The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

458: Is it Getting Harder to Teach Kids Music?

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +1000

Does it feel like it’s getting harder to keep kids engaged in music lessons? In this episode, I’m chatting with Paul Myatt about what’s really going on with today’s students, especially Gen Alpha, and why so many teachers are feeling the shift. We unpack attention spans, movement, whole-body learning, and some practical ways to help students connect more deeply with music from the very start.

Paul explains why many teachers are finding Gen Alpha harder to engage in lessons.
He highlights the impact of screens, dopamine-driven apps, and shorter attention spans.
The value of movement and game-based learning in music lessons is emphasized.
Paul explains how using music to teach music improves memory and engagement.
He shows why whole-body learning can help students internalize rhythm more naturally.
The importance of singing, listening, and movement before reading music is discussed.
Paul encourages teachers to involve parents so students can better remember learning at home.
Tim and Paul explore why traditional counting often fails to create real rhythmic understanding.
Paul previews his TopMusicLive workshop on off-bench learning and sensory-motor integration.
Tim invites listeners to join TopMusicLive to learn these strategies in person.

Links Mentioned

Get your tickets for TopMusicLive 2026 here.

Today's Guest

Paul Myatt is a passionate teacher, performer, coach, author, composer and workshop facilitator. His purpose and passion is to continue to learn and work with people to assist them in developing their skills to achieve their goals. His experience extends across many fields: Business, music, technology and sports. Paul is a founding director and co-owner of Forte School of Music, a thriving and growing franchise network of music schools with over 5,500 students across 17 locations in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Since 1994, he has worked with his franchise partners to help them build their businesses in all areas including marketing, human resources, management and administration.

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Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

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457: Inside TopMusicLive: The Speakers, The Schedule, The Magic!

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +1000

There’s something powerful about stepping out of your studio and into a room full of like-minded teachers who are all working toward the same goal. Today, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at TopMusicLive 2026, including what’s planned, who you’ll be learning from, and why this event continues to be such a transformative experience for teachers around the world.

Tim shares an inside look at what to expect from TopMusicLive 2026.
He explains how the event is designed specifically for modern piano teachers.
The value of in-person connection and community for music educators.
Tim highlights the range of expert speakers joining the event.
The importance of learning both pedagogy and business strategies together.
How sessions are structured to be practical and immediately applicable.
The benefits of stepping away from your studio to gain fresh perspective.
Tim outlines the balance between learning, networking, and fun at the event.
The role of shared experiences in building long-term professional relationships.
Why attending live events can accelerate growth faster than online learning alone.

Links Mentioned

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456: Bulletproof Music Performance Strategies from Noa Kageyama

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +1000

Helping students perform confidently on stage is one of the biggest challenges music teachers face. In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation with performance psychologist and educator Noa Kageyama, who has spent years helping musicians understand the psychology behind performing under pressure. Together we explore practical strategies that can help both teachers and students prepare more effectively, build resilience, and develop the skills needed to perform at their best.

Tim introduces performance psychologist Noa Kageyama, known for helping musicians perform confidently under pressure.
The importance of preparing for performance, not just practicing the music itself.
How performance anxiety affects both students and teachers.
Noa explains how musicians can train their brains to perform better under pressure.
The role of deliberate practice in building confidence before stepping on stage.
Why practicing only in comfortable environments can limit performance readiness.
How simulating performance conditions during practice can improve stage success.
The value of small mindset shifts to reduce performance nerves.
Why mistakes during practice can be useful for learning how to recover in performance.
Practical strategies teachers can use to help students build resilience on stage.
How understanding the psychology of performance can transform practice habits.
Why stage confidence is a skill that can be trained rather than a natural trait.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Noa Kageyama is a performance psychologist and faculty member at The Juilliard School and the Cleveland Institute of Music. A conservatory-trained violinist with degrees from Oberlin and Juilliard, he later completed a PhD in counselling psychology at Indiana University and now specialises in helping performers thrive under pressure using sport psychology principles. He has presented workshops at leading institutions including Curtis, Eastman, Peabody, McGill and Northwestern, and his work has been featured in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN and TED-Ed. Through his courses and his blog and podcast: The Bulletproof Musician, he has supported more than 8,000 musicians worldwide and reaches over 45,000 subscribers each week.

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455: Introducing the TopMusic Teacher’s Guide to Fearless Performing

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +1000

There’s a moment many of us have experienced as teachers. A student who plays beautifully in lessons suddenly freezes when they step onto a stage. In this episode, I’m doing something a little different and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at our new resource, the TopMusic Teacher’s Guide to Fearless Performing. I’ll share the big ideas behind it and why preparing the performer, not just the piece, might be the most important thing we teach.

Tim shares a story of a student freezing mid-performance despite playing confidently in lessons.
He explains the difference between preparing the piece and preparing the performer.
Tim introduces the TopMusic Teacher’s Guide to Fearless Performing.
The guide challenges the idea that confidence is simply a personality trait.
He explains that nerves don’t disappear with experience but can be reframed.
He outlines the guide’s three pillars: preparation, mindset, and stagecraft.
Tim highlights the importance of helping students recover from mistakes on stage.
He invites teachers to explore the guide to help students become confident performers.

Links Mentioned

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454: Meet Samantha Coates – TopMusicLive Keynote Speaker

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +1000

Keeping students focused in today’s distraction-filled world can feel harder than ever. Today, I’m joined by Samantha Coates, one of our keynote speakers at TopMusicLive, to preview her session on staying ahead of student distraction. If you’re looking for practical, ready-to-use ways to boost engagement in your lessons, you’re going to love what she has planned.

Tim introduces Samantha Coates as a keynote speaker at TopMusicLive in Sydney.
Samantha shares her background as creator of BlitzBooks, now celebrating 25 years.
She previews her session on staying ahead of student distraction in lessons.
Samantha explains how breaking up lessons helps re-engage distracted students.
She promises practical activities teachers can implement immediately.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Samantha Coates is an internationally regarded piano pedagogue and presenter. In addition to running an active teaching studio, she is the creator and publisher of BlitzBooks, the music education series that has brought laughter and creativity to music theory, sight reading, and piano repertoire. Samantha’s sense of humour and ability to connect with students through her books and online resources reflect her ongoing dedication to making all areas of music accessible, enjoyable and memorable.

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453: Get Stage Ready with Noa Kageyama aka the Bulletproof Musician

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +1000

Helping students move from confident practice room playing to reliable stage performance is one of the biggest challenges we face as music teachers. In this episode, I'm sharing some honest reflections from my own performance anxiety journey, including sitting a high-level diploma exam as an adult. We’re unpacking what really causes that gap between practice and performance and how to help students become truly stage ready.

Tim introduces this month’s focus on becoming stage ready.
He explains the common gap between practice and performance.
Tim shares his fear of solo classical performance.
He reflects on completing his AMusA diploma as an adult.
He describes the structure of the high-level performance exam.
How preparing rebuilt his teaching confidence.
The value of teachers taking lessons themselves.
He recommends visualization as a preparation strategy.
Tim encourages playing in the actual performance venue when possible.
He shares a simple backstage hand-warmup technique.
Tim introduces Noa Kageyama, The Bulletproof Musician.
He previews the Spotlight session on performance psychology.

Links Mentioned

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452: Meet Dr Anita Collins – TopMusicLive Keynote Speaker

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +1000

I’m really excited to give you a taste of what’s coming up at TopMusicLive this year. In today's episode, we're having a chat with Dr Anita Collins, who’ll be delivering one of our keynotes in Sydney. We talk about something that every music teacher is feeling right now — students are changing, attention spans are shifting, and resilience looks different than it used to. Anita helps us understand what’s happening in the brain and why music learning has never been more important.

Tim introduced Dr Anita Collins as a keynote speaker for TopMusicLive in Sydney.
Anita explained her work in music learning and brain development.
The importance of distilling complex neuroscience into practical teaching insights.
Anita discussed how students’ brains are changing in the post-COVID and AI era.
How constant access to devices affects effort, dopamine, and attention spans.
The decline in Generation Z IQ scores was referenced as a significant global trend.
Anita described how students struggle more with long-term effort and delayed rewards.
The value of productive discomfort for true brain growth was emphasized.
She explained the concept of the zone of proximal development in music lessons.
Tim highlighted the increasing difficulty of teaching in a fast-paced, swipe-driven culture.
Anita stressed that teachers must adapt because the world has fundamentally shifted.
She previewed her keynote topic: how to turn frustration into fuel.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Dr. Anita Collins is an internationally recognised educator, researcher, writer, and consultant who bridges the gap between cutting-edge brain science and everyday teaching practice. Best known for her expertise in music learning and brain development, she uses this powerful lens to address broader educational challenges including student engagement, parent advocacy, and system wide innovation. Anita’s presentations inspire new possibilities, her consulting transforms how schools and organisations think and act, and her pragmatic strategies ensure change is both achievable and lasting.

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451: Tips for Speaking to Parents About Neurodivergent Students with Tara Mock

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +1000

Helping parents understand and support their neurodivergent children starts with clear, compassionate communication. In this special replay episode from our TopMusic Piano Podcast, I’m sharing a valuable conversation of Dr. Rachel Ehring with Tara Mock on how music teachers can navigate those tricky but important discussions with empathy and clarity. Whether you’re new to working with neurodivergent students or looking to strengthen parent relationships, Tara’s insights are packed with wisdom you can use right away.

Tara shared the importance of empathy when communicating with parents of neurodivergent students.
She discussed how parent-teacher conversations can either build or break trust.
The benefits of creating a safe and nonjudgmental studio space were highlighted.
Tara offered suggestions for helping parents feel supported rather than criticized.
Why teachers should avoid assumptions and labels when speaking to families.
Strategies for using open-ended questions to guide conversations.
Tara emphasized the power of collaboration between parents and teachers.
She encouraged educators to focus on student strengths, not just challenges.
Sharing small wins with families was recommended to instill hope and confidence.
Advice on managing expectations and pacing progress appropriately.
The value of welcoming feedback and maintaining a two-way dialogue.
Tara reminded teachers that every learner’s experience is unique and valid.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Tara Mock has been teaching for 28 years and owns an independent piano studio in Raleigh, North Carolina. She earned a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy in 2001 from the University of South Carolina focusing on improvisation for the beginner piano student. After homeschooling her own children with neurodivergent diagnoses for over 14 years, she is focusing on teaching piano to students who learn and experience the world differently as well. She currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of Membership in the Raleigh Piano Teachers Association, and previously served in various roles in the Jacksonville Music Teachers Association in Jacksonville, Florida. Her family includes her genius husband, two amazing and gifted children (one in college and the other finishing high school), two of the best dogs ever, a goofy horse, and many fish.

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450: You’ve Got It Backwards: The Special Abilities of the Dyslexic Student with Dr Olivia Colomaio

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +1000

Understanding the minds of neurodivergent students can completely transform how we approach teaching. In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood diagnoses: dyslexia. This week, I’m sharing a powerful webinar replay from Dr. Olivia Colomaio, a dyslexic pianist and educator who brings both personal experience and deep research to the table. She breaks down how dyslexia affects music learning, highlights the strengths of dyslexic students, and gives you practical strategies to build a more inclusive studio environment.

Tim introduced the episode as part of the month-long focus on neurodivergent teaching strategies.
Olivia shared her personal journey as a dyslexic pianist and educator.
She explained how dyslexia affects music reading and decoding rhythms.
Common traits like visual overstimulation and anxiety in dyslexic learners.
The value of recognizing dyslexic students’ strengths like pattern recognition and spatial reasoning.
How dyslexic students often use the right brain for reading and thinking in pictures.
She shared her experience preparing for a concerto competition
Strategies that helped her memorize music.
Key strengths of dyslexic learners including compensatory ingenuity and intrinsic motivation.
Classroom accommodations: multisensory methods, score modifications, and visual aids.
Examples of color-coded notation and score adjustments that help students understand rhythms and notes.
The importance of creating safe, patient, and inclusive studio environments was discussed.
She advised giving students time to process and using affirming language to build confidence.
Understanding the “why” behind teaching strategies for better retention among dyslexic learners.
Full Q&A segment of the webinar with Tara Wright.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Olivia Grace Colomaio (Bradstreet) is a pianist, accompanist, teacher, and doctoral candidate in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. She teaches lessons in piano, accompanying, composition, and music theory, and she loves teaching students of all ages, interests, experience levels, and backgrounds! Originally from Bath, NY, she earned her master’s in piano pedagogy and performance from Campbellsville University (Campbellsville, KY), and her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Roberts Wesleyan University (Rochester, NY). Her research focuses on discovering and providing resources for students with dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence. Olivia currently resides in Lexington, South Carolina.

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449: How to Thrive Teaching Neurodivergent Students

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +1000

One of the most powerful webinars we’ve ever run at TopMusic was a session with educator Selena Pistoresi, focused on how to support neurodivergent students. The response from teachers around the world was incredible, so I’m sharing a replay of that webinar here on the podcast. Selena offers practical, compassionate advice that challenges some of the traditional ways we approach behavior, motivation, and lesson structure. And it’s all grounded in a deep respect for the unique ways our students experience the world.

Tim introduced the Spotlight theme for February: teaching neurodivergent students.
The importance of shifting language and mindset when supporting neurodivergent students.
The value of understanding student behavior as communication was highlighted.
Selena outlined the difference between compliance and true learning.
She encouraged teachers to move away from reward systems toward intrinsic motivation.
Practical strategies for flexible lesson plans and routines were shared.
The importance of regulating the teacher's own nervous system was discussed.
Selena offered examples of co-regulation techniques to support student needs.
She recommended viewing meltdowns and shutdowns as opportunities for support.
Suggestions for adapting teaching materials for different sensory and cognitive needs were explored.
Teachers were encouraged to create a safe and inclusive learning space.

Links Mentioned

Member Links

Today's Guest

Selena Pistoresi has been a piano teacher for over a decade. Selena blogs over at Notablepiano.com and is the author of the Milestone Method. She owns Cultivate Music Studio, a studio in San Jose, California, where she specializes in working with students with special needs. She equips teachers all over the world with the mindset tools and curriculum to teach students with special needs and to help their studios flourish.

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448: Well… This Is Happening!

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +1000

Hey there, and welcome back to a brand-new year of The TopCast! I’m so pumped to kick off 2026 with a very special announcement, one that many of you have been asking me about for years. This episode is all about what's ahead in 2026, from our exciting monthly themes and spotlight guests to the return of something very close to my heart. I won’t spoil the surprise just yet, but let’s just say if you’ve ever wanted to gather in person with like-minded music teachers for a game-changing experience, you’re going to want to hear this.

Tim opened the first episode of 2026 by expressing excitement for the year ahead.
He celebrated 11 years of podcasting and the upcoming 500th episode milestone.
He announced that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of TopMusicPro.
He revealed the return of a live event:TopMusic Live 2026in Sydney this April.
Kawai as the main sponsor supporting the in-person event.
The venue of the event, which is overlooking Sydney Harbour and includes full catering.
Outline of the event format, including keynotes, masterminds, and demo lessons.
The focus on implementation sessions to help teachers take action.
Tim introduced monthly spotlight themes and guests planned for the first half of 2026.
February’s theme is teaching neurodiverse students with Bec Stewart.
He shared that he will keynote at IRMTNZ in New Zealand this April.

Links Mentioned

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447: TopMusic 2025 Wrapped PLUS Vision 2026

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +1000

2025 has been one of the biggest years yet for us here at TopMusic. And I’m thrilled to wrap it all up with you in this final episode of the year. In today's episode, we're diving into the key highlights of everything we’ve accomplished, from new courses and Spotlight Sessions to powerful AI tools and a complete website transformation. You’ll also get a sneak peek into our bold new vision for 2026, including our upcoming Studio Coaching Tier, a refreshed action-focused approach to teacher growth, and the exciting announcement of TopMusicLive 2026 happening in Sydney!

Tim shared highlights and accomplishments from TopMusic’s 2025 initiatives.
TopMusic released 12 themed digital magazines covering topics like technique and repertoire.
Two active podcast shows—TopCast and the TopMusic Piano Podcast with Rachel Ehring.
Five new courses were added to TopMusicPro.
Released monthly Inspire Packs and Creativity Boost Cards to enhance student engagement.
A new Power Hour for UK members was launched, expanding global sessions to four time zones.
Significantly improved website speed and dashboard performance for a better user experience.
Spotlight Sessions were introduced, featuring live expert Q&As on pedagogy and business.
The 12-Week Studio Transformation program continued with two successful cohorts.
TopMusic ran its first-ever Composition Competition with student winners featured on the podcast.
The organization introduced new AI-powered tools.
What's coming ahead in 2026 for TopMusic?
Tim announced TopMusic’s new vision and five-pillar strategy.
Launching of a new Studio Coaching Tier, offering weekly check-ins and premium support.
Official announcement of TopMusicLive 2026 in Sydney, with presale tickets now available attopmusiclive.com.

Links Mentioned

Courses Mentioned

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446: Tim Plays Our Winning Composition Competition Entries!

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +1000

One of the most exciting things we did this year was launch our first-ever TopMusic Composition Competition — and the response blew me away! In this episode, I’m sharing the replay of our live winner announcement, where I performed each winning piece and celebrated the creativity of our global piano community. You’ll hear from students as young as five years old who submitted original, notated works with impressive musicality. I also talk about how milestones like this competition can motivate students to compose, improvise, and truly engage with the structure of music in a meaningful way.

Tim announced the winners of the first-ever TopMusic Composition Competition.
The competition featured four categories:
- Mini Maestros (ages 5–10)
- Rising Composers (11–14)
- Creative Visionaries (15–18)
- Adults
Entries were judged based on PDF scores, not video/audio performance.
Winners' compositions will be published in the March 2026 issue of TopMusic Sheets.
Tim played each winning piece live during the announcement session.
Judges praised students’ use of dynamics, structure, creativity, and notation clarity.
Honorable mentions were awarded to encourage more creativity and expression.
Teachers of winning students were recognized for supporting creative teaching.
Tim highlighted the importance of milestones in creative music education.
How the competition helped foster confidence and real-world experience for students.
Future plans include featuring more composers in the monthly sheet music packs.
Tim encouraged more teachers to participate in the next competition round.

Links Mentioned

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445: Why Giving Make-Up Lessons is a BAD Idea with Jonathan Roberts

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +1000

We’ve all been there—navigating the headache of rescheduled lessons, disappointed parents, and the pressure to make up for every missed session. In this episode, I'm chatting with Jonathan Roberts, director of South Shore Piano School, about why giving make-up lessons may be hurting your studio more than helping. We unpack the emotional and financial cost of flexibility, how to shift toward professional boundaries, and what a sustainable, no-make-up lesson policy actually looks like in practice.

Jonathan shared the origins of South Shore Piano School, which now serves over 350 students.
He explained why they focus solely on piano lessons to simplify branding, marketing, and SEO.
How inconsistent studio policies across schools created confusion and poor teaching cultures.
How South Shore Piano School prioritizes teacher well-being, including fair pay and benefits.
Why he decided to create a video to clearly and empathetically explain their new no-make-up policy.
How the video received overwhelmingly positive responses from parents.
The emotional toll make-up lessons take on teachers, from scheduling stress to burnout.
The importance of empathy and analogies to help parents understand the teacher’s perspective.
How a no-makeup policy actually signals professionalism and earns more respect from families.
Jonathan highlighted that options like Zoom lessons, asynchronous reviews, and monthly group make-ups help maintain flexibility without compromising structure.
He advised teachers to invest in marketing, especially SEO, to reduce fear around losing students.
He encouraged teachers to face the discomfort of policy change as a gateway to healthier, more sustainable studios.

Links Mentioned

Watch Jonathan's YouTube Video on Makeup Lessons
South Shore Piano School Website
South Shore Piano School Facebook Page
South Shore Piano School Instagram:@sspianoschool
Download your latest TopMusic Magazine issue here

Today's Guest

Jonathan Roberts is a pianist, entrepreneur, and content creator who serves as the owner and director of the South Shore Piano School in the Boston area, where he leads a team of 10 teachers serving more than 350 students. A passionate advocate for music educators, Jonathan has built SSPS on a foundation of supporting teachers with fair pay and meaningful work, while fostering a transparent, community-centered approach to music education for students and families. In addition to his leadership at SSPS, he is an examiner and U.S. ambassador for the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Certificate Program, as well as immediate past-president of the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association.

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444: Teaching Beginner Piano Technique with Katherine Fisher

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +1000

It was such a pleasure catching up with Katherine Fisher again. In this episode, we revisit her groundbreaking Piano Safari method and explore how it has evolved to meet the needs of today’s students. We're going to dive into beginner piano technique, discuss why rote teaching and intervallic reading are so powerful, and explore creative ways to build technical foundations through movement, rhythm, and imagination. Katherine’s insights are grounded in deep pedagogical research and a passion for helping teachers inspire young pianists.

Katherine shared how Piano Safari began with research-based pedagogical practices blended in a creative way.
The importance of using rote pieces alongside reading to support beginner students.
Why Piano Safari’s unique blend of intervallic reading and rote learning sets it apart from traditional methods.
How early use of intervallic reading supports long-term music reading fluency.
The value of teaching rhythmic patterns through animal rhythms to build recognition and fluency.
How Piano Safari integrates storytelling and play-based learning to reinforce melodic contour.
The importance of starting beginners with non-legato to develop a healthy, tension-free technique.
The benefits of rote teaching and offered strategies for memorization and creative exploration.
She encouraged students to transpose rote pieces early on to develop keyboard awareness and flexibility.

Links Mentioned

TopMusicPro Member Links

10% off Piano Safari

Today's Guest

Katherine Fisher serves on the piano faculty of the Ohio University School of Music in Athens, Ohio where she teaches applied piano and piano pedagogy, coordinates the group piano program, and mentors graduate teaching assistants. Katherine is internationally recognized in the field of piano pedagogy as a creator of the innovative method Piano Safari. Along with co-author Julie Knerr Hague, she has published well over one hundred books and pedagogical materials. The Piano Safari method and its supplemental teaching material is distributed throughout the world and is used by thousands of piano teachers and students.

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443: Business Productivity Quick-Fire

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +1000

To wrap up our “Streamline Your Studio” month, I’m sharing a special replay of one of my most popular conference presentations from the MTAC Conference. In this session, I'm going to break down practical strategies for saving time, boosting productivity, and running your music teaching business more efficiently. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by admin or just looking to fine-tune your workflow, this episode is full of quick wins you can implement right away to reclaim your time and increase your income.

Tim introduced the episode as a replay from his MTAC conference presentation.
The session's three core areas: productivity hacks, business time savers, and virtual teams.
How to help teachers save time, focus on what matters, and increase income.
Calculating effective hourly rates to understand real income after expenses and taxes.
How most teachers overestimate their earnings by not factoring in business costs.
Strategies for improving effective hourly rate including increasing income and reducing hours.
Tim emphasized using software like My Music Staff to automate scheduling and billing tasks.
Using cloud storage tools like Dropbox and Google Drive for backups and document sharing.
How hiring virtual assistants from countries like the Philippines can be a cost-effective way to reduce admin work.

Links Mentioned

Member Links

Business Systems & Productivity for the 21st Century

Today’s Sponsor

Opus1 helps music school owners run their schools with ease, confidence, and connection. Created by fellow school owners, our all-in-one platform brings scheduling, billing, communications, and marketing together under one roof. By simplifying admin tasks and improving family engagement, Opus1 empowers music school owners to grow an average of 40% in just 18 months. Join a growing community of schools building stronger businesses — and stronger music programs — with Opus1. Book a Demo of Opus1 here.

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442: Selling the VALUE of Your Teaching with Jonathan Kuuskoski

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Let’s face it. Talking about pricing can be uncomfortable. That’s why I was to have a chat with Jonathan Kuuskoski, Director of the EXCEL Lab at the University of Michigan, to explore how music teachers can confidently communicate the real value of what they offer. We talked about teaching identities, emotional labor, storytelling, and how to shift conversations with families away from “cost” and toward “transformation.” If you’ve ever felt uneasy about pricing your lessons or explaining your worth, this episode will give you the mindset and the words to make it easier.

Jonathan shared a brief overview of his background as the Director of the EXCEL Lab at the University of Michigan.
He explained why musicians often struggle with pricing.
How building confidence and articulating value are key steps toward charging appropriately.
The importance of defining a core philosophy or teaching identity was emphasized.
Why teachers should talk less about cost and more about transformation.
Jonathan encouraged teachers to shift the conversation from “how much” to “what’s possible.”
The benefits of customizing your pitch based on the needs of your ideal clients were discussed.
How storytelling helps students and parents understand the real value of music education.
How EXCEL at the University of Michigan prepares students for creative careers through coaching.
The difference between transactional teaching and building long-term trust.
How teachers can present their programs like a unique learning journey, not just a set of lessons.
He encouraged educators to reflect on their own success stories as part of their value proposition.
The importance of embracing an entrepreneurial mindset in the arts was emphasized.
Tips on how teachers can build confidence in pricing and communication.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Jonathan Kuuskoski is Chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Leadership and Director of the EXCEL Lab and at University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where he leads their comprehensive entrepreneurship, leadership, management and career development programming. Since 2015, EXCEL has helped launch hundreds of student-led arts projects, while incubating dozens of student ventures and delivering personalized training resources to thousands of aspiring performing arts professionals. To-date, the department has delivered more than $1 million in direct student support funding. Jonathan has presented his work widely, including at the Peabody Institute (Johns Hopkins), Yale University, the Bolz Center for Arts Administration (Wisconsin School of Business), New World Symphony, the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna (mdw), and the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. He has provided commentary on a number of music sector issues for CNN, Forbes, and Inc.com, and his work in the arts entrepreneurship and leadership space has been profiled by CNBC, Crain’s Detroit Business, Symphony Magazine, and other news outlets. His recent publication, “Narrowing the Gap: Implications of Arts Business Training on Artist Labor Market Outcomes” (co-authored with Dr. Christos Makridis, Artivate, Vol. 12), examines the impact of business training on artists’ earnings using U.S. Census Bureau data.

Today’s Sponsor

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Bonus Ep 441: Finding Your Studio Superboost with Maddy Palare

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today we’re doing something a little different. This bonus episode features a special chat with Maddy Palare, a passionate teacher and graduate of our 12-Week Studio Transformation Program. Maddy shares how she went from teaching part-time to running a thriving, multi-teacher studio, all while navigating uncertainty, burnout, and business challenges. You'll hear how the program helped her streamline her systems, boost her confidence, and discover powerful tools for growth. Whether you're just starting out or looking for a refresh, Maddy’s journey will inspire you to see what’s possible with the right support.

Maddy shared that she disliked piano practice as a child and lacked motivation during lessons.
She explained that her early teaching experience with her younger brother was discouraging.
How her perspective on teaching shifted after working with her first official student at age 16.
How she experienced burnout and a lack of direction before joining the program.
She shared why she joined the12WSTto gain business clarity and rebuild her confidence.
The operations manual module provided her with structure and long-term studio planning tools.
She highlighted how adding a call-to-action on her website increased student inquiries.
How the visioning exercise helped her define what she wanted her studio to look and feel like.
Impementing new teaching strategies that improved engagement and creativity with students.
How her student with autism flourished through personalized and flexible lesson formats.
How the program helped her feel more confident in her decisions as a business owner.
Maddy recommended the program to teachers seeking clarity, systems, and renewed purpose.

Links Mentioned

Find out more about the 12wst (12-Week Studio Transformation) here.
Maddy's website:Adelaide Music LLC
Maddy's Instagram page:@adelaidemusicllc
Maddy's Facebook page:Adelaide Music LLC

Today’s Guest

Madelyn Palare is a 25-year-old piano teacher and the founder of Adelaide Music LLC. Teaching since age 16, she’s working to actively build a studio culture in her area where students become holistic, lifelong musicians—developing musicianship with confidence and joy. Madelyn also enjoys creating playful, well-designed resources for other teachers to keep learning engaging for students of all ages. She lives just north of Los Angeles with her husband, you can often find her spending time with her friends and eating sushi.

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440: Streamlining Your Marketing with Kelly Riordan

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +1000

We know how hard it can be to cut through the noise when it comes to studio marketing. That’s why I’m thrilled to bring you this special replay from our sister show, the TopMusic Piano Podcast, hosted by Dr. Rachel Ehring. In this episode, she sits down with Kelly Riordan of Outside the Bachs to unpack a practical, no-fluff 3-step approach to marketing your music studio. From crafting a profitable lesson package to building authentic community relationships, Kelly shares advice that’s grounded in experience and designed to help you grow your studio in sustainable and meaningful ways.

Kelly shared a brief overview of her studio as the CEO and Co-Founder of Outside the Bachs.
She shared her 3-step framework for growing a studio.
Importance of setting a flat monthly tuition to simplify operations and build confidence with clients.
Organic marketing strategies like school outreach and community connections.
How authentic relationships with music teachers can lead to more consistent student referrals.
She shared her experience of building a studio from scratch after relocating
She highlighted the value of in-person networking.
The difference between a free trial lesson and a consultation.
The importance of authentic social media content.

Links Mentioned

Outside The Bachs Website
Outside The Bachs YouTube Page
Kelly Riordan’s TikTok Page
Kelly Riordan’s Instagram: @kellyriordanmusician
Facebook Group: Private Music Instructors, Piano Lesson Teachers, and Music Studio Owners

Today’s Guest

Kelly Riordan is the CEO and Co-Founder of Outside the Bachs, LLC – a program designed to give musicians the skills to create their own private music studios and deliver the highest quality instruction to their students. Her work has brought her to the forefront in music business education. In addition to hosting The Outside the Bachs Podcast, Riordan presents regularly at conferences and universities, with recent appearances at The NAMM Show and The Ultimate Music Business Summit, in addition to lectures at the University of Tennessee, Miami University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Kelly Riordan holds a Master of Music (MM) in Performance and Literature from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music from the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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439: From Bankruptcy to 1000 Students with David Martin

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +1000

How do you go from total financial loss to building one of the biggest privately owned music schools in the country? Our guest today, David Martin, shares his incredible journey from teaching in his parents’ basement to serving 1,000 students weekly and eventually selling the business. This episode is packed with insights on marketing, team building, and how to grow your studio with purpose. We also touch on tools like Opus1 that are helping today’s school owners simplify operations and scale more sustainably.

David shared how he went bankrupt in 2009 and rebuilt from scratch by teaching piano in his parents’ basement.
He explained how early mistakes in pricing and business structure led to major financial challenges.
The value of resilience and staying focused during adversity was a key theme.
How he gradually scaled his business to 1,000 students across multiple locations.
How strategic hiring helped him build a strong leadership team and scale with confidence.
Marketing strategies like bold messaging and leveraging Google Ads were highlighted.
The importance of clarity in branding and knowing your “why.”
David described the process of preparing for a successful business exit and sale.
How he now coaches other school owners to grow and avoid the mistakes he made.
Tim and David emphasized the power of systems and automation in building sustainable music schools.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

David Martin is an entrepreneur and business coach who built one of the largest privately owned music schools in the country. Starting in his parents’ basement with no business background, he scaled to 1,000 weekly students across multiple locations before successfully selling the company. Today, he helps music school owners accelerate growth, improve marketing performance, and prepare for profitable exits.

Today’s Sponsor

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438: AI Music Teaching Software Tools with Katie Argyle

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +1000

This week, we're wrapping up our technology month with something really special, a replay from one of our Spotlight Sessions inside TopMusicPro, featuring the brilliant Katie Argyle from Midnight Music. Katie’s deep knowledge of music ed tech tools always blows me away. In this episode, she walks us through powerful AI tools for music teachers, including practice apps, notation scanners, and backing track software. Whether you're curious about rhythm generators or want to strip vocals from a pop track, Katie delivers practical ways to use AI to streamline your teaching and spark creativity in your studio.

Tim shared that this episode is a replay from a Spotlight Session inside TopMusicPro.
Katie highlighted the role of AI in music education and why it's not entirely new.
She explained how Rhythm Randomizer can create infinite rhythm exercises for free.
The benefits of Sight Reading Factory for customized sight reading were demonstrated.
Katie showcased Moises, an AI tool that separates tracks into stems for backing practice.
She shared how teachers can mute instruments, identify key and tempo, and export audio.
Ultimate Vocal Remover was presented as a free alternative for basic stem separation.
She explored AI-powered feedback tools like PracticeFirst and MakeMusic Cloud.
Katie showed how AI improves music scanning and notation using digital PDF conversion.

Links Mentioned

TopMusicPro Members Link

Watch the Spotlight Session Replay – The Music Teacher’s Guide to AI With Katie Argyle

Today's Guest

Katie Argyle is a music technology in education trainer, consultant, blogger and podcaster who is passionate about helping music teachers through her business Midnight Music. She runs hands-on workshops, presents regularly at conferences in Australia and internationally and offers online training and support to music teachers all over the world. Katie’s workshops and courses focus on incorporating technology into the music curriculum and practical tips for resource creation and productivity. Katie has been a Keynote speaker at the Australian Society for Music Education National Conference, the Music Education New Zealand National Conference and the ACT Music Educators Network Conference. In 2016, Katie launched the Midnight Music Membership Community which has become a go-to hub for hundreds of music teachers who are seeking technology-focussed professional development. She regularly presents regular live online webinars which have been attended by thousands of music teachers. Katie is the host of the Music Tech Teacher podcast which has more than 150 episodes and runs the Midnight Music Youtube channel.

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437: Unpacking AI for Music Teachers with Tara Wright

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we're diving into the world of AI for music teachers with none other than Tara Wright, our resident expert on all things tech and teaching. In this episode, we unpack what AI really is (and isn't), how it shows up in everyday studio tools, and how music teachers can use it to supercharge creativity, lesson planning, communication, and marketing. Tara also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her new course, ChatGPT Made Easy, and the custom chatbots she's built to make AI accessible and practical for every studio.

Tara explained that AI is not just chatbots, it powers many tools teachers already use.
She described how AI systems learn from data and improve over time.
How AI tools like notation software and backing tracks use AI under the hood.
Tara highlighted that while AI can assist, it can’t replace the emotional connection of real teaching.
The value of AI as a creativity partner was discussed, from songwriting to arranging.
Examples of AI tools like Suno and how they can inspire student projects.
How ChatGPT helps her respond to parent emails with professionalism and clarity.
The importance of training ChatGPT to sound like you through tone and branding was emphasized.
Tara demonstrated how AI can analyze studio data and summarize trends.
She explained how AI helps with marketing tasks like writing captions and emails.
How teachers can use AI to explain tricky concepts or offer analogies tailored to different learners.
How AI helps personalize lessons for neurodiverse or non-visual learners.
TopMusic’s custom AI chatbots like Paige, Studio Maestro, Chester and Cleo.
Tara outlined the ChatGPT Made Easy course, which teaches teachers to use AI effectively.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

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436: What’s Your Favourite Music Teaching Tech?

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +1000

There’s no shortage of amazing apps and tech tools for music teachers—but which one would you keep if you had to give up all the rest? For this fun and collaborative episode, I asked a group of creative, tech-savvy teachers from around the world to share their number one, can’t-live-without music teaching tool. You’ll hear their real-life tips, use cases, and why these tools are making a difference in their studios.

Tim introduced October's tech focus across TopMusic, including blogs and magazine issues.
The value of practical, studio-tested tools was emphasized through real teacher examples.
Bec Stewart recommended Tonality for understanding chords and transposition.
Samantha Coates praised Vivid Practice for organizing digital student notes and resources.
Rebecca Singerman-Knight shared how she uses iReal Pro for backing tracks and improvisation.
Amy Chaplin explained how Spotify supports chord chart work and jam sessions.
Jennifer Fox recommended Practice Space for streamlined assignments and student motivation.
Laura Kahar highlighted the power of the simple Voice Memos app for student reflection.
Noreen Wenjen discussed how the Apogee HypeMic improves sound for online lessons.
Tim encouraged listeners to try these tools and discover what could become their new favorite.
The importance of experimentation, simplicity, and creativity in tech adoption was reinforced.

Links Mentioned

Download your TopMusic Magazine here.

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435: Should You Get a Lease For Your Studio? With Anamarie Sabbagh

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +1000

What makes a student stay with you for years, not just because of progress, but because they truly love your studio? In today’s chat, I’m joined by Anamarie Sabbagh, who’s built a thriving teaching business grounded in joy, connection, and community. We talk about how she creates a studio culture that students and families want to be part of for the long haul and the little things that make a big difference.

Anamarie shared how her multicultural background helped shape a welcoming, inclusive studio environment.
She explained the importance of building community and connection beyond just teaching piano.
The value of play-based learning and engaging activities was emphasized for young beginners.
How her studio culture focuses on joy, consistency, and nurturing long-term relationships.
The strategies she uses to support both students and parents through musical development.
She highlighted how small details—like communication, scheduling, and celebrations—build loyalty.
The importance of teacher authenticity and showing up as your full self in the studio was discussed.
Anamarie shared how she incorporates flexibility and structure to meet each family’s needs.
Presenting at international events and how that affirmed the value of her studio model.
How cultivating a supportive studio culture has led to strong word-of-mouth and long-term retention.

Links Mentioned

Anamarie's website: Keys To Success Music
Anamarie's Instagram page: @latinafabulous
Keys to Success Music Instagram page: @keys.to.success.music
Keys to Success Music Facebook page: Keys To Success Music

Today’s Guest

Anamarie is a classically trained opera singer, doctoral candidate, published author, international speaker, and MBA holder in International Business with a diverse range of experiences that have shaped her approach to education. With fluency in multiple languages and extensive travel experience, she brings a unique perspective to teaching and learning. Outside of the classroom, Anamarie enjoys reading, singing, and spending time at the beach. She is also an interpreter of tarot cards, which helps her tap into the intuitive side of life and connect with others on a deeper level. Anamarie's journey to becoming a studio owner and teacher was unexpected, but her love for kids, music, and humanity has been a constant driving force. She has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of music education, particularly neuromusical education, which empowers children to develop self-awareness, critical thinking, and trust in their intuition. As a dedicated educator, Anamarie is committed to bringing this magic to young minds and helping them discover the full potential of music as a tool for personal growth and self-expression.

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434: Is Teaching Pop Music Less Valuable Than Classical?

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Back in 2014, I set up a mic, hit record, and created my very first online course to help teachers feel confident teaching pop music. That course became PianoFlix, and it was the beginning of everything that would eventually grow into the TopMusicPro community. In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to share how it all started, why it still matters today, and what makes this course one of my proudest creations.

Tim reflected on the early days of creating his first online course to help teachers teach pop music.
He explained how teacher feedback sparked the idea for what became PianoFlix.
The importance of teaching pop music as a gateway to deeper engagement and theory understanding.
How the success of PianoFlix Course led to the creation of TopMusicPro.
Tim shared the original sales ad and Module 1 from the PianoFlix Course.
How the course was intentionally designed to be evergreen and still relevant today.
How attitudes toward pop music in piano education have shifted significantly since 2015.
The value of practical, pedagogically-sound pop instruction was reinforced throughout.
Tim outlined all 8 modules of the PianoFlix course, including rearranging and lead sheet strategies.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

RSL Awards is leading the next generation of creativity. We are an international Awarding Organisation, creating qualifications in music, performing arts, and creative industries subjects. Our vision is to help teachers and students within the creative arts sector through a range of innovative, relevant, and rewarding resources and qualifications. This includes our flagship Rockschool graded resources for piano. The new edition of Rockschool Piano offers a holistic approach to piano education, shaped around the needs of today’s musicians. Exploring five centuries of music, from classical to classic rock, this genre-spanning syllabus features an expansive mix of popular Hit Tunes, bespoke Rockschool Originals, and brand-new suites of technical study, all packed with class-leading technology.

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433: Join Our 30-Day Back Pocket Sprint!

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +1000

When students show up without their books or in a mood, do you ever feel your lesson plan slipping through your fingers? That’s exactly why I created the 30-Day Back Pocket Sprint to help you build a reliable toolkit of creative activities you can use anytime. In this solo episode, I’m sharing all the details: how it works, what you'll learn, and how it will give you confidence, flexibility, and fun in every lesson. Whether you’re already a TopMusicPro member or just looking for a boost, this sprint is for you.

Tim explained how unexpected lesson moments can be better managed with creative tools.
The value of a flexible teaching toolkit as a way to stay confident and effective.
Tim introduced the 30-Day Back Pocket Sprint starting September 29 until October 27.
How the sprint helps teachers build a library of creative activities to use on the fly.
How five mini-tasks per week lead to over 20 practical teaching tools by the end.
Why novelty in lessons improves student focus, retention, and motivation.
How remixing repertoire and adding pop progressions can energize regular lesson routines.
The benefits of joining weekly Zoom calls and the optional Facebook group were discussed.
Tim emphasized that the sprint is open to both TopMusicPro members and non-members.
The importance of building sustainable creative habits through small daily actions was reinforced.

