[Menvi-discuss] teaching piano as a blind person

[Marda]

I have taught both blind and sighted students, all ages, for years.  I've 
found that most children don't have a problem with the blindness thing. 
They might have questions about your Braille books and stuff like that 
because children are naturally curious but they are generally more curious 
about playing the piano.  If they're really young they'll love it and 
probably be quite uninhibited.  You can also explain that since you're eyes 
don't work or are broken or however you choose to express that concept you 
need to touch their hands to see hand position and correct it and things 
like that.  They tend to accept things like that pretty easily unless 
they're foster kids that have had a lot of abuse or something like that and 
then they may be touch sensitive.  I have sometimes had kids prefer it if I 
touch their hands to show them things like proper hand position.  I've asked 
them if they want me to tell them how to do something or if they want me to 
show their hands how to do it.  They usually say show my hands.  As far as 
the parents go they may have questions but again I have found that most 
parents are OK with the blindness.  Most of them haven't thought through how 
their child is going to learn enough to know what questions to ask.  I 
usually don't tell them I'm blind over the phone.  I let them see it when I 
meet them.  I've found that the key is projecting an air of confidence that 
you know what you're doing.  Another thing you can do is if they're going to 
be around for the lessons get them involved by showing them what you're 
teaching the kids.  That way they can help their kids with practicing which 
is really necessary if the kids are really young.  If you have more 
questions feel free to email me on or off list.
Marda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kelsey Nicolay" <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com>
To: <menvi-discuss at menvi.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 6:18 PM
Subject: [Menvi-discuss] teaching piano as a blind person


> 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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