request vs requirement
Turning Down Potential Students
Have you ever turned down a potential student even though they really wanted to start lessons? 😬 What were your reasons? What questions do you ask potential students either during FIS or during initial interactions in order to get a better sense of whether they…
Regaining Control of Parents and Students
I have finally gotten good at teaching SM and the studio is quickly growing. My biggest problem is still left over from being a traditional studio. Coaches are not doing their jobs 50% of the times. They won’t sit down at the piano, they won’t…
Quitting Families
Siblings in a shared lesson with 2 others, just finishing Foundation One (12 lessons) Big brother learning faster than average, and faster than his sister. Mom says they are having trouble at home because they are playing the same material, he wants to go faster…
Practice Expectations
A LOT has been said about this topic both in the SM teacher body and the greater global teacher community. I’d be interested in a more pointed discussion about possible alternatives to how teachers current converse about practice expectations. While Simply Music has gone to…
Collecting Evaluation Forms
I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or insight on getting evaluations back in a complete and timely matter. For multiple reasons I have struggled with this, and while I know at the core is the fact that they are not doing what…
Resistance Writing Lyrics
One of my farthest-along students is pushing back on writing lyrics because she doesn’t want to sing. I assigned composition two weeks in a row–make up a song. Then I assigned to make up words for the song. Mom texted me today (their lesson is…
Requirement Success
Sharing a requirement-based success story. I had a family recently whose two children never practiced consistently since they started. I told parents and children consistently the past week before spring break and week following that it wasn’t a problem, but that it wasn’t going to…
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…
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…
Benefit of requirement-based studio
I just had to let go of a 7-year-old student who was over-committed and not making time to practice. The mom and I are still friends and ended on good terms. I woke up this morning to an email from mom asking if she could…