Links Mentioned

Join Our 30-Day Back Pocket Sprint. Visit topmusic.co/sprint.

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432: 5 Tips for Motivating Teens with Andrea Dow from Teach Piano Today

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Teens can be some of the most rewarding and challenging students we teach. In this replay of our member-exclusive Spotlight Session, Turning Meh into Motivation: 5 Tips for Teaching Teens, Andrea Dow from Teach Piano Today shares practical strategies to help you connect with and inspire your teen students. From fostering creativity and confidence to embracing pop culture and structured choice, Andrea offers ideas that can make a real difference in your teaching.

The value of a reliable teen toolkit to confidently navigate mood swings, low motivation, and inconsistent practice.
How to reframe practice as “creation” to shift teens’ mindset from chore to self-expression.
The importance of offering structured choices to foster motivation without sacrificing progress.
Why balancing freedom and guidance in lessons helps teens feel seen, capable, and respected.
How pop tutorials and TikToks can become teaching tools, not distractions, by focusing on transferrable skills.
The role of identity formation in teen motivation, and how music supports emotional development.
How to build musical confidence so teens proudly identify as piano players within their peer groups.
Why lightness and humor matter, including how simple games can boost connection and retention.
The importance of small, steady wins over dramatic breakthroughs in building long-term success.
Andrea encouraged teachers to be curators, not dictators, guiding teens with intention and empathy.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Andrea Dow, together with her husband Trevor, are the composers, authors, and educators behind TeachPianoToday.com and WunderKeys. Their collaborative work has transformed piano education, providing teachers with imaginative resources that engage students of all ages. From quirky piano books to game-based learning materials, Andrea and Trevor’s creations inspire piano teachers worldwide to bring creativity and joy into their lessons. Over the years, they have published 207 piano books, each designed to motivate students and make learning music fun. Andrea and Trevor live on Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. When not composing or creating, Andrea and Trevor balance family life with two teenage daughters, and spend most of their time at the hockey rink or track.

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431: My Favourite Framework for Piano Teachers: 4 Chord Composing

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +1000

If you've ever felt unsure about how to teach chords or help your students create music from scratch, this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing a deep dive into my all-time favourite course, 4 Chord Composing. I’ll walk you through why this framework works so well, how it connects theory and creativity, and how you can use it even if you’ve never composed a thing in your life. You’ll also hear from other teachers who’ve used this approach to transform their students' confidence and engagement.

Tim reflected on how most teachers weren't taught chords or lead sheets in their own lessons.
He explained how a chord-based approach improves sight reading, creativity, and understanding.
The benefits of teaching harmony through popular styles were emphasized.
Tim introduced his favorite course: 4 Chord Composing Course, offering a 10-week plan for introducing students to composing using just four chords.
He highlighted how the framework builds theory, form, and improvisation skills naturally.
How it simplifies teaching composition and makes learning feel intuitive.
The course videos show Tim teaching a real student, making the approach easy to follow.
Tim shared feedback from teachers who have used the course with great success and student engagement.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

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430: The NEW Rockschool Piano Syllabus with Nathan Theodoulou

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Exams don’t have to feel like a chore. Today, I’m chatting with Nathan Theodoulou from RSL about the exciting changes in the new Rockschool Piano syllabus. Whether your students love pop, jazz, film music, or creative expression, this new syllabus has something for them. We dive into the vision behind the redesign, how it encourages musicality and flexibility, and what it means for modern piano teachers looking to inspire a new generation of players.

Tim welcomed Nathan Theodoulou from RSL to introduce the new Rockschool Piano syllabus.
Nathan shared how the syllabus combines classical, pop, film, and jazz influences.
He explained how students are assessed on creativity, interpretation, and musicality.
The new syllabus offers a balance of structured progression and modern flexibility.
Nathan emphasized the importance of having music that students genuinely want to play.
He described how they redesigned technical exercises to be musically engaging.
The importance of global accessibility and flexible delivery modes was discussed.
Tim and Nathan explored how the new syllabus empowers teachers without overprescribing.
Nathan explained the rationale behind removing sight reading as a mandatory element.
He highlighted new options for creativity in exams, such as improvisation or original composition.
The syllabus aims to develop all-around musicianship—not just technical proficiency.
Music teachers were encouraged to explore the new books and find pieces that excite their students.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Nathan is Director of Product and Marketing for the RSL Group. This includes the flagship Rockschool brand, which operates across 60 countries. He oversees the creation of all RSL publications and has created over 50 books to date for the company. He also develops commercial partnerships with the music industry and manufactures, such as Marshall, Yamaha and Abbey Road Studios. Nathan has over 20 years of experience in the education sector. He was a consultant for global management firm Mott MacDonald. He has worked as a teacher trainer, trained PGCE students and Newly Qualified Teachers. Nathan also spent 10 years with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and helped to create the award-winning youth theatre now known as Company 3. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA). Nathan maintains a career as a composer and musical director, composing music for stage and screen, and performing at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Shakespeare Company, Barbican and Royal Festival Hall. He has received a diverse selection of commissions including two concertos for cellist Guy Johnston, works for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, documentary soundtracks for Amazon and scores for theatre productions at the National Theatre. He loves all genres of music, regularly switching between classical, jazz, rock, latin and electronic music. Nathan is a multi-instrumentalist and had recorded on guitar, bass, piano, saxophones and flute.

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429: Piano Method Navigator with Anna Beth Rucker

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Method books can be incredibly helpful or incredibly overwhelming. Today, I’m having a chat with Anna Beth Rucker, the creator of Piano Method Navigator, a free online tool that helps teachers explore and compare method books with clarity. We dive into how this resource came to life, what it offers, and how it can support better decision-making no matter what stage of teaching you’re in. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to choose the “right” book, this episode will definitely help.

Anna Beth shared a brief overview of her background as the creator of the Piano Method Navigator.
How the tool helps teachers explore method books with more confidence.
She shared her motivation for creating a free, user-friendly tool for the teaching community.
The value of method book comparison in choosing materials for different student needs.
She highlighted the searchable filters and categories that make the Navigator so practical.
How the tool reflects her belief in empowering teachers, not replacing judgment.
Tim and Anna Beth explored the challenges teachers face when switching or mixing methods.
The importance of understanding teaching priorities, sequencing, pacing and philosophy.
Anna Beth encouraged teachers to be curious and experimental with new materials.
She shared how her nonprofit and consulting experience shaped her approach to design and accessibility.
Tim praised the Navigator as a much-needed tool for piano teachers of all levels.

Since the recording of this podcast, Piano Method Navigator includes a new tool: the Lesson Planning Assistant—a time-saving feature that shows what your student has just learned, is learning now, and is about to learn, making lesson planning faster and more strategic.

Links Mentioned

Piano Method Navigator Website
Piano Method Navigator Instragram Page: @pianomethodnavigator

Today’s Guest

Anna Beth Rucker is a pianist, educator, and the creator of Piano Method Navigator, a free online tool that helps teachers explore method books with clarity and confidence. With nearly two decades of teaching experience and two degrees in pedagogy, she brings both depth and curiosity to piano education. In addition to her work in music, she has spent years in the nonprofit sector—designing strategy, streamlining operations, and shaping messaging. She now leads Tree Frog Solutions, a refreshingly straightforward consulting firm that helps nonprofits and creative businesses do big things on a small budget. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Ben, their goofy golden retriever, Clive, and their three-legged cat, Charles-François.

Today’s Sponsor

Piano Marvel is an innovative piano education platform designed to empower piano teachers and inspire students. Blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology, Piano Marvel offers powerful tools to streamline teaching, track student progress, and enhance learning outcomes in both in-person and online lessons. With a digital piano connected via USB, MIDI, or microphone mode, students gain instant feedback on their playing, build essential skills like sight-reading, rhythm, and ear-training, and stay motivated with real-time scoring and gamified learning. Teachers can assign exercises, monitor progress remotely, and access detailed analytics to tailor instruction more effectively. The platform features the Standard Assessment of Sight Reading (SASR)—the world’s only standardized sight-reading test—and a robust Music Library of over 30,000 songs, from classical to contemporary hits. Its three unique modes—Practice, Play, and Learn—support every learning style, helping students progress confidently at their own pace. Whether you’re teaching beginners or advanced students, Piano Marvel provides a flexible, engaging, and time-saving solution for modern piano studios. Piano Marvel: revolutionizing piano teaching, one student at a time. To learn more, visit pianomarvel.com.

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428: What’s Piano Marvel All About? With founders Heidi and Aaron Garner

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Technology can’t replace the heart of great teaching, but when used well, it can supercharge our impact. Today, I’m chatting with Aaron and Heidi Garner, the founders of Piano Marvel and sponsors of this month’s podcast. We dive into their inspiring startup journey, explore how their platform supports practice, sight reading, and studio efficiency, and unpack why it’s more relevant than ever in today’s teaching landscape. Whether you’ve been curious about using tech in your lessons or are looking for ways to boost student motivation, this episode has something for you.

Aaron shared how teaching group piano sparked the idea for Piano Marvel.
The importance of allowing students to progress at their own pace was emphasized.
Heidi explained how they secured early funding through friends and family.
They discussed the challenge of early teacher resistance to technology.
How the software helps students practice notes and rhythm accurately.
Heidi highlighted how Piano Marvel supports teachers with time-saving tools.
The value of using Piano Marvel during lessons to improve practice habits was shared.
How the SASR (Standard Assessment of Sight-Reading) test tracks progress with gamified feedback.
Tim and Aaron discussed how faster repertoire learning leads to deeper artistry.
Heidi shared how Piano Marvel’s teacher community supports learning and tech adoption.
The new Group Play feature allows synchronized ensemble performance across devices.
Teachers can upload and annotate sheet music directly within the platform.
Aaron emphasized that technology enhances, not replaces, the role of great teachers.

Special Offer for Podcast Listeners

Piano Marvel Back-to-School Sale - Kick off the school year with 15% off an Annual Premium Subscription, plus enjoy an extra month absolutely free, and get instant access to the PDF version of the FUNdamentals Book to supercharge your practice. Visit pianomarvel.com or go directly to store.pianomarvel.com to claim your discount.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Aaron Garner did his undergraduate studies in piano performance and pedagogy, along with composition at Brigham Young University and the University of Southern Colorado. While doing his graduate studies in performance and pedagogy with a secondary emphasis in composition at the University of Northern Colorado, he taught class piano, where he faced teaching students of differing abilities simultaneously in one classroom. The difficulties of that task led Aaron to develop the Piano Marvel software. Piano Marvel was founded in January of 2008, and the first version of the software was released at MTNA in Atlanta, GA, in March of 2009. Heidi Garner helped start Piano Marvel with her husband, Aaron Garner, in 2008. Over the years, Heidi has taken on several positions within the company, and she currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer. You might come across her on our social media platforms or at a conference! Furthermore, Heidi is a personal trainer and running coach specializing in fostering behavioral change. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at the University of Northern Colorado. Heidi and Aaron have four children, all of whom play some role in Piano Marvel, and so far, four grandchildren.

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427: A Peek Inside Our Practice Hacks Course from Noa Kageyama

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Let’s be honest, teaching students how to practice well is one of the most important things we do, and also one of the hardest to make stick. That’s why I’m so excited to spotlight our “Practice Hacks” Course by Noa Kageyama, now available on the TopMusic Courses platform. In this episode, I share a behind-the-scenes look at the course, explore what makes practice effective, and reflect on the mindset shifts that can completely change how we and our students approach progress.

Tim introduced the “Practice Hacks” Course by performance psychologist Noa Kageyama.
He shared how the course helps teachers and students overcome common practice pitfalls.
The importance of deliberate, mindful practice over repetition was emphasized.
How progress boosts motivation and builds consistent practice habits.
Tim previewed key topics like the mastery illusion and skill retrieval.
How the course breaks down strategies based on research in psychology and learning science.
Teachers are encouraged to improve their own practice through this course.
Tim highlighted the flexibility of TopMusic Courses for one-off purchases.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

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426: How Ambre Hammond Makes ASTONISHING Progress Teaching Scales in Lesson 1!

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +1000

What if your beginner students could master all 24 scales in just a few weeks? Today, I’m chatting with the incredible Ambre Hammond, whose high-energy, no-limits approach to piano teaching is turning heads and transforming students. We dive into how she introduces advanced technique from lesson one, keeps things joyful and motivating, and uses creative challenges to make even Hanon exercises exciting. If you’ve ever wondered how to spark faster progress and deeper engagement in your students, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.

Ambre shared a brief overview of her background and her unique approach to teaching.
How she introduces all 24 scales from lesson one, even with beginners.
She emphasized that the way teachers frame difficulty affects student mindset.
The value of using simplified classics and Bach early on was highlighted.
How she makes scales and technique fun, using imagination and humor.
She explained her use of games, timing challenges, and playful psychological tricks.
The importance of strong parent involvement and a supportive studio culture was discussed.
Ambre emphasized setting high expectations regardless of age or level.
How she motivates students with goal-setting, performance, and creative rewards.
Her early training, being homeschooled and taught by her mother.
The role of inspiration, joy, and student-teacher connection was central to her philosophy.
Tim and Ambre explored why challenging students unlocks their musical potential.

Guest Links Mentioned

Ambre's website: www.ambrehammond.com
Ambre's Instagram page: @ambrepianist and @ambreteacher
Ambre's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@ambrepianist
Ambre's Facebook Page: Elite Piano School

Links Mentioned

Find out more about TopMusicSheets here.
Join the upcoming Spotlight Session with Nicola Cantan - find out more here.

Today's Guest

Classical pianist, Ambre Hammond, completed her Associate and Licentiate Diplomas in Piano as an eleven year old, while being home-schooled in Moss Vale, Australia. Her debut with orchestra at age 16 was playing the Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninoff with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Cordoba in Argentina as part of her first prize in the International Music Competition of Cordoba. More recently, Ambre has added composing to her list of accomplishments. She has released two albums of compositions for solo piano. Ambre is in demand as a motivational speaker, with regular appearances at venues throughout Australia. She has also had speaking engagements in America, and most recently (2018) was the keynote speaker for Corning Gorilla Glass in Singapore.

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425: Organising All the World’s Piano Music in one Database? Meet William Perry

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Repertoire can make or break a student’s motivation, and yet finding that just-right piece is one of the toughest parts of our job. In today’s episode, we’re having a chat with William Perry, the mastermind behind Piano Music Database, a powerful tool designed to help teachers discover ideal pieces using filters like rhythm, level, mood, and more. From public domain gems to modern compositions, this is a game-changer for anyone searching for truly personalized repertoire.

William shared a brief overview of his background as the creator of Piano Music Database.
How his own frustration with finding suitable repertoire led to creating the database.
Tim explained the importance of matching repertoire to student skill and motivation.
How the database helps teachers find “Goldilocks” pieces through specific search filters.
How Piano Music Database categorizes pieces by level, rhythm, concept, key, mood, and theme.
He emphasized the value of searching by musical concept rather than difficulty alone.
The seven-level system and how it provides broad guidance.
How the database supports teacher decision-making with curated recordings and purchasing links.
The importance of community contributions, including composer-submitted entries.
He encouraged teachers to use the database to explore lesser-known composers and repertoire.
The benefit of refining repertoire choices to improve retention and engagement.

Exclusive Discount for Podcast Listeners

Use the code TOPCAST25 to get 25% off your first year of a Piano Music Database Plus subscription (applicable on monthly and annual payments). Click here to subscribe and claim your discount.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

William Perry is a pianist, educator, keyboardist, organist, and the founder of Piano Music Database, an online platform that helps piano teachers find the best music for their students. He holds degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Stetson University and Florida State University. As a soloist, William has performed across the U.S. and in Europe. He performs regularly as an electronic keyboardist for large-scale tribute shows, serves as the organist for Holy Trinity–St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and is the collaborative pianist for the Young Professionals Choral Collective. He lives in Cincinnati, where he runs the Woodmont Piano Studio and teaches private piano lessons.

Today's Sponsor

Just a year ago, the German music publisher Bärenreiter celebrated its 100th anniversary. The story began modestly, with editions of folk songs and church music produced by the young founder, Karl Vötterle, in his parents’ living room. But the publishing house quickly expanded. After the Second World War, Bärenreiter increasingly focused on scholarly-critical editions, growing into one of the world’s leading classical music publishers. While the company’s early Urtext publications centered on Mozart, Bach, and Schubert, its catalogue now includes over 10,000 titles, featuring works by composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Fauré, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Ravel, Satie, and many others. Bärenreiter's Urtext editions are prepared by renowned musicologists, with no effort spared in locating and evaluating all available sources. But providing a reliable musical text is only part of the mission. Each edition also includes prefaces and commentaries that explore the genesis of the works and address questions of performance practice. This enables musicians to place each composition in its historical context and develop a deeper understanding of the composer’s intentions. Find out more about Bärenreiter here.

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424: Creative Rote Teaching with TopMusicSheets Composer Laura Abshier

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Too often, rote teaching is dismissed as basic or shallow. But in this episode with Laura Abshier, you’ll never see it the same way again. As one of our TopMusicSheets composers, Laura brings a fresh, imaginative approach to beginner teaching that's grounded in Music Learning Theory. We're going to explore her collection, learn how she uses movement, singing, and improvisation, and discover just how rich rote-based learning can be for young students.

Laura shared her experience designing creative, beginner-friendly rote pieces.
She explained how Music Learning Theory (MLT) shapes her composing and teaching.
The role of movement, singing, and aural prep before notation.
The importance of using simple rhythmic patterns in early pieces.
She explained the use of call-and-response formats and fist pieces for young learners.
Improvisation was highlighted as an essential, not optional part of the learning process.
Laura demonstrated multiple pieces and how to unpack and teach each one.
She encouraged teachers to reframe rote learning as deep, musical engagement.
How these pieces can spark student creativity and compositional thinking.

Freebie for Podcast Listeners

Download your Free Beginner Piece Variations - 30 ideas for your students to create variations of their pieces.

Links Mentioned

Laura's Website: Piano Artistry Studio
Laura's Music Cllections: PianoArtistryStudio.com/roots/
Laura's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@RootsMusic88
Find out more about TopMusicSheets here.

Today's Guest

Laura Abshier enjoys the art of teaching and seeks to give engaging, systematic, and creative instruction to her piano students. She and her husband currently maintain a private piano studio, where her niche is teaching younger beginners. She has developed five rote collections over the past eight years. As a teacher of beginners, Laura recognized a need for engaging yet pedagogical pieces created specifically for young (and very young!) students. Laura earned her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Missouri, studying under Dr. Peter Miyamoto, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Millikin University, studying with Dr. Ronald YaDeau.

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423: The 4 Curriculum Models with Merlin Thompson

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +1000

What if your role as a music teacher didn’t start and end with the method book? In this chat with Dr. Merlin Thompson, we're exploring how the curriculum models we choose can shape our students’ lifelong connection to music. From teacher-led to student-driven approaches and everything in between, Merlin offers a fresh perspective on how to rethink curriculum planning, repertoire, and even our own identity as teachers in the 21st century.

Tim welcomed Dr. Merlin Thompson, a respected music educator and curriculum specialist.
Merlin outlined four curriculum models: teacher-led, student-led, shared, and neurodiverse.
He explained how shifting models supports lifelong musical engagement.
They discussed the need to reframe teacher identity in today’s evolving music landscape.
How students can take the lead in lessons while still receiving expert guidance.
The importance of reflective teaching and adapting to students’ goals.
How repertoire choices and improvisation can support different models.
Teachers were encouraged to ask what musical activities their students will pursue as adults.
Merlin highlighted project-based learning as a way to deepen student connections to music.
He invited teachers to build community and continually reflect on their teaching values.

Links Mentioned

Merlin's Website: Teach Music 21C
Merlin's Book: More than Music Lessons
Teach Music 21C Instagram: @teachmusic21c
Teach Music 21C LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/teachmusic21c

Today's Guest

Award-winning music educator, pianist, author, keynote speaker, and podcast host, Dr. Merlin B. Thompson is a leading Canadian authority on music studio teaching and the visionary behind Teach Music 21C - a thriving community of music teachers focused on 21st century teaching tools. With nearly five decades of studio teaching experience and an international impact - including Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Finland - Merlin has inspired hundreds of teachers, students, and parents. His passions? Empowering music teachers with strategies that work in today’s evolving teaching landscape. And helping students to develop lifelong musical connections right from their first music lesson.

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422: All About Urtext Editions with Dr Mario Aschauer

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +1000

If you've ever wondered what exactly an Urtext edition is, or why it matters, you’re not alone. Today, I'm chatting with musicologist and editor Dr Mario Aschauer to explore what goes into creating these “original” scores and why they’re more complex and more fascinating than they first appear. From Beethoven’s messy handwriting to Mozart myths, this episode will open your eyes to how much history, detective work, and musical curiosity is wrapped into every note.

Dr. Mario Aschauer explained musicology as the study of all aspects of music.
He shared how his performance background led him into scholarly editing.
The value of figured bass and continuo in modern training was discussed.
Tim asked what makes an Urtext edition trustworthy or problematic.
Mario emphasized that Urtext is a starting point, not an absolute truth.
He explained why even beginners can benefit from using Urtext editions.
The conversation highlighted editorial interpretation and creative freedom.
Mario debunked common misconceptions about the ‘sacredness’ of Urtext.
He shared behind-the-scenes stories of editing Beethoven and Mozart scores.
How performance practice, research, and editing intertwine.
Teachers were encouraged to explore the stories and context behind the scores.

Links Mentioned

Dr Mario Aschauer's website: mario-aschauer.info
Dr Mario Aschauer's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/marioaschauer
Harmonia Stellarum Houston

Today's Guest

Dr. Mario Aschauer is an Austrian-born musicologist, conductor, and harpsichordist renowned for his work at the intersection of music scholarship and performance. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Musicology at Sam Houston State University, where he also directs the Center for Early Music Research and Performance. In addition to performing internationally as a specialist in historical keyboards and Austrian Baroque repertoire, Aschauer is a prolific editor of Urtext editions for publishers like Bärenreiter, including works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert. He is the founder and artistic director of Harmonia Stellarum Houston and author of the influential book German Keyboard Treatises in the Second Half of the Eighteenth Century. Holding degrees from the University of Vienna and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, he has also held research roles at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Yale School of Music, with ongoing interests in performance practice, editorial process, and the compositional sketches of Anton Bruckner.

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421: Announcing TopMusic Courses

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +1000

I’m so excited to finally share something we’ve been working on for a long time—our brand new TopMusic Courses platform. This isn’t just a redesign; it’s a complete rethinking of how we support teachers with practical, inspiring, and flexible professional development. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, reignite your teaching mojo, or explore something totally new, there’s a course waiting for you—and now you don’t need a membership to access it.

Tim introduced the new TopMusic Courses platform for teacher PD.
He explained it’s a standalone platform, separate from the membership.
The platform offers on-demand, expert-led courses across key teaching topics.
Tim shared that many teachers feel overwhelmed and want simple course access.
He emphasized the flexibility of self-paced learning with one-time payments.
The value of PD was compared to an investment that multiplies returns.
He encouraged teachers to view online learning as part of their creative growth.
The platform supports piano, guitar, and soon, more instruments.
Tim invited teachers to explore the site and try one idea in one lesson.

Links Mentioned

Click here to find out more about TopMusic Courses and use TOPCOURSE50 upon checkout to get 50% off any course.

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420: Open Letter to Parents of Piano Students

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Too often, I see well-meaning parents unknowingly limiting their child’s potential by holding onto outdated ideas of what music lessons should be. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal message I wrote to help shift that mindset—an open letter to piano parents. It’s a heartfelt invitation to move beyond exam-driven expectations and embrace a more creative, joyful, and lasting approach to learning music. Drawing on my own experiences and conversations with educators around the world, I’ll share why it’s time to rethink how we define success in music education.

Tim shared his open letter to help parents support modern music education.
He explained the shift from exam-based to creative learning in piano teaching.
The value of music lessons goes beyond exams and competitions.
He emphasized the long-term benefits of music on brain development and life skills.
Tim outlined the real costs—time, energy, money—involved in music education.
He warned against the “exam express” that can lead to student burnout.
The importance of curiosity, creativity, and relevance in music lessons was discussed.
Tim encouraged parents to trust teachers using new, student-focused approaches.
He urged parents not to push exams unless guided by the teacher.
Tim highlighted that lifelong musical enjoyment should be the real goal.

Links Mentioned

An Open Letter to Parents of Piano Students
Contact us at support@topmusic.co

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Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

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419: Teaching Masterclass with TopMusicSheets Composer Anna Robinson

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we’re chatting with TopMusicSheets composer Anna Robinson for a deep dive into the teaching strategies behind her engaging, pedagogy-rich pieces. Anna shares how her compositions are often sparked by her students’ needs, interests, and even their pets—and how fun, pattern-based writing can make tricky concepts more accessible. We explore how she uses rhythm phrases, movement, and articulation from the very first lesson, and how her journey from arts administration to full-time teaching and composing has shaped her creative voice. If you’ve ever wanted to bring more musical storytelling and intention into your teaching, this masterclass is full of practical, inspiring takeaways.

Anna shared how her pet-themed compositions were inspired by connecting with students’ pets during lockdown.
The use of phrases like “ice cream for breakfast” to help students internalize tricky rhythms.
The importance of tailoring rhythm games and phrases to each student’s interests.
How she integrates movement and conducting to teach articulation and phrasing.
Why she considers herself a pedagogical composer, writing with specific teaching goals in mind.
How modulation and pivot chords are introduced naturally in her compositions.
Tim noted how Anna’s left-hand writing often uses patterns that look complex but are easy to teach and break down.
How composing often begins as a response to a specific student need or learning gap.
Modeling creativity and improvisation during lessons as a way to normalize student composition.
Anna's advice to teachers and composers.

Links Mentioned

Anna's website: Flying Ivories Music
Anna's YouTube Channel: Flying Ivories Music
Find more about TopMusicSheets here.
Download the latest TopMusic Magazine edition here.

Today's Guest

Anna Robinson started learning the piano at age 6 and flute at age 12. After graduating in Mathematics from University College London, she worked in administrative roles in classical music in London for several years before moving to Melbourne and working in the world of opera and artist management. After gaining performing and teaching diplomas in piano, Anna left the opera world to focus on teaching. Her student roster quickly grew, and she currently teaches at two government schools whilst maintaining a busy home studio. An experienced accompanist, Anna enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians of all ages and welcomes further opportunities to perform in this special supportive role. She regularly accompanies AMEB and VCE exam candidates; at eisteddfods and auditions; for choirs, musicals, school ensembles and instrumental teachers’ studio concerts.

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418: Setting Up Automated Monthly Studio Billing

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In today’s show, I’m walking you through exactly how to set up automated monthly billing in your music studio, a change I made that’s saved me hours of admin time and created consistent, predictable income. I’ll break down the full process step by step, from calculating your rates to including admin expenses and using software to automate the entire system. If you’ve been curious about making the switch, this episode will help you get started with confidence.

Tim shared his personal experience switching to monthly billing in his own studio.
The benefits of monthly billing, including consistent income and automated payments.
How this model removes the need for invoicing and chasing late payments.
The importance of using software like My Music Staff to streamline billing.
The 4-step process of setting up monthly billing.
Tim encouraged teachers not to undercharge and to price confidently based on their value.
He suggested bundling costs like recital fees and materials into the monthly charge for simplicity.
The value of automation was emphasized—once set up, teachers no longer worry about billing.

Links Mentioned

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417: Being a SAVVY Music Teacher with David Cutler

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Dr. David Cutler, an award-winning composer, pianist, educator, and one of the world’s leading voices in arts entrepreneurship. David is back to share fresh insights from his upcoming book, The Savvy Musician 2.0. We explore how music teachers can amplify their income, impact, and inspiration while building innovative and fulfilling careers. From creative performance practice to defining your unique niche, this conversation is packed with bold ideas to help you grow as both an educator and entrepreneur.

David shared his new book The Savvy Musician 2.0, a sequel to his widely influential original.
Why success is not about choosing between money and meaning but about aligning all three.
He highlighted that being “savvy” means being strategic, creative, and intentional.
The value of cross-industry inspiration as key to fresh thinking and innovation in music education.
How listening to diverse stories helped him discover unexpected, deeply inspiring ideas for the book.
David noted that innovation often comes from applying ideas in new contexts.
He challenged the perception that classical musicians should only recreate composers’ intent.
The concept of Creative Performance Practice, which invites students to co-create with composers.
How teachers can help students build ownership and decision-making by embracing creativity.
The limitations of popular terms like “entrepreneur” or “innovator” and why “savvy” is more inclusive.
He encouraged music teachers to ask better questions that unlock bold, unconventional answers.
David predicted that by 2050, music education will rely on immersive virtual environments and AI, but human creativity will remain irreplaceable.
He emphasized that savvy teachers of the future will be those who help students develop the human skills that technology can’t replicate.

Guest Links Mentioned

David's Website: SavvyMusician.com
David's Book: The Savvy Musician 2.0: Amplifying Impact, Income, and Inspiration
David's Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/drdavidcutler
David's LinkedIn Profile: www.linkdin.com/in/davidjcutler
The Puzzler Company

Links Mentioned

TTTV043: Building Impact and Income with David Cutler
TopCast 412: Cracking the Code: Studio Business Lessons from My Chiropractor
TopCast 416: Bundling: How to Position Your Music Studio for Value, Not Price
If you’d like to read David’s full article, download your copy of TopMusic Magazine, free at topmusic.co/magazine.

Today's Guest

An award-winning, multi-genre composer, pianist, and Yamaha Master Educator, Dr. David Cutler balances a varied career as a speaker, author, consultant, facilitator, and educator. One of the world’s leading voices on arts entrepreneurship training, Cutler’s acclaimed books—which provide tools for amplifying income, impact, and innovation—have shaped a generation of artists. His upcoming publication The Savvy Musician 2.0 (to be released July 2025) will be the most comprehensive resource yet on music careers and entrepreneurship.

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416: Bundling: How to Position Your Music Studio for Value, Not Price

Mon, 26 May 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today, I’m diving into one of the most effective ways to stand out in a crowded teaching market: bundling. If you’ve ever felt pressured to lower your rates to compete with the teacher down the street, this strategy is for you. I’ll show you how to reframe your offer so families focus on the value and experience you provide—not just your hourly rate. From lesson extras and welcome packs to creative group events, bundling can transform how your studio is perceived and help you confidently charge what you're worth.

Tim explained that lowering prices isn’t the solution—raising your value is.
He shared that parents often compare studios on price when all the offerings seem the same.
The importance of differentiation either through your lesson experience or bundled offerings.
Identifying your “zone of genius” and build their studio around what energizes them.
How to structure standout lessons like focusing on specific students or unique teaching methods.
Bundling as a strategy to include extras like group classes, welcome packs, and app subscriptions.
Why bundling shifts the conversation from “Why so expensive?” to “Wow, that includes everything?”
Marketing your studio as a full musical experience and not just a service.
Real-world examples of how to reframe your pricing with bundled value and perks.

Links Mentioned

Make More, Teach Less with Pairs, Buddies and Labs Course

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415: Quick and Free Ways to Find Music Students

Mon, 19 May 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this solo episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite fast, free (or super low-cost) ways to find new music students with a little help from my AI co-hosts, Jono and Sarah. Whether you’ve got a few schedule gaps or you’re starting fresh in a new area, we’ll walk you through practical, actionable ideas for studio growth, from referral strategies and community outreach to online tools that boost visibility. Just pick one and try it out this week!

Tim shared some practical, low-cost ideas for finding new students fast.
He introduced the “Find Students Fast” checklist, available as a free download for music teachers.
Jono and Sarah explained that your current students and their families are your best starting point for referrals.
The value of testimonials, reviews, and word-of-mouth as powerful trust-builders.
Optimizing your Google Business profile and Facebook page for local visibility.
Offering events like “Bring a Friend Day” or casual group sessions to attract new interest.
Connecting with school teachers, music stores & local groups to build long-term referral networks.
They recommended joining local teacher directories and online platforms.
The value of old-school promotion like flyers, signs, and community noticeboards.
Tim encouraged teachers to take just one actionable idea and try it this week for results.

Links Mentioned

Download your Find Students Fast: The Essential Music Teacher Marketing Checklist here

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414: Pattern-Based Teaching with TopMusicSheets Composer Juan Cabeza

Mon, 12 May 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Great music teaching isn’t just about what’s on the page, it’s about what students can create beyond it. In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Juan Cabeza, our featured TopMusicSheets composer and a passionate educator from Madrid. Juan shares how his love of pattern-based teaching led him to compose music that supports creativity, improvisation, and confident reading—pieces designed to be pulled apart, explored, and reimagined. We discuss how he teaches in both school and private settings, his influences from Piano Safari and Forrest Kinney, and why his pieces are meant to be a starting point, not a final product. If you’ve ever been curious about teaching with patterns, or how composing can grow naturally out of your teaching, you’ll love hearing from Juan.

Juan shared his passion for composing pattern-based piano pieces to support student learning.
How pattern-based pieces help students read, improvise, compose, and perform more confidently.
He demonstrated how simple changes in rhythm, direction, or hand position can transform a piece.
How understanding musical patterns helps students play more fluently and memorize more easily.
The value of teaching patterns from the start as key to developing strong sight readers.
How his music encourages creativity and motivates students through ownership of their learning.
How his compositions use just a few notes or hand positions, making them highly adaptable.
He suggested using these pieces to teach transposition, rhythmic variation, and full-keyboard exploration.
The importance of improvisation was stressed as a powerful teaching tool.
His journey into composing, influenced by Forrest Kinney and the Piano Safari method.
How student recitals and parent feedback encouraged him to publish his compositions.
He encouraged teachers to view his pieces as starting points for creativity, not fixed endpoints.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Juan Cabeza is a pianist, pedagogue and composer. He teaches private and group piano students at his studio, in Madrid, where he specializes in students in the elementary and intermediate stages of study. As a result of his research in piano pedagogy, Juan created a blog, megustaelpiano.com. Here he expresses his ideas about teaching and learning piano, provides teaching resources, and suggests interesting piano repertoire. Juan Cabeza is the author of Piano Train Trips, Miniatures and the two Diversions books published by Piano Safari. He has translated into Spanish the Piano Safari Method and Create First by Forrest Kinney. He has also created the online improvisation course Piano Patterns in Harmony, which has been recently nominated for The Art of Piano Education Awards 2025.

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413: Should You Add Early Childhood Music Classes to Your Studio? A Chat with Olivia Riddell

Mon, 05 May 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Olivia Riddell shares her passion for early childhood music education and the unique benefits of starting musical training at a young age. Drawing on her experience with Music for Young Children (MYC), a globally recognized program founded by her parents, Olivia explains how movement, play, and exploration form the foundation of lifelong musical engagement. She discusses the importance of delaying reading, involving parents, and teaching through all the senses. Whether you're curious about early childhood pedagogy or considering adding MYC to your studio, Olivia’s insights will leave you inspired to nurture creativity from the very first notes.

Olivia shared that early childhood music education typically spans ages 2 to 8.
How younger children absorb music more naturally through movement, play, and exploration.
The importance of starting music education at age 2 or 3.
How younger learners are less self-conscious and more open to experimentation.
Why teaching should begin with exploration and experience, not with books or reading.
She encouraged teachers to delay formal reading and instead focus on movement and creativity.
The importance of involving parents as children mirror their parents’ attitudes and behaviors.
Olivia introduced Music for Young Children (MYC), a structured early childhood group music program founded by her parents in 1980.
She described MYC’s program and use of multi-sensory learning to engage young learners.
She highlighted that MYC graduates often achieve level 3 piano and level 5 theory by age 8.
How MYC is a closed curriculum, and teachers must complete training to access materials.

Links Mentioned

Olivia's website: Music for Young Children
Free Download: Early Childhood Music Program Comparison Handout
Leave a review for TopCast

Today's Guest

Olivia Riddell is the President and International Director of MYC (Music for Young Children) and a specialist in early childhood music education. Olivia has a well-rounded approach to teaching, and is passionate and dedicated to teaching young children to intermediate levels, ensuring the strongest foundation and love of music she can within her students at an early age. In her current position, Olivia’s focus is on maintaining and reviewing the MYC Method, MYC Teacher support, evaluation and guidance, as well as training all North American and Asian (Singapore and Malaysia) teachers in the multiple levels of the Method.

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412: Cracking the Code: Studio Business Lessons from My Chiropractor

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this solo episode, I’m sharing some surprising business lessons I picked up, not from another music educator, but from a recent visit to my chiropractor. From clever onboarding to creative pricing and streamlined systems, I’ll walk you through how this experience got me thinking differently about how we run our studios. If you’re looking for fresh, practical ideas to help you stand out and grow your teaching business, this episode is packed with takeaways you can start using right away.

Tim shared how a visit to a chiropractor inspired powerful lessons for music studio owners.
He explained that great teaching alone isn’t enough—smart business strategy matters.
How a simple Google search and strong online presence helped him choose a practitioner.
The importance of SEO, good website design, and glowing reviews for building trust.
Key takeaways: SEO visibility, reviews, clear calls to action, special offers, and easy booking systems.
How an automated email and smooth onboarding created a great first impression.
Using tech or simple tools to make that first experience more memorable and modern.
The value of studio systems and consistent onboarding processes.
Tim recommended booking follow-up sessions right away to increase retention and build momentum.
Creative scheduling, like offering two or more lessons in the first week for stronger engagement.
The importance of bundling and creative pricing as a way to stand out and increase revenue.
Offering personalized folders and curriculum plans to show professionalism and vision.

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

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411: Forrest Kinney’s Framework for Playing and Teaching Lead Sheets

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this special episode, we’re honored to share with you a webinar with the late Forrest Kinney, one of the most thoughtful and inspiring voices in music education. With warmth, wit, and deep insight, Forrest walks us through his framework for teaching and playing from lead sheets—starting with ear-based learning, nurturing creativity, and progressing to rich styles and arrangements. His heartfelt belief that all students can improvise, arrange, and compose, Forrest reminds us why creativity is central to joyful music-making. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting with lead sheets, Forrest’s gentle wisdom and practical strategies will leave you inspired to nurture confident, creative students who can play with freedom, flexibility, and joy.

Tim shared his goal of creating “all-rounder musicians” who can play by ear, accompany, transpose, improvise, and use lead sheets confidently.
Why skills like transposing, improvising, and reading lead sheets matter.
He highlighted how chord work improves reading, composing, and playing flexibility.
The importance of introducing lead sheet reading even if teachers haven't taught it before.
Forrest explained a lead sheet as melody plus chord symbols.
He highlighted that chords represent flexible families of notes, not just fixed triads.
How lead sheet skills can lead to diverse career opportunities.
The value of ear training and improvisation from the first lesson.
How to prepare beginners through ear games, bass note additions, and transposition before introducing notation.
The importance of left-hand styles in creating rhythmic impact.
Forrest demonstrated how to build solo playing from basic chords to rich accompaniments using inversion, syncopation, and style variations.
He shared a shortcut for adding 7ths and 2nds by moving the root note up or down.
How inversions help with smoother playing, especially in basslines.
Forrest recommended fake books and lyric sheet websites (like Ultimate Guitar) as resources for lead sheet practice and repertoire building.

Links Mentioned

Special Offer for Podcast Listeners

Go to topmusic.co/lead and get access to Forrest Kinney's Taking the Lead Course for only $49 with 1 year access ($100 off the regular price of $149).

About Forrest Kinney

Forrest Kinney was an educator who taught music for over four decades. He was a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) as recognized by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). His goal in life was to help others become creative, whole musicians capable of enjoying the Four Arts of Music: improvising, arranging, composing, and interpreting. Forrest lived amongst mossy trees in the mountains east of Seattle, generally preferring what he called “a 19th-century lifestyle.” He was immensely grateful to be able to make his living by creating music and books, and by sharing his belief that creativity is a key to happiness.

Thank you for tuning in!

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410: TEMPO – The New Online Conference from MTNA

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we’re having a chat with Michael Clark, who’s here to discuss MTNA's new online conference, TEMPO, which aims to be more accessible and cost-effective for music educators. We'll dive into the key features of TEMPO, including 40 prerecorded breakout sessions, live Q&A chats, and extensive networking opportunities. Michael highlights the importance of an international reach, unique content, and the flexibility of accessing sessions for two months. Stay tuned as Michael shares key highlights and insights into why this conference is a must-attend event for music educators worldwide.

Michael shared about the new online conference from MTNA called TEMPO.
He described his role in MTNA and as an assistant professor at Baylor University.
His project "Piano Tricks," focused on fingering redistributions for piano pieces.
The importance of TEMPO being an accessible and cost-effective online MTNA conference.
How is TEMPO different from MTNA’s national conference?
What are some of the highlights of TEMPO?
How can listeners attend and register?
He shared some of the topics that the sessions will cover, including international repertoire.

