Piano at Play
Master Your Feedback Style: A piano teacher's guide to positive redirection
I want you to imagine that every time you respond to your piano student you are giving them a coin. And just like a coin has two sides, any statement can be phrased in one of two ways. Will your words inspire, or will they discourage? What side of the coin will you present? ...continue reading →
Egg hunt motivates your piano students to sight-clap rhythms 7 Steps [Printables]
Let's be honest, whose piano students normally jump at the chance to sight read? Or clap a rhythm? Engaged students learn more. Students who want to participate advance further. Our biggest job as piano teachers is to grab our students' attention and hook them long enough so they will want to learn more and improve...continue reading →
Gift bags organize your piano camp and group lessons. Easy and fun!
Anticipation worthy of a birthday party. That's what your students can feel as they enter your studio for each group lesson or day of piano camp. This one organizational strategy is so simple, yet so effective, that when I first did it I wondered why I'd never thought of it before. ... continue reading →
6 steps to Improvising and Composing left hand piano [Printables]
Have you composed an original melody? Are you feeling inspired to improvise solo piano music or a piano accompaniment for a church chorus, or a popular tune you’ve learned by ear? Creating a left hand part on the piano is satisfying. ... continue reading →
6 Expressive Repertoire Picks for Early Piano Levels [Free samples]
Expressive music is perhaps the single biggest thing that hooks kids on piano. Give a student a piece that helps them discover their sensitive side, and you'll see more practice, more personal investment and better advancement. ... continue reading →
Composing music? Steps 5 to 8 help you make your piece longer [Printables]
You can be a composer. All it takes is believing in yourself and allowing the time to let it happen. The process of composing is a chance to unplug from our fast-paced world and unwind, discovering the music within you. What’s next? It’s the biggest question ... continue reading →
Want to compose music? Steps 1 to 4 help you begin [Printables]
In a world where we have instant access to so much ready-made information and entertainment in ever-decreasing byte-sizes, I believe that now, more than ever, it is important to get in touch with your inner creative life. To slow down. ... continue reading →
Student adjudicators: Mock piano competition hones student skills [Printables]
Even if your students are experienced in piano competitions and music festivals, plan a performance class or group lesson that simulates the competition atmosphere. There are many advantages to adding this lesson format to your schedule. ... continue reading →
Make a Hot Date with Bach: Daily practice for playful renewal
I secretly wonder how many teachers have let our own practicing go; once-stunning performance skills get rusty while we hone our teaching skills. It’s not that we rest on our laurels, but that we get busy or forget to make the time. ... continue reading →
