Hello again, teacher friends! Y’all, over 10 years of teaching and trying to juggle the studio with responsibilities as a homeschool mom, I’ve learned one thing the hard way: setting goals for piano students is the secret sauce that turns good lessons into great ones. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels – teaching the same concepts, wondering if students (or parents) are really on the same page, or watching dip mid-year – this post is for you. Today, in part 1 of our goal-setting series, I’m sharing why setting goals for piano students matters so much. (Spoiler: it’s not just about progress – it’s about joy, connection,…
-
-
(Plus 4 Foolproof Practice Tips So You Sound Like a Pro!) Y’all, it is a great day because I am knee-deep in piano Christmas music! Nothing makes me happier than playing through Christmas music for the first time each season – except maybe hearing my students play it all month long. Christmas music brings people together like singing a nostalgic Christmas tune with the piano in the background and so I made something for you this year. I took the three easiest, happiest, most sing-along-able Christmas songs and turned them into super simple, melody-only sheet music that even my 6-year-old students are already playing after one lesson! No chords. No…
-
Y’all, listen, as a busy mom and piano teacher, I know practicing piano can feel tricky when your mind loves to zoom in a million directions. But don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with fun, ADHD-friendly ways to practice that work for you, plus tips for your parents to help along the way! Whether you’re just starting or leveling up, these ideas will turn practice into a joyful adventure. Let’s dive in! In this blog post… Why Piano Practice with ADHD Can Be Awesome ADHD brains are full of energy and creativity, which makes piano practice exciting if we tweak it to fit you! Short sessions, movement, and rewards can…
-
Hello, amazing piano learners! As a busy mom and piano teacher, I’ve seen how even the smallest practice habits can lead to big musical wins and transform piano practice for beginners! You might think becoming a great pianist takes hours of daily practice, but I’m here to share how just 10 minutes a day can transform your skills – perfect for beginners, kids, or anyone with a busy schedule. Inspired by my post for teachers on effective practice tips, I’ve gathered even more tips from fellow teachers online to make this journey fun and doable. Plus, don’t miss your chance to join the Piano Quest Academy and download your free…
-
Do your students have trouble keeping a steady beat? Do they need some extra help playing rhythms? In this article, discover creative rhythm activities to add to your studio this December. I have one piano student in my studio who does an excellent job of remembering information. She can tell you everything there is to know about different notes, time signatures, and the theory of rhythm. But her parents and I had a conversation one day where we both noticed that even though she knew the information, she absolutely could not feel a steady beat or play the rhythms on the page correctly. During this conversation, we discussed many different…
-
As a piano teacher, it can be so hard to convince your students the benefits of practicing during the week. I also remember as a piano student how hard it was to find time to practice during the week on top of homework, other rehearsals and activities, and don’t forget about sleep! Some weeks I didn’t even want to practice piano because I didn’t like the piece my teacher assigned. Even if I did enjoy the piece, I didn’t always know how to practice or how to make my practice enjoyable. I had no incentives to practice piano! We are able to flip the script as piano teachers now and…
-
Let me be clear, I love Christmas as much as anyone. The trees, the snow, the lights inside and outside, fires, stockings, I could go on and on! But also in my top 3 favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. I love the coziness of fall, the delicious food, watching the parade with my family, and focusing on all the things we are grateful for. I think it is so wonderful and important that there’s a day we slow down and talk about all the things we’re thankful for – big and small! If you aren’t quite ready for Christmas music in your piano studio, check out these free Thanksgiving themed piano…
-
As a music teacher, it can be incredibly difficult to encourage students to practice piano consistently. It becomes even more difficult if students don’t even know how to do this effectively. In this article, we will walk through the most important steps to practice piano including when to practice and the steps to effective practice. Make sure to check out the link at the bottom to purchase your own studio copy of the ebook The Beginner’s Guide to Piano Practice” which also includes information for parents and helpful checklists! When Should I Practice Piano? It can be so difficult to figure out how often and when to practice piano. Some people…
