The act of playing the piano, or any instrument, requires the developement of both muscular coordination for the physical manipulation of the instrument and mental understanding to control the physical action. I try to do most of the skill development through repertoire, even at the beginner level, rather than through technique exercises and book work. I also try to gear my lessons towards the student's interests and goals. If a student is only interested in playing their favorite pop songs then there's not much point in developing extensive left hand scale and arpeggio technique. Also, if a student is interested in the blues and jazz, there isn't much reason they can't get started on a few simple riffs virtually from the first lesson.

I'm not a big fan of extensive written work, although it can be useful as an additional reinforcer for certain basic concepts. In general I think that the more direct approach of learning theory on the keyboard rather than on the page is more effective. This probably comes from my background as a self taught jazz musician. Having learned concepts such as chord / scale relationships, harmonic movement and so on from listening and playing, when I studied them In college theory classes it became a simple exercise of putting names to the ideas. Thus when I teach I explain a given concept first by how it sounds and is applied, and then by what it is theoretically, and finally what it is called, and why it is called that.

Consequently, I believe there is great value in demonstrating ideas rather than describing them. Actually I believe this is one of the primary advantages to taking lessons from a teacher rather than studying from books. When approaching a new piece of music I will often play it myself for the student, after discussing any new concepts and potential difficulties. This allows the student to see the music, hear it, and see the mechanics of playing it all before attempting it themselves.

Finally, it is important to keep in mind is that music is quite literally limitless. There is no point at which you really "know how to play the piano", rather there is a gradual progression of new ideas and skills. Even though I teach piano I am also a student of music and I'm constantly discovering new sounds, moods, harmonic ideas, etc.