Guest Links

Michael's Website: MichaelClarkPiano.com
Michaels' Instagram: @michaelclarkpiano
Michael's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@michaelwinstonclark

Links Mentioned

Click here to find out more about TEMPO and use code TOP25 at checkout for 20% off registration. (The conference is scheduled for April 25-26, with early bird registration available until April 15)
TopMusicPiano Podcast 061: Finding Your Creative Voice with Leila Viss

Today's Guest

Michael Clark is a pianist, teacher, and scholar noted for his “natural, clear, and nuanced” performances (Piano Magazine). An advocate for the music of Florence Price, he made the first studio recording of her complete piano waltzes for Navona Records, edited the first publication of twenty of her intermediate pieces for Hal Leonard, and has performed her works around the United States. Clark also researches traditions of piano fingering and is the founder of PianoTricks.net, an online database of fingerings and redistributions for over 1000 passages from the piano repertoire. He serves as Assistant Professor of Piano at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Thank you for tuning in!

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409: Using Notion to Organise Your Studio and Life with Amy Chaplin & Joy Morin

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we dive into the world of digital organization with Amy Chaplin and Joy Morin, two passionate music educators who have transformed the way they manage their studios and lives using Notion. They share how Notion helps streamline workflows, reduce scattered files across multiple platforms, and keep everything organized in one place. They also explore why this all-in-one tool is revolutionizing productivity and discuss their Notion for Teachers workshop, designed to help educators set up their Notion pages efficiently. Plus, they wrap up with their top three productivity tips for teachers. If you’re looking to organize your studio and life more effectively, this episode is packed with insights to help you get started!

Amy and Joy shared their thoughts on productivity and efficiency.
The importance of balance and avoiding the ‘hustle and grind’ mindset.
How apps should support the way we work rather than dictating our workflow.
Why Notion stands out as a powerful, customizable tool for organization and productivity.
Why Amy transitioned from Evernote to Notion.
Importance of re-evaluating tools and workflows to ensure they align with evolving needs and preferences.
Joy highlighted the flexibility of Notion, making it a great option for users looking for a customizable note-taking and project management tool.
The differences between Notion and project management tools like Trello, Asana, and Monday.
How they Notion for professional tasks, such as podcast planning and project management.
The use of Notion for personal tasks like travel planning and creating gift ideas for Christmas.
Amy and Joy shared their top three productivity tips for teachers.

Links Mentioned

Guest Links Mentioned

Blog posts:

Episodes on The Piano Pantry Podcast:

Today's Guest

Amy Chaplin is a pianist, teacher, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. She loves supporting teachers on all things related to teaching, organization, productivity, and life on the Piano Pantry blog and podcast and via her small group digital organization coaching. Amy has enjoyed serving the profession in a variety of ways since 2009, currently serving as a trustee of the Indiana Music Teachers Association. Besides operating her independent piano studio in Northeast Indiana, Amy enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling with her husband. Joy Morin, MM, is a pianist, teacher, speaker, composer, and lifelong learner based near Ann Arbor, Michigan. She hosts an annual retreat for piano teachers (pianoteacherretreat.com) and shares articles and resources on her blog, ColorInMyPiano.com. Joy currently serves as Secretary for the Gordon Institute for Music Learning and on the Committee for Young Musicians (Birth to Age 9) for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

Thank you for tuning in!

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408: A Simple Website Solution for Music Teachers with Demitris Maddox

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we’re chatting with Demitris Maddox to explore the key elements of a successful website for music teachers. Demitris shares how he developed a streamlined approach to website design that helps studios attract more students. We discuss the importance of clear messaging, an engaging hero section, and user-friendly navigation that encourages visitors to take action. He also highlights common website mistakes and simple fixes that can make a big difference.

Demitris shared insights on building a strong online presence for music teachers.
The importance of having a professional website to attract students.
He highlighted how a well-designed site can showcase your teaching style and credentials.
The value of clear, engaging content was emphasized to keep visitors interested.
Why an easy-to-navigate layout improves user experience.
How search engine optimization (SEO) can help teachers reach more potential students.
Tips on integrating scheduling tools to streamline lesson bookings.
The importance of mobile-friendly design was stressed for accessibility.
How testimonials and reviews build credibility and trust.
He encouraged teachers to update their websites regularly to stay relevant.

Links Mentioned

- Learn more about TopMusicSheets here
- Learn more about TopMusicGames here
- Demitris Maddox's website: ProvideImpact.com
- Hero Section Henry

Today's Guest

Demitris Maddox began his journey in 2016 helping his girlfriend build her thriving piano studio. Drawing from years as the Chief Marketing Officer of that successful studio, where he also provided website services for other music studios along the way, Demitris is now the confident founder of Provide Impact, where he helps private music studios attract more students through his Impact Method which focuses on optimized websites and online marketing. When he's not in the kitchen experimenting to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, he's on a mission to help private music studios elevate their online presence to attract more students and grow their business. He's put together a free quiz for music teachers who want to know how ready they are for a professional music teaching website. Check it out at MusicTeacherQuiz.com

Thank you for tuning in!

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407: The Power of Storytelling with Andrea Dow from Teach Piano Today

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Andrea Dow from Teach Piano Today. Andrea shares her unique approach to piano teaching, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, creativity, and building strong teacher-student relationships. We dive into how she and her husband Trevor started Teach Piano Today, how they developed their popular WunderKeys method, and how they’ve kept students engaged through imaginative, game-based learning materials. Andrea also opens up about her own teaching journey, the early influences that shaped her, and how she balances creativity with family life. You’ll come away inspired by the power of storytelling in piano education and how it can transform your studio.

Andrea shared a brief overview of her background and reflected on her early podcasting experience.
She shared her introverted nature and challenges balancing family life.
How piano teaching has evolved toward business and entrepreneurship.
How transitioning from Suzuki to traditional methods shaped her musical path.
Andrea shared how she grew her teaching studio to over 350 students before eventually selling it.
The importance of teacher-student relationships.
How she and her husband Trevor started Teach Piano Today in 2011, motivated by the disparity between classroom learning materials and piano resources.
The storytelling approach in the WunderKeys method, which enhances student engagement and emotional expression.
She emphasized starting composition and improvisation early in lessons.
The value of integrating composing and improvisation early in lessons to foster creativity.
She shared how Trevor’s background supports their resource design.
The importance of game-based learning to build rapport, reduce fear of failure, and reinforce concepts in a fun, memorable way.
Why games are helpful for all ages, including teens and adults.

Links Mentioned

Guest Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Andrea Dow, together with her husband Trevor, are the composers, authors, and educators behind TeachPianoToday.com and WunderKeys. Their collaborative work has transformed piano education, providing teachers with imaginative resources that engage students of all ages. From quirky piano books to game-based learning materials, Andrea and Trevor's creations inspire piano teachers worldwide to bring creativity and joy into their lessons. Over the years, they have published 207 piano books, each designed to motivate students and make learning music fun. Andrea and Trevor live on Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. When not composing or creating, Andrea and Trevor balance family life with two teenage daughters, and spend most of their time at the hockey rink or track.

Thank you for tuning in!

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406: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer Kai Ono

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +1000

After wrapping up the Assess, Plan & Execute series, I’m excited to be back hosting this week’s episode with our featured TopMusicSheets composer, Kai Ono. Kai is a versatile musician whose work spans classical, jazz, and popular styles, blending the academic with the intuitive. In our conversation, he shares insights into his creative process, the inspiration behind his bird-themed compositions, and how his diverse musical background influences his teaching and writing. Plus, you’ll hear him perform some of his incredible pieces and discuss how teachers can encourage creativity in their students. Get ready to be inspired by Kai’s unique approach to composition and musicianship!

Kai shared his background in teaching, performing, and composing.
How he learned multiple instruments to write better compositions for different ensembles.
His love for birds and how they inspire his compositions.
Why he has three keyboards, noting that he uses them for different performance settings.
His childhood music education, particularly his experience with the Yamaha Music School.
The importance of early solfège training and improvisation in developing musicianship.
His biggest musical influences, including Debussy, Stevie Wonder, and jazz pianists like Bill Evans.
His pedagogical approach to composition, writing music that helps students develop specific technical skills.
How modal harmony gives him freedom in composition and improvisation.
Kai shared his positive experience working with TopMusicSheets and how the editing process improved his work.

Links Mentioned

Guest Links Mentioned

Kai's Instagram Page: @iamokkai
Kai's Music at My-Melodies.com

Today's Guest

Kai Ono is a composer-pianist/singer-songwriter in Queens, NY. A winner of NFMC awards for his classical writing and the ASCAP Herb Alpert Award for his jazz writing, Kai commands a musical style that sways between the cathartic and the intimate, the academic and the intuitive, the traditional and the new. His current artist project, OK KAI, innervated by his neo-soul and folk influences beyond his classical and jazz writing, is his most recent project driven by his love for the marriage of compassion and intellectualism as well as singing with random people in a circle. As an educator, Kai teaches a wide gamut of skills including composition, music theory, playing and improvising popular styles, production, songwriting, and of course classical piano. You can even ask him about his book, For the Birds, which he got published recently as his way of combining all his loves in music (and birds).

Thank you for tuning in!

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405: Assess, Plan & Execute: Execute Your Weekly and Daily Plans Using Google Calendar

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this final episode of the Assess, Plan & Execute series, we’re diving into the crucial step of executing your weekly and daily plans. I’ll walk you through how to break down your quarterly goals into manageable tasks, structure your schedule for maximum efficiency, and stay flexible when life happens. Whether you prefer digital tools or pen and paper, this episode will help you build a system that keeps you on track. Let’s put your plan into action and set you up for success!

The importance of executing weekly and daily plans to achieve long-term goals.
Tara shared how she uses Google Calendar to organize tasks and block time effectively.
Her color-coding system to prioritize urgent tasks and reschedule incomplete ones.
She highlighted the importance of morning productivity and how she structures her day accordingly.
How blocking time for personal activities helps maintain work-life balance.
How she tracks priorities by breaking down tasks within each time block.
The value of completing essential tasks first, using the “eat the frog” method.
She recommended creating a routine that aligns with personal productivity peaks.

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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404: Assess, Plan & Execute with Tara Wright: Execute and Assess Your Quarterly Plan

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we’re continuing the Assess, Plan & Execute series by diving into the next crucial step—executing and assessing your quarterly plan. Now that we’ve mapped out our goals, it’s time to put them into action while regularly evaluating our progress. I’ll share strategies to stay on track, make adjustments when needed, and ensure your quarterly plan is setting you up for success. Let’s keep moving forward and make the most of this quarter!

Tara shared how quarterly planning helps organize the year without feeling overwhelming.
She explained that planning three months at a time allows for flexibility when life changes.
Importance of marking non-negotiable dates like vacations, work commitments, and family events.
How color-coded sticky notes and dry/wet erase markers help visually organize schedules.
Her approach to mapping out projects, launches, and major events.
Why scheduling rest periods after intense work periods is essential for balance.
Her method for tracking long-term goals, like obtaining her pilot’s license.
How she plans and schedules social media content to stay consistent.
The importance of batching content to make posting easier and more manageable.
How to evaluate the past quarter with a self-assessment.
Why reviewing accomplishments and challenges helps refine future plans.
How financial check-ins help track income, expenses, and business growth.
She encouraged keeping quarterly assessments for future reference and long-term improvement.

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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403: Assess, Plan & Execute with Tara Wright: Plan Your Quarter

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we’re continuing the Assess, Plan & Execute series by diving into the next crucial step — planning your quarter. Now that we’ve mapped out the big picture for the year, it’s time to break it down into actionable, manageable goals. I’ll guide you through setting priorities, aligning your schedule with life’s seasons, and focusing on what truly moves your business forward. Let’s get strategic, stay realistic, and set up the next three months for success!

The importance of planning quarterly to manage time, money, and goals effectively.
Tara emphasized that life seasons impact scheduling, requiring flexibility in goal setting.
Why assessing available time is crucial before committing to new projects or goals.
How reducing unnecessary tasks, like excessive social media use, can free up time for business growth.
She highlighted the need to set revenue goals each quarter and track income sources.
The importance of identifying the primary revenue stream to focus on for each quarter.
Tara encouraged writing down big dreams and breaking them into small, realistic quarterly goals.
She recommended setting no more than three key goals per quarter to stay focused.
How goal setting applies to business projects like launching a summer camp, requiring early preparation and marketing.
Why batching tasks, such as handling finances on specific days, can improve efficiency.
The importance of dedicating regular time blocks to work on long-term business goals.

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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402: Assess, Plan & Execute with Tara Wright: Plan Your Year

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we’re jumping back into the Assess, Plan & Execute series after a short break. Now that we’ve assessed where we’ve been and mapped out our ideas, it’s time to focus on yearly planning. I’ll walk you through my process for organizing priorities, scheduling non-negotiables, and creating a balanced plan that supports both work and life. Let’s dive back in and take control of your year!

Tara shared that she starts her planning process with a yearly overview to balance work and life.
The importance of bulk scheduling to maintain a structured and manageable workflow.
She uses yearly, quarterly, weekly, and daily planners to stay organized.
Recommendations for using large wall calendars for a clear visual of the year’s schedule.
She plans for launch periods in her various businesses, ensuring she blocks off time accordingly.
Adjusting plans as needed but try to stick to schedule as much as possible.
She assesses each quarter to see if her workload is balanced or needs adjustments.
She encourages others to try her planning methods and share their setups online.

Links Mentioned

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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401: Curious About AI? Check Out Our New AI Podcast with Tara Wright

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Curious about AI and how it can help your teaching studio? In this episode, we're chatting with Tara Wright, the creative force behind the TopMusic AI Podcast and an expert in streamlining music education with technology. Tara shares how AI can save teachers time, enhance creativity, and simplify business tasks — without replacing the human touch. We discuss practical AI tools, the power of well-crafted prompts, and how teachers can start using AI today. Tune in to discover how AI can transform your teaching!

Tara shared a brief overview of her teaching background as a multi-teacher and running a multi-instrument studio for 10 years.
TopMusic AI Podcast, featuring AI-generated segments followed by Tara’s real-life insights.
How Tara uses AI and how she trained AI to replicate her writing style and voice.
Understanding AI and how to use it as a music teacher.
What are prompts & prompt engineering.
AI’s practical applications for music teachers.
Discussion about AI and its role in music teaching.
The future of AI and online presence.
Using AI in your music teaching studio.
More about TopMusic AI Podcast & newsletter.
Some teacher feedback and adjustments.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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400: It’s The 10-Year TopCast Anniversary!

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the 400th episode of The TopCast. Today, we're celebrating a milestone of the longest-running podcast from TopMusic, dedicated to supporting and inspiring music teachers worldwide. I can hardly believe it’s been a decade of connecting and empowering music teachers all over the world. In this special milestone episode, I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Rachel Ehring, host of the TopMusic Piano Podcast and a key part of our podcast family. Together, we take a heartfelt look back on the journey of The TopCast and all the moments that brought us here. We dive into some incredible and unforgettable memories, answer listener questions, share a few personal stories and plenty of laughs (and even some cat-related laughs!). Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or joined somewhere along the way, this celebration is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey and this amazing community!

Tim reflects on the origins of the podcast, starting with an interview with John Bloomfield in 2015.
The evolution of the podcast's format and branding, from Tim Topham TV to the Creative Piano Teaching Podcast and beyond.
He highlights the launch of other podcasts under the TopMusic brand, including TopMusic Piano Podcast, TopMusic Guitar Podcast, and the new TopMusic AI podcast.
Tim shares the scariest part of starting his business: leaving stable income for an uncertain future.
How he transitioned from full-time teaching to focus fully on his membership business in 2016.
He emphasizes careful risk management and family support when taking big career leaps.
He shares some podcasting advice for podcasters.
Teaching and piano-related insights and advice for newbie teachers.
How TopMusic stays relevant and his 2025 business goal.
Tim's most rewarding milestone and the best business advice he received.
The most valuable part of TopMusicPro membership.
Nepal remains his favorite travel destination after a memorable trek to Everest Base Camp in the early 2000s.
If he weren’t a piano teacher, Tim would love to be a helicopter pilot.
A surprising fact is Tim’s love for cycling, often completing 100 km rides with fellow cyclists.
Tim as a DIY enthusiast, thanks to the skills passed down by his father.
How he enjoys humming basslines and wishes he had learned to play the bass guitar.
Why he loves relaxing to EDM music, finding it calming despite its high-energy nature.
His two Australian Mist cats, one of whom loves Chopin and often naps on the piano.
His bucket list, including obtaining a helicopter pilot’s license to fly his family to unique destinations.
His most adventurous experiences, which is trekking to Everest Base Camp in winter.

Links Mentioned

TopMusic Podcasts & Links

TopMusic Piano Podcast
TopMusic Guitar Podcast
TopMusic AI Podcast
Leave a review for TopCast here
For any questions or comments, email us at support@topmusic.co

Thank you for tuning in!

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399: Assess, Plan & Execute with Tara Wright: Create a Mind Map

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we’re diving into the power of mind mapping —a simple yet transformative tool to help you organize your thoughts, brainstorm ideas, and plan effectively. We’ll explore how to take all those swirling ideas in your head and turn them into a clear, actionable plan. Whether you're tackling personal goals, studio projects, or career ambitions, mind mapping can bring clarity and direction to your life. Grab a piece of paper and join me as we assess, plan, and execute with this creative strategy!

What is mind mapping?
Tara explains how mind mapping is a nonlinear framework centered around a main idea.
She shares her personal mind map for 2022, outlining career and studio goals.
Importance of breaking big goals into smaller tasks for better manageability.
How she assigns monthly themes to achieve her goal of creating 52 teaching resources.

Links Mentioned

Mind Mapping Handout

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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398: Assess, Plan & Execute with Tara Wright: Assess Your Business – How?

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're thrilled to guide you through another episode in the Assess, Plan & Execute series. Last time, we explored why assessing your business is so important, and today, we’ll dive into the how. I’ll walk you step-by-step through the process of assessing your business, reflecting on the past, and setting yourself up for future success. Whether it’s reviewing financials, evaluating policies, or identifying areas to improve, we’ll cover it all so you can confidently move forward.

Importance of assessing your business to reflect on progress and set up for future success.
Review the past 6-12 months to identify victories, challenges, & overall feelings about your work.
Ask yourself how you feel about your teaching and business and identify why.
Reflect on your top accomplishments and areas for improvement during the past year.
Perform a financial check-in, reviewing expenses to ensure alignment with your business goals.
Use the "One Thing" exercise: decide on one thing to keep, tweak, add, and subtract from your business moving forward.
Evaluate studio policies and makeup policies.
Examine student progress and identify what’s working well or needs improvement.
Reflect on any major changes in your studio and evaluate their success.
Take stock of where you feel strong and where you may need additional support.
Look ahead to the next 6 to 12 months and define what success looks like for you and your studio.

Links Mentioned

Download your Business Assessment Worksheet

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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397: Assess, Plan & Execute with Tara Wright: Assess Your Business – Why?

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, I’m excited to hand the reins over to Tara Wright, who will be hosting the next few episodes to share insights from her course, Assess, Plan & Execute. Today, Tara dives into the importance of assessing your business, reflecting on where you’ve been, and why this step is essential for setting meaningful goals and moving forward with intention. Get ready to gain practical tips and mindset shifts that will help you build a stronger, more sustainable studio business.

Learn how to assess, plan, and achieve your goals while maintaining balance.
Why assess your business?
Key Mindset Reminders
- Stay open to constructive feedback and celebrate small victories.
- Focus on positive thinking to review with clarity, not emotion.
- Use past seasons as a guide but embrace change as life evolves.
- Break assessments into quarters or seasons to make them manageable.
How to evaluate your past season for strategic, aligned goals.
Tips for honest reflection on business achievements and challenges.
The importance of celebrating even the smallest accomplishments.
Strategies to set yourself up for success in your next season.

Links Mentioned

About Tara Wright

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality. Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation. When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Thank you for tuning in!

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396: TopMusic Steps to Success in 2025

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, join me as I reflect on our incredible journey throughout 2024, highlighting our significant achievements and events. We'll also be looking ahead to the exciting plans and new initiatives we have in store for the TopMusic community in the coming year. Whether you're a long-time listener or just tuning in, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring updates to help you kickstart the new year on a high note.

Tim reflected on 2024 activities, events, and achievements.
The launch of TopMusic Magazine, which now has 11 issues and 1,000 subscribers.
Various new courses and workshops, including Tim’s keynote speech at MTNA 2024 Conference.
The launch of the TopMusicPiano Podcast and the reboot of The TopCast.
Introduction of multi-teacher memberships.
Steps to Success Pathway, which is a detailed plan for music teachers' growth.
Sneak peak on the plans for 2025, including new courses for TopMusicPro members.
Upcoming launching of a new podcast focused on AI for music teaching.
Enhancements in community engagement through Facebook groups and newsletters.
Tim honored the entire team behind TopMusic for all their efforts in making 2024 a successful year.
Tim also expressed his gratitude to listeners and TopMusicPro members for their continued and never-ending support.

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395: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer Nicole DiPaolo

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're delighted to introduce you to TopMusicSheets composer for December, Nicole DiPaolo, a dynamic musician praised for her powerful interpretations and sensitive performances. Nicole joins us to share her journey from a young music theory enthusiast to a celebrated collaborative pianist and educational composer. Throughout our conversation, she reveals the inspirations behind her diverse compositions, her unique pedagogical approach, and her commitment to filling gaps in the market with meaningful and challenging pieces. Tune in to explore her multifaceted career and gain insights into her process of creating music that resonates with both students and educators alike. Don't miss this deep dive into the world of a modern composer making a significant impact on music education.

Discussion of Nicole being the TopMusicSheets composer for December.
Nicole shared a brief overview of her journey in music composition and teaching.
Her influences from both historical composers and modern pedagogical needs.
Variety and challenges in her compositions, like unusual time signatures and rich harmonic content.
Importance of creating pedagogical pieces that sound substantial and non-childish.
Nicole’s emphasis on theoretical training and understanding musical grammar.
Her unique approach to addressing gaps in the market for educational music, particularly for adult students and those preparing for historically informed performances.
Insight into her methods for making complex concepts accessible to students at various skill levels.
Nicole's advice for other teachers and composers.
Importance of writing music that is both pedagogically sound and enjoyable for students.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Praised as a "sensitive pianist" and "outstanding accompanist" who delivers "powerful interpretations," Nicole Elyse DiPaolo enjoys a multifaceted career as a sought-after collaborative pianist, educational composer, continuo harpsichordist, arranger, coach, private teacher, and professor. Ms. DiPaolo has appeared as a concerto soloist with the Ambassador Chamber Players on multiple occasions (two of which also featured her own Piano Trio in C minor) and as a recitalist, collaborator, and presenter worldwide.

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394: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer Matt Walker

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we dive into the creative world of Matt Walker, our TopMusicSheets composer for November 2024. Matt's diverse background as a writer, composer, pianist, and piano tutor brings a unique perspective to his compositions. Join me as we unpack Matt’s musical journey, from his early fascination with musical theater to his innovative teaching methods that inspire creativity in students. We'll explore several of Matt’s captivating pieces, discuss his pedagogical approaches, and learn invaluable advice for budding composers. If you're passionate about enriching your music teaching repertoire, this episode is a must-listen!

Matt shared a brief overview his background and accomplishments, including teaching, writing novels, and composing.
Discussion about Matt’s contributions to the November 2024 TopMusicSheets collection.
Matt describes his composition process and the themes behind his pieces.
He talks about his musical influences including musical theater and classical composers.
The role of improvisation and pedagogy in his teaching approach.
Importance of chord-based teaching and pattern recognition for students.
Matt's advice for other teachers and composers.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Matt Walker is a writer, composer, pianist and piano tutor. He was the resident pianist at the Ramada Birmingham for five years, has musically directed many shows with Trinity Players, the Vesey Players and Aldridge Youth Theatre, and now teaches and accompanies at different schools. For ten years he accompanied for the award-winning Singing Community of Choirs, winning the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition 2015 and reaching the category finals (last 4) of BBC Choir of the Year 2012. Matt has also written seven novels and dozens of short stories (many of which are published in international magazines).

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393: Mark Gibson Talks “Whole Pattern Learning” with Encore Music

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we’re having a chat with Mark Gibson, the founding director of Encore Music Education, about his innovative teaching approach known as "Whole Pattern Learning." Mark shares insights into the genesis of Encore, his experience with improvisation, and the vital role of rhythm, posture, and diverse methodologies in music education. Listeners will also learn about the wide array of resources and tools provided by Encore, including their engaging Encore Star Competition. Tune in to discover how Mark's methods can transform music learning into a more holistic and engaging experience.

Mark discusses the origin of Encore Music Education.
Insights into his early experiences and improvisation roots.
He shares techniques used in the Encore program, with the emphasis on whole-pattern learning and using unconventional teaching tools.
Discussion on how organ experience influenced teaching.
Overview of resources provided by Encore, including apps, video libraries and teacher guides.
Importance and exploration of rhythm as the essential DNA of music.
Techniques to teach rhythm and integrate reading and technique.
The balance and posture aspect of playing piano effectively.
Influence of Kodaly, Orff, Suzuki, and other methods on Encore’s approach.
Mark explained the SMART Approach for teaching.
General advice for music teachers to diversify teaching techniques beyond piano and sheet music.
The value of making lessons fun and engaging.
Mark shared about the Encore Star Competition, an international online competition for students learning Encore pieces.
Special offers for teachers interested in becoming licensed Encore teachers.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Mark Gibson is the founding director of Encore Music Education and Accent Publishing. He is the author of over 30 music publications including Encore on Keys, Theory Wiz, Encore on Strings and Kinder Beat®. His captivating compositions are featured in several exam syllabi. Mark travels nationally and internationally as an examiner, adjudicator, masterclass teacher, and workshop presenter. His teaching expertise extends from early childhood and group lessons through to university and high end diplomas. When he’s not on the golf course, Mark’s passion is sharing his expertise with other teachers and fostering imagination and excellence in all things musical.

Today’s Sponsor

ABRSM is The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and a global music education charity. At the heart of everything we do is our belief that music enriches lives. Building on our heritage, we offer face-to-face and digital exams, sheet music, recordings, apps and courses for students and teachers across the world. In partnership with four Royal Schools of Music, we carry on a long legacy of musical excellence. More than an awarding organisation, we support learners from the first note they play and empower teachers who help build musical skills and encourage progress around the world. As a charity, we use all of the surpluses we generate to make significant donations towards music education initiatives and to develop our support for learners and teachers around the world. We advocate for music and its many forms, playing our part to ensure the future of music education and its place in society. Together with our partners, our teachers and others around the world, we’ve been nurturing the future of music since 1889 — to help people start or continue their journey Find out more about ABRSM.

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392: Unpacking the New ABRSM 2025 Syllabus with Samantha Carrasco

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +1000

To keep our music students engaged and interested, we must evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape. Our guest, Samantha Carrasco, unpacks how the new ABRSM 2025 syllabus has been developed to capture the attention of today’s students. Rather than sticking with traditional repertoire, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is now drawing from a wide range of genres, including pieces from movies, films, and even arrangements of pop songs. As an examiner, trainer, reviewer, and presenter for ABRSM, Samantha is passionate about introducing more diverse music styles into exam syllabuses. As Head of Keyboard at Peter Symonds College, Samantha knows firsthand that teenagers have less time nowadays to practice for hours on pieces they don’t relate to. Listen in as we discuss how the syllabus changes aim to inspire and challenge students, making classical music education more inclusive and relevant for today’s musical landscape.

Samantha discusses her role and responsibilities at ABRSM.
She also discusses her role as Head of Keyboard and involvement in various music programs.
Overview of the ABRSM Piano Syllabus, including it's structure and updates.
Different types of ABRSM exams and their requirements.
Changes and goals of the 2025 Series, focusing on diversity and inclusion.
Discussions around the inclusion of pop and contemporary music.
Importance of giving students choice in their musical repertoire.
How ABRSM examiners ensure fair evaluation of different music styles.
Samantha performs excerpts from various pieces in the syllabus.
Accessibility and availability of ABRSM music recordings on streaming platforms.
Final thoughts from Samantha and where to find more information and resources.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Pianist Samantha Carrasco explores a diverse and flexible repertoire as a recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician and accompanist. Alongside her performing career, Samantha continues to pursue her commitment to education. She is an examiner, trainer, reviewer and presenter for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, working nationally and internationally in classical music, diplomas and jazz. She presents teaching and examining seminars on behalf of ABRSM in China, the USA and the UK and presented a number of practise and pedagogical videos over the lockdown. Samantha is the Head of Keyboard at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, and helps to run the Hampshire Specialist Music Course. Samantha participates in BSO Live! education projects and has made various performance presentation podcasts and videos. She coaches chamber ensembles and adjudicates music competitions as well as hosting masterclasses for pianists, accompanists and ensemble groups.

Today’s Sponsor

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391: Meet Brian Shepard, New CEO of MTNA

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Music is not just a profession; it's a calling, a lifetime of passion and dedication. In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Brian Shepard, the newly appointed CEO of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). With a musical and professional journey that mirrors this passion, Brian shares his early experiences with piano and voice, his swift rise within MTNA, and his transformative vision for the organization’s future. Outside MTNA, Brian enriches the music community through various leadership roles and continues to touch lives as a musician. Join us as Brian reveals how he plans to ensure that MTNA’s 150-year legacy remains vibrant and relevant in the 21st century.

Brian shared a brief overview of his musical background, from studying violin to piano and voice.
He talks about his roles at MTNA and his quick transition from working in retail to becoming Director of Marketing and Public Relations.
His journey to becoming the CEO of MTNA and his responsibilities in this role.
Insight into Brian's current musical activities, including community concerts.
Overview of MTNA's mission and its focus on public awareness and support for music teachers.
The decline of music programs in schools and MTNA's role in advocating for music education.
Explanation of MTNA's structure, including state affiliates and local associations.
Details about MTNA's annual conference and its significance.
The new all-virtual conference, Tempo, aimed at creating greater access for teachers.
Brian outlines his vision for MTNA, focusing on community development, cutting-edge programming, increasing access, and improving infrastructure.
Increasing diversity and accessibility to attract teachers of other instruments.
Importance of creating a welcoming community and support system for all music teachers.
Details about the upcoming MTNA national conference in Minneapolis and the TEMPO virtual conference in April.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Brian Shepard is Chief Executive Officer of Music Teachers National Association. Brian first began his career at MTNA in 2003 as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations. In addition to his work at MTNA, Brian volunteers on several other nonprofit boards and committees. From 2009 to the present, Brian has served in multiple leadership roles with the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. He currently serves the Hall of Fame as Board President. Since 2013, he has been a member of the CCMpower Board at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Previously, Brian has served on the Cincinnati Opera Sales and Marketing Committee and was President of the Middletown Music Club. Brian is also an accomplished musician who performs frequently for church and community programs as a pianist, vocal soloist and choral conductor. A graduate of Miami University of Ohio, Brian holds degrees in marketing and music education. He was named an MTNA FOUNDATION Fellow in 2010.

Today’s Sponsor

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390: Teaching Piano on YouTube with Emma Blair Piano

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +1000

The beauty of music lies not just in its performance, but in the journey of learning and teaching it. In today’s episode, our guest, Emma Fajcz, shares her inspiring journey from being a reluctant piano student to becoming a YouTube sensation known for her practical and engaging piano tutorials. She transitioned from traditional one-on-one lessons to leveraging YouTube and social media to reach a broader audience. Emma discusses her creative process, how she balances multiple income streams, and offers invaluable advice to piano teachers looking to expand their online presence. Stay tuned as Emma reveals her top practice tips and insights into making piano practice both fun and efficient.

Emma shared a brief overview of her background and music teaching studio.
She shared about her transition from traditional teaching to YouTube.
Her current teaching approach and some actionable tips for piano students and teachers.
How she combined online business skills with piano teaching on YouTube.
Splitting content into niche channels for better growth.
Using Instagram for engaging with other piano teachers and students.
The importance of using email marketing to grow your email list.
Emma’s performance and personal practice tips and insights.
How to handle social media overwhelm.
Some tools and software that she uses, such as YouTube's built-in scheduler and Meta Business Suite for Instagram/Facebook.
Her monetization strategy and why she prefers organic growth over paid advertising.
She shared about her food blog that she co-runs with her mom.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Emma Fajcz (fights) AKA Emma Blair Piano, a pianist of fifteen years and a piano teacher for four, didn’t have a typical start to piano. She quit piano lessons after several years to focus on dance, but later found her passion for piano as a teenager. After a few more years of piano, Emma figured that there must be ways to streamline her practice routine so she could learn more in less time--and what she learned was too helpful to keep to herself! Through her social media and email newsletter, Emma shares piano practice tips that help piano students and teachers make practice both fun and efficient.

Today’s Sponsor

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389: Burnout, Cancer and a Learning Legacy with Dr Edward Gifford

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +1000

Sometimes, life forces us to pause, reflect, and completely redefine our path. Dr. Edward Gifford’s story is a powerful testament to this truth. A former senior lecturer in music education, Dr. Gifford spent decades shaping future educators, developing innovative teaching methods, and inspiring students with his passion for music. But when burnout and a life-altering diagnosis struck, he was forced to pivot and reinvent his life. In this episode, Edward shares how he transitioned from academia to life coaching, how he fought back against stage four cancer, and the profound wisdom he's gained on balancing purpose, well-being, and the power of love over fear. Join us as we dive into the powerful lessons he's learned about living with purpose and finding peace amidst life’s greatest challenges.

Edward shared about his background as a music teacher, using a mix of singing, movement, music games, and incorporating methods like Kodaly, Orff, and Suzuki.
He emphasized whole-body learning and music immersion before introducing instruments.
How he fostered deeper musical understanding by encouraging creativity through movement, instruments, and imaginative play.
His backstory and connection with Bec Stewart, TopMusicPro’s community manager.
How he faced burnout, which led him to step away from music teaching.
His life coaching career, guiding people to discover their life purpose using techniques like asking meaningful questions.
He shared about his life-altering diagnosis.
The importance of breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation to maintain mental wellness.
His perspective on life and how he views life as seasons.
Edward encourages living with purpose daily, seeing it as the key to peace and fulfillment.
He shared about his book, "Broken to Whole: How to Put Humpty Together Again”.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Prior to starting his life coaching business today’s guest was a senior lecturer in Music Education involved in undergraduate and post graduate teacher education within the University sector for some 20 years in WA, Tasmania and QLD. He’s also author of children’s music books - Read and Play the Singing Way. In 1991, Edward completed his PhD in Music Education, also at the University of London. He took up his first tertiary education teaching post in Tasmania in 1982 and moved to Griffith University in 1987. In 1998, due to a significant life changing event which brought his academic career to a sudden end, Edward reinvented his career to become a coach, trainer, speaker and author. Much of this period was also taken up in business coaching for small business owners.

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Leave us a voice message

If you would like to leave the Podcast Team a voicemail and have your burning questions answered on a future show or YouTube video, visit this link to leave us a voicemail today. Tim also accepts requests for his Pop Song Solutions videos if you have a pop song you’d like help teaching a student.

388: Tim and Bec React to a Creative Piano Lesson from 1984!

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we’re chatting with our very own Rebecca Stewart, a talented piano instructor and the Community Manager and Head of Certification at TopMusic. With a professional journey that includes over two decades of teaching with Yamaha Music Education Centres, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. We dive into a nostalgic video from 1984, showcasing Rebecca's childhood piano lessons with Dr. Edward Gifford. This episode highlights their discussion on creative teaching techniques like whole-body learning, solfège, and transposition. We also reflect on how these innovative methods shaped Rebecca's approach to music education and their relevance in today's teaching environment. Tune in to explore the intersection of past memories and modern advancements in music pedagogy.

Rebecca shared a brief overview of her work background and her roles at TopMusic.
She introduced a video of her childhood piano lessons with Dr. Edward Gifford.
Discussion of various teaching techniques seen in the video, including movement and physical interaction and they highlight the novelty and effectiveness of Dr. Gifford’s methods.
Tim shares his own music lesson experiences.
Rebecca reflects on her accent and undiagnosed ADHD during her childhood.
Importance of whole-body learning and physical movement in music education.
Discussion on sensory memories contributing to learning experiences, usage of solfège and sneaky repetition in lessons.
The importance of teaching transposition to children.
Benefits of singing and playing simple melodies for enhancing sight-reading skills.
Tim and Rebecca reflect on physical and imaginative engagement in music.
Edward’s impact on Rebecca’s teaching methods.
How a blended approach to music teaching contributes to long-term appreciation and understanding.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

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387: A New Pathway to TopMusic Teacher Certification

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 18:00:00 +1000

As a music teacher, have you ever wished for a clear, guided path to professional recognition? In this episode, we're exploring a new pathway to TopMusic Teacher Certification program, exclusively available through our new Studio Plus membership. Today, I'll be sharing my own teaching journey, reflecting on the challenges of navigating the early years without a clear guide, and how this new certification is designed to empower music teachers with confidence and professional credibility. Whether you're looking to refine your pedagogy, improve your business skills, or gain recognition as a certified instructor, this episode is packed with insights into how you can elevate your teaching studio and career.

Becoming TopMusic Certified and how it can transform your teaching studio.
Overview of TopMusic Certification, now part of the Studio Plus membership.
Tim reflects on his struggles and the lack of a clear guide in his early teaching career.
Why get TopMusic certified and why choose TopMusic Certification?
The PRESTO Framework.
10 key learning objectives, including creative teaching strategies, curriculum design, studio management, and marketing.
Who is TopMusic Certification for?
How to join TopMusic Teacher Certicication?
Assessment process and renewal.

Links Mentioned

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386: Introducing Our Studio Plus Membership!

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Every teacher reaches a moment when they crave deeper connection, personalized guidance, and the tools to truly elevate their craft. Today, we’re unveiling Studio Plus, a membership designed to meet that exact need. In this episode, we’ll explore how this new membership goes beyond the basics, offering one-on-one coaching, advanced courses, and an empowering community to help you take your studio to the next level. Join me as we dive into the transformational impact Studio Plus can have on your music teaching journey.

Alfred Music Update: New Alfred Music publications now available in Australia through local stores supplied by Encore Music Distributors.
Tim announces Studio Plus, a brand-new membership level in TopMusicPro.
Key features of Studio Plus, including 1-on-1 coaching, private messaging channel, twice-monthly group check-ins, exclusive courses, etc.
Extra perks include teaching video assessments and website audits.
Who’s Studio Plus for?
Update on the Evolution tier of TopMusicPro.
Sneak peek on Multi-Teacher memberships launching in early 2025

Links Mentioned

Join TopMusicPro or Upgrade to Studio Plus now
TopMusicSheets
TopMusic Certification
Music Teacher StartUp - Evolution Membership
TopCast 383: Introducing Fresh New Music from Alfred!
Encore Music Distributors
Email us at support@topmusic.co

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385: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer: William Suit

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we're exploring the journey of Will Suit, the TopMusicSheets composer for October. Will is a native of North Georgia whose lifelong love for music has profoundly shaped his career. Starting piano and singing at the tender age of five under the guidance of his musically inclined parents, Will's talents flourished in a nurturing environment. We discuss the importance of integrating lyrics into teaching, a technique that helps students connect more deeply with music. He shares stories of student interactions, his methodical yet creative approach to composing, and his influences from various musical traditions, including bluegrass, gospel, and classical. Join us as we listen to Will's incredible journey and gain insights into his unique approach to music education.

Discussion on Will Suit's piece "Dance," aimed at early intermediate level students.
Will shared a brief overview of his background and his music studio.
Conversation on pedagogical composition and writing for specific student needs.
Importance of lyrics in teaching, especially for engagement and memory.
How he writes methodically for students and improvises to meet student needs.
Discussion on elementary pieces like "Busy, Buzzy, Fuzzy Bumblebee" and "Night of Halloween," which introduce chromatic scales early on.
Will's varied musical influences, including bluegrass, southern gospel, and classical.
His inspiration from historical composers, like Gustav Holst, Samuel Barber, and Verdi.
Importance of using improv with students using left-hand accompaniments, and connecting songs to different learning paths.

Links Mentioned

Learn more about TopMusicSheets here
Will Suit Website
Will Suit Music at Music Teacher Resources
Watch Tim playthrough this TopMusicSheets Collection here!

Today's Guest

Will Suit is a native of North Georgia. His involvement in music is a lifelong love. He owns a small music school near Atlanta. Will began singing and playing piano at age 5. His dad was a church pastor and his mom the pianist. So, needless to say, his talents were developed and pursued in that setting. Upon graduation from college, he spent more than twenty years as a church music director. After leaving that profession in 2005, Will continued his love for writing as well as providing private music instruction. He worked as an independent contractor until 2018 when he opened Pedal Point Music where he continues to maintain a full studio of students, as well as a myriad other activities. He loves blogging, writing poetry, and, of course, composing music. Will’s love of music is not lost on his young students, who eagerly look forward to lessons with “Mr. Will”.

