Piano Parenting

Polite Piano Parenting: As flu season approaches...

2011-10-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

We are passing some sort of bug around my house, and all of us are in some stage of illness, which has me thinking about germs and where they gather. When I was cleaning the computer keyboard in our home it occurred to me that I haven't even touched the piano, and then I got a little grossed out because I realized that aside from my weekly dusting, I haven't really gotten in there and cleaned it in a considerable while.

Piano keys can be a haven for germs. Sweaty hands and skin oils bind dust and dirt to keys, and their porousness allows grime and germs to build up and feed off each other. Frequently used notes are especially vulnerable.

Most teachers usually have a plan of preventative action for keeping their piano keys clean and trying to stave off germs. It's a good idea, especially during cold and flu season, to have a routine in place at home, especially if more than one child/person in the home is using the piano.

How To Clean Your Piano Keys:

Some store-bought chemicals and furniture polish can be too abrasive, and can lead to grainy textures and discoloration. Use mild soap heavily diluted with filtered water.
Use a soft cloth such as cheesecloth, flannel, or chamois.
Cloths should be only slightly dampened, and keys should be wiped towards you. Wiping side-to-side can allow moisture to seep between keys and cause damage.
Clean one octave at a time, and dry immediately before moving onto the next octave.
Avoid colored cloths that may bleed when moistened. Colors can easily transfer onto the white keys, causing a discoloration that is very difficult to remedy.
Always use separate cloths on black keys, or simply clean them last. Paint from the black keys or unseen dirt can be transferred onto the ivories.

How to Disinfect Piano Keys

Never use spray disinfectants on your piano keys. They destroy the texture allowing for further damage, and can be carried by air onto other delicate parts or surfaces.
Disinfect keys using a solution comprised of 3 parts filtered water to 1 part white vinegar, using the general cleaning tips mentioned above. At your personal discretion, if you don't mind doing so, some people use commercially available disinfectant wipes on their piano keys. Do so using the method recommended above.

When it comes to lessons and illness, it's just a good idea and good manners to keep your child at home if he/she is ill. Most teachers would prefer a child stay home and recuperate than attend a lesson while ill. One sick child in the studio can spread germs to everyone else taking lessons, and to people who live or work around the studio.

Many teachers request that you keep sick students at home in their studio policy, and some reserve the right to send a child home if they are showing signs of illness. To save everyone time and trouble, keep your child at home. When you do so, you are respecting the health of everyone involved.

Responsibilities of a Piano Parent

2011-09-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

This is the handout that we distributed at our Piano Parent workshop, with comments from my part of the presentation included. I hope you find this to be helpful!

We have made mistakes along the way - we had a terrible instrument at first, and it showed in her playing. We, at one point, moved her instrument into her room, thinking that it would encourage her to practice more, and I think she might have actually practiced less. I tried making practice her responsibility, and of course she opted to not practice. We have had highs and lows and ups and downs, and a few tears have been shed (because “it’s hard!”), but we have stuck with it and we are all the better for it. So I have learned a few things, some from experience, and some from talking to teachers and other parents, and I would like to briefly share those with you today, in the hopes that you might benefit from my experience.

Responsibilities of a Piano Parent

1.) Have your child make a commitment to lessons and regular practice, and you make one, as well. Your child will commit to piano at the same proportionate level you do. Let your child know that they should uphold their end of the bargain by putting in quality, regular practice, since their commitment involves not only themselves but also you AND the teacher. Make it clear to your child that the piano teacher's time (and your time and money!) are valuable and should not be wasted on poorly prepared lessons or improper behavior.

When my daughter decided she wanted to take piano lessons, we made it clear to her that she would be making a commitment for 2 years (2 years because that would hopefully give her time to experience a few highs & lows and be able start playing music that she wants to play). We made her aware that her commitment involved the rest of the family - we, as her parents, were paying for her lessons, and transporting her there, and her younger brother often had to come along, and as such we expected her to take it seriously and work hard at it.

We decided, with her, that piano would be her priority activity. She could do other things (and she has opted to do so, during her time in lessons she has been a girl scout, and played basketball and run track and even taken taekwondo), but that those things could not infringe upon the time she put into piano. Her homework was her first priority, and piano practice was second. Just like not doing homework is not an option, not practicing piano is not an option, either.

Our approach might seem a bit strict to some, but she is learning so many lessons as she progresses, and they aren’t all musical. She is learning about the value of work and effort, and about reaping their rewards - when she finally manages to play a particularly difficult passage or a song that, at first glance, seemed impossible, she knows that SHE accomplished that. She gets to know the feeling of excelling at something. She has experienced success, earning awards and medals, but - almost as importantly - she has also experienced disappointment, and she is the better for it. She knows that when you make a mistake, you have to brush yourself off and get back up and keep going. Both her successes and her failures have helped her to become stronger, more confident and capable.

2.) Provide the highest quality instrument possible. Provide your child with a nice piano, and they willl be proud of it and want to play on it. A quality instrument will allow a child to progress at their own speed, instead of potentially being held back by a non-responsive instrument. Have that instrument in a place in the home where the student will be around people but away from distractions. If the piano is in the same room as a television, try to place the piano where the player cannot see the TV.

First, have a quality instrument - the best that you can afford. The better the instrument, the better the student’s experience will be. A poor quality instrument can leave a child frustrated and hold them back from progressing, no matter how often they might practice. We can’t all afford grand pianos, but we should provide the child with the best we CAN afford.

Instrument placement is important - putting a digital piano in a child’s room does NOT necessarily mean that they will practice more (in my case it turned into a Barbie condo). It might, for some children, but most times it does not. If you have a keyboard or digital piano, having it on a stand with an appropriate bench is also important. A keyboard sitting on a box on their floor in no way simulates a lesson setting and will not help matters at all. Having the instrument in a central room in the home - one where you can at least be near your child while they’re practicing - is a much better. Having the piano away from the television is a good idea, although if they have to be in the same room, situating the piano where the player can’t see the television helps.

3.) Respect your piano teacher. Treat them like the professional they are. Be respectful of their time and schedule. Maintain open and honest communication with them, especially if you have questions or issues. Be cautious as to how you talk about the teacher or the teacher’s lessons in front of your child. Keep in mind that pedagogy has changed since you were a piano student, and if your child is learning something differently from the way you were taught, that does not mean it is wrong. If you disagree with the way your child is learning, speak with the teacher about it before correcting your child.

