Relationships
Discussing child’s minimal effort with coach
I am trying to choose the right words to discuss a student’s minimal effort with her parent. The student is 8 and has been taking lessons since she was 5. She progressed quickly, then hit a valley and has been putting in the bare minimal…
Helping students navigate valleys
What strategies have you used to help your students navigate a valley? First step – have a conversation about it. Ask questions. After finding out exactly what the cause of the valley is, I take the pressure off for a while – no new foundation…
Webinar Series: 04/19/2018 – Piano – Ask Neil Anything
This webinar is driven by teacher questions. Topics range from the rationale behind some of the curriculum to supporting coaches to the future of Simply Music. Enjoy! Topics include: Intro: Funny Story About Neil (00:05) Helping Parents be ‘Requirement-Based’ (2:06) How Teachers Can Improve Their…
Student refuses to watch SHM videos
I have a student that I’ve been teaching for just over 3 months. She practices regularly, but refuses to watch the videos. Her mom will not enforce this. It’s definitely slowing her down by not watching them, but she is still making good progress. How…
Lack of support from non-attending parent
Has anyone else dealt with the issue of the second parent, the spouse of the life coach, not being behind lessons fully? They question the method and cost and cause issues at home? If so, how have you addressed this? I’m contemplating making it mandatory…
Webinar Series: 02/16/2018 – Gateway – Spotlight on Parent/Coach Role
The role of the parent or coach with Gateway students can differ quite a bit from the role they play in the Simply Music Piano program. Learn why this is often necessary, ways in which you can still keep parents involved, and hear some real-life…
Playlist: Parent’s unmet expectations
The parent of a student I’ve had for three years told me that her daughter needs review because she only plays the current songs on her playlist (Level 6). The student’s father travels for months at a time and comes home with expectations to hear…
Using the book “Music and the Art of Long-Term Relationships” in class
I started going through Neil’s book “Music and the Art of Long-Term Relationships” with every single class. I ask them to read one section each week, and we read/discuss it in class. I am finding this extremely valuable to have such thorough discussions. Parents have…
Recognizing student birthdays
Looking for ideas re: if and how you acknowledge students’ birthdays. Card, small gift, nothing? I do a white board each month with the names of students’ birthdays that month, and then once a month we celebrate with cake or treats that I provide –…
Parent balking at tuition
I received a phone call from a mom whose daughter had her first lesson with me last week. She clearly wants to “try out” piano lessons for her daughter and she is not committed to continuing if it becomes a huge struggle to get her…