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384: Nicola Interviews Tim in a Fireside Chat from Piano Pivot Live

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Welcome to this special episode, recorded live during my 2020 Piano Pivot Live event—a piano teachers’ conference unlike any other! Nicola and I dive deep into my journey from being a university student studying audio engineering to becoming a full-time music educator and entrepreneur. We explore the pivotal moments in my career, including why I returned to music after a decade, how I built my blog and courses, and what led me to coaching and organizing events. We also discuss the challenges of managing time between family, teaching, and growing a business. For anyone curious about my evolution from a regular teacher to launching successful online ventures, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way.

Tim and Nicola began an open fireside chat where audience members could ask questions.
Impact of Tim's first piano teacher, Ms. Mac, who was crucial to his music journey.
The importance of non-traditional teaching methods.
How to handle students who express interest in learning pop music but don’t provide specific requests.
Using improvisation in piano teaching.
Handling parental concerns on improvisation.
Musical mashups for beginners and teens.
Tim shared some business and marketing insights, particularly online marketing strategies and how they apply to music studios.
Why Tim returned to music after exploring other entrepreneurial ventures.
How he balance family, piano teaching, blogging, and other ventures.
His journey from teacher to entrepreneur.
The launch of his initial online course, which made $30,000 in revenue.
Tim's most valuable advice for a teacher starting their journey.

TopMusicPro Members' Link

Fireside Chat with Tim and Nicola at Piano Pivot Live

Today’s Sponsor

Alfred Music, the leader in music education for over 100 years, produces educational, reference, pop, and performance materials for teachers, students, professionals, and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument, style, and difficulty level. Alfred Music is located in Colorado, with offices around the world, including Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Since 1922, Alfred Music has been dedicated to helping people learn, teach, and play music. Alfred Music currently has over 150,000 active titles and represents a wide range of well-known publications —from methods like Alfred’s Basic Guitar, Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, Premier Piano Course, Sound Innovations, and Suzuki, to artists like Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones, to brands like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, and Billboard. In addition to its own titles, Alfred Music distributes products from over 150 companies, including Advance Music, Belwin, Edition Peters, The FJH Music Company Inc., Faber Music, Jamey Aebersold Jazz, and LudwigMasters Publications. Alfred Music is now also paired with MakeMusic, which is part of Peaksware Holdings, LLC portfolio of companies, to transform how music is composed, published, taught, learned, and performed by bringing together the leaders in educational music publishing and music technology. Visit their website at www.alfred.com.

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383: Introducing Fresh New Music from Alfred!

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with three talented composers from Alfred Music: Elizabeth Swift, Connor Chee, and Angela Marshall. Join us as we delve into their unique backgrounds, explore their latest compositions, and discover how they are bringing fresh, engaging, and culturally rich music to students and teachers worldwide. Connor Chee, a renowned Navajo composer, celebrates his cultural heritage with his collection, Sand Paintings, blending traditional Navajo melodies with classical techniques. Angela Marshall, an educator and author, introduces Take the Stage, a collection designed to make young beginners the stars of their recitals with fun, performance-oriented pieces. Elizabeth Swift takes us on an adventure with Saga Land, inspired by video game music, aiming to captivate and motivate teenagers to play expressively. This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and beautiful music you won't want to miss.

Tim introduces three composers whose new collections are being released by Alfred Music.
Discussion with Connor Chee about his new collection, Sand Paintings.
Connor shared about his background, being a renowned Navajo composer, blending classical music with traditional Navajo elements.
How "Sand Paintings" was inspired by the healing nature of traditional Navajo sand paintings.
Angela Marshall shares her journey as a composer, author, and educator, discussing her collection, Take the Stage, designed for young beginner pianists.
Her creative process and how she integrates creativity and variety into her compositions.
Goals of Take the Stage: Create an engaging, performance-oriented pieces for young students.
Elizabeth Swift discusses her new collection "Saga Land," inspired by video game music and aimed at motivating teens to play the piano.
She shared a brief overview of her background and her transition from classical training to composing engaging, expressive music for students.
Goals of Saga Land: Immerse students in a storytelling experience through music.
Using titles and narratives to enhance students' engagement and creativity in learning.
Importance of providing accessible, diverse, and engaging musical resources for students and teachers alike.

Guests' Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Connor Chee

Connor Chee is a renowned Diné (Navajo) composer and pianist celebrated for his evocative blend of classical music with traditional Navajo elements. His compositions often draw inspiration from his cultural heritage, seamlessly weaving together Diné melodies and classical piano techniques. A recipient of multiple awards, Connor's work has been featured in prestigious concert halls and festivals across the globe. His albums, praised for their emotional depth and technical mastery, showcase his unique ability to tell stories through music. Beyond his performances and recordings, Connor is dedicated to music education and cultural preservation, sharing his knowledge and passion with the next generation of musicians

Angela Marshall

Angela Marshall has built a multifaceted career as a composer, author, and educator. She has published a range of works, including educational piano solos, instructional music books, and numerous novels written under the name A.G. Marshall. Angela's extensive teaching experience spans online and in-person instruction at private studios, universities, public schools, and charter schools, where she has taught piano, composition, and voice. Angela holds a Master of Music Education with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma. Her Alfred solo "Romanza" won the prestigious Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Award and was an NFMC Federation Festivals Bulletin selection. When she’s not writing or teaching, Angela enjoys dancing and traveling the world.

Elizabeth Swift

Elizabeth Swift is a composer and piano teacher based in greater Cincinnati, Ohio. While rooted in classical training, Elizabeth integrates a variety of musical styles in her compositions, fostering a rich and eclectic musical experience for a diverse range of students. Elizabeth studied Piano Performance and Music Education at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. In addition to composing, she is passionate about teaching her students to compose, improvise, and interpret music in a way that reflects their unique creativity and individuality. Drawing inspiration from her adventures in travel and camping alongside her husband, four children, and two dogs, Elizabeth infuses her teaching and composing with a sense of adventure and exploration.

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382: Want to Teach Music to Homeschoolers? Homeschool Mom Ginny Thorpe Shares All Her Secrets

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of homeschooling and music education with Ginny Thorpe, an experienced music teacher and homeschooling mom. Ginny shares her unique journey, from teaching piano as a teenager to developing a diverse and creative approach to music education that caters to the homeschooling community. We explore the different methods and strategies Ginny uses to teach music, including her involvement in homeschool co-ops, her flexible and creative teaching style, and the legal aspects of homeschooling in Pennsylvania. Whether you're a music educator looking to expand your reach or a homeschooling parent seeking inspiration, Ginny's insights and practical advice offer valuable guidance on how to successfully teach music to homeschoolers. Tune in to discover how Ginny blends passion, creativity, and dedication to spread the joy of music to students of all ages and backgrounds.

Ginny shares a brief overview of her background and her teaching set up.
Her flexible homeschooling approach to educating her own children, using a variety of methods like homeschool co-ops and group lessons.
Her family's diverse educational experiences, including homeschooling, micro-schools, co-ops, public schools, and the unique micro-school setup her children attended.
The legal process of homeschooling in Pennsylvania.
The growing trend of homeschooling in the U.S. where states offer funding for homeschooling.
How homeschooling can be outsourced to other educators and doesn't necessarily mean parents are teaching all subjects themselves.
Ginny explains "unschooling" concept, a method where children's interests lead their learning.
Similarities between unschooling and Montessori methods.
Music education in homeschooling.
What is homeschool co-op?
Advantages of teaching homeschool students.
Challenges and considerations of homeschooling.
Effecting marketing to homeschoolers.

Guest Links Mentioned

Ginny's Website
Ginny Music Facebook Group
Watch Ginny's Presentation - Working with the Homeschool Community as a Private Music Teacher

Today’s Guest

Ginny Thorpe's experience teaching piano as a teen led to a passion for music education. After degrees and several years of classroom teaching, she adjusted her career to accommodate her growing family. Her journey has led her to a unique approach to education, blending passion, creativity, and dedication to spread the joy of music far and wide. While piano remains her primary instrument, she teaches a variety of instruments, from violin to ukulele to bass recorder, embracing the diversity of musical expression. The saying, "variety is the spice of life," is reflected in her teaching approach, which has evolved to include group lessons, jam sessions, songwriting classes, and multi-age, multi-level, and multi-instrument instruction. Ginny's dedication to music education is not just a profession but a lifelong mission. Her impact extends far beyond the notes on a page, as she seeks to enrich the lives of her students and her community with the transformative power of music.

Today's Sponsor

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381: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer: Susan Staples Bell

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Susan Staples Bell, our featured TopMusicSheets composer of the month. Susan is a dynamic composer and instructor whose engaging sheet music and educational resources have made waves in the piano teaching community. With over 30 years of diverse musical experience, Susan brings a unique blend of creativity and pedagogy to her compositions, aiming to draw students in with fun and captivating music while delivering deeper learning experiences than they might expect. Join us as we explore Susan’s journey, her innovative approach to composition, and the inspiration behind her latest works, including her new themed collection, "Keys to the Wild West." And stay tuned for a special discount code and insights that will spark creativity in your own musical journey.

Tim welcomes Susan to the show and expresses excitement about having her as the TopMusicSheets composer for the month.
Susan shared about her background and her lifelong dream of composing and teaching.
Her diverse teaching and musical experiences, including being a band director.
Her improvisational approach in her compositions.
The importance of being curious and creative in music.
Her transition to self-publishing.
How she leveraged social media to connect with music teachers and students globally.
The process of selecting pieces for her TopMusicSheets collection.
Susan's approach to encouraging creativity in students through curiosity, improvisation, and personalized compositions.
Advice for budding composers, encouraging continuous learning and seeking mentorship.

Guest Links Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Learn more about TopMusicSheets here.
Head to Susan's website and use the coupon code TOPMUSIC upon checkout to get a 20% off discount (minimum spend $30).

Today’s Guest

Susan Staples Bell is equal part composer and instructor, with her main focus being on creating exciting Sheet music and educational resources for Piano teachers and their students. She loves to draw students in with some fun music, then intrigue them, when they discover there’s really lots more learning here than meets the eye! Susan has served the Music community for over 30 years in various positions: Church musician (Organist, Accompanist, Praise Band Pianist, and Choir & Hand Bell Director), Middle School Band Director, and Piano Instructor: for the last decade, her Studio has been in the San Antonio, TX area. Each of these positions have given her unique experiences that shape the music she writes.

Today's Sponsor

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380: Meeting the Founder of PianoCreativity.com – Garreth Brooke

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Garreth Brooke, the brilliant mind behind PianoCreativity.com. Garreth, a British/German musician and piano teacher based in Frankfurt, Germany, brings a unique perspective to music education, blending traditional techniques with innovative, creativity-driven approaches. We explored the concept of "Repertoire Remixing," the importance of integrating creativity into lessons, and how historical practices of improvisation by composers like Bach and Beethoven can inspire modern teaching methods. We also delved into Garreth’s journey from the UK to Germany, his thoughts on modernizing music exams, and his passion for using music as a tool for personal expression. Whether you're a music educator or simply passionate about the art of teaching, Garreth's insights are sure to inspire and invigorate your approach.

Garreth shared a brief overview of his background and the reason why he moved to Germany.
Life, music education and his teaching setup in Germany.
His transition to blogging and creative teaching.
He opens up about how his mother's mental health struggles during his teenage years that deeply affected him.
The role of creativity in historical music education and the influence of historical practices.
Importance of integrating creativity into music teaching and how it enhances students' understanding and enjoyment of music.
Garreth introduced the concept of "Repertoire Remixing."
Benefits of creativity in lessons, which include enhancing students' musical imagination.
Tim introduced his concept of "Integrated Music Teaching."*
Garreth talked about "Creative Introductions," activities he shares on his blog.
He highlighted the importance of teaching skills like interpreting lead sheets.
The value of ensemble playing for piano students, which helps them learn how to interact musically with others.

Links Mentioned

Garreth Brooke's Website
PianoCreativity.com Website
PianoCreativity.com Facebook Page
Garreth Brooke's Instagram: @pianocreativity_
Connect with Garret at hello@pianocreativity.com

Today’s Guest

Garreth Brooke is a British/German musician. He studied Music at St Edmund Hall in the University of Oxford where he acquired an MA, received the AMTB performance diploma from the Music Teacher’s Board, and holds teaching qualifications from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Garreth has released music with 1631 Recordings, THESIS, Moderna, Blue Spiral, Nordic Euphony, and Bigo & Twigetti, and his music has been streamed millions of times. He has performed live all over Europe and his sheet music has been published by Editions Musica Ferrum and Breitkopf & Härtel. His has written guest posts on PianoDao, music reviews for A Closer Listen, and his article about suicide prevention and mental health was published on Huffington Post UK. He teaches piano lessons in English in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Today's Sponsor

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379: Meet TopMusicSheets Composer: Justin Levitt

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Today, we're having a chat with Justin Levitt, a composer whose music beautifully blends emotion and craftsmanship. We dive into his journey from being a self-taught musician to collaborating with world-class artists like the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and composing for the Diablo Ballet. We explore his passion for self-publishing, his creative process behind his piano compositions, and his recent collaboration with TopMusicSheets. Justin also offers invaluable advice for aspiring composers and teachers, emphasizing the importance of creativity, consistency, and the support of a strong musical community. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just beginning to explore music, his story offers inspiration and practical advice for anyone passionate about composition.

Just shared a brief overview of his background and his composing work.
Some of his notable collaborations, including the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and Alan Silvestri, a well-known film composer.
How he met Silvestri and how their friendship developed, leading to Silvestri's mentorship.
His musical journey, musical influences and mentors.
Importance of family support and solid music friends who encourage and help along the way.
His journey into self-publishing, which began unexpectedly after winning a composition contest.
Justin's insights on self-publishing and the importance of quality.
His TopMusicSheets Collection, showcasing a variety of styles and difficulty level and offering a broad representation of his work.
Advice and encouragement for aspiring composers.
Justin reflects positively on his experience working with the TopMusic team, praising the team's warmth and professionalism.
He encourages other composers to seize similar opportunities, expressing excitement about sharing his music with a wider audience.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Justin Levitt is an award-winning pianist and composer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Around the age of 15, Justin began to notice how deeply music resonated with him. It might have been his challenging childhood, the beauty of film scores, or friends at school who dabbled in composition, but one day, music became an integral part of his life. Those life-changing moments inspired him to learn to play the piano and start composing. Since then, Justin has composed hundreds of pieces and published ten volumes of piano solos. His achievements include winning seven MTAC state competition awards, performing at Carnegie Hall, composing for the Diablo Ballet in performances and short films, and receiving a gold Telly Award for best music on the film Spiritus. Justin's compositions are featured in the Australian Music Examination Board syllabus and published by FJH Music. Currently serving as Manager of Steinway Walnut Creek, he balances a full-time career with his passion for music. Justin finds profound joy and inspiration in his loving family, who are at the heart of his creative journey.

Today's Sponsor

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378: How the Music Teacher Startup Course Helped Kristina Arellano Create Her New Method

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're diving into the inspiring journey of Kristina Arellano, a dedicated music educator, independent studio owner, church musician, accompanist, and composer. Her love for composing and arranging, particularly in music education, has driven her to develop a new piano curriculum for beginning students, set to release in 2025. She shares the challenges she faced in balancing the creation and marketing of her method book, and how the Music Teacher Startup Course provided essential guidance in transforming her vision into reality. She also discusses her triumphs and invaluable lessons learned along her entrepreneurial journey. Tune in to hear her insights and advice for fellow music teachers looking to bring their creative projects to life.

Kristina shared a brief overview of her background and her music studio in Wisconsin.
Her entrepreneurial journey and how she was inspired by her mother’s wedding shop.
Her method book creation, which focuses on a different approach to note reading and musicality.
What her piano curriculum entails, including her note reading approach.
Effectiveness and expansion of her method, including the potential to help other teachers facing similar challenges.
Importance of marketing and messaging, focusing on the unique aspects of her curriculum.
Kristina emphasizes her research into marketing strategies used by other independent composers.
She shared a personal and emotional story about a car accident in 2018, which led to a near-death experience.
How the Music Teacher Startup Course helped her understand the big picture of creating and marketing a product, including the steps and scope involved.
The value of understanding the market, validation, and marketing strategies.
Some challenges in business and marketing.
Advice for other teachers who wants to create their own product or business.
Kristina shared her appreciation for TopMusicPro Membership.
The current state and her future plans for her method book.

Guest Links Mentioned

Kristina Arellano Website
Kristina Arellano LinkedIn
Connect with Kristina at KAPianoMethod@gmail.com
See sample pages of Kristina's method book at topmusic.co/kristina

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Kristina Arellano is a music educator, independent studio owner, church musician, accompanist, and composer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Church Music and a Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology. She enjoys exploring music from all over the world and participates in contra and international folk dancing. She loves composing and arranging music, with a primary focus on music education and a passion for developing new curriculum. With an interest in sharing her compositions and music curriculum with the wider world, Kristina enrolled in the Music Teacher Startup course in 2019. Her current project is a novel piano curriculum for beginning students with an expected release date in 2025.

Today's Sponsor

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377: No-Prop Fun and Games with Matt Murphy

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're chatting with one of our TopMusicGames creator, Matt Murphy. Matt shares his unique approach to teaching music through gamification, making lessons more interactive and fun. We dive into his TopMusicGames collection, designed to encourage improvisation and keep students captivated. He discusses the importance of adapting these games to suit individual student needs and moods, ensuring that learning remains accessible and enjoyable. He also emphasizes the value of keeping lessons dynamic, especially for younger students or those with learning difficulties, and highlight the flexibility and creativity these games offer to teachers. Whether you're looking to make your lessons more engaging or seeking new ways to inspire your students, this episode is packed with practical tips and insights.

Tim introduces Matt Murphy, highlighting his contribution to the TopMusicGames collection.
Matt shared about his games collection, emphasizing its focus on gamifying traditional music teaching techniques to make learning more engaging.
What the collection includes, such as games like the animal game, which encourages improvisation and keeps young students engaged.
Matt shared a brief overview of his background and teaching experience.
How his games collection is designed to be adaptable, allowing teachers to tailor games to their students' needs and moods.
Tim praises the collection for being accessible and easy to integrate into lessons without requiring physical materials.
Matt emphasizes the importance of keeping lessons fun and engaging, especially for younger students or those with learning difficulties.
The flexibility and creativity the games offer, encouraging teachers to experiment and make the games their own.
How incorporating games into repertoire deepens students' understanding of music.
Why teaching chords and patterns is crucial as they are foundational to music.
Matt emphasizes rhythm and pattern-based learning, especially for drummers.
Some simple exercises that can help students discover new sounds.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Matt Murphy grew up playing music. He taught his first lesson at 14, went to music school, and has decades of experience and multiple awards as a performer and educator. he actually hated piano growing up. As an ADHD and mildly dyslexic child, lessons from a very traditional teacher (book first, book only) didn't help . So he switched to drums, but kept a piano nearby. After majoring in jazz drumset at music school, he realised there was so much more to piano than just "All Cows Eat Grass," and became determined to never be that "wrist-slapping" teacher for his young students. His lessons are infused with video game mechanics, child-psychology, Dungeons and Dragons-style storytelling, multi-instrumental composition, dumb jokes, and knowing that we're not just teachers, we're mentors.

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376: Piano Teachers and the Law – How to Challenge Your Local Council Rules with Alicia Glaser

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're chatting with Alicia Glaser, the owner and instructor at Glaser Music Studio in Grand Island, NE. With 15 years of music education experience and an extensive background in the Orff methodology, Alicia shares her journey of navigating legal challenges with her local council over her home-based music studio. From facing neighborhood complaints to ultimately securing a change in city zoning laws, Alicia's story is a testament to perseverance and community support. Join us as she offers invaluable insights for piano teachers on how to handle legal obstacles, the importance of understanding local regulations, and the power of maintaining a positive outlook through it all.

Alicia shared a brief summary of her music studio and her background.
She shared about acquiring a commercial space, expanding her teaching capacity.
How she faced a legal challenge regarding traffic complaints in her neighborhood related to her home music studio.
How she addressed the legal issue and adjusted lesson times to reduce traffic.
Her efforts to change the city code that she discovered was an outdated code, allowing four students for cultural arts but only one for music.
The outcome of Alicia's efforts, highlighting the importance of in-home businesses and the benefits of group education.
The strong support that she received from parents and the community.
Alicia's handling and legal process and costs.
How she worked closely with the zoning commission director.
How her teaching looked like during the legal process.
Her advice and tips to other teachers on how to be a responsible business owner.
Alicia shares some TopMusicPro membership benefits, from resources on business management, composition, and community.

Guest Links Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Alicia Glaser is the owner and Instructor at Glaser Music Studio located in Grand Island, NE (USA). She lives with husband of 15 years Brian, their 9 year old daughter Alaina, and energetic dog Grace. She and her husband love spending their weekends attending gymnastics meets and softball tournaments for Alaina. Alicia has been teaching music education for 15 years. 13 of those were spent in the K-8 General Music classroom setting as well as private lessons. For the last 2 she has been solely teaching in her private studio. Alicia has obtained Level 1, 2, and 3 Orff Certifications and adapted her Orff training to fit the needs of her group piano, ukulele, guitar, musical theater, and preK music classes. Alicia prides herself on providing children with a well-rounded, modern, creative experience of music that’s in-line with their goals and related to the music they love. Her goal is to ensure that the next generation of students continue to create music and love their instrument for the rest of their lives.

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375: Meridee Winters Music Unpacked with Kate Capps

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we explore the innovative Meridee Winters Music Method through the insights of Kate Capps, a key figure in its development and implementation. Kate shares her journey from discovering music at five years old to studying at Berklee College of Music and eventually joining Meridee Winters' Philadelphia school in 2007. Over the past 17 years, Kate has become Meridee's right-hand person, contributing to the creation and evolution of the method’s groundbreaking books and materials. Kate discusses the method's chord and pattern-based approach, its focus on creativity and playfulness, and how it engages students, especially teenagers. Kate also reveals exciting upcoming projects and supplemental materials designed to further enrich the music learning experience. Join us to explore how Meridee Winters Music is transforming music education by fostering creativity and connection.

Kate shared a brief overview of her background and her journey working with Meridee Winters.
She shared how she came about working for Meridee Winters School of Music.
She shared about Meridee's background as a lifelong musician and elementary classroom teacher disheartened by the lack of creativity in traditional education.
Meridee's career path, including owning karate schools and working in recording studios before teaching adult musicians to accompany themselves.
How Meridee developed a method to teach chords and patterns, integrating her education background and creativity.
The importance of teaching music as a creative art and language art.
The balance of incorporating reading music into the method while maintaining creativity.
Kate shared about Meridee's books, Chord Crash Course and Chord Quest.
Tim highlights the need for beginner methods for teenagers that make music fun and relatable.
The importance of connecting with teenage students to keep them engaged in music.
Kate shares about some upcoming projects of Meridee Winters Music.
The concept of integrated music teaching, which helps students understand and find connections in music.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Kate discovered music at five years old, after inheriting a piano from a neighbor's basement. Recognizing her immediate love for the instrument, her parents signed her up for lessons and Kate’s career as a musician was born. Songwriting quickly became a passion, and led Kate to Berklee College of Music, where she studied songwriting, voice and piano, and graduated magna cum laude. In 2007, Kate began working with Meridee Winters in as a teacher for her Philadelphia school, where she taught piano, voice and songwriting and fell in love with Meridee’s creative approach to teaching music. Over the past 17 years working with Meridee, Kate’s role has evolved into Meridee’s “right hand person” and editor for her trailblazing books and materials, while still remaining actively involved with the school’s teachers, curriculum and events.

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374: So You’ve Read No Book Beginners… What’s Next? with Paul Myatt

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In today's exciting episode, we welcome back Paul Myatt, a successful Australian businessman and renowned educator. As a founding Director of the Forte School of Music, Paul has spearheaded an innovative and thriving music education network that reaches over 4,000 students across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Known for his passion for lifelong music-making and the positive impacts of music education, Paul shares his insights on teaching and pedagogy and the importance of holistic, student-centered approaches to learning. Join us as we delve into engaging teaching strategies, the significance of whole body learning, and how to inspire the next generation of musicians.

Tim highlights Paul's roles in various episodes, including discussions on group lessons, expert roundups, and the "No Book Beginners" approach.
Importance of a holistic and student-centered approach to teaching, integrating music skills and reading.
Paul discusses Generation Alpha's reduced attention spans due to mobile technology.
Relevance of whole body learning, which includes movement, singing, and listening to music.
Cognitive neuroscience research supporting attention, engagement, error detection, and consolidation in learning.
Importance of consolidating material in lessons and ensuring students practice effectively.
Role of music in memory and learning, citing examples of its effectiveness in various contexts.
Influence of instructional methodologies like Orff, Kodály, Suzuki, and their relevance to whole body learning.
How whole body learning adapts these methodologies specifically for piano lessons.
Whole body learning in practice, demonstrating how it engages students through movement and music.
Some benefits of whole body learning.
Interactive learning environment, including active listening, singing, chanting & playing instruments.
Upcoming Whole Body Learning Teaching Beginner's course details, course pricing and benefits.

Whole Body Learning Teaching Beginner's Course

Guest Links Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Successful Australian businessman, Paul Myatt, is also well known for his ability to teach and educate all levels and abilities in a diverse range of skills from music to swimming. Paul is a founding Director of Forte School of Music, an unique and highly successful music education network with over 4,000 students in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Paul’s greatest passion is encouraging life-long music making through music education and the positive effect this has on people’s lives.

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373: Meet Our TopMusicSheets Composer of the Month: Brock Chart

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +1000

Join us in today's episode as we sit down with Brock Chart, our TopMusicSheets composer of the month. Brock is an accomplished composer, studio owner, and the founder of My-Melodies Publishing in Kansas. Renowned for his versatility across genres such as jazz, pop, educational piano literature, and film music, Brock has made significant contributions to the music world. He was named the 2022 Composer of the Year by the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs and had 15 original compositions selected for the 2024-2028 NFMC Bulletin. Since establishing My-Melodies Publishing, he has released six well-received educational books. Tune in to hear Brock share his journey, insights into the composing process, and valuable advice for aspiring composers.

Tim praises Brock's music for its accessibility and engaging nature, noting the inclusion of QR codes that provide access to various tracks and tutorial videos.
Tim highlights the monthly availability of sheet music collections from composers worldwide.
Brock shares his composing journey, starting with a high school jazz combo piece and progressing to writing for various ensembles, including big bands and jazz groups.
Importance of playing with others and joining ensembles to enhance musical experience and foster social connections.
Encouraging creativity in students and the impact of teachers suggesting new opportunities and ambitious projects.
Challenges and learning experiences of writing for different instruments and ensembles.
Brock shares his experience of self-publishing after a rejection from a big publisher and learning the process by asking for advice.
Importance of social media, conferences, and learning from established composers for effective marketing.
The value of attending conferences for networking and exposure, despite the costs.
Brock recommends digital routes like Kindle Direct Publishing for low-cost, professional-looking publications.
His influences, including Dennis Alexander and Catherine Rollin, and the impact of listening to student feedback on his compositions.
He encourages aspiring composers to try their pieces with students and consider digital publishing options.
Brock expresses his positive experience working with Tim's team and learning from the process.

Guest Links Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Brock Chart is a composer, studio owner, and founder of My-Melodies Publishing in Kansas. He composes in a variety of genres and mediums including jazz, pop, educational piano literature, and film music. He was the 2022 Composer of the Year by the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs, and had 15 original compositions selected for the 2024-2028 NFMC Bulletin. Brock has been awarded two Student Music Awards in DownBeat magazine for composition in both large-ensemble and small-group writing. In 2019, he composed an original score for the Museum of Modern Art’s short film How to See, which was listed in the British Film Institute’s list of the “Best Video Essays of 2019.” Since founding My-Melodies Publishing, Brock has composed and published six books in his educational series: Five-Finger Jazz, Five-Finger Pop and Five-Finger Rock. The books received great reviews from pedagogues in publications like American Music Teacher Magazine and Piano Magazine.

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372: How to Organise Your Music Studio and Life with Amy Chaplin

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Amy Chaplin, a distinguished pianist, teacher, speaker, blogger, and podcaster, who is passionate about studio business, organization, and life. Amy combines these interests through her blog, PianoPantry.com, and The Piano Pantry Podcast, as well as running an independent piano studio in Northeast Indiana. An active member of the Music Teachers National Association, Amy has held various leadership roles and frequently speaks at events on studio business, marketing, and digital organization. Join us as we delve into Amy's expert insights on organizing both your music studio and your life, offering practical tips and strategies to streamline your workflow and enhance your teaching efficiency.

Amy shared a brief overview of her background and niche development.
She shares details about her recent retreats and digital coaching events.
Organization tips and methods for music teachers on printed sheet music and digital sheet music.
Tips on organizing digital games, emphasizing the importance of clear naming conventions.
Digital organization tips and how to maintain organized file structures.
Email management and how to utilize folders.
Thoughts on Dropbox vs. Google Drive.
Importance of backing up files to avoid data loss.
Some note-taking and organization apps.
Amy's transition from Evernote to Notion for better functionality and cost.
She shares some meal prep for busy music teachers.
Additional tips for Google Drive folders for better visual organization.

Guest Links Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Download the latest TopMusic Magazine here.

Today’s Guest

Amy Chaplin is a pianist, teacher, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. She loves talking about all things studio business, organization, and life-related. She combines all of these passions at PianoPantry.com and on The Piano Pantry Podcast. She runs an independent piano studio in Northeast Indiana. An active member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Amy has served in multiple leadership roles at the state and local levels, including President of the Indiana Music Teacher’s Association, VP of Membership, Website Editor, AIM Development, and is now serving as a trustee of the association. She frequently speaks at the local, state, and national levels on topics related to studio business, marketing, digital organization, and music learning theory applications.

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371: Meet Our TopMusicSheets Composer of the Month: Jeff Millis

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In today's show, we're thrilled to introduce you to our TopMusicSheets Composer of the Month, Jeff Millis. Jeff is a passionate musician who has been composing since his earliest memories of music. He teaches students worldwide through his unique online method, which emphasizes creativity from the very beginning. Jeff’s innovative approach and dedication to crafting enjoyable, pedagogically sound music for students of all levels make him a standout in the world of music education. Join us as we dive into Jeff's journey, his teaching philosophy, and the inspirations behind his diverse compositions. Whether you're a musician, teacher, or simply a music lover, you won't want to miss this inspiring conversation with Jeff Millis.

Jeff shared a brief overview of his music teaching and composing experience.
His TopMusicSheets compositions, highlighting their pedagogical value and diversity in styles.
How he shifted to online teaching five years ago due to logistical challenges of house calls.
Some techniques that he developed to teach without physical contact with his students.
His online teaching setup and what his lesson schedule looks like.
The benefits of online teaching.
His mentors, influences and film composers that inspired him to appreciate the art and science of emotionally powerful music.
Jeff's thoughts on minimalist music by composers like Ludovico Einaudi and Philip Glass.
His view on piano music and his perception of classical music.
The importance of creativity in music teaching, encouraging improvisation and composing.
Some alternative methods of assessing music students beyond traditional recitals.
The significance of recognizing patterns in music as a fundamental teaching tool.
He shares his experience collaborating with Albert, TopMusicSheets Publishing Director.
Jeff encourages other teacher-composers to engage with the program, citing the ease and benefits of collaboration.

Guest Links Mentioned

Jeff Millis website
Jeff Millis Vimeo page
Jeff Millis Instagram: @jeffmillismakesmusicians
Facebook Page: Total Piano Genius (Jeff Millis Makes Musicians)

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Jeff Millis teaches privately online, serving students across the globe with his proprietary method emphasizing musical creativity from the earliest stages. He has been composing since before he knew what “composing” meant and may possibly love creating music even more than playing it! Before any formal training, his earliest exposure to music was in an environment that encouraged improvisation with chords, which gave him a unique perspective in lessons later on and still informs his creative process. Becoming a teacher inspired Jeff to start composing with specific student needs in mind. He considers it a priority to write music for students that is genuinely pleasurable to listen to, even for early skill levels.

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370: How to Add Piano Accompanying to Your Income Portfolio with Dr Rachel Ehring

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we delve into the world of piano accompanying with Dr. Rachel Ehring, a distinguished pianist, teacher, and music administrator. With a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging lessons for students of all ages. Join us as we explore how to add piano accompanying to your income portfolio, discussing Rachel’s innovative course on collaborative piano, its creation, marketing strategies, and the invaluable skills required for effective accompanying. Don't miss out on Rachel's valuable tips and insights on expanding your musical skills and income opportunities and her upcoming free webinar.

Tim highlights and appreciates Rachel's role as the host of the TopMusic Piano podcast.
Discussion on Rachel's role as a course creator at Dream Lavender Music Studio.
Rachel explains collaborative piano as an equal partnership between musicians.
She shares her journey from a piano performance undergrad to earning a doctorate in collaborative piano.
Importance of sight-reading and listening skills.
Tim shares his experiences accompanying students and the challenges of repertoire.
The fun and educational benefits for students engaging in collaborative piano.
Advantages of collaborative piano for teachers.
Rachel’s motivation to create a course on collaborative piano.
She shares her course structure, target audience, course content, course launch and success.
She discusses the main modules and learning stages of her course.
She shares her course creation process, marketing and course launching.
Importance of repeated communication and personal engagement.
Rachel shared some advice for aspiring course creators.

Guest Links Mentioned

Rachel Ehring's website

Register for Rachel's Live Webinar

How to Earn Extra Income by Playing the Piano Webinar (Monday, June 24th, 7:00 AM PST)

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

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369: My MTNA Keynote – Dare to Dream

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 18:00:00 +1000

I'm so thrilled to reconnect with you and appreciate all the positive feedback we've received about the podcast's return. In today's episode, I want to share highlights from my keynote at the MTNA conference in Atlanta this past March, titled "Dare to Dream: Why Students Need Your Vision." I'll discuss the importance of having a clear vision for your students, yourself, and your studio, and how sharing this vision can lead to greater success. We'll dive into the four D framework for realizing your dreams and share inspiring examples from teachers around the world. Plus, I'll provide details on an upcoming workshop that will help you refine your vision and achieve your studio goals. Don't miss this insightful episode as we explore how to transform our teaching practices and create thriving music studios.

Tim's keynote at the MTNA conference in Atlanta in March 2024 titled "Dare to Dream: Why Students Need Your Vision."
The importance of having and sharing a clear vision for both students' and the studio's success.
Three essential visions for music teachers and the importance of written and shared visions.
The four D framework for realizing visions and some examples of applying the four D framework.
Guidance for teachers on forming visions.
The concept of a "dream student" with technical mastery, which will guide lesson content and recitals.
Tim discusses TopMusic's student-centered approach, based on self-determination theory, which states that motivation is strongest when students have autonomy in learning.
He reflects on the ultimate goals for students, considering skills, mindset, and the role of music in their lives.
Importance of aligning your vision with students' goals to ensure engagement and retention.
Examples of successful visions from various music studios that illustrate the importance of a clear, aligned vision.
How a strong vision helps with branding, marketing, and differentiation in the competitive teaching market.
Some tips on implementing a vision, which requires writing it down, breaking it into smaller steps, and seeking accountability and community support.
Tim encourages teachers to think about their vision, share it, and focus on specific areas to improve their teaching business.

Links Mentioned

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368: The 6 Cores of Music Teaching and Studio Business Success

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this solo episode, we're introducing an exciting new workshop, "The 6 Cores of Music Teaching and Studio Business Success." Drawing from my 14 years of experience, we're going to unveil essential strategies to help you streamline your studio operations and enhance your teaching effectiveness. Discover how focusing on six core fundamentals can transform your studio business, reduce overwhelm, and maximize your impact, with real-life success stories to inspire you. Join me for this engaging and practical session that promises to revolutionize your approach to music teaching and studio management.

Tim announces the Six Cores of Music Teaching and Studio Business Success workshop.
He addresses the common feeling of overwhelm among studio owners due to various responsibilities.
He highlights the inefficiency of manual processes like scheduling and invoicing.
The importance of focusing on six core fundamentals for studio success.
Success stories of three teachers who benefited from applying these principles.

Links Mentioned

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367: A Look Inside TopMusicPro Membership

Mon, 27 May 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're diving deep into the TopMusicPro membership for instrumental teachers. Launched in 2016, this membership has evolved significantly, and I'm excited to share our vision, mission, and the incredible resources we offer. From our extensive library of courses to our vibrant community and exclusive discounts, TopMusicPro is designed to inspire and support music teachers worldwide. Whether you're a current member, a past member, or considering joining, this episode will give you an inside look at the transformative benefits of our membership. Stay tuned as we explore the powerful ways TopMusicPro can enhance your teaching and connect you with a global network of passionate educators.

Tim discusses TopMusicPro membership for instrumental teachers, established in 2016.
The vision and mission of TopMusic.
Achievements in 14 years, with continuous efforts to improve.
Three primary ways to achieve the mission:
- Free content
- TopMusicPro membership
- Coaching and certification programs
TopMusicPro membership benefits highlighted by member testimonials.
Details of the 3 membership tiers: Lite, Studio & Evolution.
Some features inside TopMusicPro Academy, including training courses, webinar archives, discounts and more.
The community aspects of the membership.
Monthly sheet music and games.

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Studio Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box: PIANOPODCAST.

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366: How to Convert From Private to Group Lessons with Marie Lee

Mon, 20 May 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In today's show, we are thrilled to have Marie Lee back for her third appearance on the TopCast. Marie is the visionary creator of the Group Teaching Blueprint and the owner of Musicality Schools in Las Vegas. With a bustling studio of 140 students, Marie uses innovative group teaching methods to inspire and motivate musicians. In this episode, we delve into the benefits and challenges of transitioning from one-on-one lessons to group teaching, explore the various models and methods she uses, and discuss her involvement in leading conferences like Group Illuminated. Marie shares her expert insights on how to implement group teaching, the structure and flexibility it offers, and the importance of showcasing its benefits to parents. Join us as we uncover the strategies and success stories behind Marie's remarkable approach to music education.

Tim welcomes Marie Lee back to the show for her third appearance.
Discussion on transitioning from one-on-one lesson to group teaching.
Marie highlights her involvement in conferences, including running her own Group Illuminated conference and attending MTNA.
Benefits of group teaching, including higher student retention and increased income potential.
Some challenges and considerations when teaching group piano lessons.
Variations in group teaching models.
Marie emphasizes various ways to implement group teaching based on different needs and preferences.
How she transitioned from private to group teaching.
How group teaching is beneficial for teaching structure and allows flexibility between stages.
She emphasizes the need to introduce group teaching gradually, showcasing its benefits to parents through demonstrations and performances.
Marie's conference, Group Illuminated, an online event for group teaching with sessions from various experts.
What the conference covers, including group teaching techniques, marketing strategies, technology in groups, and specific needs like neurodivergent students.
She encourages teachers to believe in group teaching, start with manageable steps, and adjust based on their goals and student needs.

Exclusive for Podcast Listeners

Five Reasons Group Piano Classes are Good for Kids Free Handout

Links Mentioned

Resources Mentioned

Group IlluminatED Conference

Group IlluminatED is the go-to conference to take your questions about group piano and come away with answers, new ideas, empowerment, and inspiration! Visit groupilluminated.com to learn more and to register for this fabulous on-demand conference. Use coupon code TIM50 for a $50 discount on the conference ticket.

Today’s Guest

The creator of the popular Group Teaching Blueprint and owner of Musicality Schools in Las Vegas, Marie leverages group teaching methods to motivate and inspire musicians, both in her own group studio of 140 students, and in the studios of those she mentors. Her strengths are reaching students of all learning styles in a variety of ways that are easy to implement for any studio. Presenter at MTNA, NCKP, MusicEd Connect, 88 Creative Keys and Nevada Music Teachers conferences, blog guest writer and podcast presenter, Nevada Music Teachers Association President and Co-producer of the GroupIlluminatED online conference.

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365: Who’s Going to Tune Your Piano? A Chat With TopMusicPro Member Nikita Wilson

Mon, 13 May 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we're chatting with TopMusicPro Nikita Wilson, a piano teacher and electronics engineer hailing from the North West of England. Nikita shares insights into her creative teaching approach, spanning all music genres, and her passion for witnessing students' growth and personality development through music. Join us as Nikita discusses her crowdfunding campaign for piano technician training, aiming to address the shortage of technicians in her area and raise awareness of this critical issue impacting the world of music education. We delve into the roles of piano tuners, technicians, engineers, builders, and restorers, highlighting the importance of these professions in preserving and maintaining pianos. Nikita also shares her vision of passing on her skills to future generations and inspiring others to pursue careers in piano maintenance. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the importance of accessible instrument maintenance and the relevance of piano maintenance education for music teachers.

