Thank-you, my dear readers, for joining me in 2023!

This post marks the fifth anniversary of the Piano@Play blog.

These five years have been amazing as we’ve supported one another in teaching piano. We have exciting new things planned for 2024! We hope you’ll join us!

Top 5 Blog Posts!

In this 2023 countdown, here are the top five blog posts of the year!

Are you new to my blog?

Do you want a quick introduction to my most popular material?

Or, have you been busy at times through the year and missed some of these?

Here they are!

5. Difficult piano parent situations: What piano teachers can learn from flight attendants

What can flight attendants teach us about handling difficult situations?

There are times when piano teachers are confronted by piano parents who are upset and demanding. Flight attendants receive special training on how to deal with difficult passengers. Up your game professionally by watching and learning from flight attendants. … Keep reading >>

4. What every piano teacher needs to know about Autism (ASD)

What do you need to know about Autism to help understand some of your special students?

More than a classroom teacher, more than a sports coach and sometimes even more than a parent, a piano teacher holds a unique position in a child’s life. We observe the children in our studios in a very focused learning environment once a week. This blog post explores Autism (ASD) as a first step to help piano teachers know how to respond to neurodiversity in the piano studio environment. … Keep reading >>

3. RCM Playlists: YouTube videos for Lists and Studies [Teacher Intro]

Do you find yourself searching on YouTube for performance videos of RCM graded repertoire, only to click on video after video? Search no more! This post introduces a series devoted to RCM Playlists, curated from the many choices on YouTube. Save time and rest easy that these examples offer your students good musical examples of the piano music they are learning. Keep reading >>

2. Returning piano student Questionnaire helps focus goals for new lesson year

Want better student engagement? Better student retention? Ask your returning piano students these questions to focus your year’s goals, to understand them as individuals and to know precisely how to plan for their continued development. … Keep reading >>

1. Interview New Piano Students: Questionnaire and hints for success [Printables]

Have you ever wondered if there’s a better way to conduct a ‘new student’ interview with a parent and child looking for piano lessons? Is there a way to include the child more? What are the best questions to ask? In this post you’ll find hints for success and links to questionnaires for child and parent, available in my FREE Printables. … Keep reading >>

2023 shop bestsellers!

Top 3 Products

#3 Madge’s Notebook – print, eBook and eSheets

“Many of the pieces are original compositions, but there are also some interesting pieces inspired by famous piano pieces….” Joy Morin, Color in My Piano blog.

Folk music that is mentioned in The Hunger Games books, including the lullaby Deep in the Meadow [RCM Syllabus, Level 3]. There are also new twists on classics and classic rock that I imagine would still be known in the future, including a Bach/Lennon mash-up Imagine a Prelude.

#2 Titanic: A Voyage – print, eBook and eSheets

“The blend of well-crafted compositions with historical snippets and photos is sure to make this book a success with students and teachers.” ~ Anne Crosby Gaudet, NS

Play music from the historic voyage. The pieces have been chosen from passenger accounts, from the White Star Line’s official songbook, several will be recognized from the Titanic movies you have seen, and two are originals written in 1912 styles.

#1 MaxMusic Piano eSheet Club

“Rebekah Maxner’s music is a favourite among my students! I Highly recommend!” ~ Josina

Twelve studio-licensed eSheets for one incredibly low price! Get one eSheet delivered to your inbox on the 1st day of each month like a sweet little surprise. 12 titles for the year, delivered one at a time.

“Your pieces are beautiful, and I appreciate the variety of styles and levels you include in the Club.” ~ Lori

2024 Membership is now open! Don’t miss your chance for studio-licensed eSheets at $1 USD each!

2023 Connections!

Here’s a review of some of the fun professional things I got to do this year!

In July it was exciting to connect with piano teachers across Canada at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations’s National Convention. My workshop, presented virtually, was entitled, “Fingers Uncrossed: Intuitive Piano Scales – Playing by Pattern and Rote.” It was also picked up by TopMusic.co for their membership, and I presented it over zoom to my blog followers.

In November, 2023, it was fun to connect with teachers from the Canadian Federation of Music Teacher’s Associations, with a workshop for piano teachers in Abbotsford, BC: “Unstoppable Rhythm and Notes for Beginning to Intermediate Piano Students,” as well as participate in the “Connecting Canada Year Round” composer chat.

Amy Chaplin of Piano Pantry Podcast invited me to present a guest post on her podcast, Episode #093, “How to Help Your Piano Students who are Not Reaching Their Full Potential.” This was an extension of my blog series on Autism and ADHD. Check out her amazing podcast series!

For the second time, TopMusic.co chose me as their featured composer in December, 2023. Members got a book of my pieces, studio-licensed, at no extra cost.

2023 was a great year for Red Leaf Pianoworks, having attended Summer Sizzle and CFMTA’s National convention in Edmonton, Alberta. Here are some of our members at our annual zoom meeting on December 16th, 2023.

I can’t wait for 2024 and how we can work together to make piano lessons awesome!

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I appreciate shares, comments and likes. Happy teaching! ❤

Rebekah Maxner, composer, blogger, piano teacher. Follow my blog for great tips!

Video of the Week

Icing on the Cake (Snow in the Winter), is an Early Elementary winter frolic that will bring many smiles to your beginners! The eSheet comes complete with adorable lyrics that capture the joy of a child’s perfect snowy day (lyrics not included in the YouTube video). The notation between the staff space Cs is well within the grasp of your early readers who are familiar with reading steps and skips. It features non-legato touch, two- and three-note slurs and hand-over-hand movement that we know all kids love to play! Icing on the Cake (Snow in the Winter) is available as an eSheet.