I often wish I was really great at just one thing. Unfortunately I’m a “jack-of-all trades” kind of guy. And it’s been like that my entire life. I was always good enough at sports to compete at a high level, and dedicated enough towards my schoolwork to achieve well in academics. But I was never the best of the best.
So, you could never pigeon-hole me as “The person who…” And I suppose being well rounded is a good thing (but sometimes I wonder if that’s what is said to those who are good enough… but not great).
But when it comes to running a business, like a piano studio, you need to be more than well-rounded. You need to be memorable. You need to be the piano teacher who… (fill in the blank with anything that makes you memorable).
That Piano Lesson Was Nice
As you’ve no doubt heard me say a million times before, the piano teaching business is a word-of-mouth business. And when it comes to word-of-mouth, piano lessons that are “nice”, are not good enough to grow a base of raving fans. What your piano lessons really need to be is memorable.
When piano students leave your studio, what is the first thing they say to their mom or dad when they get in the car? What is the one common response your students would say if they were asked to complete the following sentence:
Mr./Mrs. Smith is the piano teacher who (common response goes here)
Was That a No-Brainer?
If you were able to fill in the blank above in a moment’s notice, I’m going to bet you have a waiting list a mile long. Unless, of course, your response was something like…
Mrs. Smith is the piano teacher who has eleven cats. OR
Mr. Smith is the piano teacher who sweats profusely.
If filling in the blank above was a challenge, then it might be time to sit down and determine what it is that makes your piano studio special. But don’t be discouraged; just because you struggled to fill in the blank doesn’t mean your piano studio isn’t special. It simply means that you may not be aware of what makes you special and therefore you do not advertise, promote, or share your unique advantage with your piano students.
Everyone has, or can have, a unique advantage; but if you are not well aware of your specialty, than your piano students and their parents certainly won’t be either.
Share Your Thoughts and Be Entered In Our Giveaway
In the comments below, we’d love for you to share that “something special” that makes you and/or your piano studio stand out from the rest. To do so, leave a comment that completes the following sentence…
I am the piano teacher who…
Comment before midnight tonight (February 12, 2014), and be entered to win a copy of Pssst. Your Piano Teacher Thinks This Is Theory… and then you can say “I am the piano teacher who teaches theory in a unique and memorable way!” We will let you know who the lucky piano teacher is at the end of Thursday’s blog post.
I am the piano teacher who composes!
I am the piano teacher who is always enouraging!
I am the piano teacher who cares.
I am the piano teacher who’s pupils never want to leave because she is so enthusiastic and great fun to spend time with. 😉
I am the piano teacher who uses the latest technology in teaching.
I am the teacher who makes learning fun.
I am the piano teacher who listens.
I am the piano teacher who lets the student help to guide the lesson. 🙂
Love this!
I am the piano teacher who…
… will let children under 7 start lessons…
… teaches jazz, rock/pop and keyboards, not just classical music…
… encourages ensemble skills…
I am the piano teacher who thinks the pretty way is a better path than the expressway.
I am the piano teacher who teaches singing and songwriting!
I’m the piano teacher who not only teaches how to make music, I’m also a mother, a sister, a friend …
I am the piano teacher that gets to know the student’s whole family.
I’m the piano teacher who has fun playing games with my students!
I am the piano teacher who creatively motivates her students to do their best !
I am the piano teacher who equips students with tools to be able to use music throughout their whole life – in jam sessions, improvising, and with lead sheets!
As my students leave, they say, “She is the piano teacher who loves to hear me play:)”
I am the music teacher who teaches with her shoes off!
I am the piano teacher who always does something different and creative — last week every one played keyboard outside in the sunshine for everyone to hear. We reviewed songs we’d learned so far in 2014.
I’m just jealous of this as we are expecting 12″ snow today:( Good for you and your students! Hope they know how lucky they are.
I am the piano teacher who is interested in you as a person and a pianist. I know what makes you happy.
I am the piano teacher who sees every students musicianship talents, helps them develop it to exceed theirs and there parents expectations.
I am the piano teacher who loves her students! Who tries to make each lesson unique. Who sometimes runs a little behind :(. Who fights City Hall and a grumpy Neighbor for the right to teach in my home.
I am the piano teacher who teaches, inspires, and plays with passion.
I am the piano teacher who works hard to get to know her students and teach them based on their strengths
I am the piano teacher who knows that no one is “just” a piano student.
I am the piano teacher who teaches and learns along with the students.
I am the piano teacher who is flexible and positive. I work to understand what makes my students tick and apply that to our weekly lessons.
I am the piano teacher who is constantly learning from students even after 30 plus years.
I am the piano teacher who believes every student has talent that should be cultivated, no matter what their age, ability, or interest. I love finding creative ways to build upon those talents.
I am the teacher who uses plenty of good humor.
I am the teacher who is always looking for ways to improve the way I teach.
