What’s it like to teach real kids in the 21st Century? Join me as I discuss the rewards and challenges of teaching my typical and not-so-typical students. I’ll give you practical tips for helping all students grapple with the realities of processing music and information and the best ways to Continue Reading
Practical Advice
Real Kids, Real Solutions
March Song with Lucy — Scaffolding the lesson: Lesson 009
Long Fingernails?
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
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
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
Every Word Counts
“We really baked their chicken!” Brian exclaimed gleefully. “You did what?” I asked. “Last night, when my Dad came back from the meeting with our neighbors he said, ‘We really baked their chicken.’” Hmm…. “Did he maybe say, ‘We really cooked their goose?’” “Yeah, that’s it!” Kids repeat, often word-for-word, Continue Reading
Sight Reading is like Vaccination
When my son Bryce was six-years-old, my husband Tony took him to see the film Spirited Away in the theater. It clocked in at just over two hours in Japanese with English sub-titles. I thought it was a bad idea. Bryce couldn’t read yet. It was going to annoy everyone. As the Continue Reading
Hand On Head
It’s impossible “not to do” something. Don’t think about elephants. See? Students react the same way. They can’t “not do” something. But they will comply with glee if they’re asked to do something. Especially if it’s goofy. Sabine is learning the transposing piece, Baseball Cap, from Piano Town Lessons Level One. Continue Reading
Tips for Helping Students Choose Their Own Pieces
Kids don’t get much real choice in life. One way I help my students develop their own sense of personal taste is to let them choose some of their pieces. I use Piano Town with all my beginning students so they’re already on a clear pathway built of steady, incremental steps. As they progress, I find Continue Reading