Your teacher has been playing piano for years, has most likely been through at least 4 years of college, if not more, then also spends time continuing their education through workshops, conferences and other methods. They have designed a curriculum unique to your child, and they have done so for every student in their studio. They have taken the time to seek out and obtain materials for lessons. There is a lot more time invested in your child’s 30 minute lesson than you think!

Almost every issue you can imagine can be solved by maintaining open and honest communication with your child’s teacher. Also, if you are a pianist yourself, it’s important to understand that pedagogy - how piano is taught - has changed over the years, and we all know that today’s children learn differently. So if your child is learning something that is different from what you learned, there could be a valid reason for it. If the teacher instructs your child to do something that is different from the way you learned as a child, speak with the teacher before correcting your child.

I thought that, as a trumpet player, being able to help my daughter would be easy. I was astonished to learn that pianists don’t always learn their staff note names using an acronym (every good boy does fine). Luckily I learned that my daughter’s teacher doesn’t use that BEFORE trying to use it to “help” my daughter. I also learned that, I knew how to practice successfully on the trumpet, but had very little idea how to practice successfully on the piano. But I’ll speak more on successful practice later.

Respect your teacher’s time. If your child is playing a sport, try and anticipate that when scheduling your lessons in the fall. If you schedule a lesson time, then ask to be re-scheduled, chances are your piano teacher has at least 4 or 5 other people (in some cases, 8 or 9) other families that have to be shuffled around to make room for your scheduling conflict, if it’s even possible to shuffle those families around. You can always check with coaches - many will accomodate piano lessons.

4.) Be a polite piano parent. *Be on time for lessons, and be on time with payment for lessons. *Notify the teacher of absences as early as possible. *Don’t expect a make-up lesson or a refund for missed lessons - be prepared to abide by studio policy. *If you sit in on lessons, don’t interrupt without being invited to do so by the teacher. *If you are waiting in the studio for your children's lessons to be completed, remain quiet and do not interrupt. *Pick up your children punctually at the end of the lesson time. This will assure that your child gets the maximum benefit from the allotted time with the teacher. Be a positive example! If you blow off or forget piano lessons regularly, it sends a strong message to your child that piano isn’t important.

be on time - and if you’re not on time, don’t expect the teacher to run your lesson past its’ scheduled ending time, thus throwing off their schedule for the rest of the day - and in the same vein, if you’re 10 minutes early, don’t expect the teacher to start the lesson then. If they do, don’t expect them to give you an extra 10 minutes in your lesson. They might do so anyway, but they might not, and that is at their discretion.
Don’t expect your teacher to be able to have a conversation after the child’s lesson - they have another lesson afterwards, most likely. If you want to communicate with the teacher, call them that evening or the next day, or email and set up a time to talk
If you can’t make your lesson, it’s polite to try and let your teacher know. The policy for missed lessons will vary from teacher to teacher, but don’t expect a make-up lesson or a refund. To learn more about why, when you have time, take a look at this article titled ‘Make-up Lessons From An Economist’s Point of View’.

I’ll offer an example from my own life - I scheduled my daughter for lessons over the summer. Then suddenly, at the end of June, my daughter was invited to spend a couple of weeks in July with her Aunt out of town, which would cause her to miss three out of four lessons in July. My daughter decided to go, and I let her teacher know as soon as possible, but I did not expect a lower tuition rate for July or a refund for the missed lessons. There was no way her teacher would be able to fill an hour long lesson slot on Thursday afternoons at 1PM for 3 weeks only, so there would be no way for her to make up that missed income.

The same goes for scheduled trips - I let our teacher know when we’ll be out of town, but even with advance notice I don’t expect a discount or a refund, because again, how is she going to sell a 45-minute time slot on a Thursday afternoon for just one week? She can’t. And while she might be nice enough to OFFER me a make-up lesson, I don’t expect it. Our piano teacher loves teaching, but she also has to eat and pay her mortgage. Like the handout says, “not many employees would be thrilled if their boss announced that they couldn’t work from 3:30 to 4:40 this afternoon, but they could stay until 6:30 on Thursday because there will be work for them then”.

It’s important to respect your teacher’s policy about parents in the studio. If you are sitting in on the lesson, don’t get involved without the teacher’s invitation. It is fine to observe, listen and take notes, but don’t speak to or for your child without the teacher’s direction - -your best intentions could be disruptive or distracting. Also, if you are in the studio during the lesson, keep distractions to a minimum. If you’re going to use your cell phone, leave the room. If your child has siblings that are with you, encourage them to be respectful. If that means being quiet while in the studio while the lesson is going on, or being respectful of the lesson taking place nearby, or not barging in on the lesson while they are taking place, the cooperation of brothers and sisters ensure the most of your child’s lesson time.

Be a positive example. If you blow off or forget piano lessons regularly, it sends a strong message to your child that piano isn’t important.

5.) Most importantly: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! We all want our children to have fun learning piano, but piano lessons only happen once a week - progress at the piano really happens at home, as the child learns and progresses through regular practice. The real fun to be had is when the child is able to the play the music they want to play, a point reached by - you guessed it - regular practice. With some ingenuity and enthusiasm, routine practicing cannot only become fun but rewarding for a child. There does come a time when the child is able to play well enough, that they will play, (and practice) for their own enjoyment. Until that day, there are steps you can take to help your child enjoy practicing.

Practice might seem boring and contrary to the notion of having fun at the piano, which is what so many parents want for their children. However, students cannot succeed and progress without practicing, and if you aren’t progressing, odds are you aren’t having much fun.

Some practice hints:

Not every student understands what good practice is. If your child doesn’t understand HOW to practice, speak with the teacher and come up with a plan. Put the plan in writing, or type it up and print it out, and post it at the piano or in the student’s lesson assignment book.

Schedule practice into their daily activities.

Sit and listen to them play. Don’t just assume because you hear the piano being played that the student is practicing well and what they’re supposed to be practicing. A student can sit at the piano for 15 minutes playing and not have a productive practice session. The quality of practice is just as important as the quantity. If their assigned amount of practice time seems insurmountable, break it up into smaller segments. Instead of 30 minutes straight, for example, try two 15-minute sessions, or three 10-minute sessions.

