ABSTRACT
This chapter describes advantages and disadvantages of teaching group piano from the instructor's perspective, and describes ways to provide effective instruction. For almost a century in the United States, some children have been exploring the fundamentals of piano technique and repertoire in group settings. The chapter explores how excellent group-piano teachers avail of research and techniques from learning and group theories and put group dynamics to use in the piano class. The challenge of creating lesson plans and engaging students throughout the entire instructional period is a gratifying creative activity for many group-piano teachers. Effective group-piano teachers are true lifelong learners who enjoy assessing their skills, evaluating the effect their strategies are having on their students' learning, and modifying their techniques to maximize their efforts. Thoughtful self-reflection and video assessment of the teaching can help group-piano teachers improve assessment and feedback techniques.
