Category Archives: Innovative Teaching Ideas

So much of making music is structured.  There are strict rules to be followed about what notes to play, how long to hold each sound, how fast a piece (or portion of) should be played…. the list is exhaustive!  And … Continue reading »

Just the other day I saw our paper girl taking a break on the curb… texting. This is not usually something that draws my attention, except for the fact that our paper girl is only nine years old! Yes… these … Continue reading »

I’m about to clear out my sticker drawer in my piano studio.  For good.  And I’m betting my students are not going to miss them one bit! Saying ‘Goodbye’ to Piano Lesson Stickers Stickers have been a part of my … Continue reading »

I had a terrible performance experience as a child.  I was a 4 year old Suzuki student in a fluffy pink dress on stage in front of 300 people… and I couldn’t remember my piece.  I’ll never forget the image … Continue reading »

Every piano teacher wants to see progress.  With slow progress comes low motivation, with low motivation comes faltering retention and… with faltering retention that cruise you’ve been saving up for sails farther and farther into the distance! Every piano teacher’s … Continue reading »

Did that title make you shudder?   Resist the urge to wrinkle your nose and say “Not for me, thanks.”  Allow me to convince you why… and then show you how! Piano Parent Participation Day should happen once per term … Continue reading »

My 16 month old knows how to unlock my iphone.  Her little finger swipes across that screen with an uncanny ease.  My 16 month old also regularly calls Auntie Mimi, texts cryptic messages to Grandma and occasionally changes my voice … Continue reading »

Newsflash… learning “piano lingo” is boring. And teaching piano lingo is even worse! So this year, we’ve decided to jazz up an otherwise “fork-in-the-eye” process… The Super Secret Piano Password When students enter my studio for the first time in … Continue reading »