Nikita shared a brief overview about her music teaching studio.
Her crowdfunding for piano technician training to address the shortage of technicians in her area.
Importance of accessible instrument maintenance for fostering interest in music education.
The roles of piano tuners, technicians, engineers, builders, and restorers, highlighting the need for these professions in maintaining and preserving pianos.
The relevance of piano maintenance education for music teachers.
Importance of opening up acoustic pianos to students during lessons, encouraging exploration of the instrument's inner workings.
Nikita shares her experience finding a mentor for piano technician training.
The lack of awareness surrounding piano technician careers and the challenges in promoting it as a viable profession.
The necessity of piano technicians even with the rise of digital and hybrid pianos.
She expresses her desire to pass on her skills and knowledge to future generations, to foster sustainability in piano maintenance.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Nikita Wilson is a piano teacher and electronics engineer from the North West of England. Nikita teaches teens and adults in a creative way, exploring all genres of music. She loves seeing their progression, excitement and their unique personalities develop through their playing. Nikita’s goal is to attend an intensive piano technicians training course followed by several months of mentoring to fill the piano technicians skills gap impacting the world. She wants to raise awareness of this issue, inform teachers of what they can do to help and inspire others to take up this as a career.

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364: Meet Our TopMusicSheets Composer for May – Jared Abel

Mon, 06 May 2024 18:00:00 +1000

In this comeback episode of the TopCast, I'm excited to welcome listeners back and express my gratitude for your support and excitement to reconnect. Today, we're having a chat with Jared Metzger Abel, our TopMusicSheets' composer for the month of May with his diverse musical background and teaching experience. Jared shares insights into his composition process, the use of rote teaching methods, and his inspiration for creating pedagogical pieces. He also discusses his collaboration with Albert, TopMusic's publishing coordinator, and offers advice for aspiring composers contributing to TopMusicSheets. Don't miss this insightful conversation with Jared, filled with tips and inspiration for music educators and composers alike.

Jared expresses gratitude for being featured as the TopMusicSheets' composer for May.
Tim highlights the diverse styles and levels of Jared's compositions, particularly suitable for teens and adults.
Jared's process for choosing pieces, aiming to cover various levels and genres.
The use of rote teaching methods, particularly with rhythm, before transitioning to piano.
Jared shares his experience working with Albert, TopMusic's publishing coordinator, praising his knowledge and flexibility.
His background in music, including his experience teaching and studying voice and piano.
His early childhood teaching experience and its influence on his approach to composing pedagogical pieces.
How his compositions are often inspired by student struggles and aimed at teaching specific concepts or techniques.
Jared's advice for composers contributing to TopMusicSheets.
Some of his favorite composers and influences.

Guest Links Mentioned

Jared Metzger Abel's Website

Links Mentioned

Find out more about TopMusicSheets here
Download your copies of TopMusic Magazine Issues here
Check out TopMusic Piano Podcast here
Email sponsors@topmusic.co for our sponsorship media kit

Today's Guest

Jared Abel has twenty-nine years of teaching experience, both as a general music teacher and a private piano and voice instructor. He work with students of all ages at his studio, The Metzger School of Music, in Chicago, Illinois. His education includes over thirty-five years of study with professional and concert pianists, a bachelor's degree in music education, a master's degree in vocal pedagogy, a certification in Orff early childhood music, and postgraduate studies in music composition. As a composer, he draws from my experiences as a soloist and member of many instrumental, choral, and orchestral ensembles. He enjoys studying and experimenting with various genres. He also find teaching to be a constant source of inspiration for his writing. [topmusic-button label="TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial" url="https://members.topmusic.co/register/tmp-studio-monthly?coupon=IMTPOD23" type="default"]

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363: Have You Subscribed?

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 05:30:00 +1000

Welcome back to another exciting bonus episode! Today, I'm thrilled to bring you a lineup of incredible updates and announcements, including the launch of the TopMusic Piano Podcast, hosted by the amazing Dr. Rachel Ehring. Our spotlight is on our latest episode, featuring Tara Mock on How to Have Conversations with Parents of Neurodiverse Students, emphasizing a valuable statement for every lesson moving forward. Plus, we'll delve into the world of teaching neurodivergent students with insights from our successful webinar and our new course "Unfazed: Teaching Neurodivergent Students." And don't miss out on our upcoming workshop series on Exam Preparation and Performance Strategies. Make sure to subscribe to Rachel's podcast, join the workshop series waitlist, and mark your calendar for the MTNA conference next month. Let's dive in!

Links Mentioned

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362: Unfazed: Teaching Neurodivergent Students in 2024 with Confidence and Success

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 09:00:00 +1000

In this bonus episode of the Integrated Music Teaching podcast, we're announcing our upcoming webinar, "Unfazed: Teaching Neurodivergent Students in 2024 with Confidence and Success" featuring our expert educator Selena Pistoresi. This webinar aims to address concerns and provide guidance for teachers working with neurodivergent students, covering topics such as recognizing student learning needs, effective lesson planning, and managing difficult behaviors. This webinar is going to be relevant for teachers of all students, regardless of diagnosis. Join our free webinar on February 14th at 8 AM Melbourne time, which is February 13th at 4 PM Eastern time and 9 PM London time.

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361: 2023 Wrap-Up & Sneak Peak Into 2024

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Welcome to a special episode where we're wrapping up the incredible journey that was 2023 and offering an exciting sneak peek into what's in store for 2024. This live recording brings together our fantastic community of registered participants to dive into the achievements of the past year and unveil our plans for the future. I'll be sharing some noteworthy highlights, including successful releases like my No Book Beginners book, TopMusic Quiz and the groundbreaking Top Music Certification program. Plus get ready for a big reveal as we introduce TopMusic Piano Podcast with our new host, Dr. Rachel Ehring. Get ready for an engaging session filled with insights, plans, and the vibrant energy of our incredible community. Let's dive in!

Tim shares an overview of TopMusic achievements in 2023 and plans for 2024.
His announcement of taking a break from the podcast.
Some highlights of 2023, recap of successful releases, including a No Book Beginners Book, TopMusic quiz and TopMusic Certification program.
Introduction of the TopMusic Piano Podcast with Rachel Ehring as the new host.
Other releases in 2023, including courses, TopMusicSheets, TopMusicGames, Piece by Piece videos, Method book reviews and Pop Song Solutions.
Tim Topham discusses the upcoming MTNA conference in March.
The focus for the upcoming year on helping teachers use existing content effectively and building a strong community.
The special needs teaching course by Selena Pistaresi will be re-released, focusing on neurodivergent students.
An upcoming challenge for the Advancing Students Course to support teachers in gaining confidence.
Tim reflects on the history of the podcast, mentioning its name changes and the upcoming transition back to "TopCast."
He shares the experiences and benefits of the certification program and emphasizes the importance of community building.

Links Mentioned

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360: Introducing the TopMusic Piano Podcast

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we're thrilled to share a major announcement. Dr. Rachel Ehring, our esteemed guest, takes us through her unexpected journey from our chance encounter at NCKP to her new role as the host of the TopMusic Piano Podcast. As a music teacher and director of a conservatory, Rachel shares insights into her unique career path, the challenges of reopening the conservatory post-COVID, and her passion for embracing creative resources in piano teaching. Don't miss this episode full of insights, reflections, and the unveiling of a new chapter in the Top Music Piano Podcast journey.

Rachel's background as a music teacher, the director of a conservatory, and her journey in reopening it.
The focus on creative resources for piano teachers in Rachel's own podcast.
Inspiration from Tim's podcast during the COVID period when she resumed teaching.
Tim's decision to step back from the podcast after seven years and 360 episodes.
Rachel's excitement about taking on the role of the new host for the Top Music Piano Podcast.
Plans for the podcast, including exploring creative resources, the business side, and collaborative piano.
Tim's encouragement for those with entrepreneurial ideas to give it a try.
Rachel's invitation for listeners to share ideas for shows or guests for the new podcast.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

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359: Why Julie & Sue Became TopMusic Certified Teachers

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're chatting with two remarkable music educators who recently became TopMusic Certified Teachers, Julie Galan and Sue Stubbs. Julie, a passionate piano teacher based in Arizona, candidly shares her transformative journey within the TopMusic Certification program. Overcoming a period of stagnation, Julie discovered renewed zeal through the unique cohort-based approach, making positive changes in her studio, including the introduction of group lessons and setting long-term goals. Sue Stubbs, a dedicated home-based studio teacher from Australia, joins the discussion to share her insights. Sue reflects on the challenges she faced, the significance of purposeful creativity, and the transformative impact of the program on her lesson planning. Both educators emphasize the diverse focus of the certification, spanning financials, marketing, and the invaluable sense of community cultivated by Tim and Bec. Tune in to hear firsthand how the TopMusic Certification program reignited their passion, fostered professional growth, and transformed their teaching practices.

Julie Galan shares some insights about her music studio in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
The shift in her teaching approach after discovering TopMusic Certification program.
The positive impact of live weekly cohort meetings, highlighting the value of immediate interaction, asking questions, and sharing experiences with other teachers.
She shares the expansion of her studio, introduction of group lessons, and positive feedback from students and parents.
The wide array of topics covered in the certification, from financials to marketing strategies.
The difficulty of breaking linear teaching habits.
Reflection on the assessment process, emphasizing the value of self-reflection and improvement.
Sue Stubbs provides a brief overview of her home-based music studio in Australia.
She shares her motivation for joining the Top Music Certification program.
The invaluable connections and accountability gained through weekly meetings with the cohort.
Sue details the positive changes resulting from the certification program, focusing on purposeful integration of creativity into lessons.
Some changes in her lesson planning approach, highlighting a more flexible and resource-conscious method
The program's benefits in reinforcing professionalism, providing confidence, and fostering collaboration with other teachers.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

SUE STUBBS

Sue Stubbs is a piano and woodwind teacher, writer, artist, and performer. Sue's passion is bringing the joy of music and creativity into the lives of everyone around her. She has published several short stories and performs regularly in a concert band, swing jazz band and a covers duo. Sue is currently working on her first novel and is studying a Masters Degree in Learning and Teaching. Sue loves walking, reading, coffee and being mum to her three adult children and a rather needy but loveable dog. Sue holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Work, A.T.C.L Pianoforte Performance, and A.T.C.L Speech and Drama Teaching.

JULIE GALAN

Julie Galan is a seasoned piano teacher from Prescott Valley, Arizona, with a diverse group of 36 students. Her pupils span the age spectrum, from lively preschoolers at the age of three and also adult students. Julie extends her teaching expertise to the online realm, conducting piano lessons through Zoom. Specializing in one-on-one interactions and group lessons, her passion for music education is evident in her personalized and engaging lessons.

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358: The Best Instrumental Music Teacher Certification

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we're joined by Rebecca Stewart, the community manager and the head of certification at TopMusic. Join us as we explore the overview of TopMusic Certification Program, reflecting on the first cohort's experiences, and uncover some of the unique features that set this program apart. We discuss the value of certification in terms of live cohort learning, flexibility, and its sharp focus on practical, real-world teaching. Listen in for exclusive excerpts from cohort meetings, where teachers passionately discuss teaching tools, share transformative experiences, and express the profound impact of the certification program. And stay tuned for a special announcement about the upcoming enrollment for the next cohort of the Top Music Certification program. Get ready to be inspired and informed on the latest and greatest in instrumental music education!

Bec shares some insights into her life and into her dual role as a piano teacher at a school and at her home.
Overview of the Top Music Certification Program.
Reflections on the first cohort of Top Music Certification.
Some unique features of the certification program.
The value of certification in terms of live cohort learning, flexibility, and focus on practical, real-world teaching.
Bec and Tim express their enthusiasm for the cohort learning model, gaining insights and building connections with teachers worldwide.
Some excerpts from the cohort meetings, featuring teachers discussing teaching tools, sharing experiences, and expressing the impact of the certification program.
Announcement that enrollment for the next cohort of the Top Music Certification program will be opening soon.
Systematic approach to the playbook, resembling a course guide based on the Presto framework for certification.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

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357: Announcing our Advancing Pianists Course!

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 01:00:00 +1000

As we approach the end of November, I would like to extend warm Thanksgiving wishes to our American listeners. This month, we've delved into teaching early advanced students. And today marks a special announcement - the launch of our brand new online course, the Advancing Pianist Course, created by the incredible Janna Williamson. In this episode, we'll walk through the course modules, covering diverse musical eras from Baroque to 20th-century repertoire, providing insights into interpretation, techniques, and strategies for effective teaching. Whether you're exploring teaching advanced students for the first time or seeking to enhance your existing approach, this course is a game-changer. Stick around for details on an exclusive Black Friday discount and exciting bonuses. Without further ado, let's jump into the show!

Tim highlights TopMusicPro's new course, "Advancing Pianist Course," by expert teacher Janna Williamson.
Introduction Modules: Overview, importance of teacher self-study, early advanced technique, teaching practice.
Baroque Era: Styles, ornaments, detailed look at Prelude and Fugue in B flat major.
Classical Era: Stylistic interpretation of Sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Romantic Era: Overview of 19th-century early advanced repertoire, in-depth study of Chopin Nocturne in E flat Major.
20th Century Repertoire: What makes an expressive 20th-century performance, overview of early advanced repertoire, examples of pieces with 20th-century idioms.
Memorization, performance anxiety, practicing for performance, university and conservatory auditions and competitions.
Sneak peak to the course bonuses.

[topmusic-button label="Black Friday Flash Sale for TopMusicPro Membership" url="https://topmusic.co/blackfriday" type=default]

Links Mentioned

Teaching Advance Students Self Assessment Handout

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356: Why Coaching Isn’t Just for Athletes – A Chat with Mike Grande

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today's show, one of our favourite podcast guests and TopMusic friend, Mike Grande, is back on the show. We dive into a rich conversation with him, spanning from the latest at his music schools and his platform Rock Out Loud Live, to his life-changing experience and trip to Africa. Mike shares insights from his new book, "From Teacher to Coach (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher)," delving into the profound impact of coaching in music education. Throughout the conversation, Mike emphasizes the power of building rapport and techniques like anchoring positive behavior. Tune in for an inspiring journey through the realms of music, education, and the transformative power of coaching.

Mike shared an update on his music schools and his platform, Rock Out Loud Live.
He reflects on his experience building music schools from scratch and buying an existing school.
His life-changing experience and the impact on the children in his trip to Rwanda.
Discussion about Mike's new book: "From Teacher to Coach (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher).
The difference between a coach and a teacher.
The importance of developing rapport with its three elements - focus, language, and physiology.
The concept of anchoring positive behavior through consistent reinforcement.
Mike shares personal experiences of impactful coaches from his life and underscores the importance of expressing gratitude to mentors while they are still alive.
Some takeaways and the goal of his book.

Guest Links Mentioned

Rock Out Loud
Mike's book on Amazon: From Teacher to Coach (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher)
Mike's book on Book Baby: From Teacher to Coach (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher)

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Mike Grande is the founder of Rock Out Loud Live and the owner of two elite music schools in New York and New Jersey. In November 2019, after spending over $650,000 building out his New Jersey school, Rock Out Loud, he was told he had to close due to COVID-19. As the music education world went to ZOOM for virtual music lessons, Mike decided to accelerate the production of his own Virtual Music Lesson Portal – RockOutLoud.live. RockOutLoud.live is the world’s FIRST Virtual Music Lesson portal designed for music educators that is three years in the making. When Mike is not rocking out at one of his music schools, he wears his corporate suit as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for a specialty financial institution on Park Avenue.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

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355: How to Teach Early Advanced Piano Students with Janna Williamson

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 01:00:00 +1000

If you’ve ever questioned your ability to guide advanced students or perhaps felt lacking in confidence as your students have moved into late intermediate and early advanced repertoire, then this episode is for you. Many teachers toil for years, nurturing their students' skills only to pass them off when they reach an advanced stage, sacrificing both the connection and the fruits of their earlier labor. Join us today as we dive into the potential of taking on advanced students and continuing the journey. In today's show, our guest, Janna Williamson, joins us to discuss essential skills necessary for piano students before tackling early advanced repertoire and so much more. Tune in for insights and valuable teaching strategies that can transform your approach to advanced students. Plus get a sneak peak to Janna's new course for teaching early advanced students within TopMusicPro membership.

Janna's definition of advanced music.
She recommends that students should gain experience with rhythm, pitch and technique before venturing into advanced music.
Essential skills necessary for piano students prior to encountering early advanced repertoire.
Her recommendation on playing and experiencing certain pieces before moving to advanced repertoire.
The importance of teaching stylistic interpretation and preparing students for performance.
She emphasizes the difference between practicing and practicing for performance.
The importance of editions, recommending Urtext editions for advanced students.
Investing in quality sheet music for students who are passionate about the piano and will continue playing.
Sneak peak to Janna's new course for teaching early advanced students within TopMusicPro membership.
The importance of teaching students how to practice effectively.
Tim and Janna discusses and bust some myths.
The benefit of teachers experiencing competitions, auditions, or exams themselves, or sending students for outside lessons.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Janna Williamson is a highly sought-after teacher of students of all levels with two decades of professional teaching experience. She maintains a home studio in West Chicago and taught at the Wheaton Yamaha Music School from 2001-2020. She has been an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music since 2004 and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance. Janna enjoys performing solo or collaboratively and can be heard throughout the Chicago area on a regular basis.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

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354: Can You Teach Advanced Students? Suzanne Andrews Shares Her Story

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, questioning whether you can continue guiding your students as they reach the advanced stages of their musical journey? The thought of passing them on to another teacher can be daunting, especially after years of building a strong bond with both students and their families. In this insightful interview, we're here to challenge those doubts and inspire you to reconsider. Our guest today, Suzanne Andrews, knows this feeling all too well and will share her journey, offering valuable insights and practical tips for nurturing advanced students. So if you've ever pondered, "Can I do this?" when confronted with advanced repertoire, this episode is your guide to rethinking, reevaluating, and revitalizing your role as a music teacher.

Suzanne provided some insights into her music studio.
The distinction between AMusA and LMusA.
Her email to Tim about preparing a teenage student for an AMusA examination in piano.
Suzanne's approach to getting ready to work with Maddie and preparing her for the AMusA examination.
Her thoughts on imposter syndrome.
Biggest tips for other teachers taking on advanced students.
How useful is having a session with an examiner.
The nature of the general knowledge component of the exam and her methods in aiding Maddie's preparation.
Suzanne gave an update on Maddie who was awarded her Amusa.
The importance of mentorship and community for Suzanne.

Links Mentioned

AMusA and Diploma General Knowledge Study Guide

Today’s Guest

Suzanne Andrews has been a music educator, performer and accompanist since her teenage years. Whilst her university degree is in classical piano she has much experience teaching and performing a diverse range of musical styles. Her passions include creating performance spaces that foster a sense of safety and self expression, the role of embodiment in music making, and leading all manner of singalongs, both in and out of the teaching room. She teaches piano at a couple of secondary schools in Melbourne, supplemented by a small private studio.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

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353: Using the FREE Intermediate Curriculum Guide with Janna Williamson

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 01:00:00 +1000

Today, we're delving into the art of goal setting and planning for our students using the Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning. We'll be taking a close look to another student of Janna Williamson who's journey is a testament to the challenges many students face, even those with musical backgrounds in their families. This episode will not only provide insights into her unique situation but also explore how to set clear and attainable milestones for students, ensuring that they can enjoy their musical journey and make steady progress. So listen in for a valuable discussion on helping students like Ella thrive in their musical endeavors.

Janna introduced her student, Ella, and background context about her.
The challenges faced by Ella, including moving, illness, and a busy schedule.
The importance of setting appropriate goals based on Ella's context and needs.
Creating a goal to foster consistent, smart practice habits for her.
Specific milestones set for Ella.
Ensuring that goals are practical and measurable.
Janna encourages other teachers to consider similar goal-setting approaches for their intermediate students.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial

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352: [Case Study] How to Set Intermediate Student Goals with Janna Williamson

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today's show, we’re continuing our theme for this month of intermediate students by looking at a short case study of how Janna Williamson uses the Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning with her students. You’ll be hearing about her student, Amy, and the challenges she’s felt around setting up the right curriculum for her. Throughout the episode, we'll explore how to guide students like Amy and the incredible progress that can be made when you set the right goals and milestones for your students. This episode also provides valuable insights for music teachers looking to guide their intermediate students effectively and set meaningful goals in their musical journey. So whether you're an experienced music teacher or a budding student eager to supercharge your musical journey, this episode is a must-listen.

Janna discusses setting goals for intermediate-level music students.
Her student, Amy, and her initial challenges in rhythm and being an introverted student.
Amy's transition from early intermediate to an upper early intermediate level.
Her decision to adjust Amy's curriculum.
Setting annual goals, including improving Amy's repertoire playing ability and effective memorization.
The milestones achieved by Amy in the past year.
Janna revisits the three-step process she and Tim outlined in their "ultimate guide."
She highlights the adaptability of this process for any student with various goals and specific issues.

Links Mentioned

Download the Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning Handout

Today's Guest

TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial

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351: Announcing the Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +1000

We're delving into the complex world of planning an effective intermediate music curriculum. With the freedom to choose teaching methods, repertoire, and goals, music teachers wield significant influence over their students' musical journeys. However, this autonomy comes with great responsibility as the decisions made during the intermediate stage can profoundly impact whether students continue their musical education or quit prematurely. In today's show, I'm going to introduce the "Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning," a comprehensive and free resource designed to assist teachers in crafting a clear path for their intermediate-level students. Listen in as this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of guiding students through this critical phase of musical development.

The freedom music teachers have in choosing how and what they teach.
Student retention, musical diversity, and long-term commitment.
The intermediate stage as a critical and challenging period for both students and teachers.
Essential skills students should possess when transitioning from elementary to intermediate levels.
Importance of choosing high-quality method books to guide students through the early stages.
Tim encourages assigning multiple pieces to elementary students to maintain their interest and progression.
The three-step intermediate planning process, yearly and monthly student goal trackers, and the role of sequenced repertoire selection.

Links Mentioned

Download the Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Curriculum Planning Handout

Thank you for tuning in!

350: Simplify and Streamline with Jess Homewood from Not Your Mother’s Piano Studio

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today's show, we're having a chat with Jess Homewood, the creative genius behind Not Your Mother’s Piano Studio. Jess, a dedicated private piano studio owner and resource curator, brings a fresh perspective to the world of piano education. She's the mastermind behind the No Printout Playbook Volumes 1 & 2, offering piano educators innovative and minimal prep games for at-home learning. Join us as we delve into Jess's inspiring journey, her creative teaching methods, and her insights on teacher burnout. But first, let's learn a bit more about her studio's name and her unique approach to music education!

Jess shared the name of her studio to the listeners with a backstory behind the name.
She shared a brief overview of her music studio.
Transitioning to group teaching to foster social connections among her students.
Jess encourages teachers in creating games using everyday objects found in their homes as it fosters resourcefulness and creativity.
She shared some examples of these games that are both engaging for both teachers and students.
The main factors contributing to teacher burnout.
Suggestions and ideas for other teachers to make additional income in their studio

Guest Links Mentioned

Today’s Freebie

Creativity Kickstarter

Today’s Guest

Jess Homewood is a private piano studio owner and resource curator. She’s the creative mind behind THE NO PRINTOUT PLAYBOOK Volumes 1 & 2, offering minimal prep piano games for at-home learning. Balancing studio ownership and motherhood, Jess inspires piano educators to regain time, family balance, and passion for their music careers. She has been featured on The Dynamic Piano Teaching Podcast and Musicnotes and has professional collaborations with Successful Group Lessons and The Cascade Method. Explore her resource library at Not Your Mother's Piano Studio and @notyourmotherspianostudio on Facebook and Instagram. TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial

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349: Selling Your Teaching Resources on Etsy with Abigail Proffitt

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 01:00:00 +1000

We're delving into the world of selling your teaching resources online. Our guest today, Abigail Proffitt, currently runs a thriving studio in North Texas, specializing in preschool and neurodivergent students, where she imparts classical piano skills using a play-based approach through the Whole Foundation Method. But she's not just about teaching, Abigail is passionate about equipping fellow educators. In this episode, she generously shares her journey, offering insights into her music studio's unique characteristics and her motivation to expand into selling products alongside her teaching. We'll explore the platforms she chose for this venture, the advantages and disadvantages she's encountered, and what makes her offerings stand out in a crowded market. Abigail also discusses her marketing strategies and provides valuable tips for teachers looking to embark on their own online selling journey. So whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration you won't want to miss!

Abigail shared insights into her music studio's current location, student demographics, age groups, and more.
What motivated her to expand into selling products and services alongside her piano teaching?
The main products that she sells and and what motivated her to select Etsy and Patreon as her platforms for selling.
The advantages and disadvantages of selling on platforms like Patreon or Etsy in comparison to Teachers Pay Teachers or maintaining your own website.
What sets her products and services apart from others on the market, considering the abundance of teachers selling their resources.
How she got started creating and selling.
Her approach to marketing and which channels have proven to be the most successful for her.
The hardest thing about making income from selling online.
The value of reviews for her online products and what strategies does she use to acquire them.
Abigail's approach to selecting content for her Instagram posts.
Her advice and tips to teachers interested in selling products and services online.
The most important trait for teachers transitioning into successful online entrepreneurs.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Abigail Proffitt is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music with a BMus in Piano Pedagogy and 8 years of teaching experience.She currently runs a studio in North Texas, specializing in preschool and neurodivergent students. Abigail teaches classical piano using a play-based approach through Whole Foundation Method, and loves equipping other teachers to do the same! Her favorite thing about teaching are problem-solving, building relationships with her students, and fostering their unique abilities at the instrument. TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial

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348: Tim’s Quickfire QnA

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today's show, we're shaking things up a bit and taking a break from our regular programming to answer a series of quickfire questions. We'll dive into a thrilling journey of self-discovery and I'm taking you all along for the ride. I'll be diving headfirst into a barrage of quickfire questions, each one revealing a little more about myself, from time-travel dreams to heartwarming acts of kindness, and a few laughs in between. And finally, discover my favorite childhood memory and a whole lot of surprises along the way. So listen in because we're about to get personal and maybe even a touch whimsical. Let's jump in!

Quickfire Questions

If you could live in any era, which would you choose and why?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
What is your favorite animal and why?
What is the funniest joke you know?
What is the best vacation you have ever taken?
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
What is the most meaningful thing you have ever done for someone else?
What is your favorite memory from your childhood?
If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

Links Mentioned

Musical Minds Resources Website - use 50INTRO upon checkout to get a $50 discount
McDonalds Still Advertises with Tim Topham
Practice Space App
Muzie.Live
Music Teacher Startup
Piano Teachers with Beginner and Intermediate Students Facebook Group

TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial

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Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

347: Building a 500-Student Dance and Instrumental Teaching Studio with Nick Tucker

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today’s episode, we’re delving into the world of dance and instrumental teaching studio of our remarkable guest, Nick Tucker. Nick is the founder of Spark Music and Dance, a thriving multi-location music and dance school in Minnesota. He is also the co-founder of the Studio Success System. Listen in as Nick takes us on a journey through the growth of his instrumental teaching studio, sharing insights into its current vibrant state and how it all began with humble beginnings. We’ll explore his personal experience as a drum teacher, his unique approach to hiring key team members, and gain valuable wisdom about when and how to expand your team. Stay tuned as Nick unveils his future plans for his company and imparts some invaluable quick tips he’s gathered along his inspiring journey, including the essential quest for discovering your “why.” You won’t want to miss this episode!

Nick shared about how his music school look today, highlighting its instruments, locations, numbers, and teachers.
He gave us a glimpse of how his own drum lessons were like.
The beginning of his music school journey, starting with teaching out of his own home and what unfolded from there.
The fascinating story of hiring his VP of Operations and Human Resources.
Valuable insights into hiring teachers and knowing when it’s the right time to grow your team.
His company’s hiring process and whether they have faced challenges in finding quality teachers, a common issue for many schools.
He shared some exciting future plans and developments for his company.
Some final quick tips, including the importance of finding your “why.”

Guest Links Mentioned

Today’s Freebie

Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns Handout

Today’s Guest

Nick Tucker is the owner and founder of Spark Music and Dance, a multi-location music and dance school located in Minnesota, which was established in 2016. He is also the co-founder of the Studio Success System, a lead nurturing and follow-up system designed for music and dance schools worldwide. Additionally, Nick collaborates with the Build a Music School team. He offers coaching to music schools and assisting them in making a positive impact on the lives of more children and studio owners across the globe. TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial

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346: Using Instagram and Facebook to Find Music Students with Lauren Kelly

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today’s fun and exciting episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Lauren Kelly, the renowned piano teacher behind Piano Lessons Vancouver. With students achieving remarkable success both locally and globally, Lauren’s teaching style strikes the perfect balance between seriousness and fun, boasting an incredible 100% student retention rate. But she’s not just an exceptional teacher, Lauren is also the founder of the Teach Me To Teach Society™, where she mentors piano educators worldwide. Join us as Lauren shares her insights into using Instagram and Facebook to discover new music students, along with her top strategies for social media success. Stay tuned for valuable insights and strategies from Lauren on mastering the art to find music students through social media. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting, you won’t want to miss this episode packed with valuable tips and advice.

Lauren provided some insight into her piano studio, including its location and her current number of students.
Some insights on her teaching approach and style.
The primary factors contributing to the growth of her Facebook and Instagram following.
Lauren’s primary objective with her social media efforts to enhance her teaching and to find music students.
Valuable tips to help you kickstart your journey on Instagram.
Her great strategies when posting on Instagram.
How Lauren effectively motivate her followers and increase engagement in her posts.
How she manages to schedule posting on social media in her busy day.
Top tips from Lauren on finding more students on social media.

Guest Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Lauren Kelly of Piano Lessons Vancouver is one of British Columbia’s most in-demand piano teacher. Her students, both locally and internationally, online, consistently win festivals and competitions and rank amongst the top 1% internationally in their RCM exams. Lauren has struck that perfect chord of “serious and fun,” which has her students returning at a 100% retention rate year after year. You will find Lauren’s students both giggling with glee and being invited to perform in Carnegie Hall. Not only an exemplar to her students, Lauren is also the founder of the Teach Me To Teach Society™, where she brings the experience of her MMus & BMus in Piano Performance and 31 years teaching to mentor teachers from around the world who are looking to turn their piano education livelihoods into Dream Careers. TopMusicPro Membership 14-Day Free Trial

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345: Could Offering Apprenticeships to Your Students Grow Your Music Studio? Chat with TMP Member Ella Luhtasaari

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In today’s show, we explore an innovative concept that could grow your music studio into a hub of both learning and mentorship. I’m excited to have the pleasure of chatting with TMP Member Ella Luhtasaari, an accomplished collaborative pianist and educator based in Canberra. With over 20 years of private teaching under her belt, Ella’s journey has led her to establish a thriving multi-teacher piano studio. But what sets her approach apart is her dedication to mentoring young piano teachers, nurturing both their skills and passion. Ella’s teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing a lifelong love for music and empowering her students to reach their full potential. Get ready to gain insights as we delve into her experience, including transitioning from a single-teacher setup to hiring teachers and the unexpected start to hiring student teachers. Ella also shared how she mentored her student teachers, how she developed teaching resources, and addressing the legal and financial aspects of it. Finally, Ella’s plans for studio growth and her emphasis on embracing growth and seizing opportunities make this episode a must-listen.

Ella shared a brief background, transitioning from a single teacher studio to hiring teachers.
The story behind her unexpected start to hiring student teachers.
How Ella mentored Matilda and provided her some teaching training.
Matilda’s progression from mentoring to teaching independently.
Overcoming challenges and evolving teaching strategies to grow your music studio.
The advantages of hiring mature and responsible teenage teachers.
How parents reacted to young teachers and their success stories.
Expanding to a male student teacher, Joel, for diversity.
Developing sequential learning checklists and shared teaching resources.
Addressing legal and financial aspects of hiring student teachers.
Her plans for more student teachers and potential studio growth.
Ella emphasized the importance of taking initiative and embracing growth.

Links Mentioned

How to Change to Monthly Billing for Piano Lessons

Today’s Freebie

Download Find Students Fast E-Book

Today’s Guest

Ella Luhtasaari is an experienced collaborative pianist and educator based in Canberra. After building 20-years of private teaching experience, Ella now runs a thriving multi-teacher piano studio where she not only teaches but also mentors young piano teachers. Ella’s teaching approach is centred around instilling a lifelong love of music of all styles in her students and empowering each individual to reach their full potential. In addition to private teaching, Ella contributes to the tertiary education sector as a vocal/language coach, collaborative pianist and external examiner for piano at the Australian National University. She also enjoys regular recital work in the broader community in collaboration with vocalists and chamber music ensembles.

Thank you for tuning in!

344: The Music Teachers’ Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Music Lessons (Workshop Replay)

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 01:00:00 +1000

In this final episode of the podcast takeover of the Piano Games Gurus, we're sharing with you the replay of our workshop, The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Music Lessons. In this workshop, we dive into the world of music education through gamification and delved into a variety of topics surrounding the fusion of games with musical teaching. With Tara and Georgina's extensive experience in creating and utilizing games for effective teaching, they understand the common challenges that many educators face. From organizing teaching resources to incorporating games seamlessly, they covered it all. Join us as we explore strategies for organizing your teaching arsenal, share insights into game modification for different age groups, provide valuable viewer Q&A, and wrap up with a strong reminder of the incredible versatility games bring to music education. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting, there's something for everyone in this episode. So, let's jump in!

Tara and Georgina address common frustrations with organizing and using teaching resources, particularly games in piano lessons.
They encourage viewers to share their struggles with using games during lessons.
Tara shares her organization method using file folders, filing cabinets and portable boxes.
Georgina shared some great tips on how to organize your games at your studio.
Tara shared about using spreadsheets to categorize her games, while Georgina uses Google Keep for digital organization.
Georgina demonstrates how to use magnetic boards, magnets, and interactive cards for playing physical games during online lessons.
Modifying game presentation to make games suitable and engaging for adult students.
Printer recommendations that is convenient and cost-effective.
They highlight that game usage depends on student needs, with games often used for younger beginners and as brain breaks during lessons.

Links Mentioned

Today's Freebie

12 Bar Blues Lesson Plan 1 & 2

Today’s Hosts

TARA WRIGHT

Tara Wright has nearly two decades of experience as a music educator and is the founder of Melodic Mentors where she creates resources and inspires other music educators by combining her expertise in running successful music schools with her background in web design, wedding planning, and ostrich farming. She is also the Community Manager of TopMusicPro.

GEORGINA WILSON

Georgina Wilson is a piano teacher who is a big believer in making music education fun and engaging for both the students and the teachers. She runs BusyLittleTurtle, a site dedicated to quirky and creative music resources that help make teachers’ teaching lives a little easier and give students another reason to love their music lessons! She is also the Social Media Manager of TopMusicPro.

Today’s Sponsor

Practice Space is an innovative music lesson platform, bringing fun and engagement to your students’ practice routine. The platform offers interactive features such as a leaderboard, long-term goals, and ‘practice gems’ which can be redeemed in a customized shop. Teachers enjoy the ease of assigning digital tasks and organizing multimedia files with a simple tagging feature. Also, students can share practice videos and receive timely feedback, making the learning process exciting and interactive. Practice Space — a game-changer for music education!

Thank you for tuning in!

343: In-The-Moment Teaching: Quick and Easy Games for Spontaneous Student Engagement

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the second series of the podcast takeover of the Piano Game Gurus, Tara Wright and Georgina Wilson. In today's show, our topic is "in-the-moment teaching" where spontaneity meets engagement in piano lessons. Join Tara and Georgina as they dive into a world of quick and easy piano games designed to captivate and inspire your students. Listen in as they share their favorite no-prep piano games, perfect for those spontaneous teaching moments. Plus, find out how rubber chickens can become your unexpected allies in creating an engaging learning environment. Get ready to infuse your lessons with spontaneity, fun, and effective learning techniques that will keep your students on their toes and spark their musical passion.

Links Mentioned

Today's Hosts

Tara Wright

Georgina Wilson

Today’s Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

342: Playful Learning: Why You Should Use Music Games During Music Lessons

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In this exciting episode, we delve into the world of music education through music games and playful learning. And in today's show, we're shaking things up a bit with a podcast takeover of the Piano Game Gurus themselves, Tara Wright and Georgina Wilson. They've taken over the reins of the podcast today to talk about a topic that's close to their hearts - the transformative power of music games during music lessons. Tune in as they discuss why incorporating games into your teaching approach can revolutionize the learning experience for students of all ages. From enhancing engagement and retention to fostering positive associations with music learning, Tara and Georgina share insights that will inspire you to infuse your lessons with the magic of play. So let's dive in as they explore the myriad benefits of music games. And finally, get a sneak peek into their upcoming workshop on TopMusicGames.

- Tara and Georgina highlight how games not only make lessons more engaging but also provide a dynamic way for students to learn and retain important concepts.

- Games are not restricted to young students and can offer an interactive and enjoyable approach to learning for all ages.

- Utilizing games to foster positive associations with learning music, leading to heightened motivation to the learning process.

- Insights on how games can reveal students' areas of struggle, prompting more focused teaching on those specific challenges.

- Using games to encourage students to problem-solve independently, enhancing their learning experience and boosting their confidence.

- The value of digital games in teaching, bridging the gap between technology and music education.

- How games provide opportunities for students to teach themselves, promoting self-guided learning outside of lessons.

- Using games to engage siblings in music lessons, fostering friendly competition and collaborative learning.

Links Mentioned

- Download The Ultimate Checklist to Gamifying Your Music Lessons

Today's Hosts

Tara Wright

Georgina Wilson

Today’s Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

341: Janna Williamson and Nicola Cantan on Integrated Music Teaching

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Welcome back to another exciting episode. I just got back in town after an exhilarating trip to the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Chicago and had a blast meeting many of the podcast listeners and some of our members, attending captivating workshops, and sharing conversations over coffee. In today's show, we continue the exploration of integrated music teaching. If you caught last week's episode, you've heard my presentation at NCKP, offering a quick demonstration of IMT's background. This time, we're joined by two amazing teachers, Janna Williamson, an intermediate teaching expert, and Nicola Cantan from Vibrant Music Teaching. Janna delves into teaching intermediate students with a focus on technique, repertoire, creative skills, and functional skills. Meanwhile, Nicola enlightens us on the importance of incorporating oral work into lessons for better musical development. Stay tuned and embrace the wisdom shared by these fantastic educators.

- Janna's focus is on teaching intermediate repertoire, emphasizing playing beautifully and expressively while addressing technical demands.

- Four essential areas of intermediate piano curriculum.

- How repertoire can be integrated with creative activities and functional skills, such as composing with chord progressions or using accompaniment patterns.

- Janna provides specific example using Chopin's Waltz in A Minor Op. Posth.

- Nicola discusses the importance of incorporating ear training in piano lessons to enhance students' musical listening skills.

- Encouraging teachers to allow students to use their own syllables or numbers if they are not comfortable with solfa.

- Providing a supportive environment for students who are nervous about singing.

- Experimenting with various ways of introducing new pieces and integrating ear training into their lessons.

- Nicola reminds teachers that even small steps towards singing during ear training can yield significant progress over time.

Links Mentioned

- Download your Integrated Music Teaching Info Sheet

Today's Guests

Nicola Cantan

Nicola Cantan is a piano teacher, author, blogger, and creator of imaginative and engaging teaching resources. She loves getting piano students learning through laughter, and exploring the diverse world of music making through improvisation, composition and games. Nicola’s Vibrant Music Teaching membership site is helping teachers all over the world to include more games and off-bench activities in their lessons.

Janna Williamson

Today’s Sponsor

Practice Space is an innovative music lesson platform, bringing fun and engagement to your students' practice routine. The platform offers interactive features such as a leaderboard, long-term goals, and 'practice gems' which can be redeemed in a customized shop. Teachers enjoy the ease of assigning digital tasks and organizing multimedia files with a simple tagging feature. Also, students can share practice videos and receive timely feedback, making the learning process exciting and interactive. Practice Space — a game-changer for music education!

Thank you for tuning in!

340: Remixing the Music Lesson – Live from NCKP 2023!

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we have a special treat for you. We're bringing you my 25-minute presentation from the NCKP 2023 Conference in Chicago. While we're not broadcasting live, I'm thrilled to share my speech, titled "Remixing the Music Lesson: How Integrated Music Teaching Can Connect with the TikTok Generation." The NCKP conference holds a special place in my heart. And I'm excited to take you through the condensed version of my keynote. In this presentation, we explore the concept of "remixing the music lesson" through the lens of integrated music teaching and how it can resonate with the TikTok-savvy generation of students. We delve into the limitations of traditional linear teaching methods. We highlight the power of creativity in bridging the gap between theory and practice. I also share the three-step integration model, emphasizing the importance of analyzing music, making connections within the repertoire and the student's life, and integrating creative activities to deepen understanding and meaning. By immersing students in novel learning experiences, I encourage teachers to inspire curiosity and autonomy, ultimately transforming the music learning process into a dynamic and meaningful journey for each student. Although I usually have slides accompanying my presentations, I believe this audio version will be equally impactful. So open your mind and let's dive into the world of remixing the music lesson. I hope you find at least one gem of wisdom to incorporate into your teaching.