Praise, praise, praise! Look for some reason to compliment your child, if nothing else it may be praise for simply sitting up tall at the piano. Give them the message that you are glad that they are trying. Give them the message that they are doing a good job.

Create incentives. Make a sticker incentive chart, or fill a treasure chest with inexpensive Dollar store toys and let your child select an item from there once they’ve achieved a goal (you should work with your teacher to come up with goals).

Create incentives even for activities you would let your child do anyway. For instance, “practice your piano first, then you can go ride your bike.” If allowed in your household, allow your child to earn time on the computer, TV or game system for practicing.

Don’t practice mistakes. Mistakes are allowed and even expected, the trick is simply not to practice them. When the same mistake is played two, then three, then four times in a row, the student is well on their way to becoming an EXPERT at the mistake. Students will practice a line of music over and over again, and when they finally play it correctly they think, "Phew! I got it right!" and then immediately move on to the next line. The problem with this is that they played it incorrectly perhaps 5 times, and correctly only once. So, the next time you get to that line, which way are the fingers more likely to remember, the incorrect way or the correct way? The incorrect way. As parents, we need to help our children recognize that practice does not end when you play it correctly--that's when practice begins.

Play games and make it fun! Use flash cards to drill and play matching games. Find fun things to do at the piano, like the game Left to Right: Have the student select items to use as a visual - army men, mini teacups, small balls, any small item that you have in multiple quantities will do. Place all those items on the piano on the left side of they keyboard. Every time the student successfully completes a small goal - say, playing a tough passage correctly, 3 times in a row - they move one item to the right side of the keyboard. Practice ends when they have moved all items from one side of the keyboard to another, or they receive a prize for moving all the items. Items like this can also be used to have the student find notes on the keyboard (“Put an army man on an ‘F’ key”), or build scales (‘Put a bouncy ball on every note in the C Major scale”) or chords.

Puzzling Practice: You can purchase small blank cardboard puzzles containing 5-6 pieces (arts and crafts stores carry them). On each puzzle, write a specific prize: breakfast in bed, trip to the bookstore, choice of movie for movie night, choice of menu for Sunday dinner etc. You award one puzzle piece for each good practice session. By the end of the week, it is possible to complete the puzzle, and when the puzzle is completed the student receives the prize listed on the puzzle.

Visual Aids: Pick out beads - or let the student pick out beads, or marbles, or neat rocks, or whatever appeals to the student. Two jars are kept beside the piano and for every 10 minutes of practice the child transfers one bead from one jar to the next. If you set a weekly practice goal of 3 hours, moving beads this way the child can visually keep track of their practicing in a way that is satisfying.

Take advantage of summer lessons, when/if possible: take summer lessons, if your teacher offers them. Summer is such a great time to learn and progress, without the distractions of school and homework. We’ve taken summer lessons every summer since starting piano, and they are a wonderful opportunity for growth. This past summer we decided to increase my daughter’s lesson time to an hour, and then decided that she would practice an hour each day, split up into 20 minute sessions, since she had more time. The progress she made over the summer - even taking half of it off to go out of town - was INCREDIBLE.

The Role of Parents

2011-09-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

Phillip Johnston, creator of PracticeSpot.com and author of 'The Practice Revolution', has a great article on his site titled 'The Role of Parents'. Read it! It has great advice to offer on making practice less of a chore and more fun and rewarding.

Piano Teacher Perspective: 10 Things You Should Do Before Starting Piano Lessons

2011-08-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

Ellisa Milne has a faublous and informative post on her website with suggestions for ways you can prepare your child for piano lessons. In her words, it is "a quick checklist of things to do, buy, learn and decide before your child has their very first piano lesson". See her entire post here.

Practice the Day of the Lesson

2011-08-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Busy B's blog has a great post about scheduled practice time that includes another little gem about practice that often goes unheeded. She said:

"Setting a certain time aside to practice may be the key to progress for your child and for yourself. For the child making piano practice into a routine communicates the importance you place on this endeavor. It also gives your child the security to know that what happens today on the piano bench can be improved and enlarged tomorrow.

...if you ask your child to go through all the music he learned at the lesson before bedtime, the remembering will place the information in longer term storage. This need not be a long intensive practice. It is more a remembering and it would be ideal to sit with your child and ask questions about his new pieces. Your child may want to skip practice on the day of their lesson, but this is the very day that practice is the most beneficial.
"A great deal of research shows that thinking or talking about an event immediately after it has occurred enhances memory for that event." This is written about in Brain Rules by John Medina. "

Practicing the day of the lesson is such a great suggestion, my daughter and I have learned that it is very true. I will confess that we don't always manage this every lesson day, but I do make a point to try, and I can tell a difference in her practice, every time.

Piano Teacher Perspective: Scheduling Practice Time

2011-08-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Lowe Piano Studio blog has a great new post for parents about 'Scheduling Practice Time':

Today, I'm writing about the benefits of scheduling your practice time rather than leaving it as a catch-as-catch can activity. Do you work out or run? If you do, then you know that you're most likely to do it regularly if you set a specific time for it. If you leave it to chance, chances are it won't happen. Especially with children under 12, setting a specific time for practice in the schedule and then protecting that time is the way to continue to make progress from week to week.

I can vouch for how very true this is! Scheduling practice into my daughter's day keeps her AND myself on task, because with my busy schedule I'm just as inclined to forget about it as she is.

Remember that it takes at least 21 days to establish a habit, and some research now suggests that it takes as many as 66. When you repeat an action over and over, especially at the same time every day, the neuron connections in your brain actually change to fit the pattern of the habit. You can help to establish those neural pathways by connecting something really pleasurable with practicing. In the case of my munchkin, I make it a point to sit with her and give her lots of positive feedback, so she's getting the reward of dedicated parental attention and feel-good pats on the back for her effort. Make a commitment to stick rigidly to your plan for at least 4-6 weeks, and then sit down and anticipate all of the temptations that could sabotage your commitment. Make a plan ahead of time for how to resist that temptation.

Read the post in its' entirety by clicking the link at the top of this post.

I would suggest coming up with a plan for practice. You don't need to plan every moment of practice, but have a loose set of guidelines for your student to follow. Come up with this plan for practice with the help of your child and their teacher! Your child having input will make them even more inclined to practice.

