It’s late spring, and the lazy days of summer are approaching. However, for a lot of families, getting to these summer “lazy days” is like completing a marathon… day after day after day.
This time of year means many piano students also have baseball, field hockey, dance recitals, school plays – the list goes on. For those who operate piano teaching studios, this means students may become less motivated and committed to their weekly piano lessons… but please, don’t take offence!
Most piano teachers conduct piano lessons for at least 10 months a year. That means students are coming to your piano teaching studio week after week for close to 40 weeks. Even the most dedicated student will experience burnout without the necessary distraction of other extra-curricular activities.
So … don’t get frustrated by piano students who exhibit a lack of motivation towards piano activites at this time of year. If anything, a mental break from the piano can be a very positive thing for your piano teaching studio. It is important for students to be well rounded. Without the occasional distraction of other activities, weekly piano lessons risk becoming a monotonous chore, threatening the existence of your piano teaching studio. Instead, put on your creative hat and bring out your most motivating piano activities at this time of year. Explore world music, improvisation, duet/trio groupings, teach your piano students to accompany other instruments or singers – anything to break up the week-to-week routine. Create an oasis in the middle of their busy week that will continue to motivate piano students. This will carry over into their home practice – they’ll seek out the bench when they’re looking for a reprieve.
And, once these activities wrap up, your piano students will be happy to make a mental return to your piano teaching studio.
A word of caution – if these additional activities conflict with your piano teaching studio’s end-of-year recital make sure your students are prepared well in advance or, plan your recital on a date several weeks after the craziness of late spring.