Links Mentioned

- Download your Integrated Music Teaching Info Sheet

Thank you for tuning in!

339: Sneak Peak – My New Book!

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Welcome to this exciting sneak peek into my new and upcoming book, No Book Beginners. In this episode, I share the inspiration behind the book and how a transformative experience at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) led me on a path to revolutionize my teaching approach. As I dove into research and experimented with innovative techniques, I witnessed remarkable transformations in my students. Join me on this journey as I unveil the principles of No Book Beginners and explain how this approach nurtures musicality, aural skills, and creativity from the very beginning. Get ready to break free from the constraints of method books. Explore a fresh, engaging approach to piano teaching that will inspire both teachers and students alike. Now if you'd like to be part of our ambassadorial team or if you're interested in helping us promote this book, send us a message at support@topmusic.co with Book Ambassador Team in the subject line and we will get in touch with you.

Links Mentioned

- Download 20 Creative Ways To Start a Lesson

- TopMusic TikTok

- Related: No Book Beginners Course

Thank you for tuning in!

338: Dr Anita Collins on the Research Behind Integrated Music Teaching

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Welcome back to another episode of our podcast where we unpack the research behind integrated music teaching with our returning guest Dr Anita Collins. As I delved deeper into the power of integration in music learning, I realized the significance of backing this approach with solid research and evidence. That's why I turned to the incredible Dr Anita Collins, an esteemed educator, researcher, and writer renowned for her expertise in brain development and music learning. In this captivating conversation, Anita brings forth her wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the research that forms the foundation of Integrated Music Teaching and its profound implications for music educators. Together, we explore the intriguing dynamics of "just in case learning" versus "just in time learning," emphasizing the crucial role of emotion and meaning in education and uncovering strategies for enhancing memory retention. Additionally, we delve into the groundbreaking research of Stefan Koelsch and its direct relevance to integrated music teaching. Join us as we unlock the power of integrated music teaching and revolutionize our approach to music education.

- Anita shared a brief overview of her background.

- What is a linear or pigeonholed music lesson?

- The "just in case learning" vs. "just in time learning".

- The 3-step approach of the Integrated Music Teaching model and how it connects to "just in time learning".

- How emotion and meaning is vital in education.

- The Stefan Koelsch research and how it relates to integrated music teaching.

- Tim shared 2 quotes from Anita's research that relates to building connections and creating meaning for the student.

- Bigger Better Brains and what it's all about.

Links Mentioned

- Bigger Better Brains

- Integrated Music Teaching Model

- Related: TC184: Dr Anita Collins on the Neuroscience of Music Lessons and the Brain

Today's Guest

Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. She is internationally recognised for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student. Anita is best known for her role as on-screen expert and campaign lead for the Don’t Stop the Music documentary that aired on the ABC in late 2018, as well as prominent TED talks videos. She is currently an expert education advisor for professional orchestras, public, independent and catholic school authorities, Australian and international media production companies, research expert for university, advocacy and non-for-profit organisations. Anita is also the founding director of the Rewire Foundation.

Thank you for tuning in!

337: PRESTO vs IMT – Tim Unpacks How They Work Together

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In this highly informative and insightful episode, we unpack how the PRESTO Framework and the Integrated Music Teaching Framework work together. As I've received numerous inquiries from teachers and even my own team members, we address the question of how PRESTO aligns with the IMT framework. Our discussion encompasses the essence of integrated music teaching, distinguishing between "just in time" and "just in case" lessons. Furthermore, we uncover the 3-step process and 3 pillars that form the foundation of the IMT framework. Additionally, we unravel the intricacies of the PRESTO framework and its harmonious integration within IMT and its pillars. Finally, stay tuned for some exciting developments unfolding within TopMusic in the upcoming months.

- Different frameworks and roadmaps in TopMusic.

- What integrated music teaching means?

- "Just in time" vs "just in case" lessons.

- An example of an integrated music lesson: scales vs improv.

- The 3-step process of IMT framework.

- The 3 pillars of IMT framework.

- What is the PRESTO framework?

- Where does PRESTO fit with IMT and the pillars?

- Some exciting developments in TopMusic in the upcoming months.

Links Mentioned

- The PRESTO Framework

- Integrated Music Teaching

- The 3-Step Process for Integrated Music Teaching

- Episode 301: The 3 Pillars of Integrated Music Teaching

- Episode 302: 3 Steps to Teaching an Integrated Music Lesson

- TopMusic Courses
- Visit our PRESTO Resource Finder here – the shortcut to a thriving, well-rounded music studio.

Thank you for tuning in!

336: Veteran Val Explores the PRESTO Framework

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Val as she explores the transformative power of the PRESTO Framework. In this unique storytelling episode, we follow Val, an experienced piano teacher, as she embarks on a path of self-discovery and growth. Val realised and found herself feeling out of touch with her students and struggling to keep them engaged. And it's during a chance encounter with Bev, another veteran piano teacher, that her perspective takes a remarkable turn. Bev, who teaches modern music and embraces technology in her teaching, opens Val's eyes to the possibilities of engaging her students in fresh and exciting ways. Bev also introduces Val to the TopMusic PRESTO Framework, sharing how this powerful methodology has revolutionized her piano teaching studio. Join us as we unravel Val's journey of transformation and the incredible impact of the PRESTO Framework on her teaching approach and her students' musical journeys.

- Val's realisation of being out of touch with her piano students.

- Story of Val meeting Bev in a music shop.

- Embracing technology and adapting to teach in modern ways to engage your students.

- Bev shared a brief story to Val.

- The TopMusic PRESTO Framework.

Links Mentioned

- The PRESTO Framework
- Visit our PRESTO Resource Finder here – the shortcut to a thriving, well-rounded music studio.

Thank you for tuning in!

335: Newbie Nora Explores the PRESTO Framework

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In this special episode, we delve into the captivating journey of Newbie Nora as she explores the transformative power of the PRESTO Framework. Nora, a passionate piano teacher, took a leap of faith, leaving her job at a shoe store to pursue her dream of teaching piano full-time. However, she encountered discouraging comments from those around her, making her question her decision and feel like an imposter. But everything changed when Nora discovered the PRESTO Framework. We'll dive into Nora's frustrating interactions with others and her realization of the changes she needed to make. Join us as we uncover how Nora stumbled upon Tim and the PRESTO Framework, and witness the incredible impact it had on her journey as a piano teacher.

Hear about Nora's infuriating interactions with other people.
Nora reflects on the decision to leave her job and pursue a career as a full-time piano teacher.
Nora recognized several aspects that required change in her life.
How Nora stumbled upon Tim Topham and his community.
How the PRESTO Framework helped Nora in her piano teaching.

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

334: The New Platform for Listing Your Music Teaching Studio with Forte Lessons

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we have a special interview with the people behind Forte Lessons. Joining us today is Hunter McGranahan, who aims to empower more people to embrace their musical potential, and Mark Murtagh, a seasoned advisor to renowned music institutions. Together, they delve into the world of Forte Lessons, unveiling its innovative features and advantages. Discover how music teachers can effortlessly join Forte, establishing their virtual studio and public profile for online teaching success. Gain insights into the distinctive qualities that set Forte apart from other video conferencing platforms. We also explore the process of building a Forte studio, including fees, billing, and scheduling systems. And stay tuned for a sneak peek into upcoming releases on Forte's development roadmap.

- Mark introduces Forte, showcasing its innovative features and benefits.

- Discover how music teachers can seamlessly join Forte, establishing their own virtual studio and public profile for online teaching success.

- The key differences between Forte and all the other competitor video conferencing platforms out there.

- Mark provided insights into the current state of online music teaching in 2023.

- Exploring the process of building a Forte studio, including fees, billing, scheduling system.

- Hunter provided insights on the impact of AI on teaching and whether it is an area of exploration for Forte.

- Some of the upcoming releases in the development roadmap for Forte.

- The pricing details of Forte Lessons.

Links Mentioned

- Forte Website

- Related: Elevate Your Online Music Lessons with Forte

Today’s Guests

Hunter McGranahan

Hunter McGranahan started Forte with the dream of empowering more people to become musical. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Film. Hunter then accepted a position in the Motion Picture department at Creative Artists Agency, where he helped build their Virtual Reality initiative before ultimately leaving to work for tech startup Magic Leap.

Mark Murtagh

Mark Murtagh is a longtime advisor to some of the world's top music institutions, including the Royal College of Music, Julliard, Berklee, and The Grammys. He has led the development of music education programs that have reached over 200,000 students across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He has worked with the world's top educational and cultural institutions, developing and executing strategies to leverage their brand equity and intellectual property.

Thank you for tuning in!

333: TopMusic Certification Update

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Welcome to a very special episode of our podcast. In this episode, we are excited to introduce our highly-anticipated and brand new 12-week cohort-based TopMusic Certification Program. Join us as we delve and explore the unique benefits and opportunities it offers. Discover the driving force behind the development of this certification program and learn more about the individuals who will be leading and running the program. We'll also explore what sets our certification apart from other certification programs, highlighting its distinctive features and approach. Get ready for an insightful episode that showcases the value and significance of TopMusic Certification in the music education industry.

- Introducing our 12-week cohort-based certification program.

- Why is the certification only available for TopMusicPro members?

- What does our certification offer?

- Why we developed the TopMusic Certification.

- Who will run the certification program?

- What makes TopMusic Certification different from other certification programs.

- The PRESTO Framework.

Links Mentioned

- IMT 304: Building the Certificate of Integrated Music Teaching with Kimberly Swanson

- Related: TopMusic Teacher Certification Blog

- Related: 332: Introducing the PRESTO Framework

Thank you for tuning in!

332: Introducing the PRESTO Framework

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we are excited to introduce you to the PRESTO Framework, a powerful tool designed to guide you towards studio management success. We delve into the challenges that TopMusic has consistently faced in accommodating teachers with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and goals. Get ready for valuable insights and actionable steps tailored for independent studio teachers, equipping you to thrive in running a teaching studio in 2023 and beyond. We also explore the specific challenges that the framework addresses, offering effective solutions. Join us on this journey as we uncover the invaluable benefits and delve into the six pillars of the PRESTO Framework.

The challenges TopMusic has consistently faced of accommodating teachers with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and goals.
Introduction to the PRESTO Framework, guiding you towards a studio management success.
Insights and actions for independent studio teachers to achieve success in running a teaching studio in 2023 and beyond.
Some of the challenges that the framework will help with.
Discover the invaluable benefits of the PRESTO Framework.
The 6 pillars of PRESTO Framework.
The two learning objectives of TopMusic Teacher Certification.

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

331: 3 Things I’d Like to Change Right Now (3-Way Podcast Swap)

Fri, 26 May 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Welcome to a special three-way podcast swap episode. In today's show, we're featuring Christina Whitlock of Beyond Measure Podcast. We embark on a unique journey where each of us shares our three things we'd like to change right now. We kick off the conversation with Christina giving us a glimpse into her captivating podcast, Beyond Measure. As we delve deeper, Christina opens up about three things she would like to change in her life right now.

First on her list is to change and challenge the common notion that more students automatically equate to success. She emphasized the importance of balance and the value of teacher connections. Secondly, she discusses the desire for in-home childcare for her older children while she teaches, acknowledging the need for support in managing her responsibilities. Lastly, Christina shares her journey towards finding contentment in a job well-done, rather than relying solely on external validation. She reminds us that when parents and studio families pay for her services and people consume her content, it's a testament to the value she brings. Join us as we explore these insightful topics and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

Links Mentioned

- Beyond Measure Podcast

- Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast

Today’s Guest

Christina Whitlock, M.M., N.C.T.M., operates a lively independent studio from her home where she offers both private and group instruction. She discovered her love for piano teaching at the age of 14 and enjoyed a full studio roster ever since. Christina is passionate about the life-changing power of music study. She loves to share that enthusiasm with studio music teachers of all instruments and voice types. She hosts a weekly podcast titled, Beyond Measure, where she fancies herself everyone’s Anytime Piano Teacher Friend. Christina thrives off the variety our profession has to offer, and keeps busy with a variety of teaching, speaking, writing, and collaborative opportunities.

Today’s Sponsor

At Forte, we believe the only thing standing in the way of someone’s musical aspiration is access to the right teacher. That’s why we’re building the world’s most trusted platform for online music education: To ensure that anyone, anywhere, who aspires to any level of musicianship – or to make a living from teaching it – has the right tools and support to make that dream a reality. Forte offers you every tool you need to start or scale your online lesson studio. Additionally, you can find more of the type of students you enjoy teaching and connect with them on our audio-prioritized video platform built specifically for music lessons.

Thank you for tuning in!

330: Playing by Ear From Lesson One with Joseph Hoffman

Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In this exciting episode of our podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with Joseph Hoffman, founder of Hoffman Academy and the mastermind behind the groundbreaking Hoffman Method for Piano. With his online piano lessons captivating over 200,000 students across 115 countries, Joseph has revolutionized piano education worldwide. We delve into what sets his piano method apart from the rest, exploring the insightful concept of 'sound before symbol' and its profound impact on music education. Join us as we uncover the unique approach of the Hoffman Method and dive into Joseph's inspiring journey from teacher to method creator and online academy owner. We also shed light on the often overlooked skill of playing by ear in traditional lessons. And finally, Joseph shares his ideas and practical tips for introducing this invaluable art to his students. Get ready to discover proven strategies for incorporating playing by ear as a regular and integral part of music lessons. This is an episode you wouldn't want to miss!

In this episode, you'll learn:

- Joseph shares what distinguishes his piano method from others.

- Why 'sound before symbol' is the better approach in music education.

- Discover the unique approach of the Hoffman Method.

- Joseph's inspiring journey from a teacher to method creator and online academy owner.

- The valuable skill of playing by ear and why it has been overlooked in traditional lessons.

- Ideas and practical tips on introducing the art of playing by ear to your students.

- Insights on helping teachers who lack a singing background and haven't introduced singing to their students from the start.

- How to address students who express a desire to play songs without available sheet music.

- Proven strategies for incorporating playing by ear as a regular and integral part of music lessons.

Links Mentioned

- Hoffman Academy Website

- Hoffman Academy YouTube Channel

- Related: How Teaching My Piano Students To Play By Ear Changed My Life

Today’s Guest

Joseph Hoffman (M.M.), founder of Hoffman Academy and creator of the groundbreaking Hoffman Method for Piano, started playing piano at six years old. Joseph is a YouTube personality, Kodaly-certified music educator, and also a former faculty member at BYU's School of Music. He has dedicated his life to teaching music in a fun and engaging way. His online piano lessons have reached over 200,000 students across 115 countries, transforming the way piano education is accessed worldwide. From his studio in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his two teenage sons, Joseph continues to inspire budding musicians and break down barriers in music education.

Today’s Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

329: How to Encourage Students to Accompany Themselves While Singing with John Henny

Fri, 12 May 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In today's podcast episode, join us as we chat with John Henny, a renowned vocal coach with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Learn about his techniques in maintaining vocal health, improving sound quality, and extending a singer's range without limitation. Discover the difference between vocal teaching and vocal coaching and why playing by ear is crucial for instrumental musicians. Learn how playing by ear and singing go hand-in-hand to improve your musical skills. John also shares some effective tips and tricks for teachers to get kids singing and the benefits of encouraging your students to sing and accompany themselves. Don't miss out on this valuable conversation!

- Get a glimpse of John's daily routine and his professional background in a quick overview.

- The difference between vocal teaching and vocal coaching.

- Is playing by ear an important skill for instrumental musicians?

- Discover the connection between playing by ear and singing and how it can help you become a better musician.

- Effective steps to help students hear the bass movement when playing by ear.

- Some tips and tricks for teachers on ways to get kids singing and improve their vocal skills.

- Learn some effective steps to accompany yourself on guitar or piano with ease.

- The benefits of encouraging your students to sing and accompany themselves.

Guest Links Mentioned

- John Henny Website

- John Henny Facebook Page

- The Intelligent Vocalist Podcast

- John Henny Instagram Page

- John Henny YouTube Page

Links Mentioned

- Related: TC246: Why ALL students need to sing with Nikki Loney from The Full Voice Podcast

Today’s Guest

John Henny is a leading vocal coach in the music industry, with over 25 years of experience, renowned for his teaching skills. His techniques are designed to maintain vocal health, improve overall sound quality, eliminate voice cracks, and extend the singer’s range, allowing them to express themselves without limitation. John Henny is not only an accomplished vocal coach but also a respected lecturer who has spoken at renowned colleges and institutes like USC, Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of the Arts, and The Academy of Contemporary Music in England. He is also a Master Teacher for vocal coaches worldwide, conducting annual teaching engagements in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today’s Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

328: 9 Reasons to Teach Lead Sheets in Piano Lessons

Fri, 05 May 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Join me in today's podcast episode as I share my passionate thoughts on the importance of teaching lead sheet playing to our piano students. I'm excited to feature a fantastic clip from one of our TopMusicPro courses with Forrest Kinney. Discover how teaching lead sheets can make your students more versatile pianists and help them understand music better.

The importance of lead sheets for music teachers and why I'm passionate about it.
How I became an "all-rounder" musician and learn what it takes to become one yourself.
What are piano lead sheets vs chord charts?
How to create a lead sheet.
How you can get started teaching lead sheets.
Creative styling ideas for teaching lead sheets to beginners.

Links Mentioned

9 Reasons Why Playing Lead Sheets is Essential for Students

Barbie Girl meets Bach – comparing old and new chord progressions

How to Support YouTubers in Your Piano Teaching

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

327: How to Teach Chord Charts and Lead Sheets with Susan Deas (Replay)

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

326: How to Play and Teach Lead Sheets with Confidence

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Get ready to dive into the exciting world of chords, creativity, and lead sheets as we share with you a replay of a dynamic live webinar that I ran with the incredible Forrest Kinney back in 2018. Discover the significance of lead sheet playing and how to teach it to your students with practical tips, empowering them to play by ear and even master entire pieces of music. Whether you aspire to help your students become well-rounded musicians and develop a lifelong passion for music, this episode is not to be missed.

- Learn about the meaning and the functionality of lead sheets.

- Forrest's effective method of teaching chords quickly using visual and kinesthetic cues (and a black sheep).

- Chord styling and left-hand ideas that can be applied a variety of genres.

- Learn how to create rich-sounding accompaniments using the B.A.P. method.

- A simple technique to add 7ths to any chord in one step.

- Practical and easy-to-understand jazz voicings that you can incorporate into your teaching.

- How to make your playing go "B.A.M." and learn how to apply this concept to benefit your students.

Links Mentioned

- Forrest Kinney Website

- Related: Lead Sheets: Why You Should Teach Them To Your Piano Students

Today’s Guest

Thank you for tuning in!

325: How to Structure 15/30/30 Group Lessons with Lynnette Barney

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Our guest today, Lynnette Barney, is the owner of Creative Keys Studio and has been a music educator for over 20 years. She joins us to share some insights into her teaching style, with overlapping group lessons and how it works in her studio. She talked about how she approached the idea of teaching group lessons to her students, what motivated her to do it, and what value it brings for both the teacher and students. And finally, Lynette shared some great tips and resources to other teachers who want to explore group lessons and build community in their music studio.

- Lynnette shared a brief overview of her background and her studio at the moment.

- Overlapping group lessons and private lessons and how it works in her studio.

- The value of having lesson plans for your students.

- Lynnette's thoughts on group teaching and what motivated her to teach this way in her studio.

- The magic of music when you make music with someone else.

- Having a high retention rate because of studio community.

- The benefits of group lessons for the teacher and the students.

- Lynette shared some cool resources and ideas for other teachers.

- Her top 3 tips for teachers who wants to explore and add group lessons in their studio.

“The magic of music happens when you make music with someone else.”

-- Lynnette Barney

Links Mentioned

- Creative Keys Website

- IMT Episode 35: Teaching outside the box with Lynnette Barney

Today’s Guest

Lynnette Barney has been a music educator in Tucson for over 20 years at her private piano studio, Creative Keys. She is a member of MTNA, ASMTA, and Tucson Music Teachers Association and has studied with Dr. Rex Woods, Dr. Jeffrey Shumway, and David Glen Hatch. Lynnette began performing with her sisters as a child and has always found her greatest joy in collaborative music. In addition to teaching musicians young and older, she especially enjoys performing duets and accompanying choirs, soloists, and ballet. Because of Lynnette’s love for collaborative music, students in Lynnette’s studio have weekly group lessons as well as private lessons. Each week they participate in a fun and interactive environment as they prepare keyboard ensemble music, improvise, develop rhythm skills, and learn theory concepts.

Thank you for tuning in!

324: A Brand New Early Years Music Teaching Program that ROCKS!

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Today's podcast episode is a great opportunity to hear more about Steven Armstrong and Brock Stannard-Brown from the Advantage Music Academy and their music teaching program. We started with a brief overview of the how their music academy started, the music teaching programs that they offer and what sets it apart from other programs. Steve and Brock discussed in depth two of their well-known programs, the Early Starters and the Head Start Piano. They also talk about the benefits of music education early in life, how they help kids develop a love of music, and what to look out for when considering joining their program in the future. And finally, Brock shared some tips for working with pre-school age students in order to get the most out of the learning process.

Steve shared a brief overview of the Advantage Music Academy.
Some of the music teaching programs that their offer in their music academy.
How their music teaching program differs from other programs.
The key learning outcomes they want to achieve with these programs.
The Early Starters program for kids ages 2 to 4.
The Head Start Piano program for kids ages 4 to 7.
Advantages for younger students when they start learning music early in life.
Releasing Head Start Piano program for other teachers.
Brock shared some tips for working with pre-school age students to get the most out of learning.
What kinds of teachers will the Head Start Piano program suit?

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Steven Armstrong

Steven Armstrong is a multi-award-winning former lecturer of musicology with degrees in performance and educational leadership and over 20 years of piano teaching experience. He abandoned academia in 2018 to start Advantage Music Academy, which has become a profitable and well-loved brick-and-mortar music school in Perth, Western Australia. Steven leads a team of 11 teachers who see over 300 students weekly. The Academy’s success has led to an official industry partnership with the tertiary sector.

Brock Stannard-Brown

Brock Stannard-Brown is an experienced teacher in one-to-one and group contexts with degrees in composition and teaching. He is a full-time piano and early years’ teacher at Advantage Music Academy. He is in high-demand as a piano teacher and has expanded the early years’ programs at the Academy with incredible success, growing one program by over 300% in less than one year after assuming the role of the Academy’s Early Years’ Coordinator.

Thank you for tuning in!

323: A Done-For-You Group Teaching Curriculum with Paul Myatt and Gillian Erskine

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +1000

Have you been thinking about transitioning to group teaching from one-on-one lessons? We think you should. In this podcast, Paul Myatt and Gillian Erskine of Piano Teaching Success shares a done-for-you group teaching curriculum that will help music teachers get started in group teaching and how they can use it in their own studio. They give us some great insights on what the benefits and disadvantages are of group teaching, both from the students' and the teachers' perspective. If you're ready to transition to group teaching and take your music studio to the next level, this episode is for you.

- Gillian shared a quick rundown of all the different ways that they support music education.

- Paul shared the story on how he and Gillian started working together.

- Why group teaching has become more popular again recently?

- The pros and cons of group teaching on the students' side.

- The pros and cons of group teaching from the teachers' side.

- Preparing for the transition to group teaching.

- Paul shared the big questions that they always get regarding group teaching.

- Multi-age group lessons vs. single-level group lessons.

- Paul and Gillian tells us about their group teaching curriculum.

- What can teachers expect from their group teaching curriculum?

- Whole body learning and how it relates to group teaching.

- Paul shared a couple of quick ideas or activities that you can give your students in learning chords and harmony.

- One final advice about group teaching from Paul and Gillian.

Guest Links Mentioned

- Piano Teaching Success Group Teaching Curriculum

- Forte School of Music Website

- Related: Episode033 - How Group Lessons Can Transform Your Studio with Paul Myatt & Gillian Erskine

Today’s Guest

Paul Myatt

Gillian Erskine

Gillian Erskine lives with her family in sub-tropical Brisbane. Inspired as a young teacher to find a better way to teach music than her early musical upbringing, Gillian co-founded Forte School of Music and Piano Teaching Success. She has co-authored best selling easiLEARN Theory Books aimed at making theory fun. She is also a pedagogical composer for piano, specialising in Beginner to intermediate level pieces. Gillian and her team work passionately to help piano teachers around the world engage, motivate and accelerate success through whole body learning and making music fun!

Thank you for tuning in!

322: The Two Biggest Problems With Group Lessons and How to Solve Them with Greg Genter and Daniel Patterson

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +1000

In today's episode with Daniel Patterson and Greg Genter, two leading experts in group lessons in the music industry, we talk about their approach to group lessons and how they've used their years of experience as musicians to help them grow their businesses. Greg and Daniel started working together after both had significant experience teaching and running their music studios, and their unique perspectives blend beautifully. They cover everything from group lessons, having systems in place for business management, to keeping your studio fresh, fun and profitable. Find out how Greg's group piano method, The Piano Express, solves the two biggest problems with group teaching and how it differs from other group lesson programs. And finally, we've got some great tips on taking care of yourself in order to keep stress levels down while growing your studio.

- Daniel shared his thoughts on the general market for music lessons right now.

- Brief background on how Greg and Daniel started working together.

- The value of building a system for your studio so you can focus on the things that spark joy.

- Why group teaching is having a surge in popularity right now.

- Helping your piano parents understand the benefits of group lessons vs one-on-one lessons.

- Greg tells us about his group piano method, The Piano Express, and how it differs from other group lesson programs.

- The revolving door concept and how this relates to group teaching.

- The value of playing together and teaching technique.

- Top three changes that will have an impact on your studio in 2023.

- One final piece of wisdom from Greg about taking care of yourself and managing stress.

Guest Links Mentioned

- Grow Your Music Studio links

- The Piano Express

- 7-Figure Music School Podcast

Links Mentioned

- Episode 90: How to Grow Your Studio Like a Pro with Daniel Patterson

- Episode 210: Daniel Patterson on Why Studio Marketing Matters at Any Stage

Today’s Guest

Daniel Patterson

Meet Daniel Patterson, the founder of GrowYourMusicStudio.com. He began teaching piano in 2004. After a decade of teaching, he began to help other music studios and schools solve common problems that plague our industry. He has helped hundreds of music schools and private studios with increasing their student count and revenue. Additionally, he has helped hundreds of studios convert to a multi-level group lesson model.

Gregory Genter

Gregory Genter is the founder and owner of The Piano Express Studio in Ashburn, Virginia. Greg's students have earned multiple NVMTA awards as well as RCM State Certificates of Excellence and a National Gold Medal. In 2020, the RCM selected Greg as the teacher of distinction for the South Eastern region of the USA. He lives in Northern Virginia, where he is sought after as a teacher, lecturer, accompanist and performer. He is the founder of the Piano Express group method and a co-founder of GroupLessons.com.

Thank you for tuning in!

321: Supercharge Your Grade 1 Piano Students (Live Workshop)

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

320: Performance Anxiety: Helping Students Cope with the Bulletproof Musician (Replay)

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +1000

Most piano teachers encourage their students to perform as regularly as possible, but how many of us give our students strategies for coping with performance anxiety? In this replay episode with Dr Noa Kageyama aka the Bulletproof Musician, find out why teaching performing skills should be a part of your piano teaching. We’ve all seen students who were perfectly prepared for a recital or exam who simply crumble on the performance day. It wasn’t a lack of ability or drive, but simply because performance anxiety got to them. Get some tips and advise on how you can help your students to focus during their performance and how to practice to be able to perform at their best.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why teaching performing skills should be a part of your piano teaching.

- Visualisation exercises you can do even with your youngest students.

- How to turn off self-criticism when performing.

- How you can help your students to focus during their performance.

- What diaphragmatic breathing is and why you should be teaching it.

- How to practice the lead up to a performance.

Links Mentioned

- Noa Kageyama's Website

- Make it Stick the Science of Successful Learning

Today’s Guest

Noa Kageyama is a performance psychologist and Julliard faculty member and is the performance psychology coach for the New World Symphony. Kageyama has degrees from Oberlin (BA, psychology), Juilliard (MM, violin performance) and Indiana University (MS/PhD, psychology). Kageyama specializes in teaching performing artists how to utilize sports psychology principles to more consistently demonstrate their full abilities under pressure.

Thank you for tuning in!

319: How to Track Student Progression Without Piano Exams with Serena Mak

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +1000

Today's podcast episode focuses on Serena Mak's TEDx Talk, “Exposing Music Exams and the Distinction Delusion." Serena is a passionate piano teacher for 18 years, managing her own private studio and volunteering regularly at her local church as a pianist and vocalist. She shares with us the catalyst that changed her mindset about piano exams and how this affected and changed her teaching in her studio. In 2022, she took to the TEDx stage and unravelled the problem of traditional, assessment-focused learning. And finally, Serena shared the story on how she came to do a TEDx talk gig.

- Serena shared a brief overview of her background and her studio.

- The catalyst that changed her mindset about piano exams.

- Is the rushed and linear approach of the “exam express” a limiting factor to creative teaching?

- Serena explains the quote that she got from an ABRSM examiner on why exams is like taking a body temperature test.

- An overview of Serena's Ted Talk called “Exposing Music Exams and the Distinction Delusion."

- What’s the best way of recording musical progress technology-wise?

- The effects and the changes on her teaching when she changed her mindset about piano exams.

- Serena shared the story on how she came to do a TEDx gig.

https://youtu.be/ZuX89b-XAJc

Links Mentioned

- Serena Mak Website

- Serena Mak Instagram Page

- Serena Mak Facebook Page

- Download your IMT Info Sheet

Today’s Guest

Serena Mak has been sharing her love for life and music with her piano students for over 18 years. Aside from managing her own private studio, she volunteers regularly at her local church as a pianist and vocalist. She has also trained other teachers in piano schools all over Brisbane, Australia. Serena pushed through exam after exam while growing up and attained her diploma in piano performance at the tender age of 13. In 2022, she took to the TEDx stage and unravelled the problem of traditional, assessment-focused learning. She is passionate about sharing ideas on how we can nurture the next generation of musicians amid the changing scape of music education.

Thank you for tuning in!

318: Innovative Scale Practice Ideas for Piano Teachers with Nicola Cantan

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +1000

As musicians, understanding scales is an important part of our study, but it can also be a struggle for some students. In today's episode, our guest Nicola Cantan from Vibrant Music Teaching answers a lot of questions and concerns when teaching scales, starting by looking at the value of learning scales, how improvising can change how our students look at scales, and learning about fingering and the relationships between different patterns. Nicola also shared some helpful tips on how to start learning scales as well as creative and innovative scale practice ideas.

- Where should we start when teaching scales?

- Understanding the value of learning scales.

- How improvising has changed how students look at scales.

- When do you start learning scales?

- Tips on how to introduce scale fingering and in what order.

- Aligning scales with the music that our students are playing.

- What can we do if a student is struggling with a particular scale?

- Innovative scale practice ideas for beginners.

Links Mentioned

- Vibrant Music Teaching

- Colourful Keys

- Review the Integrated Music Teaching Podcast

Today’s Guest

Thank you for tuning in!

317: Top 5 Tips for Sight Reading Success with Rebecca Stewart

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, sight reading specialist Rebecca Stewart joins Tim and shared with us her top five tips for sight reading (with really cool names). Rebecca has authored and published Sight Reading Secrets, which has now nine books in the series. She also founded Imagination Regeneration to give rural students meaningful learning opportunities at no cost to their families. This episode explores the importance of sight reading and why we should still intentionally teach and practise it. And Rebecca talks about how to teach sight-reading in a way that makes it fun, but also interesting and engaging for everyone involved!

- Rebecca shared a brief overview of her studio in New South Wales.

- How she founded Imagination Regeneration program for rural students and what it's all about.

- The importance of sight reading and why we should still intentionally teach and practise it.

- Rebecca's 5 tips to sight reading success:
  - - TIP 1: Using language learning technique approach to teach sight reading.
  - - TIP 2: Tangible ways that parents can follow up what teachers require for sight reading practise.
  - - TIP 3: Having a systematic sight reading curriculum using the idea of growth mindset and extrinsic motivation to boost students' confidence.
  - - TIP 4: Having a repertoire-rich teaching approach and learning pieces during a year, not just for exam pieces, positively affects your sight reading ability.
  - - TIP 5: How integrated creative/chord playing, improvising, composing and playing duets improves sight reading.

- A quote from Dr. Martha Baker-Jordan from her book, Practical Piano Pedagogy.

- Rebecca's sight reading workshop inside TopMusicPro Academy.

Links Mentioned

- Rebecca Stewart Website

- Rebecca Stewart Instagram

- TopMusicCo TikTok

- TopMusicCo Instagram

Member Links Mentioned

- Sight Reading with Rebecca Stewart

- Related: A Piano Teacher’s Guide To Teaching Sight Reading

Today’s Guest

Rebecca grew up listening to her three older sisters practice their musical instruments. She delighted in her childhood music lessons and wanted to teach young children in a fun and creative way. Her piano teacher at Melbourne University recommended the Yamaha method, and Rebecca taught with Yamaha Music Education Centres from 1998 to 2018. She loved being a national teacher trainer with Yamaha. She also enjoyed opportunities to travel to Toronto and Tokyo for Yamaha teacher development events. Rebecca is also a qualified practicing Yamaha grade examiner. In 2016, Rebecca went to Jakarta where her eight-year-old Yamaha student performed his original composition at the Asia Pacific Junior Original Concert. Her first book "Sight Reading Secrets Grade One" was published in 2004, and there are now nine books in the series. Following the 2020 bushfires and the COVID pandemic, Rebecca founded Imagination Regeneration to give rural students meaningful learning opportunities at no cost to their families. These experiences of musical improvisation, composition and performance, as well as creating original musical works, helped students express themselves following a period of trauma and being isolated.

Thank you for tuning in!

316: Blitzing Sight Reading and Aural Tests with Samantha Coates

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +1000

In today's replay episode, internationally regarded piano pedagogue and presenter Samantha Coates joins Tim to blitz through sight reading and aural tests. Sam is the creator and publisher of BlitzBooks, the music education series that has brought laughter and creativity to music theory, sight-reading, and piano repertoire. Learn how to improve your aural skills and sight reading using an integrated approach. You’ll also learn why certain elements of music are important, how to develop your ear training and finally, why and how to use it in piano teaching. Now whether or not you have students preparing for exams, I think you’ll really enjoy today’s discussion on these crucial musical skills.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why isn’t there more focus on aural skills and sight reading.

- Why you should be making sight-reading a priority.

- The most important element of teaching sight reading.

- What makes someone a good sight-reader.

- Why knowing note names isn’t that relevant.

- A funny anecdote from one of Sam’s presentations.

- How to use an integrated approach to aural skills.

- Why single-note flashcards are a waste of time.

- Why rhythm and feel is more important than notes.

- Fun rhythm activities that actually work.

- What are aural tests really testing?

- Why singing in music lessons for all instruments is VITAL and how to get it happening.

- Why you can’t rush these aspects of music

Guest Links Mentioned

- BlitzBooks

- BlitzBooks Rote Repertoire

Links Mentioned

- CPTP160: Balancing rote repertoire and sight reading with Samantha Coates

- TTTV009: Paul Harris on Simultaneous Learning

- TTTV004: Holistic Sight Reading: How technology is revolutionising teaching with Colin Thomson

Today’s Guest

Samantha Coates is an internationally regarded piano pedagogue and presenter. She is the creator and publisher of BlitzBooks, the music education series that has brought laughter and creativity to music theory, sight-reading, and piano repertoire. Samantha’s sense of humour and ability to connect with students through her books and online resources reflect her ongoing dedication to making all areas of music accessible, enjoyable and memorable. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Music degree (Sydney Conservatorium) as well as several performance diplomas. She is well known for her entertaining presenting style, and is regularly invited to speak at conferences around the world on a wide range of pedagogical topics. Samantha has never lost touch with what students want; she has been running her piano studio in Sydney for over three decades and is passionate about helping students to work towards the goal of a lifetime association and love of music.

315: Replay – Is Classical Music Dying? A Chat with Benjamin Zander

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +1000

In this replay episode of the Integrated Music Teaching Podcast, world-renowned conductor Benjamin Zander of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra joins Tim to discuss the direction of classical music and the influence of this in the music teaching industry. He shares about speaking at Ted Talks, with anecdotes of Boston Philharmonic Symphony musicians and students of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He also shared some insights about our responsibility and our job as music teachers and how music teachers are part of the healing profession.

- The responsibility of music teachers.

- Being part of the “healing profession.”

- Our job as teachers.

- The impact of Beethoven and emotion in classical music.

- The significance of the upcoming Boston Philharmonic Symphony repertoire.

- What to say when you make a mistake.

- The responsibility of the conductor.

- Breaking down the formality of classical music.

- The depth of classical music when we turn off autopilot.

- Benjamin shared about Boston Philharmonic during COVID.

- Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra students.

- His thoughts on transitioning from performing to conducting.

- Helping students remove extra impulses.

- Who we are being in the world.

- How the “A method” might work in instrumental studio lessons.

- Last piece of wisdom from Benjamin Zander.

Links Mentioned

- Benjamin Zander Website

- Benjamin Zander Ted Talk

- The Art of Possibility Book

- Related: Fun Classical Piano Arrangements

Today’s Guest

Benjamin Zander founded the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra in 1978 and has appeared as guest conductor with orchestras around the world. In 2012, Zander founded the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He also served as a longstanding faculty member at New England Conservatory. Conductor Zander is known internationally as a master teacher and speaker on leadership, featured at the Davos World Economic Forum, to the Ted Talk stage, and in documentaries on PBS. He uses music to help people open their minds and create joyful harmonies that bring out the best in themselves and their colleagues.

Thank you for tuning in!

314: Replay – Research-Backed Insights on Piano Student Retention with Karen Gerelus

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +1000

In today's replay episode, we're having a chat with Karen Gerelus about her research on piano student retention. We discussed the key factors on why students are quitting and some techniques to keep them engaged. We also talked about what motivates kids externally at the start and how the intrinsic motivation will take over. Karen also shared why teachers are often quite resistant to offering autonomy in their lessons and how giving students show-off pieces boosts their confidence levels and help retain their interest in playing.

In this episode, you’ll learn how extrinsic and intrinsic motivation affects piano student retention:

- A short introduction on Karen and her studio.

- Karen talks about her research work called Parting Ways with Piano Lessons – comparing motivation between continuing and dropout piano students.

- Focusing on piano student retention in her research.

- Key factors for students quitting.

- The impact of parents being in the music lesson.

- Self-Determination Theory

- Motivating kids externally at the start is okay. Hopefully, the intrinsic will take over.

- Karen shares her own story on quitting and coming back to piano.

- Karen explains the quote “There is no relationship between practice time and motivation.”

- Thoughts for teachers about practicing and having a tough-love stance, a hard stance on, or being relaxed about it.

- Karen talks about what she found out about students dropping out because of the lack of popular repertoire.

- The reason why teachers are often quite resistant to offering autonomy in musical choice in their lessons.

- Giving students show-off pieces to boost their confidence and retain their interest.

- Recommendations for bridging the gap between external motivation and internal self-motivation in students.

- Karen talks about the most basic point of her research.

Guest Links

- Karen Gerelus Website

- Karen Gerelus Instagram

- Karen's research paper: Parting Ways with Piano Lessons: Products, Invoked Reasons, and Motivation Related to Piano Student Dropouts

- Research paper on Predictors of Student Dropouts

Links Mentioned

- Episode 122: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 1)

- Episode 123: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 2)

Today’s Guest

Dr. Karen Gerelus is a third-generation piano teacher, musician, author, and scholar. She has completed an Associate diploma in Piano Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) and a Licentiate diploma in Piano Performance from Trinity College of London (LTCL). In 2010, she convocated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts, and in 2016 with a Master of Arts in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Ottawa. She recently finished her PhD at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary where her research focused on musical identities in adolescent piano students. Her other areas of interest include student-centered learning, arts-based research, and motivation. Past teachers and examiners have commented on Karen’s “passion for teaching” and “warm and engaging manner.” Her lessons involve a variety of music – from minuets to mambos to Mission Impossible – to keep students motivated and teach sensitivity and compassion for all cultures and musical styles. Overall, her students play with beautiful technique, singing melodies, and high levels of personal satisfaction. Karen is an interesting balance of friendly and sophisticated, fun yet rigorous, and she is always full of new ideas.