Make sure your child understands HOW to practice, and what they are trying to accomplish with their practice. If you aren't sure, talk to your child's piano teacher! Have I mentioned how important talking to your child's piano teacher is? I'm pretty sure I harp on it. :)

Our Piano Parent Workshop is coming up soon! Join us on Saturday, September 10th as we help you learn how to help your child succeed at the piano!

Why a good teacher is VITAL for the beginning piano student

2011-08-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Very often parents tend to think that a good quality piano teacher is not important for beginning piano students when in fact the opposite is true! James Bastien said it very well:

"A first grade teacher has most of the responsibility for teaching your child to read. Much of what a child is able to accomplish in school is depended on how well he can read. Thus, the teaching of correct beginning reading habits is very important. Likewise, a "beginning" piano teacher must impart all basic music information to your child, such as beginning technical skills, notation, rhythm, and sight-reading habits. Much of what your child will be able to accomplish in music will be based on a solid foundation in beginning fundamentals. In most cases the beginning years are critical, because first impressions, good or bad, persist."

Find the best teacher that you can for your beginner!

Piano Orientation and Parent Workshop

2011-08-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

We all know that parental involvement with any sort of study can play a huge factor in student success, and that is certainly true for piano lessons!

Even if you have a musical background, it’s still sometimes difficult to know how to best help your child succeed at the piano.

Join us for our Piano Orientation and Parent

Workshop and we will share information and

practical advice to help you be the best piano parent you can be!

· Discover the benefits of piano lessons, and find out how to make the most of your lesson time

· Hear from a piano teacher about the practice methods that work!

· Learn what to listen for, and how to help

· See, hear and feel the difference between keyboards, digital pianos and acoustic pianos

No registration required! Join us on Saturday, September 10th, at 11:00AM!

The Cost of Lessons: What You Get for Your Money

2011-07-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Some teachers charge an annual tuition, then some teachers charge by the lesson, or some might charge by the semester. No matter how much they charge or how they charge it, you deserve to know what you're paying for - and with piano lessons, you're most definitely getting a lot of bang for your buck. Some items to consider:

Training & Experience: Most piano teachers have been playing piano since an early age. Doctors, for all their education, can't say they've been honing their craft since the age of seven - or earlier! So your piano teacher has most likely been preparing for their career for many years. Before they even started college, they had spent a lot of time at the piano already. Then teachers spend years acquiring their degree(s), taking courses like any other college student but also spending hours practicing the piano, preparing for and then performing at multiple recitals over the course of each year, and gaining experience by collaborating with other musicians for lessons and performances. Many piano teachers leave college playing at a level of mastery where they could perform professionally (and some do, in addition to teaching), but they have chosen to teach because they want to share their love of the piano and music with students.

But their training doesn't end with their college graduation - many teachers take part in continuing education programs, and/or they attain certification from known and respected associations. They take the time to attend local workshops, and to attend state, regional and national conferences so they can stay abreast of the newest pedagogy and teaching materials.

Time: Your child receives one-on-one instruction in a private piano lesson, and that time is obviously factored into lesson cost. Less obvious is the time the teacher spends preparing for the lesson: developing curriculum and selecting materials appropriate to your child, planning progress based on his or her strengths and weaknesses, making trips to the music store, time filling out applications and forms for contests...all in all, it's more than just the half hour your child is in the studio!

Studio Costs: Teachers must pay annual dues to be a member of a professional organization, and if they are going for certification (or re-certification) there are additional costs for that. Conferences, workshops and continuing education courses generally have cost involved, and there can be travel costs involved if it's a state or national conference.

Teachers have to purchase materials for their studio, such as computer software, games, incentive programs, and newletters. There is the very substantial investment in a good instrument for teaching, and then you have to pay for the upkeep on that in the form of tuning and repairs. Most exams, competitions and assessment performances have entry fees that average around $15 to $20 per student. Then there is the cost for teaching materials, method books and sheet music.There are costs associated with recitals in the form of rental fees, insurance, photocopies and refreshments.

Self-Employment: Your teacher, unless he/she works for a store or school of music, is most likely self-employed, and has to pay for the costs associated with being so. They are paying taxes on their income, of course. Then there's the matter of overhead - whether they are renting a studio space or teaching out of their home, there are costs involved for rent or mortgage and utilities. Insurance costs can increase for those running a business out of their home, and there is additional cost involved in insuring their musical instrument. Health insurance is another huge expense. An accountant is helpful for the self-employed, but they are another cost, and a business license is another necessary expense. There's also the cost of promoting their business. Teachers have to pay for advertising, whatever form they might choose - business cards, flyers, or paid listings. There is also cost associated with being online - domains, design, etc.

So for your tuition dollars, you are receiving one-on-one attention with a degree-holding professional who has taken the time to design a curriculum that is unique to your child. THAT is worth every penny!

Piano Teacher's Perspective: The Truth About Piano Lessons

2011-07-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Karen Berger, of the blog Musical Resources, wrote a phenomenal post - The Truth About Piano Lessons - that speaks honestly and openly about the realities piano study:

"...And you're wondering about piano lessons for little Johnny or Suzie.

You want to know how much Johnny will be expected to practice. You want to know if Suzie can just "try it out" and see if it's "fun." You need to know what kind of instrument I expect you to have. You want to know if you can come whenever it's convenient, and whether I'll be flexible regarding hockey games, ski Fridays, school dances, ice-skating parties, holidays, and play days.

"It doesn't usually occur to you to ask what you can do as a parent to help your child with music lessons, but that's something you're going to have to know, too.

I'm in a difficult position as a piano teacher because I'm afraid of telling you the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I'm afraid because the unvarnished truth is not what you are probably going to want to hear if you are like the majority of my piano parents, and when people don't like what they hear, they tend to bail out. You may go to another teacher (which is fine: Everyone deserves the teacher they are most compatible with). But I'm afraid you may bail on music lessons all together.

Because the truth about learning to play the piano scares people. That's the last thing I want to do."

