I’m starting teaching a couple of 10 year olds piano from scratch. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what i should teach in the first lesson, or any fun musical games you know of? Thanks a lot.
Well they really should go to a certified teacher, but if they’re just learning for fun and a bit of experience then what’s the harm?
You should probably start with matching up note names, the piano keys and the written notes. This could potentially create a game: make cards with note names and another set with the note on the stave, then the child has to match these up and then place the pairs in the correct place on the piano. When learning note names on the stave you could teach them useful phrases such as ‘Every Good Boy Deserves Fine Apples’.
Then help them make a good hand position on the piano. I used to be told to imagine I had a small hamster under my palm, so I had to keep it somewhat raised so as not the crush the hamster, but not too high so that the hamster will escape. Perhaps write out some simple melodies such as ‘mary had a little lamb’ or ‘twinkle twinkle little star’, and help them read the notes and then play. But things should probably be kept to right hand only for the first lesson.