When I was in Kindergarten I distinctly remember pining to be in Grade 1. Why? Because the Grade 1 kids got to participate in Sports Day… with real sports like the 100-yard dash and the long jump, not “baby games” like the egg and spoon race.
When I was in Grade 1, I longed for the day that I would be in Grade 2. The Grade 2 students got to raise salmon in a cool fish aquarium in their classroom.
When I was in Grade 2, I couldn’t wait to be in Grade 3. The Grade 3 students got to participate in Pioneer Week… where they dressed up in old-fashioned clothes, played old-fashioned games, and learned from a very strict (but quite humorous) old-fashioned teacher.
This pattern continued throughout my childhood (and maybe even into “the now”) with every year bringing something cooler than the past. And it occurred to me, that my own pattern of anticipation could be the key to successfully retaining piano students year over year.
I feel old when I say this but here it goes anyway… it seems kids these days have lost the ancient art of Anticipation Enjoyment. Instead, many get what they want, when they want it. And then they’re left with a great big… feeling of emptiness.
What kids, and many parents, don’t realize is that deep down they want and need something to look forward to. Anticipation is the sidekick to motivation, and realizing this can mean great things for your piano studio.
Your Piano Studio’s Anticipation Action Plan
An Anticipation Action Plan is easy to create if you remember one thing… all of your piano students do not need to be participating in all of your studio events all of the time. Your younger students need things in the near AND distant future to look forward to, and your older students need feelings of success and pride when they have reached anticipated milestones.
In its simplest form, an Anticipation Action Plan simply lays out one new and exciting thing your piano students get to do as they progress year over year.
The first year is pretty simple and should focus on your regular lesson structure. The motivation in year one is generally running high anyway.
In year two, consider offering something exciting like a CD Recording Month that only kids in Year Two get to be a part of. In Year Three, when piano students are usually becoming quite polished players, invite them to participate in monthly coffee shop gigs that have an exciting, laid-back, and cool atmosphere. In Year Four, start taking your older piano students on field trips to musicals, symphonies, and operas.
Obviously, the list goes on and on, and the above activities are just a small sampling, but the underlying idea is to always have something concrete in the future that your piano students can look forward to and then be proud of when the future arrives.
Not only is the Anticipation Action Plan great for student motivation and retention but you’ll also discover that it becomes a real community builder. So, grab a pen and some paper, write out years 1 through 7 (or 77!), and brainstorm some cool ideas to introduce with the arrival of each new year.
One of the most powerful anticipation action plans? Music that your piano students just can’t wait to play! We have you covered with our intermediate classical pop books based on themes from Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Bach, and more. Click on the image below to find out how you can get this coveted music in your studio and have your young piano students chomping at the bit to play from them one day!
Denise says
Thank you, Trevor! Just what I needed to be encouraged by today! I was just pining over this exact issue….wanting to have my students play for the elderly at a nursing/retirement home. I was wondering how I would organize 30 kids to play there without becoming overwhelmed. Now, after reading your advice, I will simply add it to my anticipation list and only have 2nd year students play there. My 3rd and 4th year students already have so many opportunities coming.
Thank you so much for making my day. You and Andrea do that regularly!
PS: my summer lessons are filled with playing your games and working through your stories. Silent Sarah and Brian the Brontosaurus are a big hit! They can’t wait to come back to the next lesson to hear what happens next! 🙂
Milla says
That’s a wonderful idea! My problem is finding a decent instrument, when we perform out of the studio. The keyboard’s stands don’t go down low enough for students to be sitting.
Liz says
I don’t know if they still make them, but I bought the fold-in-half, small, white, height adjustable tables several years ago to use as stands for my younger students. They are very stable, height acceptable and easy to move.
SonicPiano says
Trevor, your observation is spot-on. When I pick up my HS sophomore daughter from school I watch with amazement at the number of senior kids peeling out of the parking lot in brand-new Mustangs and even BMW’s and Mercedes. I wonder what these kids will have to strive for as they grow up if they’re handed the best at age 17.
In any case, I love your idea of having a specific activity or goal to anticipate each year. I started this very simply by awarding students who achieved 5 years of study with me with a small plaque at my annual spring recital and posting their pictures on my studio wall under the heading “Five Year Club”. Eight of my current students are now members of this club, with several more only a year away and champing at the bit to receive the award at next year’s recital. But five years seems like an eternity to kids, especially the 7 – 10 year-olds, and I’m going to use some of your ideas during my month off from teaching this summer to implement my own Anticipation Action Plan.
Kristen says
Thank you! I’m about to start advertising group lessons for the fall–I think this would be great to have in place right away. I have a question–how would you merge transfer students into this plan?
Jan Gray says
Milla, I understand what you mean about keyboard stands. Not sure if yours is the same as mine or not. They are all about 2″ too high because the speakers , etc. are housed beneath the keys and most are used for the stage and people stand to perform. My husband was able to easily solve this problem. The stand for my keyboard operates much like on ironing board and in the raised position looks like an X. The lower the stand goes down the wider apart the top and the bottom of the X become. We measured the distance from the keys to the floor of my grand piano. Then my husband purchased a metal bit for his drill. He carefully marked the spot on the round circular disk that adjusts my keyboard stand and we marked the spot for a new hold. My keyboard now sits at the exact same height as my grand piano. The main thing is to be very careful in marking it and measuring before drilling. He was able to do this quickly and easily. Hope this helps.
Jan
Becky says
This also made my day! You guys are incredible! This is exactly what I need. All my students play bi-monthly at assisted living facilities and all earn trophies at the end of the year. I’ve had one student give her own senior recital, but then I lost a student last year who did not feel she could complete the senior year. I definitely need some progressive type of incentives. Thanks again and again and again!!
Natalia Huang says
Fabulous idea! Will need to start brainstorming….