So i recently started teaching a 13 year old who has played the piano for around 5 years.

She is in the 3A faber piano adventures book. She is definitely gifted, as she memorizes everything, especially the melody. But that's the problem, she complains and complains about how she hates the left hand part of every song. She also is isn't very dilligent with her practicing.

I'm not sure what to do to help her improve. Should I find an exercise to help her learn the base clef? If so, does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!!

Hello,
Its normal, most people find it difficult to use left hand while playing a piano. Inorder to help her improve you can give her some standard patterns to practice.

Hope this can help her to play more easily.

You could let her pick a song she really loves and make part of her practice learning to play that song, if you make it interesting for her and not all "work", as most students see practice, she might rise to the occasion and learn to use her left hand.

I am 65 y.o. and have been playing piano for 10 months and started learning with "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen and have moved on to "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zepplin. Believe me if I were to follow a strict teaching method it wouldn't have worked. I have posted a video if you're interested in seeing my progress. This piano is in atrocious condition but I'm pressing on.

Good luck with your student.

She sounds like a typical teenager!
The best way is exercises to build up the finger dexterity, but if she won't try, then you can't force her. Maybe some simple rock, blues, or jazz patterns? Or, maybe teaming with the parents to have them help her work through her practice.

A method I used even for myself is to practice each had separately. For me memorizing the left hand is easier because usually in follows some form of chord progression. Recognizing which cord is being played allows you to in many cases predict what is coming next. Most student books follow the I-IV-V and often toss in a V7 thus resolving to the "I". Good Luck!

Bill

I think you could speak to parents.

Also you might want to work on her motivation. What motivates her ? maybe a snack, maybe a small concert for parents/family...

uhm... Let her play the song that she is interested in.^^

Let her play the way she likes.