Marilyn Lowe

Keyboard Games for Young Children

Keyboard lessons for young children are popular,  in part because of the success of early childhood music programs and in part because of research about how music affects the brain and learning in general. Children are fascinated when they can make keyboard sounds with the press of a finger,  and parents and teachers want to capture this immediate delight and joyful feeling.

This session focuses on steps that build a solid musical and performance foundation for four- to seven-year-old children who have small bodies with little hands,  are in constant motion,  and have limited experiences with and understanding of the elements that make music. To achieve success and establish reasonable expectations,  the teacher should understand how children learn music as well as how children develop and mature psychologically,  emotionally,  and physically. Keyboard games are “serious” business.

Questions addressed are:
1. How can a meaningful keyboard curriculum develop audiation and keyboard skills in a stress-free and playful manner?
2. What keyboard experiences develop a sense of rhythm,pitch,and physical coordination?
3. How can young children with small hands and bodies develop a feel for keyboard geography and learn to play with tension free technique?
4. Why is it important to separate pitch activities from rhythm activities?
5. How does body movement influence rhythm and musical growth?
6. How do singing activities affect pitch awareness?
7. How can we incorporate creative and improvisation activities into keyboard classes?
8. What are expectations for home study and parent help?
Video clips will show children in action,and a handout will include a stockpile of activities.

Objectives

1. Describe activities and exercises that promote healthy and prevent unhealthy keyboard playing habits for children age 4-7.

2. Name some activities and exercises that help to develop audiation skill for children age 4-7.

3. These are ways we can incorporate creative and improvisation activities into lessons and why these activities are important for young beginners.

Bio

Marilyn Lowe,author of Music Moves for Piano,has studied and applied Edwin E. Gordon’s theories of audiation to piano instruction for preschool through adult since 1992. Lowe has presented workshops on audiation-based piano pedagogy throughout the United States,Italy,Spain,Germany,England,Scotland,and Portugal. Her music career includes teaching early childhood music;teaching piano,theory,and composition at the college/university level and independently;serving as children’s choir director,handbell director,and organist;and performing as a recital soloist and collaborative pianist. Lowe was named “2007 Teacher of the Year” by the Missouri Music Teachers Association and is an honorary member of Italy’s Gordon Association,AIGAM. She is certified in Early Childhood Music by GIML,where she also serves as a faculty member. Lowe holds a M.M. degree in Piano with Distinction from Indiana University where she studied with Menahem Pressler.