Let’s Get Outside!
Let’s Get Outside! Instead of students gazing outside wishing they could be there … move those music lessons from the piano to the backyard with these easy ideas!
Tag: Keeping students interested
The Recital Is Over … Now What?
Having a studio recital is a lot of work. And, it’s completely worth it. But, you may be thinking, “The recital is over … now what?” Maybe you are feeling burnt out or “burnt out adjacent” (the feeling of don’t-add-anything-more-because-I-am-JUST-barely-able-to-get-everything-done). Having some post-recital ideas to keep lessons engaging is a must.
Help! My Student Doesn’t Have Their Recital Song Mastered.
It’s that time of year & many studios are working towards one goal. Making sure students have their recital song mastered. Or, songs depending on the size of the studio. Sometimes I wonder who is more stressed before the recital: the teacher or the student. And, I think that it all depends on how soon…
How To Use Digital Escape Rooms in Your Music Studio
In the past year, digital escape rooms have become more popular in music studios. Many teachers have looked for online solutions that get students practicing music skills without the stress of trying to do everything live. These have become a student-favourite in my studio & for good reason! But, knowing how can we use digital…
The Best Online Group Lesson Ideas For Music Studios
One of the biggest concerns, when a studio moves online, is, “How will I create community?” There can be a fear that all the wonderful in-person activities you do are not possible, or at best, less effective. Using the best online group lesson ideas means these student-favourite activities can be just as engaging as the…
Why Do Digital Escape Rooms Work So Well?
When studios moved online, digital escape rooms became increasingly popular. But, why do digital escape rooms work so well?
How to Motivate Students When Summer is on the Brain
Usually, June is filled with outdoor sports, end of year concerts, enjoying the patio & emerging from our cocoons. With the COVID pandemic, things look a little different this year. Or, do they? Students still want to be outside visiting with friends & take a more relaxed approach to their learning. How do we motivate…
Top 4 Tips to Keep Students Engaged All Music Lesson
This is the question EVERY teacher would love to hear at the end of each lesson. After all, a student who feels lesson flies by is much more likely to continue taking lessons & even tell their friends about how awesome piano is. Sure it can get a bit awkward when you get to listen to the following conversation.
Rhythm Warm-Ups That Get Students Off the Bench
With the end of the year just around the corner (or so it seems), many of our students will be getting a bit wiggly on the bench, perhaps a bit teary-eyed at staying inside on a sunny day, and in general wanting to do something just a little bit different.
One of the favourite warm-up activities we did in my studio this year was rhythm warm-ups. I wanted my students to feel a steady pulse as they played piano, but I also wanted them to improvise with rhythms so when they saw them in their music it was easier to recognize. I wanted a warm-up that kind of did it all. This week, I am sharing the warm-up with you!
How to Introduce Chords to Students … Without Losing Their Interest
Chords are the backbone of music. Yet, how many of us take the time to teach our students about chords? Not as part of their technique exercises or on a theory page, but as an element that makes a song … well, a song. And, how many times do we sing chords so we can play chords?