Have you resolved to get organised this year? To sort out proper invoices, get your schedule under control or finally keep proper records about your student’s birthdays? My Music Staff could be a great solution for you. I’ve been using this studio management software for a few months and in this post I want to…
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CKQC045: Using dynamics to make scale practice more musical
Adding dynamics to scales and arpeggios is such a simple way to get more value out of practising scales, and make them more enjoyable – win, win. I have my students experiment with different dynamics when working on scales, although this is the most common way they practise them: with a crescendo ascending and…
Tips and Tricks for When Group Piano Students are Ahead (or Behind)
Group piano students get many advantages over one-on-one students. They get to experience playing as part of an ensemble each and every week, and they have built-in accountability to practice. Whenever group piano lessons of any kind are mentioned, the most common questions are: Isn’t that impossible to schedule to get the same levels together?…
5 Self-Care New Year’s Resolutions for Music Teachers
Last year I gave you 31 Achievable New Year’s Resolutions for Piano Teachers. I had a great response to that post and it’s just as relevant this year so check it out if you need some inspiration. Today though, I want to pull out just 5 New Year’s resolutions that will make the biggest difference. Because…
CKQC044: Teaching Happy Birthday to piano students by ear
Happy Birthday is one song almost every student knows, and it’s also one every pianist should know – so that they can accompany friends/family at parties. I’ve been loosely following the Puzzle Play books by Forrest Kinney to teach many of my students to play this by ear. Each student will be different. Some…
The Perfect Resource for Music Studio Waiting Rooms
Do you ever have students waiting in your studio during a sibling’s lesson time? I often do, and I like to give them something productive to do during that time so I’m always on the hunt for (and making) independent activities they can do without much input from me. One thing I love to have…
2019 Piano Teacher Planner for a New Year Headstart
It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to setting goals and resolutions for a new year. Look ahead with me using this piano teacher planner and guide to get ready for a rockin’ 2019! For me, great planning is cathartic and satisfying. It helps me to feel settled and in…
CKQC043: Teaching piano scales with one finger from each hand
I want my students to think through their scales, not just play them. Here we’re working on scales first with just 1 finger from each hand. After this, we want on to do the “real” fingering. This exercise is just a way to get students thinking and seeing the pattern more clearly, before adding…
8 Truly Great Gifts for Piano Teachers
Gifts for piano teachers can be tricky to come up with. Many teachers are showered with chocolate every year from well-meaning students…but what about something different? What gifts for piano teachers will be truly loved and used? Whether you’re looking for a gift for a piano teacher friend, or for yourself, I hope this list…
How to Teach Piano Sight Reading with a Rainbow
Piano sight reading can seem like a chore, for both students and teachers. And like many chores, it often doesn’t get done at all. Is this where you’re at with sight reading right now? Dreading it or barely doing it at all? Well, today I want to share with you a little trick that can…
