Piano Parent Podcast: helping teachers, parents, and students get the most of their piano lessons.

Click here to download this episode. Introductory remarks Listen to the full episode here 1. Why Butterflies? Adrenaline is one way your body works to protect you in a dangerous situation . Part of that protection includes making your heart and lungs work faster and stronger, making your muscles stronger, and helping you think more clearly to you can make quick decisions. The problem is, your brai...

Each year, about this time, music teachers around the world prepare their students for recital.  The question is WHY? I can't speak for other teachers but I'll use this post to explain why I think a formal spring recital is important along with more details about the way my studio recitals are conducted. Listen to the full episode here First, the WHY: I believe one of the best reasons for a recita...

In case you didn't know, this podcast is called the Piano Parent Podcast. Most episodes deal with common obstacles or struggles students face when learning to play the piano. Today, I'd like to spend our time together by focusing on just you, parents. Specifically, today I want to encourage you to stand firm and do not give in. Listen to the full episode here Click here to download this episode. R...

In our fourth teacher chat, Beth Horton and I discuss hand hygiene and fingernails. Listen to additional teacher chats here. Listen to the full episode here Beth Horton Beth is a teacher in Lubbock, Texas who teaches in a multi-teacher studio, travels to students' homes, and offers online piano lessons. Beth will be featured in the next teacher interview coming out May 6, Episode 141. What do you...

I e-met Leah online when her studio participated in the PIANOVEMBER Practice Challenge . She runs a vibrant studio, that is actually called Vibrant Valley Music Studio. She is active in her own pursuit of learning to teach her students. In fact, we were just able to book this interview before Leah heads to the MTNA Convention in Spokane, WA. I love the name of her studio, Vibrant Valley Music Stud...

Doing new things can be challenging for all of us. Piano students are asked to do new things constantly. Once they master one concept, another is given to them without pause. Faced with something new, in this case a new musical concept to master or a new song to play, students have to exert a lot of conscious effort. They have to intentionally think about what they want their hands to do. That is...

In Episode 130 I gave you a list of ten songs that are perfect for playing along with YouTube videos (I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from that episode! Thanks for letting me know it was helpful for you).  It occurred to me while recording that episode that I haven't really talked about building chords and their inversions on the podcast. Build by counting piano keys Many piano kids may be...

Click here to download this episode. In this episode we learn ♫ How Raphaelita's instructor, mentor, and lifelong friend discovered her when she was practicing at a local church one day. ♫ How Raphealita's upbringing and the influence of her mother helped her become an excellent student. ♫ The difference between the casual piano parent who aims to broaden their child's interests and knowledge vers...

The last few shows have mentioned playing chords or pop songs or getting creative at the piano in some way. Talking about it is great and your piano kid might really be interested in playing some pop tunes but getting started can feel a little overwhelming. That's why I put together this list of 10 songs that are perfect to play along with a YouTube video and I have the videos embedded on the show...

A few weeks ago I got an email from Sanette Brems, a piano mom in my studio.  Listen to Sanette's parent interview with me on Episode 019.  In her email, Sanette said, "I saw this and immediately thought of you!" The link in the email took me to the Kickstarter page for a new music theory game called, "Lord of the Chords". Their website declares that they are the "geekiest, punniest music theory g...

In recent episodes, I've alluded to the idea of keeping a video or audio journal of your piano kid's musical progress. This is a way for them to see their growth as a musician. In today's show, we will talk in more detail about the advantage of keep a video journal as well as  the practical details like equipment and storage. Great Learning Tool The primary reason to video your child is for them t...