[Menvi-discuss] teaching piano as a blind person

[Kaiti Shelton]

Hi,

I would explain your blindness a bit, but like Leslie said don't be
apologetic about it.  When I taught beginning band students a few
years ago I explained to the teacher and to them that I was blind and
would need to maybe ask them questions about the music, or do things a
bit differently.  The students were still great to work with, and
didn't mind doing things differently.  When I met their parents on the
night of the concert, they didn't think anything of it either; they
were just happy that I helped their children improve on their
instruments.  The same happened when I volunteered for an after school
program in an inner city school last year, and also when I taught
basic piano to a little boy over a summer.

Also, I took piano lessons in college last year, and even then my
sighted teacher used touch to get my hands in the right position.
This was not because I couldn't see him to copy, but because that is
how he works with all his students who need to develop propper hand
placement.  So, touch isn't necessarily unique to blind piano
teachers.

On 2/6/14, Miranda <knownoflove at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
> While I have not taught piano, I have taught voice for over ten years. I
> don't even mention my blindness unless questions arise. I charge an extra
> travel fee that is reasonable for my area if ever traveling to a student's
> home, and no one has questioned this. I have only had one parent feel she
> needed to continually explain what her child was/wasn't doing visually in
> response to my teaching, and I gently explained that I could tell what she
> was/wasn't doing by hearing her.
> For fingering, you may very well need to touch the student's hands, and
> that
> is fine. You could even have your student touch your hands while you play
> to
> make it fun and fair and to encourage your student to become comfortable
> with your blindness. You could even let your students explore your braille
> music and ask questions about how you read it, how you learned music and
> piano, ETC. Be willing to answer questions (and especially encourage
> questions from your students), but do not allow the conversation to center
> around your blindness or independence. Stick to your policies, and do not
> let families think they can push you around because you are visually
> impaired and thereby presumably less competent or capable. I usually
> conduct
> a free no-obligation new student consultation, and if I am unsure about
> whether or not a student or family will fit well in my teaching studio, I
> let them know I will make a decision and get back to them within the week.
> This may have been more than what you were asking for, but I do hope it
> helps.
> Hope this helps, and I wish you all the best in your teaching success!
>
> In Christ, Miranda
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of
> Kelsey Nicolay
> Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 7:19 PM
> To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
> 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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-- 
Kaiti