I am the piano teacher that always makes them clap and count, and is encouraging no matter what, oh and I am the piano teacher that has an impressive sticker collection. 😛
I am the teacher who finds motivation for each student and cheers a success on every attempt.
I am the piano teacher who makes every one of my students feel important, from finding and re-writing pieces of music they request to making up a game to engage and teach a specific individual.
….who asks, “soooo….whuddya do in school today?”
(two-fold question to give me perspective as to what their mindset might be at that moment, and to find out more of about what they find interesting/memorable. It’s a nice segue from school to piano lesson).
I am the piano teacher who helps all students discover the joy of artistic expression, developing the skills and the confidence to share it with others.
I am the piano teacher who spends hours making different games and resources to keep students inspired and interested, and who greatly appreciates all those who are willing to share their talents and resources with fellow teachers all over the world. I always try to find something good to compliment a student for at every lesson so they leave their lesson with a smile.
I am the piano teacher who has a toy bucket! Each child takes one at the end of his lesson regardless of how the lesson went. Siblings are given a toy to create a positive association. Parents bring toys for the bucket without my ever having asked them to. My next door neighbor’s eyes light up when I tell him to take a few for his indigent fourth graders. Dollar World clerks know me by name. Shall I sign this one Saint Eleanor?
.I am a piano teacher who can always get her students to be cheerful at the lesson, no matter how grumpy they are when they come.
I am the piano teacher who teaches hymns, hymn improvisation and lead sheets for the glory of God!
I am the piano teacher who nurtures self confidence and a love of music.
I am the piano teacher who lets her students pick a favorite song to learn.
I am the piano teacher who works well with young students (ages 5 – 7).
I am the teacher who has fun and memorable practice incentives to keep her students motivated to progress!
My students would first say that I am the piano teacher with the cute baby (she’s well-loved). But once my baby grows up, then they and I will say “I am the piano teacher with the games (practice incentives) that make my students go above and beyond when they practice.”
Do you teach with your baby right there? I have an almost-6-month-old, and part of the reason I chose to become a piano teacher was that I could teach as a work at home mom, but I’ve been getting a sitter during my lesson times because I’m afraid she’ll start crying and I’ll have to take care of her rather than teach my students. I’d be curious how you teach with your baby around.
I am the piano teacher who tries to give each student a positive music experience each week.
I am the teacher who listens and hears the inner voice of my students that no one else has time to listen to or hear.
I am a piano teacher who will teach anyone regardless of ability or “musical talent”. I figure everyone who comes into my studio is there for a reason, and if progress is slow to nonexistent, I know I am imparting something to them that they will remember long after lessons with me have stopped.
I’m the teacher who raises puppies to become service dogs and my students are helping me teach the puppies to have good manners during lessons. I’m also the teacher who rarely keeps students for more than 2-3 years because most are military family members. 🙁
I am the piano teacher who makes piano lessons fun (whose students don’t want to miss a lesson)!
I am the piano teacher who shows love and a positive spirit at each lesson. I accept everyone at their level of music development with encouragement to be their best. As a teacher…I want them to love music and enjoy playing the piano.
I am the piano teacher who shows love and a positive spirit at each lesson. I accept everyone at their level of music development with encouragement to be their best. As a teacher…I want them to love music and enjoy playing the piano.
I am the piano teacher who shows love and a positive spirit at each lesson. I accept everyone at their level of music development with encouragement to be their best. As a teacher…I want them to love music and enjoy playing the piano.
I am the piano teacher who shows love and a positive spirit at each lesson. I accept everyone at their level of music development with encouragement to be their best. As a teacher…I want them to love music and enjoy playing the piano.
I am the piano teacher who mixes in fun music and music games & apps to keep learning exciting.
I am the piano teacher who builds relationships with students.
I am the piano teacher who encourages progress from my students through friendly competitions between the students-building paper chains and having a student (or students)of the week. Also the piano teacher with a friendly golden retriever named Winston who loves music too!
I am the piano teacher who challenges/stretches her students and helps them to do the things they thought they couldn’t.
But they might know me as the teacher who gives skittles. 🙂
I am a piano teacher who is always fun, warm and cheerful.
I’m the piano teacher who also mentors.
I am the piano teacher who LOVES beginners! I engage every student with what’s going on with them. I give treats for holidays like Valentines Day!
I am the piano teacher who has lots of short (1 hour) recitals with exciting, inspiring, and fun songs that students got to choose themselves. And we have a great receptions with killer end of the year awards!
who includes an aurally learned song at every lesson – no matter the level!
Very cool Rebecca!
I am the piano teacher who puts together a great Christmas recital, starring my fabulous students!
I am the piano teacher who teaches to the individual and loves all of her students!
I’m the teacher who had a huge memory slip performing at my students’ last recital. Bless the parent who told her children I did it on purpose to show them what to do if it ever happened to them.
