piano teacher primer

Make practicing piano easier for our students by: 1. prepare them to practice in the lesson by teaching and reviewing landmark notes, demonstrating rhythm, and testing them to figure it out on their own. 2. external motivators as you see fit, and encouraging the parents to make sure practicing happens at home. 3. teach them the difference between playing, practicing and performing.

Larissa Humphries (a cello teacher friend) puts on these Summer Contests with her mom Stephanie Hinckley (my piano teacher friend). Such a great idea! First you look at what technical challenges your students may be having, gaps in their learning, things they need to work on. Second, choose a theme and think of 7 musical projects they could do on their own. Some easier than others. Larissa wants t...

Are you thinking about (worrying about) summertime piano lessons? Between vacations, camps, students' schedules made more complicated if we have our own kids... Is it even worth it to try? So worth it! Listen in for suggestions from my experience, as well as my piano teacher friends including 1. group games/camps 2. making policies or practicalities for fewer lessons 3. could be a time to brin...

Showing piano students which notes match, turns them into incredible note readers! Students finding chords and scales in their music gives them a huge boost in musical understanding and deeper knowledge. Teacher fit, (I don't mean teacher outfits!) But how to decide who you want to be as a teacher, and accepting students that are a match for your studio! It's a match! scales and chords mas...

Huge thanks to Jaclyn Mrozek for having me on the Music Teacher Mastermind Podcast! We give a quick run-down of the unique way I teach scales and chords to piano students, allowing them to internalize the patterns, recognize them in their music, and fuel their other musical pursuits. Enjoy geeking out with us in music theory! Resources mentioned in the episode: How I Teach a First Piano Lesson Fre...

What if the student still isn't getting it right? What if the parent isn't happy with their progress? What if the student just doesn't care? What if I feel unprepared or unqualified as a teacher? I answer these and more worries from past clients, my own experience, and those submitted by piano teacher friends. We can answer our own brains with reassurance, new ideas, solutions, and aff...

These two brilliant college piano performance majors have studied, researched and put together an incredible presentation that I can't wait to share with you! As we explore 5 ways to connect the mind and body, Visualization Affirmation EFT And Meditation, we’ll discover optimal musical performance and therefore more enjoyment for ourselves and our students! Bonus, these can help in every other are...

Ever feel like improv is a musical mystery? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! This week’s podcast episode is all about bringing improv magic to your piano studio. I’m chatting with Susan Staples Bell. She shares fun, easy activities to help your students explore their creative side (and maybe even surprise themselves)! Whether you’re a total improv newbie or just looking for fresh ideas, this epi...

Talk less, smile more? Ya that too! But we can talk less play more with Duets, Demonstrations, and Do play more games too! -Playing duets with students is more fun for you and teaches them by just going forward with the music, rhythm and expression included -Demonstrate for them rhythms, fingering, arm motions, it shows them why AND how -Do play games with students! I talk briefly about my favorit...

Sparked by last week's episode on teaching expression and musicality, we need a "how-to!" Specifically how to teach balancing melody and accompaniment. Challenging to do! I give you what I say, what I do, what I've learned, and encourage teachers to celebrate each small victory along the path to musical piano playing! Keep listening for my Black Friday Deal on the next Piano Teacher Primer Live Zo...

Teaching students to play expressively is more than dynamics. It is about enhancing the indications, and going beyond the notes to imagine and feel the mood of each passage. From musical markings to magical moments—learn how to guide students of various levels in expressing emotions, storytelling, and painting vivid musical pictures. Questions about anything you've heard on the podcast? You're alw...

When should we accelerate our piano students forward, and when is it better to adjust and take a different approach? To challenge or not to challenge? In this episode, we explore the delicate balance between pushing students forward or decelerating that motion a bit. It's an art, not a science— 🔑 Key takeaways: Learn the personalities of the students for which kids love a challenge, and which get...