And you shouldn't be scared, but you should be aware! She goes on to speak of the benefits of music education and piano lessons, the fact that the process of learning piano does not necessarily fit in with today's parenting style, and points out that learning, practicing and progressing at the piano requires hard work and patience. She shares how you can help your child, and also gives this encouraging gem:

"It's sounding daunting, doesn't it? Why not just cross it off the list and move on to soccer? Because a) You don't want your adult child joining the chorus of people blaming their parents for letting them quit music and b) Because it's good for them in so many ways from creativity and self-expression to working with others to mental health to good work habits to problem solving to cognitive development to neurological health."

This is a wonderful, refreshingly honest article, and is most definitely worth a read for any potential or current piano parent!

Piano Teacher's Perspective: How Young is Too Young?

2011-07-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

Kenneth Freeman of the blog "Collaborations" (designed for pianists and teachers) wrote a very informative post about the appropriate age to begin lessons. Mr. Freeman writes:

I wish there was a simple answer to this question. No two children are exactly alike. A 4-year-old may be ready for lessons while a 6-year-old is not. Here are some of the questions I ask inquiring parents to help them determine if now is the time to begin lessons for their youngster.

Does the child have a firm grasp on the alphabet, counting, and sequencing? These skills are fundamental to some of the basic elements of playing the instrument.
Can the child remain focused on a single task for several minutes? While the lesson is broken up into various segments and activities are varied in order to keep young minds active, the student will still need to be able to remain on task for 5 minutes at a time.
Has the student shown interest in playing the piano? You would not believe the number of times that parents answer "no" to this question. While I firmly believe in musical education, it is not something to be forced upon a child. Placing them in lessons before they are emotionally, physically, and intellectually ready can result in a negative experience.

Once I have asked these simple questions, I begin to get a sense of who the child is - in the parent's mind, at least. If it seems that the child might be ready for lessons and is younger than 7, I advise the adult that young children sometimes progress slower than their older counter parts. I cannot predict where it will happen, but there often seems to be a single concept that becomes a roadblock to the young mind and takes a while to get past. Rather than focusing on what they cannot do, I choose to spend a lot of time re-enforcing what they have already learned in order to insure that they are still enjoying playing the piano. Generally, the student will let me know when they are ready to explore the new concept again through their questions and we normally have success.

If the parent is cool with a slower pace for the young child, I recommend having a few lessons together without making a long term commitment. This allows everyone involved -- teacher, parent, and student -- to see if the relationship will work and is worth the investment of time and finances at this time.

If pushed into a corner to give an age, I normally suggest that a child begin lessons no earlier than the spring semester of kindergarten. There's nothing scientific that I've found to support that....it's just been my experience.

I know I'm harping, but if you have a younger child interested in piano, or you are interested in piano for your younger child, open and honest communication with a potential or current teacher is vital. Be willing to adjust your expectations, if necessary, and work at the pace the teacher and the child set. Most importantly, parent support and participation is vital for any age piano student, but especially so for a younger player - be prepared to sit in and encourage your child during practice sessions, and possibly even during lessons. You don't have to be musical to offer support and encouragement, and to make certain your child is completing their assignments!

Practice Hints

2011-07-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Joseph Hoffman (of the blog 'Piano Parents') said in his post 'Does Practice Make Perfect', "Perfect Practice Rule #1: Don't practice mistakes". What a great point! He also says:

"Please don't misunderstand this rule. Mistakes are allowed and even expected. The trick is simply not to practice them. When you play the same mistake two, then three, then four times in a row, you are well on your way to becoming an EXPERT at your mistake. Keep it up and you can guarantee that you will make that same mistake every time.

When practicing, your goal should be 100% accuracy. If this isn't happening, break things into smaller chunks and slow down to the point that you can play it PERFECTLY, with comfort, ease and artistry. Then, continuing with 100% accuracy as your goal, do it again and again until your "perfection" becomes an unbreakable habit."

Very often a child doesn't necessarily know or understand how he or she SHOULD be practicing, so they just play an entire piece or an assigned section over and over again in its' entirety, mistakes and all. Slowly learning to correctly play a troublesome section takes FAR less time than learning it incorrectly, then having to re-learn it properly.

In his 'Perfect Practice Rule #2' post, Mr. Hoffman adds:

"Sometimes I explain this concept a different way for my students. I ask them to imagine a student practicing a line of music over and over again and when they finally play it correctly they think, "Phew! I got it right!" and then they immediately move on to the next line. The problem with this is that they played it incorrectly perhaps 5 times, and correctly only once. So, the next time you get to that line, which way are the fingers more likely to remember, the incorrect way or the correct way? The incorrect way, of course!

As parents and teachers, we need to help students recognize that practice does not end when you play it correctly--that's when practice begins."

Helping your piano student learn to practice correctly and efficiently will ensure a well-rounded, proficient and capable piano student who enjoys practicing, playing, and performing. Practice leads to progress, and nothing encourages a child more than progress!

Happy July 4th!

2011-07-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy BHG.com

From Val and all the rest of the staff at Dollarhide's to all of our friends, wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July! Thanks to all those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for our freedom - our thoughts and prayers are with you!

(If you would like to try your hand at making the wreath above, instructions are here)

There IS No Comparison

2011-06-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

So let's say you attend a school talent show, and your child's classmate (who is studying with a different teacher) performs a piano piece and he blows your mind. Or, maybe you show up for lessons a little early, and the student scheduled before your child is an amazing player, but very obviously a couple of years younger than your child. He is very obviously ahead of your child in piano study, and you start to wonder - why? You might think it's because your child isn't practicing enough, or maybe because his teacher isn't pushing him hard enough. One of those could be true (and if one of them is, it would most likely be the one about your child not practicing enough), but there are many, many reasons why students don't progress at the same rate, or why two students who are the same age aren't playing at the same level of ability:

One child might have started taking lessons earlier. If your child notes that another child in his class is way better at piano than he is, point out that his friend might have started piano lessons a year or two before.
One child might be playing beautifully by ear but unable to read a single piece of notation, while your child isn't playing at the same level but can read and write music easily. Both skills have their place, but a player who reads music has a lot more options!
There could be some subtle differences in the way their magical brains work that has allowed one student to progress a little faster. Just like with any kind of growth and development, concepts and techniques that are easily grasped by one student could be more difficult for another. Not every child in your child's class at school is the same height, or reading at the same level, or similarly proficient at math, so you shouldn't expect that from piano. Also, reaching a certain milestone, level, or particularly tough concept or technique in piano can temporarily slow one student down, while another student might sail right through it. Often times, with encouragement and a little extra study, the student can get back up to speed, so don't be discouraged!
The child in question could be putting in a lot more time at practice. The child who is two years younger than your child yet two levels ahead might spend a solid 45 minutes at the piano every day, as opposed to your child's 15 minutes. If your child isn't practicing much, or at all, they are not going to progress as quickly as a child putting in more time and effort.
Piano could be the other child's priority. Your child might be involved with gymnastics, soccer, cheerleading and softball, with piano and piano practice being an afterthought. Maybe your child frequently misses lessons because of other activities. Since lessons generally occur once a week, missing a lesson is basically like missing a week of school. Your child might opt out of taking lessons during the summer, while another child takes lessons year round.

