Is it hard to play piano with ADHD?

Most piano teachers will encounter a piano student who has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). And, let's be blunt, they can be very difficult students in a piano lesson setting.

teachpianotoday.com - 8 Strategies for Teaching Piano to Students with ADD or ADHD

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Most piano teachers will encounter a piano student who has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). And, let’s be blunt, they can be very difficult students in a piano lesson setting. However, they can also be amazingly wonderful and rewarding piano students if we as teachers make the effort to adjust our lessons to suit their unique needs. This is uncharted territory for many of us. And while some piano teachers may have the ability to hand-pick their students, other teachers do not. And still, others feel strongly about giving all children the opportunity to experience piano (I’m in this camp!) For those teachers who may be struggling with a piano student with ADD or ADHD… this post is for you!

1. Same Old, Same Old is a Good Thing

You may be the most interesting, unique, and innovative teacher in town, but reign in your 3-ring circus when it comes to these students. Have a clear lesson structure that is predictable, with routines you follow in the same manner each week. These piano students thrive in an environment where they know exactly what to expect every time. This doesn’t mean you should be boring… but it does mean that you need to be aware of their need for structure. Use charts as a visual to represent your lesson structure and stick to the chart each week.

2. Be Firm, But Kind

Be clear with your expectations and enforce them… kindly. There is a careful balance that you need to find where your piano student both respects and enjoys you. Avoid the desire to want them to like you so much that you lose control of the lesson. They will like you more if they feel secure in knowing that you’re the one in charge.

3. Make Your Instructions Clear

Keep your teaching simple. Spell out exactly what you’d like them to do in a way that leaves no room for interpretation. For example, “Let’s start from the beginning” should be “Let’s play Sheldon’s Sonatina hands together starting right here.” Try for eye contact when giving instructions… and, if you are able, get a verbal acknowledgment from them that they’ve heard you and understand (okay is a great word!)

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4. Rewards and Consequences Work

Choose music-related rewards that are earned for completing certain tasks during the piano lesson. These don’t need to be stickers or candy, but rather the opportunity to play a favorite theory game, a favorite duet, etc. Find something they dearly love to do and offer it as a reward for following your clearly laid-out expectations. If they choose not to, then the reward doesn’t happen that week (but yet remind them of their chance to try again next time). Make a point of catching your student doing something positive as often as you can and tell them what you like about what they’re doing.

5. Pick Your Battles

Yes, his or her behavior may be annoying, but if it is minor and isn’t affecting the learning at that moment then let it slide. It can become extremely discouraging for a child if they are constantly hearing “Stop”… “No”… “Don’t”. Save those words for when you really need them and they’ll have much more of an impact. Some children simply need to fidget, and while it may not be your ideal scenario, allowing them to move as long as they are on task is usually best.

6. Eliminate Distractions

Eliminate anything from your piano studio that could be distracting. Fish tanks, prize buckets, pencil cases… they all “call” to your student and you end up spending your piano lesson time wrangling them away from the distraction. It’s much easier to not have the distractions there in the first place. Use the piano lid and close it while you talk… the piano itself is often a distraction! Check out our list of 8 hidden distractions that you may not have considered.

7. Let Them Experience Success Often

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Set small and realistic goals that allow your students to experience success frequently. Make goals achievable and celebrate when they accomplish them. Involve his or her parents in this process so that it continues at home. Do not measure home piano practice by minutes, but rather by ability (ie. Can they play the first line hands together? etc.)

8. Be Their Rock

You have the opportunity to be your piano student’s ray of sunshine each week. By being a consistent, kind, and understanding role model you can have a large impact on your student’s life. It is rewarding to be a piano teacher. It is profoundly rewarding to know that your student would not have had the piano in his or her life… had it not been for you.

And… A Bonus Tip

Mixing up your activities in a piano lesson is key as any child should not be expected to focus on one task for too long. If you want to add piano games and activities, sight-reading, rhythm, and more to your lessons yet you don’t want to be dashing around your studio looking for them while your student waits impatiently, check out Andrea and Trevor Dow’s Very Useful Piano Library! These themed books are packed with so much more than just music, and yet are cleanly designed for maximum appeal. Each book is micro-leveled to allow you to select just the right book for your student to work in a parallel fashion when needed.

teachpianotoday.com - 8 Strategies for Teaching Piano to Students with ADD or ADHD

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