Today we had a recital. I always struggle with what to say after each student has played their song. Everyone is clapping, then I pop back up again to introduce the next performer. I say "that was great" then the next student I'll say "that was really good" etc. I feel awkward and uncomfortable when I say that after each student. Today I said nothing after each performance and just introduced the next one - I…
Can anyone point me towards resources to help a student with performance anxiety? She's 13 and used to willingly play and sing for anyone who'd ask, but now she's extremely resistant even as she's a fabulous and sensitive musician. I've never felt like much of a natural performer myself and feel keenly my own struggles to play in front of others so I don't feel like I have tools to help her (other than empathy!). …
I checked out SImpedia and saw the idea of using Mad Libs with Christmas. It sounds super fun, but wonder if anyone could help me with more specific details how you set it up? Just Google “Christmas song Mad Libs” and some pre-made ones will come up. You can go around the room and have them take turns making up their fill-in-the-blank words, then you (or a student) can play the…
So how do you encourage or console a student who really struggled in performance? He did many things beautifully, but a few errors started to throw him off and it deteriorated rapidly with him visibly upset by the end. I feel for him! He left quickly afterward and I wasn't able to speak with him, but his lesson is tomorrow. Any wise words to share? If someone had asked this…
Piano parties: What do you do to keep them different from just a relaxed recital? Or is a relaxed recital okay? I had 16 students play one or two pieces each, and then we had refreshments. No games or anything. I try to keep mine relaxed. This year I'm incorporating the titles of pieces into a story. 14 students to play one or two each. In…
Just sharing a piano game I made up. I did it at my piano party and it was a big hit! I had everyone in the audience (students, coaches, and onlookers) come up to the front and stand in two rows to make two teams. One team was the storytellers, the other team was the players. The storyteller team had to make up a story. Each person in the team came up with one sentence. I…
I have received an email inquiry from a parent initially asking if Simply Music students undertook exams and what concerts were available for students. I responded letting her know that students did not sit formal exams and that often teachers ran concerts for their students. She has however come back and asked "May I know how the Simply Music method gives students recognition if there's no exam and certification? And what approach does the Simply Music…
Looking for some advice re: stage fright. I had a student that performed for a talent show at school. Forgot where to put her hands and just couldn't get started. I was there and ran up after she tried a few times to start to re-position her hands, and she proceeded to play the song beautifully. I spoke to her afterward and she was upset but I thought I had encouraged her enough that she would…
Recital question: I would like to have some background music playing while people come in to the church before the recital starts. For those that have done this, what have you used? Where did you pull your sources? I was sort of thinking about an assortment of piano music but wasn't really sure where to begin. I don't own much, maybe one old classical CD, but am willing to purchase from iTunes or wherever to compile…
For the first time, I played at my students' recital tonight. It was pretty fun, and I was surprised at the families' reactions. I heard several moms whisper to their kids "your teacher's going to play!". I didn't expect them to be excited. I demo stuff in class all the time. It got me thinking--maybe people would enjoy hearing more from me. Do you play at your recitals? What are your reasons/motivations? I've always focused on…
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