Post by 60 MINUTES

Learning to play the piano has long been associated with rigid lessons, endless scales, and strict adherence to classical repertoire. Rarely has it been considered fun. But now, Payam Khastkhodaei wants to change that. This week on 60 Minutes, correspondent Bill Whitaker reports on Khastkhodaei's new method of teaching piano, which he calls the "Payam Method." Khastkhodaei's philosophy is simple: students learn best when they are engaged, motivated, and allowed to play music they love. Learning to read music and to understand scales can come later. Whitaker knows firsthand how discouraging traditional piano instruction can be. He recalls his own childhood lessons as rigid and unforgiving: scales first, then Beethoven, with little room for exploration or enjoyment. "I was sort of lost by year two," Whitaker admitted with a laugh. "Never caught up. I was a terrible student." Khastkhodaei's approach is different. Instead of following a single method book or fixed curriculum, the Payam Method is personalized for every student. A 4-year-old might begin with nursery rhymes. A 6- or 7-year-old could move on to songs from movies. By the time students are 10, they may be learning music from their favorite video games. For Khastkhodaei, the genre matters less than the engagement. https://lnkd.in/e9M7YAjy

Video Content