How to Learn
to Play Piano

Here is my philosophy and the story of how I learned to play piano and developed my proven teaching technique over many years.

Music is Self-Expression
Through Sound.

Music is NOT exams, festivals, recitals, playing pieces that have no connection to yourself, pleasing others, etc.

Music is expressing your own feelings in sound - especially if you can not find the words. Some do it through colour, some through texture, some through words, some through cooking, some through carpentry, some through fast cars, etc. There are as many ways to express yourself as there are billions of people in the world.

From early childhood, I wanted to be a musical creator rather than imitate someone else's style. I was raised in a home that encouraged open expression of my feelings and that background set in motion for me a lifelong love to play music my way, to let it guide me.

By the age of 12, I wanted to quit music. My mother said "No!" Today I am very grateful that she stood her ground, as it is one of the greatest gifts she ever gave me. The other gift was to imprint upon me that being a woman did not mean being a second-class citizen, and that I should always be responsible for my own well-being.

I was also blessed to have a piano teacher who let me explore all kinds of music. There was no such thing as the "right music," nor pressure to perform or take exams. Playing for my family and having their appreciation was all the reward and recognition I needed.

At seventeen, I entered the Bachelor of Music program at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. That was my first taste of rigid training, exams, and performing; but I was ready for it.

At eighteen, at my teacher's behest, I started teaching piano. It was a joy to realize that not only did I have a natural feel for teaching, I also found it very rewarding both professionally and financially.

After earning my Bachelor of Music degree from McGill University at age 24, I was invited to teach piano there and also be an examiner. My secret ambition to be a University professor was fulfilled. I have now happily taught for 40+ years in Montreal and Canada's West Coast.

When I was in my forties, a pupil pointed out that she had learned her scales, arpeggios, triads, etc, not by dull drills but through the music that we had chosen together which contained the technical patterns she needed to develop at that time.

That realization gave birth in 1987 to the teaching series called "Technique Through Music." I have since created thirteen books and an audiotape and CD that anyone can use to be guided through the stages of learning how to play or enhancing what they already know.

I hope this gives you some idea how to approach self-learning, learning with another, or even teaching any keyboard using music that you know and love while simultaneously enjoying yourself and developing your technique. Bach taught his 20 children this way. It is a proven method to utilize and Enjoy.

Helena Sandler

PHOTO: Circa 1962 when Bill Benjamin (piano), Lynne Rudiak (cello) and I (clarinet), were the student representative chamber music trio for the McGill Faculty of Music.

 

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