It’s group piano month at dev.topmusic.co, and we’re kicking off with Paul Myatt and Gillian Erskine. Paul & Gillian run thriving group based piano academies, Forte Schools of Music. They believe that teaching piano in group lessons is not only a quality option, but the best option for creating well-rounded musicians.
Both Paul & Gillian first started teaching group piano classes through the Yamaha piano method. Gradually they started to want things that the Yamaha method didn’t offer, and began designing their own curriculum. Their group lessons now incorporate elements of the Orff, Kodály and Dalcroze methods.
Students at Forte begin in group classes, and start to add some private instruction as they move into intermediate repertoire, but the group classes always remain the core part of their instruction. Within the group lessons students explore music through movement, ensemble playing and performing for the class.
Paul & Gillian have so many great ideas about effective group teaching, and how to get started in small ways incorporating group concepts in your studio. Take a listen to find out more about this unique music school.
Transcript
If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The philosophy behind Forte music lessons
- How they use elements of Orff, Kodály and Dalcroze
- The approach they take to reading
- How to get started with movement in piano lessons
- How to incorporate ensemble teaching in one-on-one lessons
- Simple ways to get started with group lessons
- How group teaching helps with motivation
- At what point Paul introduces one-on-one lessons
Today’s Sponsor
How would you like to access step-by-step instructions and resources for running group classes? Are you ready to try adding some group teaching to your studio or trying a summer camp this year? How cool would it be to hear first-hand from people already ‘in the trenches’ and grab all their best ideas?!
It this sounds cool, then you MUST check out the latest webinar series from Tracy Selle and Sara Campbell called Group Teaching 101.
All podcast viewers get 10% off access during March, so don’t miss out.
Click here to find out more and get your code.
Items mentioned in this podcast:
- Information about starting your own Forte school
- Forte School of Music on YouTube
- Yamaha Music Education
- Gordon’s Music Learning Theory
- Wendy Steven’s Rhythm Cups
- Dalcroze Eurythmics with Paula Melville Clarke
- 5 Secret Ingredients to Successful Group Teaching
- Orff Schulwerk levels courses
- Tactics for Teaching Students with ADHD and ASD
- Flipped Practice: Can YouTube Encourage Effective Practice
- Scale Backing Tracks
Today’s Downloads:
- PFL Grade 1 Exam Tech Work Reference Sheets
- PFL Grade 2 Exam Tech Work Reference Sheets
- PFL Grade 2 Exam Tech Work Reference Sheets
Thank you for Tuning In!
There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.
Being a full-time teacher myself, I know how busy teachers are and how much time, effort and passion we put into our students. Sometimes, the last thing we want to do in our time off is listen to more piano teaching stuff! So, well done for using this time for self-improvement.
Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons.
If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.
Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally.
Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.
Have you ever taught piano in groups?
Did you enjoy this different approach to teaching? Was there anything you found challenging?
Are you thinking about trying out group classes after today’s podcast?
Share
7 Comments
Really love your interview with Paul and Gillian about group piano lesson.
Thanks Cassie!
Oh Paul and Gillian….I think I’ve just fallen in love with Forte! I’ve been recently dabbling in group lessons (been teaching private lessons for a while) and I wish I had something like this to guide me along! If you ever decide to make your program available to home studios in the US, please get in contact with me!! And Tim, what a great podcast! You always ask the questions that pop into my head while I’m listening! Your interviews are incredibly thorough and I love that!
Tim, This episode was great! It took me a few days to get through (in between busy life activities) but I’m super inspired! I especially appreciated you not being afraid to ask the “nitty gritty” questions and be really specific when fishing for answers.
Thank you for sharing this.
Can’t wait to start watching this! I’m a huge fan of Paul Myatt–want to be just like him when I grow up!
Hi Marie – thanks for your lovely comments – I hope you have as much fun as I do teaching kids – they’re the amazing ones – we are so blessed to be able to be able to teach them! cheers Paul
This interview did not disappoint! Thanks for sharing so many helpful insights, Paul and Gillian!