Studio Management

A couple weeks ago I wrote an email about the value of accompaniment. I am writing again concerning the same student. This adult student is a very quick learner. She has not had piano “lessons” before, but she did have violin lessons, and her sister…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• adult, adult students, claiming territory, playing by ear, referring to the music, Robin Keehn, tough conversations, trusting the method

I’m looking for a couple fun projects for 8-year-old boys who are near the end of Level 1. I’m looking for ideas outside the regular Foundation, arrangement, and comp/imp projects.  I want to do a few fun, extra things with them while their classmates are…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• arrangements, playlist management, songs for children, summer lesson ideas, variations

I would like to get some thoughts on a situation that just occurred…. a parent called me today to inquire about lessons. Her daughter has had about 5 years of traditional lessons, but quit about a year ago. Her sight-reading skills are very weak. Her…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• claiming territory, following the curriculum, prior experience, teenagers, traditional lessons, trusting the method

I received a few questions today from a mum of a 11-12 year old girl. Because I’m reasonably new to SM, I’d truly appreciate some advice from those of you who are further down the track than me – particularly in regard to reading. Here…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• Laurie Richards, learning a new way of learning, mapping, reading music, students taking notes, trust the process

We, as teachers, as method coaches, open the gate and point the way down the path. We tell students that they have to walk that path without us, and we tell parents/coaches that they are the ones who will help children learn to walk that…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• coaches, coaching parents, firing students, Gordon Harvey, requirement, requirement versus request, training the trainer

I am trying to figure out how to better handle this issue in the future. I do shared lessons with 2 kids at a time. One kid has been with me for 1.5 years. He was with his brother, and his behavior was so poor…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• behavior issues, consequences, establishing rules, firing students, parental responsibility, request vs requirement, requirement based studio, setting policies

I would like to present a list of the advantages of having a parent present and participating in their child’s shared lesson to the parents of my students. Besides what I have listed, is there anything else I could add to it? Supportive Positive Influence…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• Long Term Relationship, parental involvement, role of parent

Samali (AUS): Welcome to today’s chat session. I am Samali de Tissera from Perth, Western Australia and I will be hosting the session today. I have been teaching SM for five years now. Mostly I teach in shared lessons of two students. The topic for…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• chat, foundation session, parents

I was wondering if anyone can offer any suggestions about a situation I have with a student please? This is a long email but I will start with the immediate issue and will post the details at the bottom in case you find you need…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• coach responsibility, Long Term Relationship, practice, relationship conversation

A parent who has been with me for over 2 years asked me the following question: When and how do the students learn the basic building blocks of music? Symbols (letters & signs)? Intonations? Registers? What is she talking about? These terms sound like musical…

• Last updated 12 years ago
• building blocks of music, chords, Laurie Richards, parent questions, scale