I am the piano teacher who always carries her favorite pen and a mystery box full of games (which students try to “steal” from =/).
Last week I had a little girl who had transferred to me a few months ago tell me “You have all these games!” So I guess I’m the teacher with all the games!
I am the Piano Teacher Who….
Can’t wait to wow the next student with the fun things she learns from Teaching Piano Today!
I adore kids and making music with them.
Ooh bonus points for flattery Michele 😉
LOL, that would be me, too.
I am the piano teacher who has “rhythm days” with hand drums to make counting and working with a metronome fun!
I am the teacher who teaches all the wiggly 9 & 10 year old boys in the neighborhood that no one else wants to teach and I love teaching them! I’m also the teacher with the ninja cat.
That was SO me once upon a time Lisa! (Minus the ninja cat)…
I am the piano teacher who is patient, kind and encouraging. who provides a holistic musical learning experience and an enjoyable learning environment Who works hard to inculcate a life long love for music.
I am the music teacher who teaches students of all abilities including those with special needs. And who is so much fun and welcoming that no one wants to go home.
I am the piano teacher who teaches efficient practice methods!
I’d love to find out more about that!
I’m the piano teacher who encourages her students to play, and be confident in the talent and creativity that each of them possess, fostering in them the belief that they can be positively impactful through the music they learn and create.
I’m the piano teacher who loves jazz, teaches theory, and knows how to improvise.
I am the piano teacher who meets kids where they are in the musical abilities and strives to help them become better and more accomplished piano players.
I am the piano teacher who loves to meet my students right where they are at, good day or bad, and uplift their day through a fun duet together, or find something positive to say, even if practice was at a minimum that week. I am also the piano teacher who teaches violin, guitar, and ukulele, so sometimes we get to branch out! 🙂
I am the piano teacher who loves to meet my students right where they are at, good day or bad, and uplift their day through a fun duet together, or find something positive to say, even if practice was at a minimum that week. I am also the piano teacher who teaches violin, guitar, and ukulele, so sometimes we get to branch out! 🙂
I am the piano teacher who thinks that it is more important that a student enjoy playing their recital piece and in a relaxed manner than worry about memorizing it!
Who can crow like a rooster, whisper like a fairy and smile in the sunshine.
I am the piano teacher who lets hip beginners play bits of the Kinks, the Who and Kraftwerk and accompanies them on guitar.
I am the piano teacher who has a play party every month, where the students play pieces for each other, play music games, where the students help each other understand concepts, terms, etc. It’s where we learn that we’re all in this together. We learn we have comrades. We learn to encourage each other.
I am the piano teacher that loves each of her students and truly wants to see all of them succeed. So I am always striving to teach them the best way according to their unique learning styles, learning needs, and individual interests.
I am the piano teacher who inspires and motivates students to reach their fullest potential by providing them with a positive environment that stimulates, engages, enlightens and encourages the passion to learn, invites sharing of ideas and discover personal reward in music making.
I am the piano teacher who it typing blindly. My screen is black for some reason. 🙂 anyway, I am the piano teacher who teaches the students to play for life. I want my students to be able to play the songs they love for years to come. We also have awesome recitals. Last year was a western one, complete with a silent movie which my students played live with. Talk about playing for life. That was a year ago and folks are still talking about how cool it was. Hope you can read this. 🙂
I am the piano teacher that really cares about her students – who loves music, sharing music, and making music with them! I am the piano teacher who also loves sharing whole wheat cookies and green smoothies with her students!
I am the piano teacher who has a 2 year old student on Wunderkeys and a LOT of patience 🙂
I am the piano teacher who shows her students how to practise effectively, shares her contagious love for music, and enjoys baking goodies for recitals!
I am the piano teacher who lays a firm musical foundation.
Me too! Nice! 🙂
I am the piano teacher who believes listening to pieces and to our playing is the first step in learning music.
I am the piano teacher who first teaches the parents and/or guardians, so that they can sympathetically and understandingly guide their children in the challenging, yet enriching study of music, through the piano. Our triangle never fails!
I’m the piano teacher who specializes in adaptive lessons. My beautiful students are the bravest souls, they live with mental and physical disabilities and keep getting out of bed and smiling every day! They surprise me: for example, a five year old with severe cognitive delays, who can barely speak, has amazing rhythm and drums along to songs like a pro. These kids are the light of my life.
I am the piano teacher who is very patient, encourage students to practice hard, explores different methods to help develop student’s playing skills, ask parents to get involved in practice sessions and gives incentives when progress is made.
I am the piano teacher who thinks I have the best job in the world, and shares the excitement and passion with all of my amazing students aged 3 – 76 years old!
I am the piano teacher who is fun(ny) and does not take herself too seriously!
I am the piano teacher who is fun(ny) and does not take herself too seriously!