What counting out loud does to piano beginners? by Piano Comics

One of the basic principles I teach as a piano teacher to all beginners, children and adults, is how to count out loud. 

Rhythm is the basis of music. No rhythm, no music. Now that we got that out of the way, I would like to share some thoughts on why counting out loud is so different from counting from the inside.

But firstly, counting. As soon as students learn rhythmic values ( in the first 2-4 piano lessons ) I teach counting. If a student learns how to count while playing he is becoming a real musician. This ability is not the easiest, but definately not impossible to train in beginners. You can start with a simple 4 bar rhythmic phrase on the same key with the same finger ( we need to make some aspects easier for the brain, it’s already enough that it has to think how to count ). Then count it for them while either you play or them. Then ask for them to count with you ( repetition and mimicking will do their magic ) . Finally, have them play and count out loud as you did before together.

Important tip: use your pencil and move it ( imaginary drawing of a horizontal line for 1 hand, or vertical lines for both hands aka vertical counting) as the rhythm flows from beat to beat, from bar to bar so that the student sees in real life, visually, how the rhythm passes in time ( you can watch a video of the vertical counting here ).

So why count out loud? 

This is the most important element of this methodology. If you count out loud, all mistakes, whatever doesn’t ‘fit’ into rhythm will be heard, will become real. You cannot unhear what keys didn’t fall into the ‘right’ place while you were reciting in real time their rhythmical values. So, you understand you made a mistake and either correct it or move on but at least officially the mismatch was heard, became real. While on the other hand, counting from the inside, you can move on even if a mistake happened or even worse, your brain can stop counting and you don’t realise it because your inner voice is …well…inner, silenced.

In conclusion, when you teach students how to count out loud it’s like you are transforming them into a teacher. The voice counting is the teacher, the fingers are the student.

I always say to my students: If you count out loud at home it’s like YOU are a teacher. They of course like this and treat it with responsibility and pride ( …wow….if I do this at home I am the teacher….nice! )

Finally, add humoristic rhymes. Rhymed lyrics will do the trick faster and more effectively. Kids will want to repeat them all the time because it makes them laugh while their fingers, rhythmical playing and score reading works sneakily in the backround. But don’t ignore teaching the habit of counting. Out loud.

Here is an example of a simple 4 bar melody ( 3 consecutive keys ) were we first count, then add lyrics and as always: give initiative to the student to co-creater their own rhymes. Kids treat differently homework that is also built by them.

For more piano material like this for ages 4-12 get ‘ Workbook Sheet Music’ for piano beginners by Piano Comics.