What is Piano GHD Syndrome?
Do you remember the movie, Groundhog Day? In this wonderful movie, TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) relives the same day - Groundhog Day, over and over and over again. No matter what he does, he wakes up the next morning and it is once again Groundhog Day. This continues until he decides to learn and grow. Only after he begins focusing his efforts on helping others instead of concentrating on himself does he move forward and awaken to a new day.
Groundhog Day Syndrome (or GDS) is the term I use for students who want to continue to play the same song or the same few songs over and over instead of moving forward and learning new skills and songs.
While all students develop favorite songs that they love to play, others get stuck. For most students, this is a temporary thing, and just represents a beautiful song that they have learned from memory. When these students sit down at a piano in a friend's house or at their grandparents, they play their favorite piece to impress their friends and relatives. A lot of students, for example, learn to play Beethoven's Fur Elise, which is a wonderful song. They play it over and over, but they are also willing to move forward and play and enjoy new pieces of music. A student who truly has GDS, however, will want to only continue to play their most favorite piece in the whole world, which they have worked very hard to learn to play! They will want to only keep playing it no matter how much other music is presented to them.
There are three stages of GDS, which varies from mild to severe.
Mild: A parent brings a music book to their child's piano teacher that contains the parent's or the child's favorite kind of music. They ask the teacher to use this book, which the parent also wants to learn to play. The parent then supports the teacher in their child's lessons and encourages their child to let the teacher use their experience and expertise to guide them on their musical journey. Here the parent is just being human. They are excited about piano and want to share this with their child as well as their favorite style of music. Most of us have a mild case GDS. Therefore this stage is actually pretty close to normal.
Moderate: A parent brings a stack of music books to their child's piano teacher and insists that the teacher use these and only these materials. Sometimes this happens because the parent doesn't want to purchase new books. However, the books often aren't appropriate to the child's skills and abilities. This practice puts a huge limitation on what the teacher can accomplish. It is like insisting that a child only check out the same three books from the public library each week. Like using the full library, allowing piano teachers to choose the full range of materials appropriate to a student that are available avoids GDS and helps them progress much faster.
Severe: A parent brings an older child to a new studio for lessons because they are not happy with their previous teacher. The parent insists that the new teacher use a specific music book that often isn't appropriate for the child's skill level. At times, this happens because the parent really likes this music book and is learning to play these pieces themselves; other times it happens because the child has managed, with great difficulty, to learn one of the songs in the book. The song is impressive and the student played it in their last recital, and they want to play it again in this year's recital. However, the student hasn't mastered more basic techniques and resists learning newer material. This GDS can be a huge impediment to learning, as the child (and parent) can miss key skills and concepts needed to make true progress.
"I would never do anything that stupid!"
Now you're probably thinking, "Well, I wouldn't do anything like that!" Well the truth is, we all get stuck from time to time. We just can't see it ourselves because GDS comes with myopia. Like the little groundhog tunneling its way through the ground but running into a rock, we can focus so intently on a false goal that we really don't get anywhere, but instead only end up getting stuck and having the illusion of accomplishment. Sometimes we can imagine a finish line that really isn't there and end up wasting a lot of time we could have used wisely. This is where piano teachers can help, by focusing students on a daily, step-by-step learning process that achieves consistent long-term learning growth. In this way, children can make true music progress that will last them a lifetime and enable them to share their gifts with their children and grandchildren!
It is important for parents to remember that the real goal in piano (and life) is to learn something new every day! All you need to do is to help and support your child build a strong foundation upon which to grow and move ahead independently. The goal of the piano teacher is to help children grow into a confident, independent learner.
Copyright 2005, Cynthia Marie VanLandingham
Cynthia VanLandingham is the owner of TallyPiano & Keyboard Studio in Tallahassee, Florida where she has been teaching piano for 20 years. She is a member of the American College of Musicians, the National Guild of Piano Teachers, a graduate of the Florida State University College of Education, and President of TallyPiano Enterprises, LLC. You can visit her website and download her original compositions free at http://www.tallypiano.com
Cynthia is also an author of a series of exciting books for children, with the mission of Using Music, Art, Science and Literature to Help Children Achieve their Dreams. Her illustrated series for piano students is called, Little Bear's Piano Adventures!TM These stories take young piano students on a Musical Adventure to find out what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that children can easily understand.
For more information about these wonderful books E-mail Cynthia at cindy@tallypiano.com, where you can also subscribe to her free internet newsletter, Piano Matters!
TallyPiano Studio: (850) 386-2425
Hotline: (850) 264-7232
 Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:51:06 GMT American space tourist blasts off in Soyuz rocket - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) - A Soyuz spacecraft with two Americans and a Russian on board lifted off from Kazakhstan on Sunday for the international space station. Space Toilet Fixed – For Now Russia launches spacecraft with sixth space tourist Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:11:37 GMT Van driver's work in Mass. aided Nobel winners - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—When two American scientists won a Nobel Prize this week in chemistry, the driver of a car dealership's courtesy van had reason to take special interest. Video: Nobel Chemistry Prize Goes for Jellyfish Protein Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:14:18 GMT Many homers, and pitches, in Game 2 - MLB.com
MLB.com - By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Five hours and 27 minutes elapsed during Saturday's American League Championship Series Game 2, bookending the moments when Scott Kazmir threw the game's first pitch over home plate and BJ Upton popped its ... Up, up, and away Mike Timlin shoulders blame Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:22:57 GMT ARM Holders Would Do Well to Shop Around Now - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Nancy Trejos The global financial crisis has affected virtually every aspect of personal finance, from mortgages to student loans to credit cards to retirement savings. Finance giants reportedly ordered to buy $40 bln of mortgage bonds ... Fannie, Freddie to Buy $40 Billion a Month of Troubled Assets Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:07:17 GMT Theatrical Review of Body of Lies - DVDTOWN.com DVDTOWN.com - By Jason P. Vargo "Body of Lies" is a certain type of movie designed for a certain type of moviegoer. I think the tagline describes the movie perfectly, actually. Will 'Chihuahua' take a bite out of 'Body of Lies'? Body of Lies Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:19:39 GMT Japan says will tap FX reserve if IMF steps up bailout - Reuters
Reuters - WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Japan said on Saturday it is ready to offer a part of its $1 trillion foreign reserves to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if the multi-national lender is to support countries facing economic crisis. Video: IMF: Timing right for G7 IMF Calls for Aggressive Response to Crisis Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:32:02 GMT McCain campaign's tone likened to George Wallace's - Newsday
Newsday - WASHINGTON - Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and veteran of the civil rights movement, says the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign reminds him of the hateful atmosphere segregationist Gov. McCain in 'hatred' war of words Obama thanks, jabs at McCain Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:27:11 GMT More Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Your best music will always come when you are in... Read More The violin is a bowed stringed instrument and is the... Read More Many students think that being able to play what you... Read More Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on... Read More Remember when radio stations played great music?OK, before you accuse... Read More Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet... Read More Eric Clapton performs his slow-handed magic on his. Even with... Read More You know your songs are great (and so does your... Read More This article gives the essential basics for how to play... Read More Oh, I know the last part of the title (Suck)... Read More Anyone who has recorded vocals to tape knows there is... Read More Different styles of music have different "sounds." We can all... Read More Learning how to improvise is confusing for most. The sheer... Read More IntroductionThe fact that you are holding this in your hands... Read More Do you sit down at the piano and feel anxiety... Read More When I was 9 years old I played the Saxophone... Read More Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More Celebrating an endorsement between G-Man Music and the fiery axe-makers... Read More You've probably heard the saying "practice makes perfect" and it... Read More Following, is a list of alternative sources that may be... Read More If you are just starting out learning guitar one of... Read More Have you ever started learning a lick or exercise and... Read More A lot of new age piano music consists of repeating... Read More The Suzuki violin method has come to dominate the way... Read More Vision Music USA is a proactive and progressive music service... Read More
Adsense
websites
How to Be in the Moment when Playing Piano
Sheet Music ? Violin and Other String Instruments
How to Play What you Feel
Free, Legal Music Online
Radio - What?s Happened To It?
Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask
Who?s Playing What? A Guide To The Guitars Of The Pros
Tips for a Great Recording Session
How To Play The Violin
Does Your CD Cover $ell (Or Suck)?
Recording Vocals at Home
New Age Music - How Its Made
How to Stop Thinking and Start Playing
Modal Theory for Guitar Players - Part 1
Common Thoughts That Kill Inspiration
Self-Expression Without Criticism
Legend Vega Releasing New Pop CD
Flaming Guitars! Minarik Fuels The Excitement Of A New Generation Of Musicians
Guitar Practice (Part 2) - Does Practice Make Perfect?
Alternative Sales Sources for Your Music
Getting Rhythm - Three Tips for Guitar Beginners
Guitar Players...Learn About The Point Of Discipline
How to Create Interesting Textures
Suzuki Violin Vs Traditional Violin
Interview With Josh Epstein of Vision Music USA
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Jazz: What In The Heck Is It?
All of us know what jazz is when we hear... Read More
An Interview with Angus Young of ACDC - Why He Plays a Gibson SG
Steven: Maybe more than any other guitarist ever, you're inextricably... Read More
Discover The Perfect Place To Perform
Once you know what your Unique Selling Proposition is as... Read More
These MIDI Tools Are Music To My Ears
Curious about MIDI? Want to find out what tools are... Read More
Six Reasons to Play New Age Piano
Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More
Creating Within Limits
When I first started playing the piano I wanted to... Read More
Interested in Improving the Sound of Your Stereo? Consider Records
Introduced in 1982, the compact disc was intended to provide... Read More
Music Business Contacts: Music Business Registry connects artists, managers, publishers, producers &
"The difference between success and failure is information," notes Ritch... Read More
How To Change Your Guitar Strings
Changing your guitar strings might make you feel a litte... Read More
The Life and Music of Beatle George Harrison
Propelled into fame as one of the Beatles, along with... Read More
10 Top Reasons You Should Learn to Play Chord Piano
There are roughly umpteen zillion reasons why you should learn... Read More
A Dying Cat And A Nylon String Guitar
"Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, you learn... Read More
Shut Up And Sing
What is it with these performers and their politics? Do... Read More
Piano Lessons and Perfectionism
Are you a perfectionist? Does every note have to sound... Read More
Good News for the Musically Untalented
Have you ever been told that you were good at... Read More
Singing: The Tonic of Life
Most people these days would associate singing with the popular... Read More
Origin of Erik Saties Gnossiennes
The 'trois Gnossiennes' (1890) is a set of dance-like pieces... Read More
Record Collecting Still Thriving in the Twenty-first Century
It may surprise many to find that the hobby of... Read More
Reasons to Ditch Your Guitar Pick
Lately, I haven't been using my guitar pick all that... Read More
Right-Hand Techniques for New Age Piano
Recently, I had a student ask me to offer some... Read More
The First The American Idol Kelly Clarkson
There is a lot more to the story that meets... Read More
Recording Vocals at Home
Anyone who has recorded vocals to tape knows there is... Read More
Right Hand Guitar Playing Tip
This lesson can open for you a secret of high-speed... Read More
Guitar Tuning Tips
Most new guitar players and even some experienced ones have... Read More
Piano Playing Your Way: How To Have More Fun Playing The Piano Than You Ever Have Before
Piano playing doesn't have to be boring. There's no law... Read More
Music & MP3 |