Why step out of your comfort zone as a piano teacher? Because growth is what we're made for! It brings energy, excitement, and a deeper connection to your students. In this episode, be inspired with many ideas like how to introduce new method books, explore the latest supplementary music, or even infuse your studio with unique recital ideas. We're embracing change! "Toone in" and get ready to be i...

Have you ever had a student from another piano teacher that seems to have some gaps in their musical education? Maybe they can play well, but learning a new piece takes forever? Or they have a good knowledge of the note values, but they don't play in rhythm? It can be tricky to figure out how to navigate these situations, but it's also exciting that you can help them fill in those gaps giv...

That’s right A to G and all the keys in-between! What's harder sharps or flats? What keys are the hardest for you the teacher to play in? Which ones are hardest for your students? Let's vote on Instagram or spotify poll! We’ll dive into teaching sharps and flats initially, accidentals, and moving into key signature strategies for success! Resources mentioned in this episode: ⁠dozen a day at ease i...

As we wrap up the last of the summer encore episodes, I HAD to include this one because rhythm is the essential life blood of all music, and is often not taught effectively. I explore 3 ways of counting rhythm -all of which I use with different students and in different situations 1. traditional "one-and-two-and..." 2. "TA and titi" 3. fruit names! Don't worry it's all...

This episode got a re-record and an upgrade to explain how I help piano students fix notes in a positive way, and in a way that positively fixes that note more permanently in these common scenarios: 1. They realize It’s not right and fix it themselves immediately 2. They can hear something is wrong, but they can’t tell which note exactly 3. They know where the right note is, they just accidentally...

I think this episode deserves a place in the top ten, so I am showcasing it as an encore episode. I describe the best way I have found to teach note-reading to piano students, and best of all, it works with whichever piano teaching method you use, propelling students forward in these 3 ways: 1. Remembering which clef is which, 2. Learning all their notes quicker allowing them to learn more and mor...

I get questions from piano teachers: "Thanks for your first lesson video, I love it...what do I do next?" This episode answers that question! How to recognize the white note letter names without having to start at A all the time (takes forever!) Plus I play games with little erasers to remind students which white notes are which! I learned many of these ideas from my piano teacher in Hig...

This summer, I am re-releasing some of my favorites - and yours! This episode has the most listens, and a great response among new teachers and elites as well... and there's a good reason why! To watch a video demonstration of this podcast, click this link- first lesson It's hosted on a site with online courses, but it's totally free and includes a download of the pieces I teach a new...

In this episode I tackle tech! Sharing the very few technologies I have braved figuring out to help make life easier as a piano teacher, and bring in some educational fun! I also enlisted the help of my friend Wendy Brewster, a fabulous piano teacher with a knack for apps. I share some of her favorites as well. Enjoy and happy teaching AND happy tech-ing! canva.com note rush getasitegoing.com use...

This sweet, warm, kind, musical, dedicated, creative Grandma-lady was my piano teacher through all my elementary years. She's been teaching since 1962, and has 16 studeents to this day! You'll hear how she started paying her aunt Mabel 50 cents for each piano lesson, to all these years later and the students she calls "music friends" that have made her life full and sweet. Talk a...

Make extra money--->teaching children to play---> Play games to teach---->children play to learn---> Play with children--->while making money---> Make money to play more with your own children---> Be there as mom of your own children--->while helping other children---> Play the piano--->and you get to play with them! This is an excerpt from this week's "why I...

Another one of my hobbies is gardening, but for aliving I’m growing piano students. Think for a minute of what you are growing as a piano teacher. Not only students getting taller than their teacher, but they are growing in knowledge week in and week out, month after month, recital after recital. Growing in their abilities to play more and more complex and beautiful pieces, having varied experienc...

Teaching piano has given me freedom in the following ways: 1. As a creative person 2. As a mom 3. As a saver 4. And as a professional I explain how teaching piano has given me freedom of creative expression, freedom of flexibility, freedom to finally be able to pay for stuff, and expand my mind and friendships ...just to name a few... Only 4 spots left for the piano teacher primer LIVE, 4 weeks to...