Piano at Play
How Heart and Soul teaches Relative Minors [Part VII]
Heart and Soul holds a secret clue to finding relative minor keys. After students have learned the bass and chords, explored primary chords and learned to transpose, the next challenge is to use the familiar chord progression to find relative major and minor keys. This blog with a FREE printable sheet breaks it down in easy-to-understand language. Share it directly with your students! ...continue reading →
6 reasons the cajón box drum is better than a metronome in piano lessons
Find out how this simple percussion instrument has become an invaluable studio asset. From tempo fluctuation to teaching concepts of improvisation and rhythm and metre, the cajón is a piano studio must-have multi-tasker! ...continue reading →
'Ditto Drops' glass melts keep piano practice repeats focused and fun [Printables]
What are 'Ditto Drops'? They are glass melts of every colour under the rainbow, from the size of your thumbnail to slightly bigger. Each piece of glass is unique, kiln-fired at a glass studio. 'Ditto' comes from a Latin word that means 'the same thing again.' Find out how to use them in piano lessons and in practice to help count repeats. ...continue reading →
Get Organized with Piano Repertoire 'Elements and Outcomes' sheet [Printables]
Don’t leave your students’ year-to-year development to chance! Kick your teaching up a notch with this post’s free Piano Repertoire 'Elements and Outcomes' sheet. Track music elements, skills, knowledge and affective outcomes and use the sheet to help create a comprehensive program. ...continue reading →
How to teach confidence reading piano staff music [Printable]
How do you help a reluctant sight reader? Is lack of confidence holding your students back from becoming fluent readers of music? Boost confidence and encourage better sight reading with this clever, fun strategy. For years this trick has been helping my students and it can help yours, too! Keep reading! ...continue reading →
4 Tips for expressive playing using 'Green Shade' [RCM Level 6 List C]
Before learning to play music by composers like Chopin, Intermediate piano students benefit from repertoire that nurtures expressive, Romantic-styled playing. Here are 4 tips for playing expressively using ‘Green Shade’. ...continue reading →
Fun and effective weekly piano lesson challenge [Printables]
Many piano teachers enjoy acknowledging hard work with small rewards. This incentive avoids plastic prizes and is simple to keep track of. It focuses on effort and gives students weekly feedback on five points they're working on developing. Do it with or without stickers or candies. It has proven very fun, and is one of my most-shared posts. ...continue reading →
Red 'maps' pin involves piano students in feedback process [Printables]
Have you ever tried for weeks (or longer) to help a piano student improve something about their playing, only for the idea not to catch on? The red 'maps' locator pin is the ultimate symbol for 'it's happening here.' Print your own to help students participate in feedback. ...continue reading →
