Piano Instruction: Teaching fluidity of motion, phrasing, and the singing tone, Ilyana, 8, plays “Firefly” (Video)

Approach: Plan with the student before the piece is played. Map out the dynamics, articulation, whether staccato, legato or a combination. (For tonality, where does piece come to rest?)

Identify the “mood” of the piece.

Translate sound images into physical motion. (as in the second page of “Firefly,” rolling from Right hand to Left with a supple, “spongy” wrist and free, relaxed arms)

Ilyana 8, is a creative, and responsive child. She has been studying piano for about 2 years.

She attended Montessori as a pre-schooler.

Albertina, Ilyana’s older sister, follows her sister’s lesson. She warmed up with a F Major/minor five finger position before she played her scales and Arpeggios. These are all preps for her pieces: