Online Piano Lessons from Johnstons Crossing, Mableton, GA

Dr. Karen L. Thomas: I've been teaching music for at least 30 years. My musical specialties are composition and performance. Regarding music education I've been working with middle and high school choral and instrumental ensembles as a collaborative pianist. Being a collaborative pianist gives me the opportunity to rehearse with students that are in the learning process as far as music is concerned; learning basic musical concepts, such as, pitch, harmony, and musical notation. Teaching in the school setting is a collaborative approach with a choral or instrumental director that chooses the music appropriate for the grade level of students in these ensembles.

Teaching music or piano lessons to individual students involves two areas of musical education: 1. Music Theory and 2. The application of the theory with an instrument, in this case, the piano. Therefore, a typical music lesson would include teaching music fundamentals, for example pitch; then the theory would be linked to practice, in this case, musical scales (as one example).

Further instruction would depend upon the skill level and interest of the student in music as a possible profession. It's also a good idea to become musically literate even if the student is not interested in music as a career. Becoming a proficient music reader is an area of music that I advocate as well as teach. The piano is a good instrument that I highly recommend for learning the skill of music readership.