There are a lot of reasons why students progress at different paces, but the important thing is to not get upset about it. If, even after reading this, you still like your child should be progressing faster, the first place to start is to talk to your child. Ask them how they're feeling about their piano study, and how they feel it is going. Your child might be having an issue that you weren't aware of. Maybe he thinks his music is too hard, or not hard enough. Maybe he started learning scales and he thinks they're boring. Or, maybe he doesn't see a thing wrong with how he is progressing and is perfectly happy with how things are going.

Your next step is to talk to your child's piano teacher. Trying to speak with them after your child's lesson isn't always the best idea, since they often have a student scheduled immediately after your lesson slot and might not have the time. Ask if there is a good time to call, or let the teacher know you have a concern and are going to send them an email. State your concerns without being accusatory: "It seems to me that Joshua isn't progressing like I think he should be, and I was wondering if you felt the same way. I would appreciate your thoughts on how we could help him to improve." Then share the issues your child shared with you - sometimes the students are too afraid to mention these things to their teacher, so this could very well be the first time the teacher is hearing of little Johnny's desire to play songs from video games.

You can then work with your child's teacher on a plan to help him improve. Maybe he needs better practice habits, or more practice time. Maybe his teacher will compromise and let him learn one video game song of his choice at a time, over the course of a few lessons, or maybe she will find him a new music book that incorporates scales into songs, to make learning scales a bit more fun.

If your child is the one doing the comparing, reassure him that everyone moves at their own pace. It could be a great time to argue the merits of hard work and point out that, if he practiced more, he could be just as good as little Jimmy from school. Encourage him to talk to his teacher about it, and follow up with his teacher afterwards to make sure he did.

If there's one common rule, one theme that will probably thoroughly permeate this blog, it is to ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR TEACHER. Always. There are very few problems that open, honest communication with your child's piano teacher cannot solve!

Food for Thought: Don't Quit!

2011-06-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

I recently read this article from Atlantic Monthly called "How to Land Your Kid in Therapy". Whether or not you agree with the contents of the article, I think it makes a good point in today's over-scheduled world:

Kids feel safer and less anxious with fewer choices, Schwartz says; fewer options help them to commit to some things and let go of others, a skill they’ll need later in life. “Research shows that people get more satisfaction from working hard at one thing, and that those who always need to have choices and keep their options open get left behind,” Schwartz told me. “I’m not saying don’t let your kid try out various interests or activities. I’m saying give them choices, but within reason. Most parents tell kids, ‘You can do anything you want, you can quit any time, you can try this other thing if you’re not 100 percent satisfied with the other.’ It’s no wonder they live their lives that way as adults, too.” He sees this in students who graduate from Swarthmore. “They can’t bear the thought that saying yes to one interest or opportunity means saying no to everything else, so they spend years hoping that the perfect answer will emerge. What they don’t understand is that they’re looking for the perfect answer when they should be looking for the good-enough answer.”

How is this food for thought for the piano parent? On MANY levels.

Parents will agree or disagree with the points in the article based on their parenting style, and that is yet another reason why piano is such an ideal activity, because it can fit in with your parenting philosophy. It can be a competitive or a non-competitive activity, depending upon your (or your child's) preferences. Piano study can be done privately or in groups, and piano performance is the same. You can be a soloist, you can be an accompanist, or you can be both. Piano students also learn the satisfaction of seeing and hearing the rewards of their own hard work. The student is the one putting in the effort to practice, and the student reaps the rewards of that effort and is able to share it with friends and family.

Piano students are also able to learn the benefits of commitment. At some point, almost every piano student will hit a plateau. Things will get hard, for one reason or another, and they might consider quitting. However, with the help from loving parents and a good teacher, they can be encouraged to keep at it until things get better. It's a wonderful lesson to learn, and one that can be applied to many areas of life.

How will a child have a chance to know what it feels like to be good at something, to become proficient at an activity, if they aren't provided adequate time to do so? If a student is allowed to quit piano when things get hard, he is, in a way, depriving himself of the chance to succeed. Who knows what untapped potential lies within your child, and if he quits just because that Mozart Minuet was too hard for him, or he hated playing only classical music, or because his teacher wouldn't let him play songs from Mario Brothers exclusively during lessons, any chance he had at learning about commitment, or creative problem solving, or just about working hard and digging deep, all those lessons are out the window. What he has learned from quitting is that when the going gets tough, you give up and move on to the next thing. And after that next thing gets hard, you do the same. And over and over again until you have a garage full of neglected and abandoned sports equipment and musical instruments and a child who can't commit.

One of the statements we hear the most is "I don't know if he's going to stick with it, he quits everything all the time", or "He's only been playing for a year, and he always quits, so this won't be any different", or this one "She's been playing for five years, and we just don't know if she's going to stay with it". Well, if that's the case, maybe it's time that you encouraged your child to make a choice and a commitment. You are the parent. You are the one paying, you are driving to lessons, practice, meets, games, workshops, camps, all the millions of places we go to sit, wait, watch, and cheer.

I'm not suggesting you not allow your child to do anything else; far from it. My daughter is a (mostly) studious piano student, and she also plays basketball, runs track and is a girl scout. She knows that in order to be able to take part in those activities, she has to maintain grades and practice piano. If her grades start to drop, or her piano practice drops off, then other activities have to go. When she first expressed an interest in piano, she was told that she had to take lessons for a year. If after that year she enjoyed it, she could continue, but that she had to make a long term commitment. Her first year of piano was in second grade, and when she said she wanted to continue when she got to third grade, we said she would have to make a commitment through at least fifth grade. She understood that, and so far, so good.

