valleys

I’m finding in some of my small groups that individuals need some one on one that is hard to achieve in a group setting. I’m curious if any of you do ‘hybrid’ lessons when one week they might be in a group and the next…

• Last updated 2 years ago
• addressing poor technique, benefits of group lessons, benefits of shared lessons, comfort in teaching groups, different levels, different pacing in group, dislikes shared lessons, FL4, flat fingers, foundation level 4, group, group by level, group dynamics, group lesson, group lessons, group obstacles, group or private lessons, group vs private, groups, hybrid, intervals, keeping groups together, L4, Laurie Richards, leading groups, learning differences, Level 4, managing groups, managing shared lessons, mentor groups, navigating a valley, office hours, opposition to shared lessons, poor technique, private vs group, private vs shared, private vs shared lessons, shared, shared lesson, shared lesson ideas, shared lesson management, shared lessons, shared lessons management, shared vs private, siblings moving at a different pace, student mentors, student valley, students in groups with different abilities, students progressing differently, students teaching, students teaching each other, teaching groups, technique, technique questions, valley, valley on Level 4, valleys, value of groups

I have just lost a young student (7) who was, until mid level 2, loving the piano, practicing diligently without any encouragement needed. Then just before the school holidays we had two weeks where she barely played and then her father informed me she just…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• benefits, benefits of piano lessons, communicating benefits, dealing with losing a student, keeping them interested, Long Term Relationship, long term relationships, long-term, long-term relationship conversation, losing a student, losing student, losing students, lost interest, LTR, LTR graph, navigating a valley, quitting, quitting lessons, relationship, relationship conversation, retaining students, sticking with piano long term, student valley, students losing interest, students quitting, valley, valleys, want to quit

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…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• Long Term Relationship, LTR, minimal effort, Music and the Art of Long-term Relationships, navigating a valley, sensory processing disorder, valleys

In this webinar Neil talks about the Long-Term Relationship Conversation and its importance in and out of the class room. Topics include: Critical Nature of the Long-Term Relationship Conversation (00:00) “Something’s Wrong” Mindset (03:00) The Design of Upset (05:45) Parents/Coaches Who “Don’t Get It” (13:34)…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• big picture, coaches, design of upset, expectations, Laurie Richards, LTR, Neil Moore, something's wrong, upset, valleys

I am seeing a pattern of students growing restless in Level 4 and at the beginning of the reading process. This is usually around two years into lessons, and seems to coincide with students entering middle school. I feel sad to see them give up…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• eye of the needle, F3, F4, FL3, FL4, Foundation 3, Foundation 4, Laurie Richards, Level 3, managing expectations, reading, reading notes, reading rhythm, students losing interest, valleys

One of my students (11 years old) has been in a valley and I recognized at least one area where the mom could be more supportive. So I called the mother about the relationship conversation. After a fruitful 10-15 minute phone conversation, the mother told…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• coaching parents, communication, Long Term Relationship, relationships, valleys

Something I’m continually learning as a teacher is to not shy away from having the relationship conversation. When a student walks in and says, “I am really in a valley”, my goal is to not freak out and worry that she is going to immediately…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• communication, empathy, encouragement, relationship, relationship conversation, valleys

I have a 10-year-old boy who has had 70 lessons in a group with 2 others. He is one of my best students as far as practicing the way I tell him to. He does an excellent job of controlling events and learns his songs…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• group lessons, Long Term Relationship, parent support, relationship conversation, students quitting, valleys

Having had a hunch about something for a while, I took a look at the history of my student body and discovered some things. Of all my discontinued students who were children, 9 out of 20 had parents who were divorced or separated. Some were…

• Last updated 11 years ago
• divorce and retention, home situations, Laurie Richards, retention, valleys

Dear Teachers, I was reading recent emails on the Forums about struggling students, people needing breaks, etc. and wanted to share my own experience.  I have always noticed that many parents feel worn down in May and June, and this year was no exception.  In…

• Last updated 8 years ago
• encouragement, games, Laurie Richards, Long Term Relationship, relationship conversation, struggling students, summer lessons, valleys