When Ella came to her lesson this week with long fingernails, I was thrilled. OK, maybe not thrilled, but excited at the opportunity. It finally occurred to me that students who were happily playing with long fingernails weren’t having the same reaction I have when my nails are too long. Continue Reading
Wishing Well
My wish came true! This week Iliana and Sabine, the sisters for whom I wrote Wishing Well, played it well enough that I can share a video of it with you. There’s still room for improvement, but I’m so proud of them. Only a few months ago they played together for Continue Reading
Duets: Eight Practical Tips
My tiny toddler feet dangled as I sat on the needlepoint-covered piano bench next to my mother. It was my first “Collaborative Arts” experience though I doubt my mother heard much artistry coming from my end. I banged gleefully on haphazard high notes while she actually played music. We graduated to a book Continue Reading
The Pie Song
Eloise loves writing lyrics. One of my favorites was her “Star Trek” themed lyrics for Elissa Milne’s Peas in a Pod variations from her Little Peppers Books. Each variation had its own hilarious tribute to everything from Vulcan non-emotionalism to George Takei. It was a brilliant example of taking a piece Continue Reading
How To Charge For An Interview
It’s only taken me thirty years, but I finally figured it out. I’ve always resented interviewing students to whom I’d give my time and expertise and not be paid for it. It seemed wrong to charge for an interview if I didn’t accept them as students, but I found myself Continue Reading
Sight Reading Duos
It seems so obvious, but I’d never thought to do it. I had created pages and pages of Sight Reading Flashcards. But I’d never used them with more than one student at a time. At one of my group classes last Saturday, I had three girls about the same age of Continue Reading
How To Make An Incentive Program That Really Works
The best exercise is that which you do. The same applies for incentive programs. They can be elaborate, planned and refined, or they can be haphazard and random. You know what? If you have one, it will work. It will help some of your students focus on their tasks. Mini Continue Reading
The Joy Of A Jimmy
I was texting with a friend of mine online this week about one of my students. “Jimmy really doesn’t have a lot of innate coordination, rhythm or sound control,” I wrote. “But I’ve managed to inspire him enough that he works super hard. He doesn’t seem to even notice how Continue Reading
Making Labels
I have a fancy label maker and I love using it to label things. Things have no feelings. They won’t change, grow or evolve. The duct tape will not grow up into a hat. The white dinner plates will not transform into paper clips. I’m not categorizing living, thinking beings. I’m just Continue Reading
Ten Tips for Teaching Teens
Natalie is sprouting blackheads. Ethan feels a sudden need to be cool. Sophia was flat-chested last month but today is wearing the bra she definitely needs. Jason shot up four inches over the summer and none of his pants are long enough. Rich has the beginnings of dark fuzz on Continue Reading