Music teachers must have the patience of a saint, right? How else would we be able to work with students through such a slow learning process? I don’t think that patience is the right word. In fact, I think understanding the word “patience” can help us understand some deeper teaching truths too. Relevant Resources 100th…
Blog
5 Fun Ideas For Teaching Piano Chord Progressions
Familiarity with piano chord progressions can help our students read more fluently, understand music theory better, and be able to get out of a performance glitch or memory slip in a hurry! But building that solid knowledge takes time and repetition. And for repetition to stay fresh, we need some variety. So how can we…
VMT093: Studio Review 2019 and Plans for 2020
It’s important to take stock and reflect once in a while so that your studio doesn’t take on a character you didn’t design. In this episode, find out what changes I’m making to my studio for next year and how I’m implementing them in this episode. Relevant Resources 100th Podcast Celebration: Lessons Learned Download the…
A Unique Approach to Teaching Pop Chord Progressions
The following article about teaching pop chord progressions is written by guest blogger Tony Parlapiano. Tony is a piano instructor and the creator of popMATICS, a concept-based music curriculum which approaches learning by listening and reading through writing. Tony resides in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts where he enjoys fancy coffee, plays in spreadsheets, and carries a…
VMT092: Strictness vs. Authority
How do you maintain control of a lesson without becoming a strict and unpleasant teacher? For me, it’s all about understanding the difference between strictness and authority. The former is unnecessary, the latter is essential. Relevant Resources 100th Podcast Celebration: Lessons Learned Download the Transcript Are you a Vibrant Music Teaching member? Click here to…
How to Teach Lead Sheet Skills to Absolute Beginners
We already know why we need to teach lead sheet skills to our students. But when is the earliest our students can get started with lead sheets? Do we need to wait until they’re at an intermediate level and capable of making full arrangements? I don’t think so. I believe in the value of lead…
Teaching Piano Chords With Powerful Visual Tools
The content in this post about teaching piano chords was originally published in separate articles in August 2014, June 2017 and August 2017, and updated in April 2020. When, in your own piano student journey, did YOU learn what chords could do? Teaching piano chords should be an essential part of any curriculum… and yet,…
Teaching About the Great Composers
This “Teaching About the Great Composers” post was originally published in October 2018, and updated in March 2020. Having a beautiful composer timeline displayed in your studio is a handy way to make sure music history is always on show and can be a great tool for teaching about the great composers. However, it doesn’t…
VMT091: I Bought a New Toy – How Should I Use It?
What’s the right approach to using technology and gadgets in your studio? Find out how you could be thinking about using iPads and other tech toys backwards and what a better approach is for music studios. Relevant Resources 100th Podcast Celebration: Lessons Learned Assigning in Advance: Piano Homework and Lesson Plan All-in-One Download the Transcript…
Why Teach Lead Sheets to Piano Students?
I believe in giving my students a wide-ranging piano lesson experience. I don’t expect expertise in every area, but I do want to give them an opportunity to explore every area of piano and music. One of those diverse skills that I’m passionate about including in lessons is learning lead sheets. So, why are lead…