Thank you for tuning in!

313: Replay – Jacob Collier Talks Music and Education

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +1000

Today's episode is another special and favourite episode from the archives with the 4-time Grammy award-winning young music legend from London, Jacob Collier. Hailing from North London and playing seven different instruments, including distinctive vocals, Jacob’s sense of harmony and tonality is evident in his signature style. He records all of his albums from his music room at home. Jacob shares so many things on this episode, from the story of how he started playing, to his approach to chords and harmony and his thoughts on music education. And we’re treated to a very special performance mid-show as well!

In this episode, you’ll learn Jacob Collier’s insights on music and education:

- Coming from a musical family, Jacob shares his exposure to music and instruments from a very early age.

- Jacob’s start in learning music, including the piano.

- The importance of chords in teaching and learning music.

- Childhood musical experiments.

- Jacob's skills in playing multiple instruments.

- His thoughts on practice vs. playing.

- Jacob’s advice for teachers to encourage more listening because it is so crucial and it’s been so fundamental in his own journey.

- His experience with formal music education.

- Making a pivot in his plans with Quincy Jones.

- Jacob shares the story behind Djesse, his quadruple album.

- His love for performing with other people.

- Jacob gives us a glimpse of his music room.

- His special performance of “You Got A Friend”

- Up and coming online gigs we should watch out for.

- Jacob’s inspiring words for teachers on encouraging students to be more and do more.

Links Mentioned

- Jacob Collier Website

- Jacob Collier YouTube

- Related: CPTP127: Jon Schmidt from The Piano Guys

Today’s Guest

It’s not often one encounters an imagination with the depth and proficiency of Jacob Collier’s. The London-based, 28-year-old is dubbed by many as one of the most innovative musicians of his generation. In 2012, Jacob’s self-made YouTube tutorials achieved legendary status in the music world, attracting the praise of such luminaries as Herbie Hancock, David Crosby, Steve Vai and Quincy Jones, who manages Jacob to this day. Jacob’s debut album, In My Room, which was crafted entirely in his room at home, and which, if you’re a Top Music Pro member, you can actually watch this interview with me and see inside his home studio; went on to win two Grammys. His success has led to musical collaborations and fans including the likes of Coldplay, Ty Dolla $ign, Tori Kelly, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Charlie Puth, Kehlani, Jessie Reyes and Finneas to name a few. In January 2018, Jacob began designing and creating a recording project on an unprecedented scale – a quadruple album called Djesse: 50 songs divided between four volumes with each operating within a separate musical universe of sound, style and genre. We unpacked and talked about this today, by the way. Scattered across the four volumes are 30 collaborations from across every facet of the music world. Djesse Volumes 1 and 2 both have earned him a Grammy each, affirming that Jacob has never lost a Grammy in a category he’s been nominated in.

Thank you for tuning in!

312: Replay – How Teaching Beginners with No Books has Revolutionised Georgina’s Studio

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +1000

Will teaching beginner with no books really click with your piano students? In this replay episode of the Integrated Music Teaching Podcast, our guest is Georgina Jordan who's a piano teacher in the UK who've had a very traditional music education and was struggling to add creativity into her lessons. She shares her story with us and explains how the No Book Beginners framework opened up a whole new world for her studio and why she thinks it works so well for teaching her beginner students.

- Why Georgina joined the TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle).

- How having a community helps a new teacher.

- How Georgina uses the No Book Beginners framework in her studio.

- Which students is the No Books Beginners framework a good approach for.

- How to expand on the story-based ideas in No Book Beginners.

- Why the No Book Beginners approach is so valuable in teaching beginner students.

Links Mentioned

- Piano Safari

- Practising the Piano

- Why I Teach Beginner Piano Students Without a Method Book

- How to Teach Beginner Piano Students

Today’s Guest

Georgina Jordan is a piano teacher and a photographer based in the UK who had a quite traditional music education. She was highly motivated to add creativity into her lessons. She joined TopMusicPro (formerly The Inner Circle), started teaching beginners with the No Book Beginners framework and it opened up a whole new world for her.

Thank you for tuning in!

311: Replay – Jon Schmidt from The Piano Guys

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +1000

Our episode today is actually a favourite episode from the archives where we’re going to be sharing with you one of our earlier episodes way back in 2018 with none other than the piano guy from The Piano Guys, Jon Schmidt. In this interview, Jon gives us the inside scoop of his awesome YouTube videos, as well as his thoughts on tampering with the classics, and what we can do to inspire the next generation of creative pianists.

The magic behind The Piano Guys’ incredible music videos.
What it’s like to be inspiring so many piano students around the world.
How Jon started with traditional piano lessons.
Where the inspiration for Waterfall came from.
How Jon approaches teaching chords to students.
How The Piano Guys go about choosing and creating new arrangements.
Jon’s views on “messing” with the music of the great composers.
The essentials of Jon’s own practice routine.
What we can do to inspire the Jon Schmidts of the future.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Jon Schmidt was born to German Immigrant parents, who gave him the gift of early education in music. Classical training fell on the fertile ground of Jon’s natural talents for music and hard work. Schmidt began composing as early as age 11. He started teaching piano lessons when most people get a driver’s license and he began a successful solo career in his early twenties. Schmidt’s 20 year solo career has included many albums, performances, and awards. The Piano Guys entrapped Schmidt with their lair of beautiful pianos. Shortly thereafter, they all ran away together to create spectacular piano/cello video content. Their goal is humble—to inspire those that may listen. Schmidt contributes not just to the on-screen piano talent, but he loves to throw out all of his ideas, and he is not afraid to edit and revise until he has a refined and quality product. Jon finds his fire for the journey seeing the joy of people who hear great music. He is thrilled to reach a wider audience through his work with The Piano Guys.

Thank you for tuning in!

310: The Narrow Key Piano Crusade with Linda Gould and Rhonda Boyle

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +1000

The movement of pianos with narrow keys has been around for years, but many are not knowledgeable about it. So in this episode today, I’ve invited Rhonda Boyle and Linda Gould to talk more about the narrow key piano movement, how it works, how it started, and where it is now in the process.

A short history on the narrow key piano movement.
How the first few narrow key pianos and keyboards were made.
The challenge of convincing manufacturers to invest in these products.
Rhonda shares how and why she started PASK Piano (Pianists for Alternatively Sized Keyboards).
Linda tells us more about Narrow Keys.
The development of circular pianos in the market.

Guest Links

Links Mentioned

Relevant Websites and QR Codes PDF Download
Related Link: 300: Integrated Music Teaching

Today’s Guest

Linda Gould

Linda Gould is the author of Play Piano Chords Today and has been teaching and performing for 5 decades, debuting at age 11 when she performed a Bach Piano Concerto under the baton of J.S. Bach and the Mount Royal College Orchestra. Linda has an ARCT and B Mus in performance with distinction, and a minor in Math. She is a competition and exam award winner and recently won Tech Teacher of the year. In her late 30s, she met David Steinbuhler, the inventor of the D.S. 5.5 and 6.0 narrow keys piano actions. Within two years, Linda was back performing big works with orchestras and the Orford String Quartet. This spring she completed a two-piano concert tour with her sister, Sue Gould, performing 11 concerts in 6 days on her new narrow digital piano keys.

Rhonda Boyle

Rhonda Boyle studied piano as a child, but her small hands discouraged her from pursuing a career in music. She has tertiary qualifications in science, environmental science and urban planning and her career was mostly in the Victorian State Government. Rhonda returned to the piano in 1999 as a student of Robert Chamberlain. She stumbled across Steinbuhler keyboards on the Internet at the start of 2007 and acquired a DS5.5® keyboard for her piano in 2009. She has since been involved in research relating to hand size and piano playing, presenting at conferences in Australia, USA and Europe and contributing articles to various journals. In 2011, she set up a website devoted to sharing information on research and developments relating to alternatively sized piano keyboards. In 2013, she co-founded the world-wide advocacy group PASK (Pianists for Alternatively Sized Keyboards) with Erica Booker and Professor Carol Leone (Southern Methodist University, Texas). She is also a director of the US-based DS® Standard Foundation and a co-artistic director of the International Stretto Piano Festival.

Thank you for tuning in!

309: Building a Brand New Primer Method with Daniel McFarlane

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +1000

What is it like to build a brand new primer method? In this episode, I have a very special guest, Daniel McFarlane, who was my first ever guest when I started the podcast way back in 2015. Daniel is known for the Supersonics Piano Method, which he has grown over the years. He's going to share more about his teaching styles, approaches, and strategies today. And of course, he's going to share the Supersonics Piano Method and how you can use it with your students.

A sneak peak on a typical day for Daniel.
How Daniel handles his business and being a father and teacher all at the same time.
Tips on how you can position yourself in the business to get parents and students to seek you out as a teacher.
The benefits you can get from taking on transfer students in your studio.
Why you need to give your students autonomy and choice in what they are doing.
Daniel shares a segmented and structured approach in his teaching style.
The Supersonics Piano Method.
The story of why his approach was called Blast Off.
The difference of the Primer Series of Supersonics Piano Method.
Appropriate age for using the app for teachers and their students.
Tips for teaching mid to late elementary.
The goal of repertoire rich learning.

Guest Links

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Daniel McFarlane started composing pieces for his own students back in 2006 and since then he’s never looked back. In addition to composing, he’s also taught students piano, theory and composition since 1997. Many of these students have gone on to tertiary study and careers in piano performance, composition, music education and jazz performance. He’s conducted workshops on composition and teaching for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference and for music teachers in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and the Sunshine Coast. He’s also adjudicated competitions and examined across Australia. Daniel currently lives in Brisbane with his wife, Melanie (now a doctor but previously an extremely competitive piano teacher), their two children, Annabelle and Freddy, and his dog, Bella. When he’s not in front of the computer or at the piano, Daniel occupies his time chasing after the kids, walking the dog, going for the (occasional) run, reading, eating and trying not to melt in the subtropical climate. In a previous life, he had a brief moment of sporting glory when he represented Australia in athletics.

Thank you for tuning in!

308: From Exhausted to Excited – How Group Teaching has Given Christina Whitlock Her Time Back

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +1000

We are talking all about transitioning to group teaching today with Christina Whitlock, the Beyond Measure Podcast host and TopMusicPro member. Christina just recently started her move to this new way of teaching and we’re going to hear all about her fresh and raw excitement on how she’s going with this change. If you’re thinking of starting group teaching now or in the future, this is a really important episode for you to listen to.

Christina gives a short introduction on herself and what her studio looks like at the moment.
The story of her podcast, Beyond Measure Podcast, and why she started it.
Christina shares what goes behind making a solo episode, the time it takes to finish one, and how the Power Hours have helped her with this.
The top things she has learned from doing the show.
She talks about her goals for the podcast.
The beauty of group teaching and how she shifted to this method successfully.
Resources and methods she tried when moved to group classes.
Advice for teachers who want to start group teaching regarding the financial expenses that comes with this transition.
The important lessons she has learned since she started group teaching.
Words of wisdom for teachers who are dabbling on their creative projects.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Christina Whitlock, M.M., N.C.T.M., operates a lively independent studio from her home where she offers both private and group instruction. She discovered her love for piano teaching at the age of 14 and enjoyed a full studio roster ever since. Christina is passionate about the life-changing power of music study, and loves to share that enthusiasm with studio music teachers of all instruments and voice types. She hosts a weekly podcast titled, Beyond Measure, where she fancies herself everyone’s Anytime Piano Teacher Friend. Christina thrives off the variety our profession has to offer, and keeps busy with a variety of teaching, speaking, writing, and collaborative opportunities.

Thank you for tuning in!

307: TopMusicPro Member Spotlight – How We Saved Rachel from Quitting Teaching Forever

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we're having another TopMusicPro member spotlight. And our guest for today's podcast is Rachel Davis, owner of Three Sisters Music Studio. It's been a long road for Rachel, who is now running a very successful studio. The journey has not been easy. In fact, she almost quit teaching altogether six months ago. But then she found TopMusicPro and everything changed! Join us as we get to know Rachel better and talk about her inspiring story, how she built her business from scratch and overcame the challenges along the way.

Rachel’s studio and the students she teaches.
The dilemma she had with her teaching and how she got through it with the help of TopMusicPro.
Moving from the USA to Canada and transitioning from having no exams to a country that is heavily immersed in an exam or conservatory system.
Treating your teaching as a business.
Looking back at the time before she became a TopMusicPro member and sharing why she joined the membership.
The biggest contributor to her sadness and her reason for wanting to quit teaching six months back.
Rachel gives us a rundown on how she rebuilt her entire studio structure from the ground up.
Her main reason for setting up an open house for her students.
How she differentiated and diversified herself in the market.
Hiring an additional student for her studio.
Rachel shares her 5-year plan.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Wife, mother of three and music studio owner, Rachel Davis loves a good challenge. Though officially Canadian, she was born and raised in the United States where she received 20 years of piano training and spent the first 7 years of her private piano teaching career. After marrying her Canadian husband in 2013, Rachel moved to Canada. In 2019, she opened Three Sisters Music Studio in Cochrane, AB. Rachel’s motivation for teaching comes from a passion to see others learn to express their emotions in a healthy and safe way through music. She does this through her signature blend of fun, creativity and a dash of chaos. Her goal is to see every student move through life equipped with the tools needed to process the world around them, empowered to impact others, and instilled with a never ending love of music.

Thank you for tuning in!

306: What YOU think about Integrated Music Teaching

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, I’m going share some of the feedback that we've been getting from all of you about the Integrated Music Teaching model that we've been sharing from episode number 300. I am also going to share integrated music teaching ideas from Mike Grande on rhythm and Dr. Anita Collins on Just in Time Learning. It’s quite a different episode today, but I’m sure you’ll get a lot of lessons from it.

Janna's feedback on the integrated music teaching model.
Jeff's shares what he thinks about the change of focus in the podcast.
What integrated music teaching means to Mike Grande.
Laura's feedback on the emotional importance of creative activities.
Linda shared her interest in the Integrated Music Teaching Certification.
Two short excerpts from Dr. Anita Collins on the integrated music teaching model.

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

305: How to Teach Songwriting to Music Students with Simon Rushby

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +1000

Today, we’re going to unpack our brand new, 9-module course, The Complete Guide to Songwriting, and meet the creator and instructor, Simon Rushby. He has written songs that have charted for artists in Europe and Asia. His compositions have been used worldwide for TV shows and commercials. As a performer, Simon remains busy as a pianist, keyboard player, and a musical director. In this episode, you will hear about his intention of writing this songwriting course, overviews of the course modules, and what you can learn from them. Simon also shares great tips and advice for teaching your students.

Who is Simon Rushby?
Simon’s intention of writing this songwriting course.
Making connections between music.
Bobby McFerinn’s Video on the Pentatonic Scale
Quick overview on the modules of the course and what you can learn from each one.
Talking about Elton John’s Oven song.
The story of how Simon started as a songwriter.

Guest Link

Simon Rushby Website

Links Mentioned

Bobby McFerrin's Video on the Pentatonic Scale
Elton John Oven Manual Song
Stickey Notes Seller Online Store
topmusic.co/episode300

Today's Guest

Simon Rushby is a music education expert, teacher, performer, composer, an ABRSM examiner, and author who taught music in schools across the South-East of England. With over 30 years of experience in leading UK schools as a Director of Music, he’s worked with many students of all levels. He’s published several educational resources, including Discovering Music Theory, an ABRSM exam prep series. As a composer, Simon has written songs that have charted for artists in Europe and Asia. His compositions have been used worldwide for TV shows and commercials, including BBC, ITV, Sky and BT Sport in the UK. He’s been the lead on two albums for Alexander Shulgin, which have topped the charts in Russia. As a performer Simon remains busy as a pianist and keyboard player and has been musical director for productions of shows such as Sweeney Todd, Carousel, The Producers, Les Miserables, Anything Goes and West Side Story. He also plays keyboards in a number of highly respected pop, rock and jazz bands. And he has conducted performances of a vast range of choral and orchestral music, both with student and adult ensembles and choirs.

Thank you for tuning in!

304: Building the Certificate of Integrated Music Teaching with Kimberly Swanson

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, Kimberly Swanson will join us to discuss all about how we've been building the Certificate of Integrated Music Teaching over the last six to nine months. We'll be going over the big picture view of why we've created this certification and how it fits into a larger educational framework. And finally, we're going to talk about how you can explore this journey with us.

Kimberly tells us more about herself and her background.
Tim gives us an overview of TopMusicPro’s vision.
What sets the IMT Certification apart.
Understanding the power of the cohort system.
Learning more about multimodal assessment, adult learning implementing this in the IMT Certification assessment.
What is integrated music teaching?
The learning outcomes for teachers.
Elements of the assessment and how it’s going to be conducted.
The length of the process for the cohorts.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

After two years of teaching music in public schools and six years of teaching private piano and theory lessons, Kimberly transitioned into the field of Instructional Design. For her day job, Kimberly creates learning experiences for adult learners in corporate America. But she just can't keep away from the music education world. She is partnering with TopMusic to create and launch the Certificate of Integrated Music Teaching. This project allows her to fuse her passion for music, her experience as a music teacher, and her passion for educational psychology. Kimberly holds a Master's in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas as well as a Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Florida.

Thank you for tuning in!

303: Integrated Music Teaching in Action

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we continue to talk about the Integrated Music Teaching method. We are going to let you hear some integrations in actual lessons that I’ve taught. I thought this would be really instructive for those of you who are still wondering how this actually looks and sounds in a lesson.

How to teach our intermediate students in an integrated way.
Ideas on how students learn best through connections.
Basic ways that you can do integration across the four disciplines of technique, repertoire, creativity, and functional skills.
Watch my lesson with Jono where I use a creative activity of improvisation in harmony to cement his knowledge of the G harmonic and melodic minor scale.
Watch my lesson with Finn where you'll hear a variety of integrations between repertoire and improv scales and theory.

Integrated Music Teaching in Action Videos

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302: 3 Steps to Teaching an Integrated Music Lesson

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we're going to unpack the 3-step process on how to teach an integrated music lesson in your studio. Integrated music teaching is based on expanding and deepening your students’ connection to repertoire, so this 3-step process is all based around the repertoire that the student is already learning. Have a listen as we discuss these processes from analysing the repertoire for musical elements, to finding musical connections, and planning activities that integrate different elements.

The 3-step process for using the IMT learning model in your studio.
Analysing the repertoire for musical elements.
Finding the connections and make music learning meaningful.
Few examples of connecting elements.
Planning the integration activities.
Examples of integration activities.
Two resources to help you implement this in your teaching.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Interested in nurturing budding composers but aren’t sure where to begin? The 8+8 Composium at LeilaViss.com offers a proven recipe for composing. The four-week course held on Zoom is limited to 8 teachers and steps you through the writing process 8 bars at a time. Learn how to compose an ABA piece, notate it in Noteflight, create cover art in Canva, and how to pass these skills along to your students. “I am over the moon excited about notating my first composition and on fire to continue composing.” -Lisa M Use coupon code TOPTEN to save on registration.

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301: The 3 Pillars of Integrated Music Teaching

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Our exploration on integrated music teaching starts with an overview of the three pillars, which will provide the foundation for you to successfully use this approach in your own teaching. We will explore student first or student-centered teaching, multimodal assessment and questions that build curiosity. And we will look at ways that you can implement them in your own studio.

The 3 key principles / pillars you need to implement the integrated music teaching model in your studio.
Understanding student-led teaching.
Goals that are crucial for students to be successful in a lifelong music-making journey.
The three key psychological needs for students to feel motivated.
Exploring the multi-modal assessment.
Examples of other possibilities for assessments.
The importance of asking questions to build curiosity.
Sample questions you can ask to build curiosity from your students.

Related: 300: Integrated Music Teaching

Today’s Sponsor

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300: Integrated Music Teaching

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +1000

I can’t believe it’s been 300 episodes since I started this podcast! Looking back at the first episode until this one, so much has changed for the better. I’m thrilled to be sharing two announcements on today’s podcast, which is a culmination of all these years of learning and growing as a music educator, and both related to Integrated Music Teaching. Join me today as we look back on the memories and look forward to the exciting changes that are coming to help you become the best music teacher you want to be.

Looking back on our first episode and the podcast through the years.
My first realization of how my teaching style was different from the rest.
Three key factors associated with a traditional music lesson.
Making connections outside music to help a student’s deeper understanding of music.
Understanding and practicing the integrated music teaching approach.
The three foundational pillars of integrated music teaching.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

TC299: Ever Thought of Selling Your Studio? A Chat with Jeff Homer from Ensemble Music Schools

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Have you ever thought of selling your studio in the future? In today's episode, we're having a chat with Jeff Homer, the founder of Ensemble Music Schools. Jeff shares with us what Ensemble Music Schools is all about, his background and how he got into this type of niche. He also shares his thoughts on how school owners market their studios. Listen as he gives us some great tips and advice for studio owners who are thinking about selling their studio in the future.

Jeff tells us about Ensemble Music Schools and what it's all about.
Jeff shares his background and how he got into this type of niche.
What are the things that music and school owners lack?
Customer acquisition costs lifetime value.
Jeff tells us how they put a value on the schools that they assess.
Tips and some common mistakes of school owners when selling your studio.
The importance of having bookkeepers for your school.
The line between making schools more profitable without compromising musical integrity.
The Google big three.
The process of hiring and retaining school teachers in Ensemble Music Schools.
Advice to studio owners who want to sell their studios in the future.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Jeff founded Ensemble Music Schools in 2019 as a passion project that promised to combine his hobby as an amateur musician with his professional background in investing. Starting with just one school in Louisville, CO, Jeff’s vision was to build a best-in-class administrative platform that would equip local community music schools to thrive in the digital age and better serve their students and teaching faculty. Motivated by some early successes and the blessing of “doing what you love,” Jeff left his day job to focus full-time on Ensemble in early 2020 and hasn’t looked back! Jeff’s prior employers include institutional investment firms Bain Capital, Reservoir Capital, and Independence Capital Asset Partners. Jeff graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a degree in Economics.

Today’s Sponsor

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TC298: How Multi-Level Group Teaching Works with Dorla Aparicio

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +1000

In this episode, my guest Dorla Aparicio, discusses the benefits of multi-level group teaching. She shares with us how she introduced it into her piano studio and what steps were involved. She talks about how to approach it with students and her methods for keeping students engaged despite their age and skill level. Dorla also shares her method, the Piano Pyramid Method, which makes it possible for teachers to start with multi-level group teaching. This is a great episode for teachers who want to get started with group teaching but are nervous or hesitant to do so.

Dorla’s background and what her teaching studio looks like at the moment.
How she was introduced into group teaching and what she loved about it.
Using the ensemble type of group teaching in her studio.
She shares her first experience with group teaching.
Tips for teachers who want to start with group teaching but are hesitant to do so.
One of the mistakes she made in her career and what she has learned from it.
The musical and social benefits that your students can get with group teaching.
How Dorla makes teaching kids in multiple levels in one class work.
Dorla talks about the Piano Pyramid Method and how it can help teachers with an ensemble-based multi-level group piano teaching approach.

Guest Links Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Dorla is a piano teacher who supports group piano teachers with organized and engaging resources that will help them offer excellent group piano classes. She believes that teaching in a group setting is one of the best ways we will keep the world of piano teaching alive during this century. Over the past three years, Dorla has created Piano Pyramid™, a group piano method in which it is possible to teach students of different ages and skills, namely students between the ages of 8 to 14 who are beginners up to the early-intermediate level. Dorla received her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She has taught early childhood music, private and group piano for more than 30 years. Until recently, she was an adjunct professor of music for 10 years at the University in Keene, Texas. Today, Dorla continues to work independently in her studio, where she teaches weekly group piano classes.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC297: Embracing Special Needs Teaching with Selena Pistoresi (August 2020)

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Today's special episode is a rebroadcast of TopCast Episode 204. Listen in as Selena Pistoresi joins us and we unpack an often misunderstood area of teaching - special needs teaching from the viewpoint of respecting neurodiversity and presuming the competence of students. Selena is going to share practical, ready-to-implement strategies that you can adopt to confidently teach your students with exceptionalities in a way that acknowledges their gifts.

Selena shares how she came to specialize in teaching students with exceptionalities.
The definition of special needs.
The idea of talking to people or parents about terminologies.
Most challenging things about teaching special needs students.
Talking to parents about diagnoses – is it necessary?
First step to building a strong teaching foundation and relationship with a special needs student.
The importance of providing structure in lessons.
Do games work in the same way on students with special needs?
Final tips and thoughts from Selena.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Today’s Sponsor

Forte is a free alternative to Zoom, optimized for music lessons with industry-leading audio quality. Forte has been used and loved by The Royal College of Music, Berklee College of Music, and Curtis Institute. It is designed to put you and your teaching style at the center of the educational experience. And the best part? It’s free forever for teachers, and it’s incredibly easy to use. Just send your personal studio link to your student, and with one click, you are teaching. No hassles, no downloads, no gimmicks. Just music. Start teaching with Forte today at fortelessons.com.

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TC296: How to Find Music Instructors During this Employment Shortage with Dave Simon

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Teacher recruitment is one of the most challenging aspects of running a music school. And with the current employment shortage, music school owners are really finding it hard to look for quality teachers. In this episode, Dave Simon presents a revolutionary idea that can potentially solve this problem for your studio. His in-depth discussion on this topic, as well as training teachers, marketing tips, and so much more will give you a simple and effective solution on how to find music instructors for your studio.

Dave talks about the teacher shortage in the music industry.
The number one challenge of running a music school.
Considering group classes in your studio and how you can get more students into groups.
Is it necessary to have a instructor with such a high level of musical understanding?
Using marketing to persuade parents to join your group classes for beginners.
Why hiring musicians is a good idea to get teachers for your studio.
A sample of an ad on how to find music instructors for his studio.
Dave shares a sample questionnaire for potential hires.
Setting up a training program for your music instructors.

Links Mentioned

Dave Simon Music Website

Today’s Guest

Dave Simon licenses his group music classes Kidzrock/Jr. Rockerz, and Piano Jam to educators worldwide. His programs allow complete beginners to experience the ultimate musical thrill; learning and performing music in an ensemble. Dave ran and operated a music school for 17 years in St. Louis Missouri where he developed a passion for marketing. He is also the host of the business growth podcast Music Lessons and Marketing.

Today’s Sponsor

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TC295: All About Synesthesia with TopMusicPro Member Kelly Jenkins

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +1000

My guest, TopMusicPro member Kelly Jenkins, is a music educator, stage musical writer and arranger, owner of a hybrid studio just outside Boston, and a synesthete. In this episode, were going to talk about the wonders of synesthesia. We'll unpack what it really is, how to spot it in our students if they have it (or us for that matter), how to use it as an advantage for our students, but also how to unleash some synesthesia magic for students who don't have it.

Kelly shares the interesting story of how she found out about her synesthesia.
Is it possible to develop synesthesia or is it something you are born with?
Famous synesthetes and what they do.
Kelly describes how she sees color in music.
How students can improve their study of music through color connections.
The lessons she has learned through observation of students’ learning styles.
She shares more of her experience as a TopMusicPro teacher, what she loves about membership, and the positive outcomes that it has had in her life and teaching.

Today’s Guest

Kelly Jenkins lives outside Boston, Massachusetts where she teaches a hybrid studio of 62 students, ages 4 to 74. Growing up, Kelly trained with a classical piano teacher through high school and went on to study with a Van Cliburn finalist from the Cincinnati Conservatory. Teaching piano since 2007, Kelly enjoys using improvising, creativity and paying attention to each student’s unique learning style to help each one develop their own gift of music. When she’s not teaching, Kelly can be found writing and arranging stage musicals with her lyricist/co-writer, who also happens to be her awesome mom.

Today’s Sponsor

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TC294: Group Teaching QnA with Marie Lee, Melanie Bowes and Dorla Aparicio

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +1000

For teachers looking for an alternative way to teach piano to students such as group teaching, this episode is for you! We are joined by three amazing guests, Marie Lee, Melanie Bowes, and Dorla Aparicio, who will be sharing their experiences on running group piano classes. Have a listen to our three guests as they discuss the various aspects of group teaching. We cover the basics you need to know about teaching in groups such as pricing, grouping students, lesson plans, repertoire and so much more.

Our three guests introduce themselves.
Learning how to price your group lessons.
Placing kids in group settings.
How to teach multi-level students in a group setting.
The teaching approaches for students in groups who are advanced or aim for exams.
The formats and lesson plans used for group teaching.
How to go about your online group lessons.
The best time to run group classes - is it during school time or school holidays?
Ideas for running summer camps.
Favourite resources for multi-level repertoire.
Best advice for teachers who are looking to start group teaching.

Links Mentioned

TopCast Episodes on Summer Camps and Group Teaching

Today’s Guests

Melanie Bowes
Dorla Aparicio
Marie Lee

Today’s Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

TC292: What is No Book Beginners?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Teach your students without a method book in their first 10 lessons with my No Book Beginners Framework, which we’ll be unpacking in today’s episode. Many of you will have heard about it, I'm sure some of you have used it in your studio. I will run through everything you need to know about No Book Beginners, including what it is, why you might like to try it out, and where you can get started with the first three lessons.

The most common thing that happens during a student’s first piano lesson and why you shouldn’t do that anymore.
How music is best taught for better absorption and learning.
What is the No Book Beginners Framework?
Get a peek on NBB’s Lesson 2 to see an example of how you can teach students without a book.
The reason why singing should be a normalised part of music lessons for piano students.
How to access the No Book Beginners Course.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Musicnotes for Education

Teachers and students everywhere deserve a sheet music experience that impresses, and that’s precisely what you get from Musicnotes.com, the largest online retailer of quality sheet music! Musicnotes has built a special Pro membership exclusively for teachers and students. With Musicnotes Pro for Education, teachers and students will get exclusive discounts on every sheet music purchase and in-app benefits to keep their sheet music library organized and at their fingertips so they can play anywhere – all without a membership fee. Teachers and students can apply for a free Pro for Education membership today and bring the benefits of Musicnotes to every lesson! Join free today at musicnotes.com/pro. P.S an exclusive for our Top Music listeners, Musicnotes are offering 25% off e-Gift cards for a limited time! Visit musicnotes.com/topmusic to claim this exclusive offer!

Thank you for tuning in!

TC291: UME Piano Exams with Michelle Madder

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +1000

We're all about the exam game. Today's episode is all about the Universal Music Exam program, which is founded by Michelle Madder. In this episode, she shares the story behind how she started UME, what sets its methodologies apart from others, and what to expect when you choose to take one of their exams. We'll also be unpacking everything you need to know about UME piano exams program, from what it is, to how it works, and why you'd want to check it out.

The story of how Michelle started Australian Music School.
Finding the right person to work with her on the AMS methodology.
How she started building the Universal Music Exam.
What sets Universal Music Exam apart from other exams.
The instruments they are offering at UME.
Michelle shares the flexible exam requirements for students.
Pieces and repertoire that are allowed in the exams.
Types of teachers who are using UME.
The UME events they’ve launched since it started.
The recognition of students who take UME piano exams.
Details of how to take their exams, the costs, and who can take it.
Michelle’s future goals for UME.

Guest Links

Today’s Guest

Michelle is an Australian pianist, composer and teacher with over 30 years’ experience. As a young person, Michelle was well recognised as a pianist and composer, winning the ABC Young Composer’s Competition and several prestigious piano awards. Michelle studied composition with Peter Sculthorpe at Sydney University and graduated with Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition. She then went on to further study of Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium. She founded Australian Music Schools in 1993 and over the ensuing years expanded to offer quality music education in locations across Sydney. As director of AMS Michelle designed a piano exam system which proved successful over many years of operation. She further developed the syllabus and established UME - a quality music examination system focused on the needs of students and teachers. As head piano examiner of UME, Michelle brings experience, empathy and musical expertise to what can be a stressful time for students and their parents. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Michelle now mentors teachers around the globe.

Today’s Sponsor

Musicnotes for Education

Teachers and students everywhere deserve a sheet music experience that impresses, and that's precisely what you get from Musicnotes.com, the largest online retailer of quality sheet music! Musicnotes has built a special Pro membership exclusively for teachers and students. With Musicnotes Pro for Education, teachers and students will get exclusive discounts on every sheet music purchase and in-app benefits to keep their sheet music library organized and at their fingertips so they can play anywhere - all without a membership fee. Teachers and students can apply for a free Pro for Education membership today and bring the benefits of Musicnotes to every lesson! Join free today at musicnotes.com/pro. P.S an exclusive for our Top Music listeners, Musicnotes are offering 25% off e-Gift cards for a limited time! Visit musicnotes.com/topmusic to claim this exclusive offer!

Thank you for tuning in!

TC290: Tim’s Top Productivity Hacks in 10 mins

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Do you have a million things going on but have trouble working on and accomplishing them all? Are you feeling overwhelmed, frazzled, and behind in life and business? Then this episode is for YOU. In this episode, I’m going to share my top productivity hacks and tips for having a productive mindset. I’m by no means an expert on this, but these are the things that have worked for me with all the moving pieces in my business - our courses, the podcast, webinars, speaking engagements, and so much more. As a business or studio owner and teacher, I’m sure you have so much going on all over the place. So in this episode, I’m going to give you my strategies for becoming productive and organized in life and business. [spp-player]

Why you need to focus on what’s important.
How automation and outsourcing can be the best thing for your business.
Practicing time-blocking and batching — two organizational methods that help you get the most out of your day.
Get your most important work done early in the day.
How taking care of your health can help you be productive.
Use Dropbox and Cloud-based databases to save files and vastly improve your efficiency.
Achieve more by turning off your notifications.

Member Links

The Productive Mindset

Today’s Sponsor Musicnotes for Education Teachers and students everywhere deserve a sheet music experience that impresses, and that's precisely what you get from Musicnotes.com, the largest online retailer of quality sheet music! Musicnotes has built a special Pro membership exclusively for teachers and students. With Musicnotes Pro for Education, teachers and students will get exclusive discounts on every sheet music purchase and in-app benefits to keep their sheet music library organized and at their fingertips so they can play anywhere - all without a membership fee. Teachers and students can apply for a free Pro for Education membership today and bring the benefits of Musicnotes to every lesson! Join free today at musicnotes.com/pro. P.S an exclusive for our Top Music listeners, Musicnotes are offering 25% off e-Gift cards for a limited time! Visit musicnotes.com/topmusic to claim this exclusive offer! Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

TC289: How to Find Music Students Fast for Your Studio with Carly Walton

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +1000

You are not alone – I know how challenging the search for new students can be! So to help you out with this, I teamed up with the amazing Carly Walton from Teach Music Online to put together our ultimate Find Music Students Fast Checklist. And that’s what we’re going to be talking about today. We’re going to give you a quick overview of this amazing six page full-color handout so you can find and teach your dream students!

What teachers can do right away to get more students quickly
Most important steps to take when you have open spots to fill!
Ideas for easy-access online marketing
Using Facebook groups to find music students fast
Exploring your local community and fostering local connections
Other community-based marketing ideas
Website tips and next-level advice
Samples of seasonal promotion opportunities

Links Mentioned

FREE Guide – drop your email above to get the Find Students Fast guidebook.
Teach Music Online Website

Today’s Guest

Carly Walton is a Berklee College of Music graduate, and online teacher, performer, and world traveller. She has taught music at K-8 schools and been a choral instructor for two charter schools. Carly also enjoys arranging music for piano students and choirs. Carly has been teaching music online for the last eight years and one year ago started her Teach Music Online course and coaching program. She has a passion for helping teachers overcome their fear of technology and find ways to be creative and effective as online music teachers. She has a thriving Facebook group with more than 10,000 music teachers where she hosts free training workshops and resources.

Today’s Sponsor

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TC288: Connections Thru Chords – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 5

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +1000

We’re now in day 5 of our Hesitant to Hero Challenge Series on the podcast and today’s topic is all about connections through chords. By helping students see the connections between old and new music, we can unlock huge potentials in our students and deepen their understanding as well. Today, we are going to demonstrate how we connect Ace of Base to CPE Bach and Beethoven to Adele. We will also show you how to unpack the music that your students are already learning, help them analyze the chords in harmony, and then deepen their understanding of the repertoire that they're already playing. Let's jump in.

Making connections between old and new music.
How the chord progressions are relevant to your students learning regular pieces.
The key question you need to ask your students.
The benefits of making these connections.
Discussing today’s homework.
Sample homeworks.

Links Mentioned

TC284: Chord Quick Wins – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 1 TC285: Lead Sheets in Lesson 1 – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 2 TC286: Repertoire Remix – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 3 TC287: Hook, Line and Sinker – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 4

Member Links:

Hesitant to Hero: Hook Your Students with our Top 5 No-Book Teaching Techniques

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TC287: Hook, Line and Sinker – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 4

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +1000

We’re now in day 4 of our Hesitant to Hero Challenge series on the podcast and today’s topic is all about hook, line and sinker. The idea is to teach your students classical and pop hooks and riffs. We’ll be talking about how giving students modern pop hooks to play can build their identity as a musician. And it’s crucial in those preteen and young teenage years. If your students keep playing music, we’ll talk about a student versus teacher-led approach to teaching popular styles, how to keep current and some famous pop hooks and riffs! It’s going to be super fun!

The songs you need to teach your students.
Learning two different teaching approaches.
How to teach pop songs to kids.
Sarah shares her experience with teaching chord progressions and making lead sheets.
Tim gives an example of pieces and different ways to play and teach it.
Discussing today’s homework.
Sample homeworks.

Hook, Line and Sinker – Hesitant to Hero Challenge

Links Mentioned

TC284: Chord Quick Wins – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 1 TC285: Lead Sheets in Lesson 1 – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 2 TC286: Repertoire Remix – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 3

Member Links:

Hesitant to Hero: Hook Your Students with our Top 5 No-Book Teaching Techniques

Thank you for tuning in!

TC286: Repertoire Remix – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 3

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +1000

We’re now in day 3 of our Hesitant to Hero Challenge Series on the podcast and today’s topic is all about Repertoire Remix. What is repertoire remix and how can it spark creativity in your students? In this episode, we unpack the three levels of creativity in music, how remixing works, and some piece examples that you can play with your students. We are going to build on the skills that we learned in day one and day two by getting creative with the repertoire that students are already learning.

The three levels of creativity in music.
Understanding how repertoire remixing works.
How to teach repertoire remixing to your students.
The benefits of repertoire remixing.
Playing pieces with repeating left-hand patterns you can practice with your students.
Discussing today’s homework.
Q&As and tips.
Sample homeworks.

Repertoire Remix – Hesitant to Hero Challenge

Links Mentioned

TC284: Chord Quick Wins – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 1 TC285: Lead Sheets in Lesson 1 – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 2

Member Links:

Hesitant to Hero: Hook Your Students with our Top 5 No-Book Teaching Techniques

Thank you for tuning in!

TC285: Lead Sheets in Lesson 1 – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 2

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Day two of our Hesitant to Hero Challenge is called Lead Sheets in Lesson 1. It’s all about how you, as a teacher, can teach students about harmony and base some really simple ideas right from when they’re first starting to read their right-hand pieces. You’ll see and hear how the process of teaching this takes place and some examples of how it can be done.

Ideas you need to share with your students in the beginning.
Making your method book into lead sheets.
The process of teaching harmony to your students.
Examples of how to play chords and melodies.
Discussing today’s homework.
Q&As and tips.
Sample homeworks.

Links Mentioned

Member Links:

Hesitant to Hero: Hook Your Students with our Top 5 No-Book Teaching Techniques

Thank you for tuning in!

TC284: Chord Quick Wins – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 1

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +1000

If you’re looking for something completely new to teach to your students or different ways of practicing and building skills for your students, then the Hesitant to Hero Challenge is for you. In just a few days, you’ll have the strategies and skills you need to engage your students. We’ll give you proven methods that will have your students practicing heaps, growing in their own practice, and playing motivation. This will allow them to build connections between core concepts and skills, which can lead to better things like sight-reading and just reading more generally. This episode will be the first day of the challenge where we’ll be tackling Chord Quick Wins.

Our topics for the next 5 weeks.
Why I’m passionate about this idea of teaching without the books at the start.
Tip of the iceberg teaching.
3 benefits of holistic music teaching.
Learning about common chord progressions.
Writing your own chord progressions.
How chord progressions will work with students.

What challengers are saying about Chord Quick Wins – Hesitant to Hero Challenge Day 1:

Member Links:

Thank you for tuning in!

TC283: The Magic of Pushing Outside Your Comfort Zone with Jason Sifford

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 13:46:00 +1000

Are you looking for inspiration or wanting to find the magic of pushing outside your comfort zone? Well, you’re in luck because in this episode, Jason Sifford shares his inspiring musical journey from childhood to eventually going into academia and quickly leaving to move to a different state to start his career anew. He took a chance on pursuing music independently by running his own studio, and now, composing. It’s such an inspiring story that may just give you that trigger you need to motivate you in pushing outside your comfort zone and to crawl out of your shell and pursue your dreams.

