We’ve written before about the importance of a polished and professional looking piano studio and how it gives the impression that you’ve got “everything under control”. But there is one place in your studio, where clutter is a thing of beauty…
Your Piano Studio Walls
Think of your studio walls like a fridge. In our house the fridge is a delightful sight. It is not meticulously organized and tidy like the rest of our house… instead it is bursting with drawings, painted hand prints, “I love you Dad” cards, random scribbles, “I love you Mom” cards, and a paper turkey from last Thanksgiving. Anything my kids deem to be a “Fridg’er”…. (love that word).
I look at our fridge and my face lights up. It is full of life and love and everything that is great about our girls. And that is exactly how you want piano parents and students to feel when they walk into your studio or waiting room.
Now I’m not saying you should wallpaper your studio walls with kids’ accomplishments, but you should at least have one “out-of-control” area that is full of life and love for music.
“The wall” will become the pulse of your studio. It is where students can beam with pride when their composition is displayed in all its glory, or where they can hang a special card they made for their favorite music teacher. This wall will be a community builder. It is where you can share your studio goals, values, and accomplishments. People will connect with the wall, and therefore with your studio.
So What Makes The Wall?
The possibilities are endless. By the end of this next year, “the wall” in our studio will be covered with composers of the month, iRock Performers of the Month, My First Gig’ers, studio practice challenges, and photos of our students “doing good” in the community. In addition, cards, colorings, and drawings are bound to make “the wall”.
So while the rest of our uber-tidy music studio maintains our desire for a friendly and organized environment, “the wall” let’s everyone know that beneath this tidy facade is a studio that likes to have a whole lot of fun!
And… if you teach from home and are less than thrilled about dedicating a wall in your living room to this musical artwork than a bulletin board (removable for when you step into your non-piano teaching shoes) works just as well!
What do our piano students love most about our “wall”?… seeing their very own compositions displayed for all to see! If you’re interested in composing with your piano kids check out our resource The Curious Case of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff (Adventures in Composing).
All of my students’ fun stuff goes on a bulletin board! I love it!
A while back a teacher came into my studio and noticed all the cards, pictures, and drawings I have hanging on my walls/door from students. She said “Wow, you have a lot of pictures, that is neat.” I have decorated my walls in my studio with my students work for a couple years now!! On the wall right in front of the piano I hang a report card I received at Christmas time one year from one of my students. In my Christmas card she had decided I needed a report card and took it upon herself to grade me. At her lesson we had a conference where she explained each of the categories and what grade she gave me!! Happy to report I got all 4’s or A’s except a D in eating. She felt like I should eat more to keep up my energy throughout the day. I worked on my eating and months later my grade moved to a B+. I plan to keep this report card forever! Students are to funny sometimes I can hardly stand it!!!!
Last year I painted one wall in my studio with “dry erase” paint. Each week my students get to draw on this wall and create. I Have a budding cartoonist and everyone loves his latest characters. This also establishes a connection amongst the students.
Here is a great idea for showcasing studio clutter. I like for my studio to have a touch of whimsy, so this is perfect. http://www.marthastewart.com/989448/hht128-creating-shutter-organizermov