical experiences and high points.
Include art, photos and videos. This will make is efforts easy to see and celebrate.
7. Enjoy music together every chance you get.
孩子學習音樂的道路其實並不孤單，除了老師外，家長也必須努力。Miss Wong的父母都不懂彈琴，但家中的唱片和電視間中播放的音樂節目卻陪伴我成長，令我漸漸愛上音樂。練琴其實是頗痛苦的事，幸好有家人的鞭策及鼓勵，我才能堅持到底。
Memorization Techniques
When first learning a new piece, it is essential to accurately read the notes, rhythm and develop a general feel for the overall concept of the piece. Student should form correct first impressions, because mistakes learned early are difficult to eradicate, and may cause problems in a performance.
Here is the correct memorization procedures :
1) Slow and careful practice
2) Attention to tempo, phrasing, dynamics, pedal, fingering
3) Learning the form of the piece
4) Developing the correct kinesthetic (muscular) relax necessary for a secure performance
5) Understanding the harmonic structure of the piece
6) Mental practice
7) Playing one hand and miming the other
James W.Bastien, How to Teach Piano Successfully, (Neil A. Kjos Music Company San Diego, California, 1995)
Henrika Studio for Music Performance : Piano and Flute Lessons 