Colourful Keys is primarily a blog for music teachers. However, this article is part of a series for PARENTS of music students. If you’re a music parent, read on to find out what your child will learn in a group ‘Piano Launchpad’ class. If you’re a teacher, feel free to pass the link to this article on to parents in your studio.
So… you just found out that your child’s piano teacher is using ‘Piano Launchpad’ for their group piano class. I imagine you have few questions.
You might be wondering what the heck that even means. Isn’t all piano teaching the same? And, possibly the biggest one, ”How can my kid get any better if they’re not expected to practise?!”
Let’s answer those questions straight away.
Why ‘Piano Launchpad’?
This is not your old-school, “sit-on-the-bench and leave” approach to learning piano. But don’t let the non-traditional feel of this curriculum fool you into thinking your child won’t get a solid piano foundation in preparation for further musical studies.
Sound teaching and learning principles guided the creation of this method while keeping today’s generation of students in mind.
No Practice Required
‘Piano Launchpad’ is specifically designed so students can be successful without practising at home.
Lessons are paced in such a way that there’s no push to practise, yet students still learn the basics needed to “launch” into any further piano or other instrument studies.
This means you don’t have to invest in your own piano straightaway – let your child explore the piano during their classes, then you can decide what direction to take from there.
Gamified Instruction
Your child will learn music theory (the “how” and “why” behind the music) through games and other interactive activities to solidify their learning. No boring worksheets or lectures.
And while games keep things exciting, they have a magic ingredient beyond just fun. When students play games to learn concepts, they often get to discover the answer. Instead of being told, your child will find things out for themselves, which makes the learning much stickier.
Learning is active, relevant and readily applicable to actually making music. When concepts are presented, students can put their learning into action right away.
Making Music Together
At its core, music is a community activity. Just think: How often do you see a single performer on a stage without other musicians?
Certainly, single-player shows do happen. But far more often than not, music is played and experienced in a group setting. So it just makes sense that playing music together is a core feature of a ‘Piano Launchpad’ class.
This group experience adds a social component that builds confidence and encourages students to learn from each other.
What will my child learn?
Don’t let the “launchpad” title fool you. It’s true, this program is meant to get your child started in piano playing. But it’s also a comprehensive method that’s going to give your child a solid musical foundation.
Launchpad Element 1: The Piano and the Page
With a ‘Piano Launchpad’, your child is going to find their way around both the physical piano and the music in their books during their group class.
Exploring the high and low parts of the piano, along with how to name all the keys in a quick and ready fashion, will give your child greater confidence in using every part of the piano – not just 5 notes in the middle.
Note reading on the staff is presented through intervallic reading – the distance between notes – rather than using mnemonic devices like “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge”.
This modern approach yields quicker results and stickier learning, allowing your child to progress more quickly.
Launchpad Element 2: Rhythm
Your child will learn to recognise and internalise basic rhythmic note values both on the page and on the piano while keeping a steady pulse.
Because ‘Piano Launchpad’ is a group course, it has the added benefits of teaching children to play in time with others and listen to an ensemble while playing their own part.
Launchpad Element 3: Ear Training
Wait…my kid is going to be singing? I thought this was supposed to be a piano class!
Singing is an integral part of ‘Piano Launchpad’ because it encourages an aural understanding of what is seen on the staff. This helps children internalise what they’re seeing on the page and apply it to the music they’re playing.
Launchpad Element 4: Piano Technique
Since your child is enrolling in a piano class, it’s a good idea that they learn to play with a healthy technique. In that way, they’ll get the sound they want now while preventing injury down the road.
‘Piano Launchpad’ teaches students to use the proper technique for playing non-legato (keeping the notes separated) and legato (connecting the notes together smoothly).
These basics of technique give them the necessary underpinnings for more advanced movements in later piano playing.
Will my child enjoy this course?
‘Piano Launchpad’ will allow your child to begin their musical journey by exploring the piano in a social context, building a solid musical foundation while playing games along the way.
Keeping that in mind, and taking away the pressure of daily piano practice, surely your child is going to have FUN in the process!
What excites you about ‘Piano Launchpad’ classes?
Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear what you’re thinking, and will do our best to help with questions.
For more like this, check out other articles from our “music parent” series:
- How involved should you be in your child’s music practice?
- Why NOT to Teach Your Child Music Staff Mnemonics
- Help Your Child Develop a Solid Music Practice Habit
- Is your child’s piano practice “right”?
- Why is my child’s piano teacher playing games in lessons?
- Why does my child have piano listening assignments?
- Is your child ready for a piano exam?
- Music Appreciation for the Family
- What Your Child Will Learn in ‘Mini Musicians’
- What Your Child Will Learn in ‘Piano Launchpad’