PIANO INSTRUCTION: Teaching a Good Hand Position and Technical Skills to Young Children

Teaching wee beginners a natural approach to the piano, that includes a relaxed hand position, flowing arms and supple wrists, allows the birth of beautiful music-making while it promotes injury avoidance.

Irina Gorin is one of the best teacher models in this universe.

A dedicated proponent of early exposure to "weeping willow" arms, and "rainbow" movements from octave to octave, even with single note practice for a prescribed time (depending on individual needs), she delivers her living/breathing philosophy through focused videos.

Here, she guides young hands through a smooth wrist follow-through:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h1O51S6pmo&feature=share&list=PL607C4AF1CFB0A2A0

And now a Monkey Swing out, Arm relaxation motion
http://youtu.be/-nOLTzHTYMc

In my own studio, I applied many of these concepts when mentoring Rina, a 4-year old, using Irina Gorin's Tales of a Musical Journey.

http://youtu.be/RU-g3760Fb4

After a full 8 months of my having nursed along smooth and supple motions in baby steps, Rina performed in the Spring Recital (solos and duets)

http://youtu.be/youcGnttJJw

In September 2012, my article about teaching young piano students using Irina Gorin's materials was published in the California Music Teachers Magazine. Since it was posted on the MTAC.org website only during last Fall's quarter, I've reprinted the contents at the El Cerrito Patch.com site.

Many embedded videos throughout my text are instructive.
http://elcerrito.patch.com/groups/shirley-kirstens-blog/p/bp--my-review-of-a-creative-new-teaching-material-for6207751051


LINKS
Irina Gorin's You Tube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/pianoteaching

When Great Piano Teaching Must be Recognized

http://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/when-great-piano-teaching-must-be-recognized/