We did hit a rough patch, just this past year, and it was hard, and she didn't put in the practice or progress the way we (her parents and her teacher) knew that she could. But by maintaining honest and open communication with her teacher, listening to my daughter's thoughts and feelings, and a slight adjustment of everyone's expectations, we got over that hump and things are much better. So much better, in fact, that just yesterday, she spent 40 minutes practicing. The same child who threw a temper tantrum at the idea of practicing in February had to be dragged away from the piano to eat dinner in June.

So take heart! You're not depriving your child of anything if you encourage them to commit to piano, or if you don't let them quit when it gets a little difficult. If anything, you're instilling values that will make them a better person, and help them when they're out in the world as an adult. And isn't that our job?

5 Ways Piano Lessons Benefit Children - #5 - A Well-Rounded Child

2011-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Regardless of whether a child plays the piano for a short time or for a lifetime, the long-term effects of their piano pursuance are many. Through playing the piano, children are exposed to classical music that they may otherwise have never heard. Kids may develop an appreciation for composers like Bach or Mozart that stay with them for life. In addition, the skills and knowledge they learn in piano may help them easily pick up another musical instrument later.

By playing in front of a teacher at lessons, by playing in front of friends and family members at home, and by participating in piano recitals, your child becomes comfortable performing for individuals or in front of a group, which can be instrumental in helping your child overcome shyness.

Children learn poise and etiquette as they perform, and also learn about being a polite member of an audience as they watch their peers in recital settings.

Unlike gymnastics and some sports where the opportunity to play and be successful is limited to those who are young, piano lessons will give your child a skill he can carry into adulthood and even into old age. An eighty year old can derive just as much pleasure as a six year from playing a beautiful song on the piano.

So now that you know all about the many benefits of piano lessons, where do you start?

We can help you with that, too!

Get in touch with us at Dollarhide's for the contact information of teachers in your area:

850-494-9898 or 800-330-9897

5 Ways Piano Lessons Benefit Children - #4 - Concentration

2011-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Reading a piece of music takes a great deal of focus, causing a child to interpret a note and a rhythm, translate it into hand movements on the keyboard and then immediately go on to the next one. Reading and playing music allows them to think both critically and creatively, which is a skill that will assist them in anything they choose to undertake in the future.

Think your child could never concentrate or focus long enough to learn piano? You might be surprised. Focus and concentration can be difficult in a classroom with 20 other children, but many students flourish with the one-on-one instruction private piano lessons offer. It is yet another skill they can learn and take into other aspects of their lives from piano lessons!

5 Ways Piano Lessons Benefit Children - #3 - Coordination

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Increased eye-hand coordination is almost a given for children that learn to play the piano, but there is more than that. Kids who play the piano have improved fine motor skills and, unlike other instruments, the piano requires both hands to work independently of each other, one moving fast while the other may be moving at a slower rate. All of these things help to increase a child's overall dexterity and complex thought processes.

Increased eye-hand coordination is a huge benefit from learning the piano. Unlike other instruments, the piano incorporates the use of all four limbs, plus the ten fingers, each assigned a different task to perform. This can also be seen as a form of “cross training” for other activities, as these skills transfer to other daily activities and sports.

Do not read this and think that your child could not manage the dexterity required or would be unable to learn. That's why they're called piano LESSONS - your child will be learning these skills, not required to have them to begin!

Piano Lesson FAQ: How do I find the right teacher for my child?

2011-06-14T15:05:00.000-07:00

Finding the right teacher for your child is not a difficult thing to do. A good place to start is to take a moment and consider what you and your child are hoping to get from piano lessons. Consider the following and make a list of the factors that mean the most to you and your child before you approach a teacher:

Is location important to you? Do you want someone close to home, or to your child's school, or to your office? Some parents would like a teacher that comes to the student's home to teach. While you can occasionally find teachers willing to do so, keep in mind tuition is generally higher for these teachers because of travel time and expense. There are only a few teachers locally that do this.
How high a priority is piano study for you and your child? If piano will be low on the student's priority list, this is a point to be very upfront about with a potential teacher. Some teachers don't mind more casual students, and some teachers would rather not take students like this on. Also consider your own level of commitment - while students can succeed on their own, parental involvement really helps with student progression. Parents, even those who know little about music, can still sit with a child to make certain they're completing their assignments and encourage them with praise.
Is your child looking to study a specific genre of music? For example, is he/she only interested in learning about jazz? Not every teacher is comfortable teaching jazz exclusively, while some teachers specialize in it. Maybe because of your religious beliefs you would prefer that your child not play anything but hymns and classical music.
What are your expectations for your child's progress? What do you hope he/she will achieve? Do you want him/her to take part in competitions and performances outside of the studio, or at least have the option to do so?
What about your child's expectations? What does he/she hope to achieve?
What are your expectations for a teacher's qualifications? Would you prefer a teacher with a college degree? One with professional association membership that allows access for their students to special programs and competitions? Or maybe you are more interested in a teacher who doesn't emphasize performance and competition?

Once you have established what is important to you and your child, it is time to start looking for a teacher. Word of mouth is a great way to find a teacher - ask your friends, and your child's friends. You can call us at Dollarhide's - we maintain a large list of piano teachers that covers a wide area, from Mississippi to the Atlantic coast of Florida. You can visit professional association websites for affiliated teachers, such as the Pensacola Music Teacher's Association, or the Music Teacher's National Association. Get in touch with the local symphony office, like the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Contact local colleges and universities, like the music department at UWF or the Music and Theatre Department at PSC. Locally, Olive Baptist Church has a School of Performing Arts. You can also search the web for teachers who maintain studio websites.

If a teacher you are considering has a studio website, look it over thoroughly. Many teachers will post their studio policies on these sites, so you can read over their policies and procedures. Look through their studio information and make note of any questions that you have, so that you can ask them via email or over the phone, whichever method of contact you prefer.

Once you've made contact with a teacher (and determined that they are accepting new students), let them know you are interested in lessons. Then briefly run through your list, the items that you and your child decided are important. The teacher can let you know if they might be a good fit, or if you should consider looking elsewhere. The teacher might briefly run through the main points of their studio policies, tuition and other important items. If everyone is agreeable to terms and conditions, often at this point the teacher will suggest scheduling an interview or initial lesson.

