"Audiation-based piano instruction"

Audiation-based piano instruction is centered in Edwin E. Gordon's Music Learning Theory. Gordon spent his lifetime researching how children learn music. He discovered that children learn music in a similar way to learning their language. Language learning begins with listening. As babies, we simply listen. Then we speak, starting with individual words, followed by short phrases. As our listening and speaking vocabularies develop, we begin to understand how our language works. Eventually we are able to carry on full conversations with others, using our language skills in creative ways. At this point, we enter school and formally learn to read and write.  

Music learning follows the same process. We learn what music is by listening to music. Next, we begin to make music by singing, chanting, moving, and playing an instrument. As our music vocabulary develops, we begin to understand how music works. With this understanding, we begin creating our own music. These early stages of music development lay the foundation for learning to read and write music.  

For more information on Music Learning Theory and audiation, visit giml.org.