Piano Teaching Techniques for Seniors with Brain Training Elements Brain Training Piano(R) Free Information Session for Short-term Intensive Course for Instructor Certification to be Held on September 30

2024.08.30 10:00

一般社団法人全国ゆうゆう塾(R)協会

The Zenkoku Yuyu Juku(R) Association will hold its first short-term intensive course as an accredited course for teachers of the Brain Training Piano(R) on November 2, 3, and 4, 2024. A free information session will be held at Art Forum Azamino (Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) on September 30, 2024.

Instructor Training Course

■Outline of Free Information Session

Title: Free Brain Training Piano(R) Seminar

Date and Time: Monday, September 30, 2024, 10:30-11:30 (tentative)

Reception desk opens: 10:00

Venue : Gender Equality Center Yokohama North Art Forum Azamino

　　　　　(1-17-3 Azamino Minami, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 225-0012, Japan)

Access : 5 min. walk from Azamino Sta. on the Yokohama Municipal Subway and Tokyu Denentoshi Line

Participation fee: Free of charge

Participation requirements: None

Capacity : 20 people

Target ：Piano instructors, caregivers, nursery school teachers, music stores, culture center personnel, etc.

Sponsor ：Short-term Intensive Course Project for Brain Training Piano(R) Certification

Short-term Intensive Course

＜Application Method

Contact: Tomoe Munehiro

TEL: 090-6810-1446

MAIL: kurutoratai@yahoo.co.jp

Inquiry

Profile of the instructor in charge of free information sessions and short-term intensive courses

Tomoe Munehiro] After working as an instructor at Yamaha Music School System, Tomoe Munehiro opened a piano and electone school. She currently has two classrooms and manages them as owner-operated classrooms. She has traveled throughout Japan as a certified Brain Training Piano(R) executive instructor and technical guidance instructor, and currently leads more than 200 Brain Training Piano(R) instructors as a certified instructor. After working as a Yamaha Music School System Instructor, she has been leading the Piano & Electone OTOMOE Classroom.

Yoko Hanabusa】 Lives and works in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from the piano department of a music college, she opened Hanabusa Music School and has been teaching piano for about 40 years. He later became a certified technical instructor and has been focusing on instructor training. Currently, she teaches senior classes and instructor training courses at music stores, culture schools, and her own home classroom.

Yoshie Ohashi] After working as an instructor at Yamaha Music School System and PMS, currently manages Happi-Happi Music School for Piano and Harp, and is an Executive Certified Instructor of Brain Training Piano(R). After working as a Yamaha Music School System and PMS instructor, managed Happi-Happi-Happi Music School for piano and harp, certified keyboard harmonica instructor

Eiko Kashiwabara] After 43 years of teaching at Yamaha Music School System, currently a member of Platinum Society, certified instructor of Brain Training Piano(R) Executive, Kanagawa Seibu Branch Manager, Ranran Music School♪ (fairy piano garden), presiding over Brain Training Piano(R) classes at Yamaha distributors, and lecturing at Lifelong Learning Division of local government. Started Brain Training Piano(R) classes for seniors at local municipalities.

Shihomi Kunieda] Lives in Kanagawa Prefecture, organizes the music school "Mion. She is a certified instructor of Brain Training Piano(R) Executive. She is also the head of the Yokohama Northwest Branch of Yuyu Juku(R) Piano School.

Photo of the instructor

About the Association of All-Japan Yu-Yu Juku(R) Schools

The National Association of Yu-Yu Juku(R) is engaged in the business of creating a life environment that enriches people's lives through lifelong learning and culture schools. Specifically, we have developed and systematized the "Brain Training Piano(R)" method, a piano teaching technique for seniors that adds elements of brain training and coaching. In addition to piano teaching methods for seniors, this groundbreaking content provides total support for instructors' own branding, methods for attracting customers, classroom management, and activities as an instructor. Our main business is to hold in-person and online "Brain Training Piano(R)" certified instructor training courses, conduct examinations, and certify qualifications. We also develop new methods, plan and produce publications and goods, and plan and hold events, seminars, and training programs.

Originality and innovation of our business

We are also planning and organizing events, seminars, training sessions, etc.

Many people have the stereotype that piano lessons are in the "education and art" field. However, it is not realistic to force adults who start playing the piano as a hobby to be "educated" or to be trained to improve their skills as an "art. Brain Training Piano(R) lessons are unique and different from existing piano lessons because it adds the essence of brain training, games, coaching, psychology, etc. to "piano instruction. In addition to stimulating curiosity and making piano playing fun, the program also actively incorporates programs that "activate the brain" by having fun with movements that are not part of everyday life. The "Brain Training Piano (R)" is a trademarked intellectual property.

