Did you ever have a student come back in September after a long summer break and he was like…a brand new student? I mean, sometimes it can feel like he lost about 6 months of progress in those couple of months off from lessons. What can we do to stop this happening? That’s where the … Read more
As more and more scales get introduced, it’s great to have lots of tricks up your sleeve so piano students don’t mix them up. Try out all of these scale drills and your students will know their scales backwards, forwards and upside down! Have fun! How to Use Keep the sheet in your student’s folder/binder … Read more
When it comes to teaching piano students with special needs – teachers can be very nervous. You truly want to be all inclusive and spread music to every child, but maybe you feel you don’t have the expertise to teach these kids. Well, good news! I’m here to help. And as long as you’re willing … Read more
Harmonic minor scales are the first minor scales required in exams here, so they’re usually taught once students understand the majors. I prefer to teach natural minor scales first, however, so that students will understand the theory behind all minor scales more thoroughly. Use these worksheets to help reinforce your students’ understand of the harmonic … Read more
Grouping or beaming notes correctly can be a pain can’t it? Do you remember being taught this skill? It can feel like there are so many rules to follow and none of them make any sense…Which is why I’m sharing a preview page from my theory books with you too. This page introduces the beaming … Read more
Transfer students are tougher than students that you teach from the very beginning, and I see a lot of questions from piano teachers about students that come to them from another teacher. The next time you’re taking on a transfer student, use this cheatsheet to help you navigate the first lesson and get off on … Read more
My students tend to remember dynamics and other markings without much of an issue. But tempo marks? Forget it. These posters along with the little tricks that I tell in the videos, help my students to grasp onto the tempo terms and remember them with ease. How to Use Hang these posters in your studio … Read more
If you teach your students to play scales you may have come up against this question. Perhaps every so often, perhaps even every week. Or every day! “Why do I have to practice scales? They’re so boring!” Most of us teachers understand the benefits of scales…but it can be difficult to articulate it when you’re … Read more
When reviewing expression marks with our students it can be easy to fall into the trap of just drilling them. Over. And over. But what about giving our students a deeper connection to the Italian terms? How can we teach them in a new way and embed them in our students’ memories? How to Use … Read more
Habits are one of the most powerful ways we get stuff done. It is usually habit, not willpower, that keeps us eating healthily, exercising regularly, or learning new things. But how do we harness this power and help our students form real and lasting piano practice habit? How to Use Decide which of your students … Read more