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How to Build Essential Musicianship with Pop Songs Students Love

by Doug Hanvey

In your quest to help students travel the path of piano mastery, have you ever considered teaching them how to play a lead sheet? Teaching students how to play lead sheets – melody and chord symbols – of popular songs is the hot new trend in piano studios these days. It’s easy enough to find ... How to Build Essential Musicianship with Pop Songs Students Love

06/19/2015 Read more

Top 10 Pop Songs for Piano Students

by Tim Topham

If you’ve decided to embrace teaching pop in your studio in the last few years, well done! (If you haven’t, then keep reading as I’m determined to get you thinking more about how this can impact your studio positively starting right now). There are myriad pedagogical benefits of working with students on pop music, including keeping ... Top 10 Pop Songs for Piano Students

06/09/2015 Read more

Creating a Buzz with Piano Film Music

by Tim Topham

Hands up if you’ve ever taught the James Bond Theme, Star Wars or the Pink Panther? My guess is that at least 99% of you just raised your hand, and with good reason. ‘Classic’ film tunes like these are fun to play and teach, have timeless appeal and are loved by students of all ages. ... Creating a Buzz with Piano Film Music

06/04/2015 Read more

Why I’m presenting at the NCKP 2015

by Tim Topham

As most of you know, I’m really excited to have been offered a presenting gig at this year’s National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, to be held in Chicago from July 21 to August 1. The line-up of presenters and workshops is awesome! I’ve been told the pre-conference sessions on the Wednesday before the conference are some of the best ... Why I’m presenting at the NCKP 2015

05/15/2015 Read more

Don’t miss online music business training from Wendy Stevens!

by Tim Topham

Need help with the business aspects of your studio? I just wanted to let you know that Wendy Stevens, one of my favourite teachers and bloggers from the USA, has just opened-up registrations for two online training events to help you run your piano teaching studio more effectively. The events will be run as 90-minute ... Don’t miss online music business training from Wendy Stevens!

04/28/2015 Read more

The age old question…how do we make piano scales fun and relevant?

by Nicola Cantan

Introduction “Ok, let’s start with some scales.” *Cue student’s eyelid’s drooping*. We all know we’re supposed to teach our piano students their scales, but it can quickly turn into a battle of wills. I never want to tell my students to “eat their vegetables”, so how do I make those vegetables look like candy? It’s not ... The age old question…how do we make piano scales fun and relevant?

 

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How Do I Find Out What Pop Music to Teach?

by Tim Topham

If you’re teaching in a 21st Century piano studio (and I hope you are!), you’re hopefully open to teaching pop music. Perhaps this is a new area of teaching for you, or perhaps you’ve always taught pop music and reading from lead sheets.  Whatever your situation, I’m really glad that you’ve decided to take the ... How Do I Find Out What Pop Music to Teach?

04/24/2015 Read more

How to earn more money from your music teaching business | eBook review

by Tim Topham

 

04/22/2015 Read more

For Sight-Reading Music, Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect | Discovery News

by Tim Topham

I always love reading articles about sight reading, especially when they are published in peer-reviewed Psychology Journals! I believe it is a crucial skill for developing pianists and one that I can always improve my approach to by learning about what’s actually going on in the brain when doing something as complex as piano sight ... For Sight-Reading Music, Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect | Discovery News

04/18/2015 Read more

Therese Milanovic on Piano Technique: “But what will the examiner say?”

by Tim Topham

I recently found this four-part series by Brisbane-based teacher and presenter Therese Milanovic, and just had to share it with you. (It’s going to be particularly relevant to all the Aussie teachers who use the AMEB exam syllabus.) As a teacher of exam students, I’m often worried about what the examiner might think about my students’ technique, performance skills or ... Therese Milanovic on Piano Technique: “But what will the examiner say?”

04/10/2015 Read more

How to find new piano students | Part 2: Strategies, Tools and Methods

by Doug Hanvey

This is the second in a 2-part series by guest blogger, Doug Hanvey, about how to market your studio and find new piano students. Part One discussed how to set up a quick marketing strategy. Did you get your free infographic from the last post? Check it out here. Introduction In Part One, I discussed ... How to find new piano students | Part 2: Strategies, Tools and Methods

03/23/2015 Read more

How to Find New Piano Students | Part 1: The Marketing Plan

by Doug Hanvey

Are you a new teacher looking to build your piano studio? Or have you recently lost a few students who’ve graduated or moved on? Perhaps you’d like to expand your already-thriving studio and hire other teachers to help. Whatever your situation, if you’re on the lookout for new students to build your business, then this series ... How to Find New Piano Students | Part 1: The Marketing Plan

03/17/2015 Read more