When was the last time someone truly took the time to celebrate you? Probably your last Birthday? And didn’t it feel good when an entire day was dedicated to just you? Kids feel the same way… and with this piano teaching idea you can really make a difference in the way kids feel about your studio by recognizing just how good it feels to be… well.. recognized!
You can inject some personality into your studio, generate word-of-mouth advertising and create stronger bonds between you and your clients (and therefore deal with less problems).. and it can all be done more quickly than you may think! In fact, it’s dead simple. And it’s totally fun.
Solve Your Student’s Piano Practice Problems In Just One Day
The next time you notice one of your piano students is faltering in the daily practice category, swoop in with this fun piano teaching idea to give them the boost they need. Here’s how it works:
1) Let’s say that Anne Marie is showing signs of losing motivation. She hasn’t practiced in two weeks; she’s busy with dance competitions and she’s under the gun for a school project where she had to recreate the Colosseum using pieces of bread and glue. Piano has taken an unfortunate back seat lately. But this is about to change.
Hand Anne Marie this paper sealed in an envelope (download the template for free here and simply write her name and the date of her next lesson in the space provided). Instruct her to not open it until she gets home.
2) This page announces that the following lesson date (let’s say “October 18th”) has been officially declared as “Anne Marie Day” at your studio. It gives her instructions on what to prepare for “Anne Marie Day” and what will take place on this day you’ve reserved in her honour.
3) On October 18th, Anne Marie Day your studio erupts in excitement. During the special “Anne Marie Day” lesson, your student (according to the instructions on her announcement she took home) gets to perform a piece she has spent the week preparing, which you then videotape to display on your website or Facebook page. She also gets a brand new piece of supplementary material chosen with her interests in mind (wrap it like a scroll and tie with a piece of ribbon to make it extra special) and her choice of theory games to play during the lesson. The 3 pieces she has spent the week reviewing are then performed for her family members who attend the final 10 minutes of her lesson. Serve cupcakes or cookies while she plays and encourage enthusiastic applause.
Why This Works
Do piano students need to take responsibility for their own learning? Absolutely. But keep in mind that our piano students are (mostly) children. They’re still learning about this thing called discipline. If we can create a lasting memory for them filled with positive feelings toward the piano we have much more of an effect than we do with any amount of nagging or warnings.
Instilling “warm fuzzies” in your piano students strengthens the connection they feel with you and your studio. If your students associate piano with feelings of belonging, feelings of success and a sense of pride… then piano is much less likely to be tossed to the side when life gets busy. Busy kids always still have time to practice. The “too busy to practice” really just means that piano is not high on their list of priorities. But this one day can really boost piano to a very high place on that priority list – and both of you will benefit from the result!
If your official day happens to be for a student who loves exciting music, then the piece of supplementary music you choose for them could come directly from our books FILLED with exciting and motivating supplementary pieces! The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo will bring a smile to any student whom you are honoring and is sure to inspire heaps of practice.
CHRISTINE NEALE says
Wow! What a great idea. I admit I quailed just a bit at the thought of preparing cookies and video taping, but then I realized these two things are like life preservers and likely only need to be thrown once, eh? Besides, a teacher could bake the cookies and have this celebration day for several students in one week – that would be a blast. Thanks again!
Emily says
AWESOME idea!! I LOVE it!!