Studio Management
Time for More Music: memorized or not?
Are the songs in Time for More Music meant to be added to their repertoire of memorized songs and the long term playlist? Or just used for learning to decipher the written music, and once they can play it well, they move on? I believe…
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…
Level 7 valley
I have a student who has been on level 7 for 14 months and still has one more song to go. These things happen to me too. Especially if we have lots of other stuff going on, and if their practice routine isn’t stellar. I…
When to introduce Special Programs
I’m still young in the SM teacher world and I have students in levels 1, 2, and 3 right now. My question is, when do I start students on Accompaniment, and then when do I start them on Reading Rhythm? Should I start Accompaniment in…
Twins progressing at different rates
I have a class with twin sisters in it. They have been with me for two years now. They are just 7 and are about halfway through Level 2. The growing challenge is that they are moving at increasingly different paces. Something has clicked for…
Fast learner in group
I have a class of 6-1/2 to 7 year olds. One little girl is just on fire. She practices EVERY day. She does the keypad, the recording, everything and more. Consequently she is learning much more quickly and is much more fluent than the other…
Struggles with Alma Mater Blues
I need suggestions about an 11-year-old girl in a shared lesson with another 11-year-old. They both benefit from the shared setting (both were private until 2 months ago). She practices more since being in the shared situation, and the other student (a boy) is learning…
Motivating students to practice entire playlist
I am looking for any and all tips, input, ideas, and strategies to help motivate students to play piano regularly, and incorporate their entire playlist, not just their favorite songs. I have exhausted all I can think of and have continual difficulty with several students…
Unmotivated students
I have a group of young girls. Their practice is sporadic, and two of them haven’t watched videos in four weeks or more. The third one moans and groans with her mother about practicing. One mom told me yesterday at the lesson, “She only practiced…
Content breadth vs depth
I have a student whose mom is a fourth grade teacher, and she made a comment last night that I didn’t quite know how to respond to. In referring to the white board on which I had written the notes, including assignments from Foundation Level…