5 Ways Piano Lessons Benefit Children - #2 - Self Esteem

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Learning to play the piano is hard work and takes dedication. Not only does each song mastered increase a child's self-esteem, but showcasing their newly learned talents at piano recitals can boost their self esteem as much as winning a game in a sports competition.

Lessons also help kids to learn how to keep a positive outlook when facing difficult tasks. The understanding that mastering a new skill is a process that requires patience helps children to approach tasks with confidence, and not become discouraged or frustrated.

When parents set aside time to be with their child during lessons and practice time, children feel special. When loving praise is given often from parent and teacher, a child feels great about the work they have put in, and motivated to do more.

While team sports or activities are valuable and teach children important lessons about working with others, a child learning that they can do something difficult and special on their own is just as important, and learning this via piano imparts this lesson and many, many others.

Piano Lesson FAQ: How old does my child need to be to start piano lessons?

2011-06-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

There is no single answer to this question. Every child is different at every age. One cannot magically deem a child to "be ready" for lessons at any given point. BUT - don't be discouraged! There is always an answer, and we will do everything possible to encourage your child's love of the piano and music.

There are varying opinions as to when a child should "officially" start lessons. Really, this depends on the student and the teacher. Some teachers will not start a child younger than age 7, while some teachers enjoy teaching 4 and 5-year olds. So your first step is to consider your child's age:

Ages 3 and younger: Some Suzuki method-trained teachers (and if you are enrolling a child with a teacher using this method, it is VITAL that they are Suzuki-trained) will start some children at the age of 3. Aside from this and the occasional very exceptionally talented child, most children in this age range are not yet ready for piano lessons. Kindermusik (link takes you to a local resource), which introduces young children - even infants - to music and movement, is a good choice for this age range. And again, there are exceptions to every rule, so if you really think your 2-year old is ready for piano lessons, get in touch with a teacher! It never hurts to ask.

Ages 4 to 5: Piano lessons are more of an option for children at this age, although you might have to adjust your expectations. Give a good deal of thoughtful consideration to the fact that, the younger the child is when beginning lessons, the more involved the parent will have to be with actively helping out with practice time, attending the lessons and being positively involved during the lessons. The important thing with a child this age in lessons is to remember to not let your expectations and desires be the sole determinant of when the child begins lessons or how fast you feel they should progress. The most common frustration of the parents arises because they have forgotten that it is their child taking the lessons and doing the practice. Finding a knowledgeable teacher with experience teaching preschoolers is very important, and maintaining honest and open communication with that teacher about progress and expectations is vital.

(Also, see this post: How Young is too Young for the perspective of a piano teacher on this subject)

Ages 6 and older: Welcome to the exciting world of piano study! Most children this age are prepared for piano lessons. Some teachers prefer to teach their beginners in groups, which is a perfectly fine alternative to private lessons if everyone involved - teacher, parent and student - are comfortable with the idea. Be honest with yourself and your teacher about other commitments and how they might interfere with piano, and make sure your child knows - you don't progress if you don't practice. You will get out of piano what you put into it.

So you've taken you child's age and readiness into consideration, and you're ready to start - your next step is to locate a teacher!

Piano Lesson FAQ: How can I prepare my child for piano lessons?

2011-06-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the single easiest and best thing you can do to get your child ready to begin lessons is to expose yourself and your child to lots of classical, jazz, and other forms of musically sound and well performed music together. An appreciation of good music will help get and maintain your child's interest. With rhythmic patterns, harmonics, and melodic ideas already well established in the child's musical ear, the segue into lessons will be an easier process because the child can see a well-defined goal for the lessons.

You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a huge CD collection or buy a ton of downloads. Having a radio station tuned in to the sounds of the great classical and jazz composers is an excellent way to develop knowledge and appreciation of good music. Local hint: WUWF is a great resource for this, with a myriad of musical programming in the evenings on 88.1FM, and they stream classical music constantly on their WUWF - 2 station.

Another fabulous way of exposing your child to music is to attend performances, especially if they feature a pianist! Local hint: The Phillips Jazz Piano Competition takes place at the Seanger Theater every year, and features some of the most talented up-and-coming jazz pianists in the nation. The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra often features a concert pianists at its' performances, and if you're looking for a bargain they now offer $5 tickets to their Saturday afternoon dress rehearsals prior to each Masterworks performance. The UWF Department of Music and PSC Music & Theatre Department have student performances regularly. Area churches often have performances, as well. Dollarhide's also hosts many recitals in the store performance area - you can contact us for information, as well.

5 Ways Piano Lessons Benefit Children - #1 - Academic Benefits

2011-06-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Numerous studies available show children who play an instrument score higher on both standard and spatial cognitive development tests alike. There are also findings that show kids who play piano, in particular, scored higher in math, especially on problems dealing with ratios and fractions.

In one particular study conducted by Dr. Frances Rauscher (a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh) and Gordon Shaw (a physicist at of the University of California at Irvine) tested preschoolers who received piano instruction. They found that preschoolers who received piano lessons scored 34% higher than their nonmusical counterparts in tests measuring spatial-temporal reasoning, which is the brain function used to understand math, science and engineering.

Study after study confirms that young children who take piano lessons not only improve their coordination, they learn how to concentrate better too, improving reading scores, enhancing their memory skills and increasing their confidence levels.

Consider the results from this study:

"The ﬁndings indicate that music lessons cause small increases in IQ, but comparable nonmusical activities do not have similar consequences. By contrast, drama lessons had favorable effects on social behavior that were not evident in the music groups. How can one explain the association between music lessons and IQ?

It is well established that simple attendance at school raises IQ (Ceci & Williams, 1997), and that school instruction is particularly effective when classes are small (Ehrenberg, Brewer, Gamoran, & Wilms, 2001).

Music lessons, taught individually or in small groups, may provide additional boosts in IQ because they are like school but still enjoyable. Moreover, music lessons involve a multiplicity of experiences that

could generate improvement in a wide range of abilities."

Skills learned through the discipline of music may transfer to study skills, communication skills, and cognitive skills useful in every part of a child's studies at school. So in addition to the myriad of other benefits learning piano can offer, it can improve a student's academic outlook.