Me and my piano

[LondonGirl83]

Hi all, just curious how long it took your kids to finish the Me and My Piano books? My DD’s piano teacher has her skipping bits so I’m just curious.

Tia

Sorry, I don't know anything about piano or those books but I spent years learning classical guitar and no, nobody does every piece or study/exercise. From a really big book I had only done a few popular songs from other countries and some other pieces. Generally, the quicker you learnt a technique the more you skipped. If you developed your technique slowly the teacher had more work trying to find more and more studies and pieces for the same level.

Ask the teacher how long it takes their students to reach a grade depending on their studying. Here on mumsnet they say a grade per year ON AVERAGE which resonates with me but this means a lot of work or a reasonable amount if you are really good. If you give your daughter's age somebody more knowledgable might be able to advise you better.

She is 4 and just started but at the rate she is going will finish within her first term. I think she probably practices more than most. I have to drag her off to do other things. She’s typically play 20-30 min a day

My 5 year old has lessons twice a week and finished the 4 books in 8 weeks.
She practices for an hour (sometimes 2) every day. Entirely her choice.

So many variables! Any kind of practice every day should mean good progress, and 20-30 mins is brilliant for a beginner. Most 4 yr olds progress slower than older kids but then most 4 yr olds don't have the focus to practise for 20 minutes either.
At DC's school they can start in y1 and many are still working through beginner books at the end of the school year. DD was faster as it was her 2nd instrument and she's keen. There's also a degree of different teachers doing things different ways. DD's teacher would not skip things but give her several new pieces a week so she still got through the beginner stage fast.

Wonderful to hear of such tiny ones discovering love for music

She does love it which is nice to see. I’ve confirmed the 2 book series is the equivalent of grade 1.

She’s learned 3 new pieces in 20 minutes today which was her homework for the week. The more she learns the faster she seems to be getting and the more she keeps on playing. Strange enough she loves doing scales in particular over and over again. Anyhow, I’m glad she’s started at a time when life is simple and there isn’t a lot else competing for her attention!

My only goal for her is she becomes proficient enough to play for fun as a hobby for life. Music is such a gift

My mum is a piano teacher and uses Me and My Piano (I learned from it!) - honestly, if she's skipping bits, it's because your DC is capable of it, and not down to laziness or anything. It would create so many problems later to skip things that she thought your DC wasn't up to.