With the end of year approaching fast, we wanted to acknowledge some of our most popular posts from the past year. And, to make things a little more entertaining, we’ve decided to take inspiration from high school yearbooks and present today’s post in a “Most likely to succeed…” kind of format.
If you’re not familiar with this format, here’s a real world example from my own life. In my high school yearbook I was voted “Most likely to go bald by 24.” Well, let it be known, I put up a darn good fight and surpassed my classmates’ dire prediction. And as for the state of my hair 16 years after high school graduation… let’s just say I look great in a hat.
As an aside… Andrea and I were also voted “Cutest Couple”… and that award has held up way better than my hair!
But now you know way too much about my hair, so let’s move on to some piano teaching gems:
1. Most Likely To Have Preschool Piano Students Rolling On Your Floor With Laughter
Our “out-of-the-box” approach to piano lessons is on full display in this post. With activities like The Moody Brontosaurus and Nice Kitty, Naughy Kitty your piano students will be begging to do their warm-ups.
5 Giggle-Inducing Warm-ups For Little Piano Fingers, Wrists, And Arms
2. Most Likely To Fill Your Students’ Piano Books With Even More Stickers
When piano teachers think of stickers they think of rewards. In this post we’ll show you how to turn stickers from simply rewards into invaluable teaching tools.
Why, For More Than A Decade, I’ve Been Using Piano Stickers All Wrong
3. Most Likely To Build Piano Fingers of Steel
We’re no “Charlie Bit Me” but with 5,000 Youtube views on our video of “The Fingercise Cup” it is clear that piano teachers were interested in constructing their own DIY Fingercise Cups to strengthen their students’ fingers. This was one of our most popular posts of the year!
The Amazing Fingercise Cup, A DIY Tool For Fixing Your Piano Student’s Collapsing Finger Joints
4. Most Likely To Rescue Teen Piano Students
When it comes to retention, teenagers can be our most vulnerable students. With this post, we’re helping you assist your teenage students in developing the seven habits of successful students. You may want to print this one out for quick reference! 🙂
5. Most Likely To Reduce Your Budget For Headache Medication
Struggling note readers can definitely leave piano teachers banging their heads against walls. With this post, we’re sharing 7 strategies to save your struggling note readers… and your drywall.
7 No-Fail Ways To Give Your Struggling Note Readers Confidence
6. Most Likely To Send You Searching Through Dusty Boxes In The Attic
Teachers should jump at the opportunity to use off-the-bench manipulatives with their piano students. This post was a huge hit that sent piano teachers digging through old boxes in search of their children’s forgotten lego blocks. In this post you’ll find strategies for using Lego to teach note reading, ear training, scales and triads, rhythm and more!
And Finally… Most Likely To Make Your Teenage Students Smile
Over the past year, we’ve released several smash teenage hits through our membership program, PianoBookClub. While many of the books have been temporarily retired, our most recent release, The PopWaltz Prophecy is on it’s way to becoming the year’s favorite. If you’re looking to inspire kids of all ages, check out PianoBookClub.com and if you want The PopWaltz Prophecy to be the first book you receive, make sure you sign up for the $8 mostly membership before December 26, 2015!
Elaine says
December 21, 2015 at 11:55 pmHi Andrea and Trevor,
I am comparatively new to Teach Piano Today and for the last four weeks have been starting each and every day with a large mug of coffee and the back pages of your wonderful blog (currently on page 71!). With a notebook and pencil to hand, I’m sifting my way through so many amazing ideas and suggestions – I have never been quite so inspired and really just want to say a huge thank you. What you give to piano teachers all over the world is not just fantastic help, ideas and great advice – you actually create a community, and that is an incredible gift. Have a lovely Christmas, both of you
Andrea says
December 22, 2015 at 6:37 pmHi Elaine – honoured to be a part of your morning reading! 🙂 Thanks so much for your kindness. Merry Christmas!
Fionagh Bennet says
December 22, 2015 at 4:20 amHope you both have a wonderful holiday season and many thanks for such great and inspiring ideas, savings us all a lot of time effort!
Andrea says
December 22, 2015 at 6:37 pmThank you Fionagh! Hope you have a relaxing holiday 🙂
Denise says
December 22, 2015 at 4:50 amThank you both for all you do to supply piano teachers with your wonderful resources, and at the same time always being inspiring and encouraging. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very blessed New Year!
Andrea says
December 22, 2015 at 6:38 pmMerry Christmas Denise – thank you for reading!
Maria Laura says
December 22, 2015 at 9:01 amHi, I have been a member of Teach Piano Today for a year and it’s amazing how it changed my teaching, making it much fun and happier. As Elaine said it’s my speciall moment to read the posts with a cup of coffee and taking notes to see which activity can be apply to which students.
I also have been a member of the Piano Game Club, for three months and as I told you I had some teenage students that wanted to quit piano lessons because of their too demanding school homework, but after I started playing the games they all asked me to book a place for them for next term because they all wanted to continue with piano lessons. Thank you so much for all the ideas, games, advices, and music you share! I wish you a Happy Holyday!
Andrea says
December 22, 2015 at 6:38 pmThis is fantastic to hear Maria Laura! Yippee for student retention 🙂 We’ve seen the “power” of Piano Games and we’re thrilled that it’s working in your studio too!
Beth says
December 22, 2015 at 4:32 pmMerry Christmas Andrea and Trevor, and thanks for sharing your enthusiasm with us and for all your generosity and your creative resources!
Andrea says
December 22, 2015 at 6:39 pmThank you Beth! Merry Christmas to you as well 🙂
Jessica says
December 29, 2015 at 11:06 amI would love to join the Piano Book Club but I really, really, really want to have The PopWaltz Prophecy. I played the clips for my daughter and she LOVED them! I see (now!) that there was a deadline of December 26. Is there ANY way I could get The PopWaltz Prophecy? 🙁