Omotenashi (hospitality) in piano instruction

We emphasize not only "skills" but also "mind". We place importance not only on "skills" but also on "mindset," which is a "hospitality mindset. Most of our instructors say, "I have never thought about 'Omotenashi' in my piano teaching. However, most of them are convinced immediately and try to adopt it because they are not saying "I can't do it" but "I just didn't know about it until now. Omotenashi" is a unique and important point that is repeatedly conveyed in Brain Training Piano(R), which aims not only to make a good first impression through standing, grooming, smiling, etc., but also to train the imagination of the seniors and give them lessons that move their hearts.

Future growth potential (future dreams, visions, business plans, etc.)

We are already expanding into instruments other than piano by utilizing the "Brain Training Piano(R)" method. In the future, we intend to develop new methods for the skills of people we have met in the course of our activities, not only in the field of music, but also in the field of lifelong learning. In addition, we will start consulting business for classroom management and development of new products and teaching materials, aiming to provide value in the field of cultural and educational courses in various sectors. Currently, the benefits of recreation are being reevaluated in the field of nursing care. The Brain Training Piano(R) lesson program, which uses and enjoys the brain as if it were a game, can be directly applied to recreational activities for facility users. Since the lessons can also be used to learn communication skills with seniors, it is possible to expand the use of Brain Training Piano(R) to more places by promoting the lessons to those who work in the nursing care and welfare industry and those who have seniors close to them, and by building a system to send instructors to nursing care facilities to hold courses if necessary. We feel that this is a very promising approach.

Brain Training Piano(R) is a new approach to energize seniors by activating the brain through music.

Piano Yuyu Juku(R) conducted a survey of instructors and senior students from August 13 to 23, 2024, regarding Brain Training Piano(R), and received responses from 131 instructors and 132 students. Positive feedback was received from both of them. The program has had a significant impact on both instructors and students, and its appeal is spreading to a large audience.

■Good things about acquiring the Brain Training Piano(R) Instructor

Many positive feedback was received from 131 instructors regarding what they liked about obtaining the Brain Training Piano(R) Instructor certification.

Graph 1 [Instructors

1. seeing students enjoying themselves

63% (82) of the instructors participating in the survey cited "seeing students enjoying themselves" as their greatest pleasure. It seems that seeing students enjoy music is a great encouragement for instructors. 2.

2. being able to support the elderly through music

48% (63) of the instructors were satisfied with the ability to support the elderly through music. The Brain Training Piano(R) program also contributes to the promotion of health among the elderly, indicating that many instructors realize the social significance of the program. 3.

3. improving their own skills by teaching

46% (60) of the instructors felt that their own skills had improved through teaching. The ability to acquire new skills in how to relate to music through teaching Brain Training Piano(R) seems to be a major attraction.

4. having a senior class has increased the number of students

Another quarter, or 25% (33 students), felt that having a new senior class actually increased the number of students. In many cases, it appears that classes are expanding in response to the needs of seniors.

Effects of Brain Training Piano(R) as perceived by students

The 132 senior students who attend Brain Training Piano(R) classes have reported the following changes.

Graph 2 [Students

1. mood became brighter

55% (73 students) felt that their mood became brighter after starting Brain Training Piano(R). This shows that the power of music has a positive impact on mental health. 2.

2. made new friends

48% (63 students) cited making new friends. It appears that the interaction in the classroom has provided an opportunity to deepen social connections.

3. improved hand-eye coordination

31% (41 students) reported that their hand movement has improved. This suggests that physical functions have also improved through piano playing.

■Conclusion

Brain Training Piano(R) is an innovative program that provides brain training through music, and has been shown to be very effective for the elderly in promoting motivation in life and health. Students share the multifaceted appeal of this teaching method, and they are enjoying themselves while also improving their skills.

A new study*1 published by experts at the University of Exeter states, "Engaging in music throughout life is associated with brain health in older adults. It shows that playing a musical instrument, especially the piano, is associated with improved memory and the ability to solve complex tasks (executive function). Continuing to play in later life provides even greater benefits. The study also suggests that singing is also associated with improved brain health, which may be due to the social factor of being part of a choir or group."

It is hoped that the appeal of the Brain Training Piano(R) will continue to spread and bring energy and joy to many people.

Source: *1The relationship between playing a musical instrument and cognitive trajectories: an analysis from an aging cohort in the UK,

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2024)

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.6061