[Menvi-discuss] teaching piano as a blind person

[Winy Kwany]

Hi,
I always tell my future-student that I am blind (The parents are the
ones who always decide for them). Some don't come back; but most who
want to learn will. I have tried the method not to tell the parents
about my blindness; they usually will feel disappointed and even they
will feel that I lie to them, so the student quit. Parents of students
with whom I work with come from the feeling of curiosity. They want to
know how a blind pianist teaches piano. I won't tell them about
braille books or whatever; they usually stayed during the first
several lessons to see what I do with the students.
For young kids, touching is essential for fixing fingering and other
technique problems; I usually won't touch them if they are reluctant
and timid. I will give them time to adjust to the habbit of my
touching: I will stand behind them and gently touch their wrisk or
arms then take my hands off. I will do this repeatedly till the
student gets used to it. For teenagers and adults, they don't need
touching that much; they usually will copy what I show them.
Hope this helps.
Winy.

On 2/6/14, Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> I may have posted a similar thread before, but here goes.  I am a
> tutor for wyzant, which is a tutoring company.  I applied for a
> tutoring job teaching piano.  The parent emailed me about
> possibly doing lessons one hour a month with the time split
> between her two kids.  I have always wanted to teach piano since
> I've been playing all my life basically, but I am worried that
> once the parent finds out about my blindness, she might lose her
> trust in my ability to teach her children.  This would be my
> first time ever teaching piano, so I am not sure how to approach
> this.  When she calls me to set up the lessons, should I mention
> that I am blind but it does not stop me from doing the things I
> enjoy? I would then explain that I would use Braille books while
> the students have the books in print.  Also, how will her kids
> react to having someone who can't see teach piano? I think they
> are still young, so they might not be old enough to understand
> the misconceptions society has about what blind people can do.
> My piano teacher sees absolutely no reason why I cannot teach
> piano.  Anyone who is blind and has ever taught piano to sighted
> students, please share your experiences.  How did the student
> react to your blindness? How did the parents feel about it? Did
> they feel less confident in your abilities? How do you work on
> things like technique if you can't see what the student is doing?
> Is this a situation in which touch is the only way I'll be able
> to monitor their habits? I think the parents will be there while
> the lessons are going on since it's in their home.  I would
> really appreciate some advice.
> Thanks,
>
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