Jason shares his musical background as a child and going into his teens and early 20s.
The story of how he started to teach at a later age, going to university, and getting his PhD.
How he became an Associate Professor, what it means, and what he taught as an academic.
The elements he used to teach his students piano.
His experience on moving cities, starting from scratch, and becoming an independent teacher.
How and when he started to make and compose music.
Jason tells us about his newly published books and music.
Advice for teachers who are finding themselves stuck to motivate them in pushing outside their comfort zone.

Links Mentioned

Member Links

Today’s Guest

Jason Sifford, NCTM is a freelance pianist, teacher, and composer with a wide range of abilities and interests. He maintains a private teaching studio in Iowa City. Jason is in-demand as an adjudicator and clinician, lecturing on such diverse topics as classical performance practice, jazz pedagogy, technical development in young pianists, composition, and music technology. As a composer, Jason focuses on writing engaging music for student pianists. He is currently a composer and clinician for the Willis Music Company/Hal Leonard and is the composer for the Footliters’ Traveling Playhouse, a children’s musical theater project of the City of Coralville, IA. Jason has served on the boards for the Iowa Music Teachers Association and the City Circle Theatre Company. He currently is a commissioner for the MTNA Certification Board and the chair of the Independent Music Teachers Committee for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC282: Invitation to a TopMusic Power Hour

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +1000

What are you currently struggling with as a music teacher right now? With hundreds, even thousands, of available websites and information available to us with the click of a button, it's so easy to say that it isn't lack of information. But rather, it is lack of motivation, focus, and accountability to get things done. In this episode, join us as we unpack how our TopMusic Power Hour can help take you out of that slump and get you groovin' back to your productive self. And find out how you can get a chance to experience a TopMusic Power Hour with us (for a limited time only)!

Links Mentioned

Member Links

Thank you for tuning in!

TC281: What’s the Secret to Building a Life-long Connection to Music?

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +1000

What's the secret to building a life-long connection to music? In today's episode, we're sharing the presentation that I gave at Nicola Cantan’s Teacher Turboboost event this year titled “Why playing with others helped me play for life.” We're going to unpack one of the key factors, I believe, that contributes to students forming a love and a life-long connection to music and some concrete examples of how you can apply it to your own students and studio.

Our mission at TopMusic.
Memories of my musical activities during my teenage years.
One common factor in all of my musical memories.
The challenges of performing students.
Ideas to get people playing in groups and together.

Freebie: How to Make Music More Social for Your Students PDF

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

TC280: Introducing the TopMusicGuitar Podcast with Michael Gumley

Fri, 27 May 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Michael Gumley, Head of Guitar at TopMusicPro, is joining us once again on the podcast to talk about the newly launched TopMusicGuitar Podcast he’s hosting. In his podcast, Michael interviews awesome guitar teachers doing awesome things in the music education space to share their expertise and knowledge to help you in our own teaching and business. Today, we’re going to get a sneak peek of the guests he’s had and their interesting stories and the future guests that we need to watch out for on the podcast.

TopMusicGuitar Podcast audience.
Michael gives us a rundown on some of the guests he’s had on the show.
Inspirational stories of failures and successes of his podcast guests.
Future guests on the podcast to look out for.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Michael Gumley is a guitar teacher and music educator from Melbourne, Australia. He’s the owner and head teacher at Melbourne Guitar Academy. He rocked his start at guitar playing at age 15 and was instantly hooked. Michael brings his passion for and love of all things guitar to each and every lesson and seeks to capture the same excitement and wonder that captivated him during his guitar journey with all of his students.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC279: How to Take a Break and Really Unplug

Fri, 20 May 2022 05:00:00 +1000

Running a studio isn't easy and because you work so hard, you definitely deserve to go on that dream holiday you've been wanting for so long. When it's finally time to take one, you want to be able to relax and let go of all the worries that come with running a business. But it can be difficult to switch off completely! You have no idea how many times I've tried doing this but ended up checking my messages and emails in the middle of a beach somewhere. Thankfully, I've learnt several ways in which I'm able to reduce distractions and really get away from it all. And that’s what I’m going to share with you in this episode - my 9-step checklist for ultimate relaxation when it’s time to take a break.

- What you need to do with your emails so you don't end up with tons after your holiday.

- Notifications you need to turn off before you leave.

- How to inform and prepare your parents, students, and team about your holiday ahead of time.

- Tips on how you can continue getting new students even when you're away.

Links Mentioned

- Free Blues Teaching Guide

- Michael Hyatt’s Vacation Optimiser

- How to Unplug While You Are on Vacation

Thank you for tuning in!

TC278: The Interview That Made Me Cry with Glory St. Germain

Fri, 13 May 2022 10:00:00 +1000

I was so honoured to be interviewed by Glory St. Germain for her book The Power Of Why: Why 29 Musicians Climbed to Superstar. That’s what I’m going to share with you in this episode. What we talked about in this interview later became a chapter in her book called Notes from Miss Mac. In our conversation, I share my personal journey, the lessons I learned, the challenges I faced, and the genesis of the TopMusicPro community. I also shared how Miss Mac became such a powerful influence in all of this.

What got me started in the music business.
How my lessons were made fun by my teacher, Miss Mac.
The genesis of TopMusicPro community.
The why behind changing Tim Topham to TopMusic.
Challenges that we faced inside TopMusic during the COVID pandemic.
My top three accomplishments.

Links Mentioned

The Power Of Why: Why 29 Musicians Climbed to Superstar

Today’s Guest

Glory St. Germain Founder/CEO, TEDx Speaker, International Bestselling Author of 50+ Ultimate Music Theory Books & The Power of WHY Musicians Series. Glory St. Germain ARCT RMT MYCC UMTC is the music theory expert. She has held positions in many music teacher organizations and associations. Glory's passion for teaching excellence sets a new standard of achievement in Music Theory Education in producing continuous training through her online courses, her membership for Ultimate Music Teachers, and her business coaching.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC277: Our Top 10 Courses Inside the TopMusicPro Academy

Fri, 06 May 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Achieving ongoing success as a music teacher is all about having the right tools at your disposal. TopMusicPro offers you access to courses, workshops, lesson plans, and resources so you can provide your students with the very best in music education. To help you find the most valuable courses for your teaching needs, I’ve listed down our top 10 courses inside the TopMusicPro Academy that will help you become a better teacher today.

Top 10 Courses inside TopMusicPro

No Book Beginners
Taking the Lead with Forrest Kinney
Teaching Students with Special Needs
Teaching Teens and Transfer Students
Technique Foundations and Transformations
Build your Music Studio Website
Growing a Group Teaching Studio
Make More, Teach Less with Pairs, Buddies and Labs
Orff-Schulwerk & Whole Body Learning
Teaching Guitar Scales

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

TC276: Using Facebook Groups and Social Media to Find New Students with Benjamin Nguyen

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +1000

In this episode, our guest Benjamin Nguyen is going to help us understand why social media is a fantastic way to nurture your community and encourage new student sign ups. It’s definitely one of the fastest ways to grow your studio because it has become embedded in our social culture so much that it’s increasingly difficult to think of growing a business without it. If you want to learn how you can use social media to your advantage in your studio, you’ll want to listen to this conversation.

Ben’s musical background and how he started teaching.
How Ben entered the space of helping music teachers with their marketing.
Biggest marketing shifts teachers have had to make during the last few years.
Is social media the best way to get teachers known to students today?
3-step process for teaching teachers to get students using only their laptops.
How to use Facebook Groups for your studio.
3 systems to have in your studio to see consistent growth.
When should you build your email list?
Top 3 tips from Ben to grow your studio.

Guest Links Mentioned

Resources Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Ben Nguyen is an entrepreneur from California who attended San Diego State University and started his first piano lesson business at the age of 18. His musical background specializes in piano and percussion, and he enjoys performing along with teaching. Ben is a musician and consultant who helps music studios profit wildly through increasing the number of students and income. He strives to impact the lives of many students worldwide through sharing the experience of music. With the ongoing budget cuts of music programs in schools nationwide, the growth of music schools and studios is vital to the prosperity of music education.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC275: Teaching Expression in Intermediate Historical Repertoire with Janna Williamson

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Teach your young students the magic of music by unlocking their expression. In today’s episode of the Topcast, we give you a sneak peek into one of Janna Williamson’s workshops inside the TopMusicPro membership where she explores the world of teaching expression in intermediate historical repertoire. Janna Williamson is our historical repertoire expert inside the membership and she gives us tips and secrets on how to teach your students to play expressively and beautifully. Janna will guide you through the differences in playing pieces, why expressive performance matters, identifying “how” each period should sound, and so much more. If you want to lead your students to achieve expressive performance of their intermediate repertoire, this episode is for you.

How to teach these historical time periods.
Why does expressive performance matter?
Learning to choose pieces and repertoire for your students.
Baroque repertoire
Classical repertoire
Romantic repertoire

Links Mentioned

8 Steps to Diploma Exam Success

Today’s Guest

Thank you for tuning in!

TC274: Is It Time to Double Your Rates? Chat with Eric Branner of Fons

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Eric Branner of Fons will give us details on how you can create a plan to double your rates and grow your studio while enjoying teaching. The ideas he shares will help you think about different ways to renew your business and feel more confident about it. We also dive into how Fons, a studio management software he co-founded, can help you in this journey. If you want tips on how to charge more for your teaching services and more, this podcast will be a great place to start.

- Eric tells us about his musical journey from being a student to becoming a teacher.

- What other teachers are doing to feel comfortable and awesome about their teaching.

- How raising your rates can help you get more students and grow your business.

- Eric gives great advice for teachers who feel like they can’t charge more than what they’re charging.

- Learn different ways to improve the way you market yourself as a teacher in the next 6-12 months.

- Do you need to differentiate yourself and your teaching?

- The story behind co-founding the tech startup, Fons.

- The different features of Fons and how it helps teachers in their studios.

Links Mentioned

- Turning off Autopilot in Piano Practice Download

- Fons

Today's Guest

Eric Branner is the CEO/co-founder of Fons.com, an award winning web-based platform that streamlines payment and scheduling for appointment-based businesses. He is also a Seattle-based guitarist, teacher, author, songwriter, and owner of the Blackforrest Music School.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC273: What is a TopMusic Teacher?

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +1000

If you’re listening to this podcast, then you’ve probably accepted the calling to become a music teacher. But let me ask you, what does it really mean to be a TopMusic teacher? In this episode, we’re going to demystify what it means. We will talk about who you are, why you’re here, why a TopMusic teacher is different from a traditional teacher, and why we think that matters.

Links Mentioned

Member Links

TopMusic Teacher Manifesto

Thank you for tuning in!

TC272: Online Music Education Trends with Owen Grover of TrueFire Studios

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 07:00:00 +1000

Do you use online platforms in your music studio? In this episode, I’ve invited Owen Grover, CEO of TrueFire Studios, to talk about trends in online music education. Education technology is going to stay and will also evolve in so many ways. Given that, we should now think of how we, as music educators, use this as a complement to our studio offerings.

[05:15] Owen tells about his musical background.
[07:36] The story behind TrueFire Studios and how the company merger made sense in the industry.
[10:48] What TrueFire Studios and their brands are all about.
[18:06] The story behind why TrueFire Studios was named as one of the most interesting disruptors in the industry.
[21:30] Why teachers shouldn’t feel threatened about e-learning apps.
[27:02] Tips on how teachers can bring the convenience of apps and tech into their studios.
[30:20] The effect of short attention spans in what TrueFire is doing.
[33:17] Is content still king?
[35:46] Owen tells us more about I Heart Radio and PocketCast.
[41:05] Tips for teachers to grow in this content rich high-tech world
[44:04] Predictions in the next 5-10 years on e-learning and AI.
[47:57] A peek into the future plans of TrueFire Studios.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Owen Grover is the CEO of TrueFire Studios, the world's leading online music education platform. Owen has spent the last 25 years at the intersection of music and technology. Previously, he served as CEO of Pocket Casts, an acclaimed global podcasting platform. He was also a founding member of the iHeartRadio team, and he helped establish iHeart's entertainment division. A passionate music fan, Owen lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC271: Turboboost Your Teaching with Nicola Cantan

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Today’s episode is all about Nicola Cantan’s upcoming Teacher Turboboost Retreat. We’re going to be sharing exactly what’s happening and how this retreat is different from every other online summit, retreat, or conference you’ve attended. If you’re tired of coming home from events with only a notebook full of notes and no actions taken, this 5-day retreat is for you! Each day, we’ll be talking about different topics and strategies to help you in your teaching today. Join us in this conversation to get more details about this upcoming event and how you can purchase your ticket with $10 off!

What is Teacher Turboboost Retreat?
What makes Teacher Turboboost Retreat different from other teacher events?
Nicola shares the retreat and presentation flow.
Learn more about the 5-Day Retreat’s daily theme.
The main speakers of the Teacher Turboboost Retreat.
Information about the event date and replays.
Get the best deal to join the retreat here!

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Thank you for tuning in!

TC270: Tim Gets a Piano Lesson on Chopin and Scarlatti from Fred Karpoff

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Fred Karpoff and I have known each other for years. And I’ve always wanted to explore having him teach me because he has some different approaches to what I was taught in regard to technique, rotation, and thumb under. Today, we’re going to finally make that happen! In this episode, you’re going to hear me go through a piano lesson on Chopin and Scarlatti with Fred. He will share his observations, tips, and techniques as I play through the advanced pieces and share the challenges I’m having with it.

Here’s my piano lesson on Chopin and Scarlatti with Fred Karpoff:

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Winner of the MTNA Frances Clark Keyboard Pedagogy Award, USIA Artistic Ambassador, and international Steinway Artist, Fred Karpoff guides pianists and teachers to achieve effortless three-dimensional piano technique as the artistic producer of Entrada Piano. Fred is an American pianist and music educator. Fred is renowned for developing both the 3-D Piano Method of piano playing and teaching. He is the founder and artistic producer of Entrada Piano, an online video resource for. Karpoff received his undergraduate education at Northwestern University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from the Peabody Conservatory. He is Professor of Piano and Ensemble Arts and co-chair of the keyboard department at the Setnor School of Music, Syracuse University.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC269: How to Sell Your Teaching Materials Online

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +1000

As a music teacher, you probably have some awesome teaching materials of your own. And we know that sometimes, it’s hard for us to build a strategy to create and sell those resources. In this episode of the TopCast, we share some great ideas on how you can earn more money and free up time for yourself by selling your teaching materials and music education resources online. I also share four great reasons why you might want to sell your teaching materials online, I’ll give you real-life examples of what our members are selling online, and I’ll help you explore the idea of how you can do the same.

Beat the overwhelm and get started with creating and selling teaching materials online:

Learn 4 great reasons why you might want to sell your teaching materials online.
Examples of music teachers who are now successful with selling their teaching resources online.
Four most commonly asked questions about selling your digital products online.
Learn more about the Music Teacher Online Launch System.
The three stages you need to go through to create your products and sell them successfully.

Links Mentioned

Music Teacher Startup

Thank you for tuning in!

TC268: Can PracticeSpace Motivate Your Students to Practice? with Robert Miller and Chris Mallett

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +1000

Do you find yourself dealing with the perennial problem of students not practising? In this episode, music teachers and business owners, Christopher Mallett and Robert Miller, will share one gamification app that can help motivate your students to practice more effectively and more often. Using decades worth of teaching experience, the duo designed and founded the Practice Space app, with both the teachers and students in mind. Christopher and Robert share the story behind why they built the app and give us a demo of how the app works. They tell us how it can help skyrocket your students’ interest in practising and learning through a rewards and leaderboards-based system.

The interesting story of how Practice Space app was built.
How to effectively improve the practice habits of your students with Practice Space App.
Stand out characteristics of the Practice Space app.
See and hear the overview of how the app works from the teacher’s and student’s perspective.
Using gems, gifts, challenges, streaks on the app to motivate your students to practice more.
Tips on how Practice Space app can be used for missed lessons.

Find out how you can motivate your students to practice more effectively.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

As music teachers and business owners, Christopher Mallett and Robert Miller have spent their careers focused on one simple mission – to help music teachers get their students to practice more effectively and more often. With decades of teaching experience, they are always looking for ways to motivate students to practice. And in 2020, they founded the music app Practice Space.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC267: What’s Your Studio Success Path for Teaching Music?

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 23:35:00 +1000

Where do you want to bring your teaching studio in 2022? What are your goals and the steps you are taking to reach it? You might be thinking that you’re too busy to think about all of this. But I’m here to tell you that in as little as 10 minutes of learning per day, it is possible to achieve standout studio success. Today, I’m going to share the proprietary system we’ve created to take any teacher from where they’re at right now to wherever they want to go in as little as 10 minutes of learning per day. In this episode, you'll get an overview of the 9-step Studio Success Path that can help you become a confident and successful studio owner:

Why we developed the Studio Success Path.
Learn how the Studio Success Path system can help develop your teaching in 2022.
One question you need to ask yourself to know your success path destination.
A sneak peek on the 9 steps of the path.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

TC266: Is Classical Music Dying? A Chat with Benjamin Zander

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +1000

How will future generations experience and value classical music? In this episode, world-renowned conductor Benjamin Zander of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra joins Tim to discuss the direction of classical music and the influence of the music teaching industry. He shares about speaking at Ted Talks, with anecdotes of Boston Philharmonic Symphony musicians and students of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

[3:14] The responsibility of music teachers
[5:45] Being part of the "healing profession"
[6:30] Our job as teachers
[7:03] the impact of Beethoven and emotion in classical music
[8:50] the significance of the upcoming Boston Philharmonic Symphony repertoire
[10:00] What to say when you make a mistake
[12:48] The responsibility of the conductor
[14:30] breaking down the formality of classical music
[20:05] The depth of classical music when we turn off autopilot
[22:09] Boston Philharmonic during covid
[23:05] Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra students
[29:30] On transitioning from performing to conducting
[39:23] Helping students remove extra impulses
[43:00] Who we are being in the world
[45:50] How the "A method" might work in instrumental studio lessons
[53:22] Last word from Benjamin Zander

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC265: How Music Can Change a Grieving Heart with Leila Viss

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Our good friend Leila Viss, known to many of you as an inspirational piano teacher and speaker, joins us to talk about overcoming grief through music and how music can change a grieving heart. She shares her personal walk through this topic and how music helped her to process and heal. Leila also presents insights about how the body always keeps the score when dealing with trauma. Let us know in the comments if this is your experience, too!

[9:23] Leila gives an overview about her NCKP talk entitled “Keeping it together when life falls apart”.
[11:47] Leila’s grief playlist and her journey back to finding music.
[14:02] Leila’s NCKP talk.
[32:58] How music can change a grieving heart and what it can do for someone else.
[36:11] Finding meaning from the accident.
[38:06] The feedback Leila received from being open about this painful experience.
[40:00] Resources for people who might be facing similar challenges.

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Leila Viss is a piano teacher, presenter and author based in Denver, Colorado. She has a mix of styles in her teaching blending, written instruction and reading with lots of creativity. In 2012, she began a blog about piano teaching at leilaviss.com. Her fascination with the iPad and apps resulted in a book called The iPad Piano Studio: Keys to Unlocking the Power of Apps. With Bradley Sowash, Leila co-founded 88 Creative Keys. The six-year event featured webinars and workshops on how to encourage improvisation. At the University of Denver, Leila coordinated the piano proprietary program for three years. Leila presents frequently on national and international conferences. She penned a regular column for The Clavier Companion and currently sits on the editorial committee of the American Music Teachers Magazine for MTNA. As a longtime church organist, choir and worship team pianist, Leila enjoys putting in a fresh twist on all hymns and tunes. Her latest project includes her Key Ideas Podcast, digital cause and writing a book about a devastating family event.

Today's Sponsor

Music teachers all over the globe agree – My Music Staff is the #1 software solution to manage your business! Whether you’re a private music teacher or studio owner, My Music Staff will streamline your administrative work, leaving you more time to do what you love… teach! Collecting payments and organizing your lesson schedule has never been easier, but that’s not all you can do with My Music Staff! From managing private and group lessons to automatic invoicing and billing to sharing multimedia content (and much, much more), you’ll have everything you need to run a successful music business.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC264: When Your Role as a Teacher is Threatened

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 09:30:00 +1000

As a teacher, it is so inevitable to get that one student who makes you rethink your role as a teacher – students who like teaching themselves on YouTube, doing rote learning, and who are just really out of the box. I’ve had that experience. And I know many teachers see this in their studios as well. So what do we do when our roles as teachers are threatened? In this episode, Tim gives us explanations ad examples of what we can do and why we should do it.

[01:34] Knowing your role as a teacher when you have a student who wants to learn independently through YouTube or rote learning.
[03:16] Changing your mindset and approach to guide your students better in what they’re doing.
[04:39] Examples of what you can do with students to guide and support them in their learning.
[06:05] Why autonomy is so important for a student’s success.
[07:57] Teaching teens and adult students based on their goals in learning.
[08:43] Tim shares Forrest Kinney’s experience on teaching a student who wanted to learn only the Beatles.
[10:22] Ti’m’s experience on teaching a student who was ready to quit learning piano.
[11:41] How to put autonomy within the bounds of your teaching approach.
[12:12] What to do with a student who’s fixated on one thing.
[14:43] Should students be taught how to read right away?
[16:45] Tips on guiding and inspiring students to learn how to read.
[19:23] Ideas on handling students.

Links Mentioned

TopMusicPro membersip

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC263: 263 How to Build Student Trust and Connection with Gloria Tham-Haines

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Music brings out our student's creativity and expressive potential. But when students experience frustration or trauma or stress, we often encounter different responses. What is the role that music teachers play in this situation? How do we make ourselves aware of our actions? Stress and trauma can affect our students, which then affects us, too. And that is why building trust and connection with our students is imperative. By using therapeutic techniques, we help calm our brains and our students' brains, consequently unlocking their potential.

[03:22] Gloria shares her educational background.
[04:09] The story about how she found out about trauma-informed teaching.
[08:42] Behaviors or examples in the studio that may be related to trauma.
[13:15] The biggest pushback that intervention practitioners get.
[25:17] The shift in Gloria's teaching philosophy and how this enabled her teach more because of this.
[28:01] Gloria gives an example of building trust and connections with her students.
[31:30] Being aware of and addressing the sensory needs of your students.
[38:36] The importance of being aware of yourself as a teacher.
[40:53] Learning more about the different attachment styles of teachers.
[44:02] Working together with parents as teachers.
[49:50] Resources available on trauma-informed training.

Resources Mentioned

Links Mentioned

Musica Gloria Piano

Today's Guest

Dr. Gloria Tham-Haines is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music and a member of the Music Teachers National Association. She is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention® Practitioner and a national presenter on incorporating Trust-Based Relational Intervention® strategies to build a trauma-informed piano studio. Dr. Tham-Haines has recently been named lecturer of music at Oklahoma Baptist University. She has taught class piano and applied piano there since 2017. In 2019, she was selected as a Teacher of Distinction by the Royal Conservatory of Music, Canada.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC262: TopMusicGuitar Unearthed with Tim and Michael

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +1000

We are so excited to share the latest and biggest update at topmusic.co for 2021 - the launch of TopMusicGuitar. In this episode, Michael Gumley, Head of TopMusicGuitar, and I will be talking about how the membership and program can help teachers of all ages and stages become better at managing their teaching and business. We chat about the available resources and courses you can take advantage of; building relationships and having a community you can connect with and learn from; teaching strategies that can help your students understand concepts easier and better; and so much and more. If you're ready to take your guitar teaching to the next level, this episode is for YOU.

[03:33] Details about what we’re going to talk about in this episode - the TopMusicGuitar launch!
[04:40] Michael shares how TopMusicGuitar can help guitar teachers in their teaching and business.
[06:10] The power of community in bringing in amazing teachers together to inspire and learn from each other.
[09:20] Things that excite Michael about launching TopMusicGuitar.
[11:00] Resources members can take advantage of at TopMusicGuitar no matter where they are in their teaching journey.
[13:09] Tips on dynamic teaching strategies to help students reach their goals and the impact of using analogies to assist them in understanding concepts better.
[19:20] A sneak peek on the core courses under TopMusicGuitar.
[26:06] Future TopMusic courses on helping your teaching business grow.
[31:38] How the membership can help you become a better guitar teacher, have satisfied & happy students, and grow your business.
[34:28] Learn more about what’s in store for you if you become part of our launch crew at the TopMusicGuitar program.
[39:41] Details about the upcoming webinar to launch TopMusicGuitar.

Links Mentioned

Join our upcoming webinar on Sunday Oct 17 at 8pm ET / Oct 18 Melbourne at 11am
Get on our list and receive the latest updates about TopMusicGuitar

Today's Guest

Michael is a guitar teacher and music educator from Melbourne, Australia. He’s the owner and head teacher at Melbourne Guitar Academy. Michael brings his passion for and love of all things guitar to each and every lesson and seeks to capture the same excitement and wonder that captivated him during his guitar journey with all of his students. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TOPMUSICGUITAR MEMBERSHIP

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC261: Managing Individual Learning in Group Lessons with Melanie Bowes

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Nicola Cantan takes over the podcast to introduce us to Melanie Bowes and the wonderful world of learning in group lessons. Melanie has such an interesting perspective on group teaching. If you are absolutely sure that you never want to do group teaching, we encourage you to listen anyway. There’s definitely something here for everyone including just understanding how to differentiate things for different levels of students, teaching online, and so much more.

Common myths and misconceptions about group teaching.
Things teachers need to invest in for group teaching.
Options for teaching spaces for groups.
The differences of private versus group lessons.
Mistakes teachers can make when starting to teach groups.
The importance of headphones in classes.
Dealing with students who are behind or ahead.
General progress of students who are learning in group lessons.
Melanie shares more about the KeyNotes Program.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Melanie Bowes is the founder of KeyNotes Music, a group piano program which focuses on collaborative group learning in the foundation stages of piano. Having taught for many years as a school music teacher, plus her extensive post-graduate qualifications in music education, Melanie has brought together all her experience and knowledge to support teachers in delivering innovative and progressive group classes. Her work in curriculum design and research into how children learn in the wider sense have led to the creation of KeyNotes Music which uses a cyclical curriculum structure and differentiated learning to ensure maximum impact on learning and the management of individual learners within group classes.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC260: How to Make Exams a Positive Experience with the Music Teacher’s Board

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +1000

We all know the dread that can come with exams. Today, guests Mark and Nav from Music Teachers Board in the UK explain a potential way to make exams positive and a more pleasant experience for students. Mark and Nav break down the options that come with exams through MTB using technology, examiner training, and consistency throughout the process. This episode may just challenge you to change up how your students do exams in your studio.

[03:59] Mark tells us what the Music Teachers Board is.
[04:40] Learning about Mark's journey doing traditional exams.
[08:50] How the live experience differs from MTB.
[11:05] Nav explains a safe performance environment between student and teacher.
[13:28] The shock of an online exam at first.
[15:45] Mark explains the two types of exams.
[32:34] How the exams are graded.
[32:34] Explanation of consistency across all MTB exams
[34:08] Examiner training and location
[35:34] Collaboration with Tomplay
[38:38] Nav explains how a teacher would transition to MTB online exams.
[52:41] The option of two pregrades

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='141543']

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Mark Kesel is the founder, chief examiner, and head of trumpet and cornet at the Music Teachers Board. With over 40 years’ experience as a classical performer, arranger, composer and instrumental teacher of students of all ages and experience from beginner to university, Mark Kesel has been Chief Examiner for MTB Exams throughout the development of the Board, overseeing its gaining recognition from Ofqual and UCAS as well as the development and launch of MTB’s Pre-Grades and Grade 1-8 qualifications. Naveen Arles is the community and development manager for the Music Teachers Board. Nav has established himself as an energetic, inspirational vocal leader and animateur. Founder of MDBrunch, his 36 years in music incorporates 26 years of creating singing groups of all ages and skills.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC259: Developing Innovative Music Teaching with Noteflight & John Mlynczak

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we are going to talk about one of my favorite online music notation softwares, Noteflight, with John Mylnczak. We're going to unpack the Noteflight and SoundCheck softwares - its benefits, features, and how it can you can use it in your own studio. If you are looking for a music notation app bundled with a performance assessment tool for your students, this episode is for you.

[02:37] John tells us about his role at Hal Leonard.
[03:30] Learning about John’s musical journey.
[13:05] Missing education and teaching.
[15:45] How publishing companies have adjusted during the pandemic.
[18:32] The characteristics that sets Noteflight apart.
[23:32] Noteflight’s free plan.
[26:03] Learning more about SoundCheck, a performance assessment tool for students.
[33:13] Inclusions of multi-student licenses in SoundCheck.
[35:03] The potential of technology for music teachers.
[41:27] How technology is going to impact music lessons in the future.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='141483']

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

John Mlynczak, offers an extensive range of experiences in music education and the music industry and is a frequent national clinician. John is currently Vice President of Music Education and Technology for Hal Leonard and he’s past president of the Technology Institute of Music Educators. John also teaches online graduate courses at VanderCook College and Boston University online and is Google Level 2 Certified Educator. Mr. Mlynczak is a passionate advocate for music education and technology, serving on the NAMM State Advocacy Coalition and the NAfME Advocacy Leadership Force. And he’s Advocacy Chairman for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. He holds an undergrad degree in Music Education and graduate degrees in both Music Performance and Educational Leadership.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC258: Composer Spotlight with Kevin Olson

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +1000

We're joined this week by none other than one of the best-loved jazz educational composers today, Kevin Olson. Kevin brings a fresh perspective about composing the styles and sounds that inspire our students. He draws inspiration from Schumann to Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock in his compositions, which are frequently top choices for students since they're so enjoyable to play. Our conversation covers chats about creativity, composition, his work at Utah State University, and a look at his latest music featured in TopMusicSheets this month. Members - get Kevin's latest book free inside TopMusicPro membership!

Do we still have a crisis in creativity?
His experience with publishing with companies and self-publishing his work.
Kevin tells us about the music in his TopMusicSheets collection in TopMusicPro.
His process of recreating and writing pieces.
Sharing the audio and the story behind the Rockasaurus Rex piece.
Things that composers consider when composing pieces.
Kevin’s favourite piece in his TopMusicSheets collection.
Learning more about his role as professor at Utah State University.
The effect of the pandemic on his students.
Common concerns pedagogy students on moving to a teaching career.
Kevin’s advice for young teachers.

Transcript of the show

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Links Mentioned

TopCast 118 - The “Crisis in Creativity”[embed]https://youtu.be/6AmKl6XfA3s[/embed]

Today's Guest

Kevin Olson is an active pianist, composer, and member of the faculty at Utah State University where he has taught courses in piano literature, pedagogy, accompanying, music theory, commercial composition, rock and roll history, among many others. In addition to his collegiate teaching responsibilities, Kevin coordinates the piano program at Utah State University and oversees the Utah State University Youth Conservatory, which provides weekly group and private piano instruction to over a hundred and fifty pre-college community students.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC257: How to save your sanity creating weekly lesson plans with Rosemarie Penner

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Creating weekly lesson plans can be stressful during lessons, and can eat up your valuable planning time, too. Rosemarie Penner of The Unfinished Lesson shares how you can win back your time with making successful lesson plans for your students. She also shares some of the ways to manage online lesson plans, how to engage your group classes online, her must-have app, and more teacher hacks! Rosemarie is currently featured in our new membership course called Lesson Prep Quest in TopMusicPro. This is where you're going to learn the best ways to plan and prepare for weekly lessons with interviews from nine top teachers, including Rosemarie, Nicola Cantan, and more. If you need guidance on planning, changing to group or online formats, or just just up-leveling some of your existing frameworks, this course is for you.

[02:23] Rosemarie’s short introduction on herself and her teaching experience.
[04:11] Benefits of a good lesson planning system.
[05:48] Rosemarie’s favourite apps.
[07:42] Process for practice planning.
[11:02] Ideas for group lessons and workshops.
[18:17] Tips for online lesson planning.
[22:23] 3 Things you shouldn’t do.
[25:02] Involving parents in lessons.
[29:09] Top advice for lesson planning.

Transcript of the show about creating lesson plans

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='141393']

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Rosemarie Penner is an analytical creative… plus online piano teacher and composer at “Must Love Music”! She loves to make learning simple, fun and interactive. When not writing articles (like this one), she enjoys reading and playing video games. For creative ideas and resources, visit Must Love Music.

Today's Sponsor

Sheet Music Plus is the home of the world’s largest selection of sheet music. Offering more than 2 million titles, you’ll find everything you need for your students, for yourself, and for every group you play with. Shop songbooks, classical repertoire, and piano methods, all conveniently shipped to your front door. At Sheet Music Plus, you can also choose from hundreds of thousands of digital scores that you can download and play instantly, perfect for lessons and last-minute needs. And, best of all, teachers are eligible to get 8% cash back on all purchases with the Sheet Music Plus Easy Rebates program. Shop today at SheetMusicPlus.com!

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC256: Part Three: 7 Key Areas of Geometric Playing with Michael Gumley

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Learn about the common guitar teacher mistakes, why most guitar teachers and guitar methods get things wrong, gamification ideas for guitars, important mindset shifts for guitar teachers and music teachers, and so much more. In the final episode of our three-part podcast series with our TopMusicPro Guitar head, Michael Gumley, we talk specifically about guitar teaching and teaching in general. Whatever instrument you teach, you will definitely get awesome ideas and tips from this conversation.

[02:33] Biggest mistakes guitar teachers are making.
[07:12] Reading music and learning theories are still important but you don’t have to teach them upfront.
[10:57] Understanding the 7 Key Geometric Method.
[17:44] Gamification ideas in lessons.
[21:42] Encouraging students to practice.
[23:52] Mindset shifts guitar teachers should consider.
[25:34] Doing private versus group lessons.
[35:28] Tip for guitar teachers.

Transcript of the show

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Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC255: Teaching Guitar with the 80/20 Pareto Principle with Michael Gumley (Pt 2)

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +1000

This episode is part two of a three-part podcast series with our TopMusicPro Guitar head, Michael Gumley. Michael has shared tons of wisdom in this episode on teaching students, setting goals, getting engagement, managing money and so much more. In fact, our conversation had so much goodness that I had to listen to it a second time to take down notes. As a music teacher in general, you'll be able to pick up heaps of knowledge from Michael and we're so excited to be sharing some of it with you today.

The importance of a teacher’s job.
Practicing your instrument and having fun.
Classical conservatism vs. embracing changing contemporary music.
Tips on Goal Setting.
Getting more engagement from students.
Valuable tips around money.
Understanding training versus teaching.

Transcript of the show

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Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC254: Part One: Forming an Identity as a Musician with Michael Gumley

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Unpack a whole lot of tips, bust some myths, and engage and motivate students with Michael Gumley and I in this three part podcast series. Micael is the owner and head teacher at Melbourne Guitar Academy and head of the soon-to-launch TopMusicPro Guitar Program. Today we’re going to unpack his own story, how he came to work with us and our plans for this new element of the TopMusicPro membership.

[07:12] Michael shares his story about how he came to do the work he’s doing now.
[15:44] Deepening students’ identity as a musician.
[19:29] Michael continues his journey into learning guitar.
[22:28] Teaching students pieces that they want to learn, not only what they need to learn.
[28:09] How and when he decided to become a guitar teacher.
[43:46] Michael gives us an overview of where he’s at now and his teaching.

Transcript of the show

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Links Mentioned

Melbourne Guitar Academy

Today's Guest

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC253: What It’s Like to Run an Online Only Studio with Jaime Gibson

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Transitioning to an online-only studio has been a challenge for most teachers but my guest, Jaime Gibson, took this challenge to a whole new level by opening up his online studio to international students. Gibson Online Music School, formed in 2020, currently has students in six countries and across most states of Australia. His teaching faculty hold music degrees specialized in e-learning using the school's unique platform and technologies. In this episode, he’s going to share his teaching background, how he started his online-only music school, how he runs it, how he found his teachers, his teaching and technology tips especially for young teachers in our profession, the tools he uses, and so much more.

[02:56] Jaime shares the story of how he started his music studio.
[05:28] Enabling teachers to set up their music studios as a business.
[09:45] Jamie’s studio, teachers and how they are teaching online.
[13:46] How his alignment in creativity sets him apart from other studios.
[19:44] Talking about the Tomplay App
[24:55] How exam boards and established institutions have shifted in the last year.
[25:36] The story of how the Sydney International Piano Competition was done online.
[27:22] Jamie tells us about his online Open Mic Nights.
[34:33] Redrafting in music education.
[37:21] Tips for teachers on using technology for online lessons.
[42:47] Moving across the monthly cycle billing.
[44:47] His future plans for his studio.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='141178']

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Jaime Gibson, founder of Gibson Online Music School, is a multi-instrumentalist who holds a Bachelor of Music and Grad Dip Ed from Sydney and a Masters in Educational Leadership, which he attained over in the United Kingdom. As a performer, Jaime has performed at Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, the Sydney Opera House, and has toured Africa, Russia, Mexico and throughout Europe.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC252: Saving Hours of Your Time Through Newzik with Paul Leverger

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Do you use your computer, laptop, tablet or phone to access your sheet music for practice, performance or teaching? If you do or are considering doing so, this episode is definitely for you. Paul Leverger of Newzik will give us an in-depth overview of the app they’ve created and how it can help you as a teacher, composer, performer, and musician. The features of the app will blow your mind, particularly the new Maestria program that uses artificial intelligence to do awesome things to your music sheets. Join us in this conversation to know more about how it may be helpful for you as a teacher or performer and how you can access your free one month Newzik app trial!

[03:30] Learn about the Newzik app and what it does.
[05:23] The collaboration and cloud-based connectivity on the Newzik app.
[06:31] The difference between a digital score and just a pdf score.
[08:35] How Maestria can help you listen to your sheet music and take it to the next level.
[13:22] Using the app to practice and collaborate with others when you’re unable to do so face-to-face.
[15:36] How Newzik is different from forScore
[19:24] Getting music sheet pdfs into the Newzik.
[24:31] Newzik subscription prices and free forever version.
[28:18] Extended free trial for podcast listeners.

Transcript of the show on Newzik app

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Newzik Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Paul Leverger is a trained drama and electronic musician who is passionate about music technology. Before taking over as chief marketing officer of Newzik, he spent three years travelling the world to train people to use their software with digital scores. A true music expert, he now dedicates his time to help music teachers innovate in their teaching and save time by using digital score technology.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC251: From Elementary Music Teacher to Teacher Mentor with Jessica Peresta

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Have you ever had the intention to do something with your career and life shifts that completely? Jessica has that story! As very qualified teacher, she intended to return to the classroom but she pivoted and now she mentors other teachers. In this episode, Jessica shares how she grew her business from knowing nothing about growing an audience or building a business to hiring her first employee.

[3:19] Jessica shares her background in piano and teaching elementary music
[5:14] She tells the story of how she kept going with piano in her teen years
[6:59] How Jessica learned to read chord charts
[8:05] Here is why Jessica changed her major to Music Education from Piano Performance
[9:31] The struggle of being hired at a school with no music program
[15:48] How long Jessica ended up staying at the school
[18:38] How Jessica shifted to start her own business
[20:49] Jessica shared how she started to grow her audience of teachers
[23:02] Sources Jessica used to learn how to continue to grow her business
[25:03] Opportunities from Jessica's website and business
[28:06] Choosing an outlet that suits your personality and drive
[28:45] The question Jessica gets asked all the time
[32:46] Why and how Jessica named her business

Transcript of the show

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Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Jessica Peresta helps elementary music educators thrive in teaching and go from feeling overwhelmed to confident. She is the blogger and podcaster at The Domestic Musician, providing teachers with the music education resources, lesson plans, teacher training, and community they’ve been looking for.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC250: Creative Piano Mashups with Rebecca Singerman-Knight

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +1000

With COVID and lockdown, a lot of teachers and students have been faced with the challenge of learning online. Teachers, especially, have had to think of ways to make online lessons more fun and engaging. In this episode, Rebecca Singerman-Knight, shares how she did this through her Lockdown Mashups activity with her students which has encouraged them to compose, sing, and play music that they really love.

[02:37] Rebecca shares about her teaching and studio.
[04:02] She talks about her childhood piano lessons.
[06:16] How her teaching looked before she joined TopMusicPro membership.
[08:58] Pain points of teachers who join the membership.
[10:14] Coping during the time of lockdown with her students and working on Lockdown Mashups with them.
[20:29] Steps she took to do the Lockdown Mashups with her students.
[21:16] Resources and apps she used for checking her lessons.
[25:36] Rebecca shares the mashups of her students.
[38:52] Tailoring the activity for the students.
[40:30] Mashups and combinations she has up her sleeve at the moment.
[42:40] Teaching tips for teachers.
[45:55] How she came across the TMP community and how she uses it.
[52:26] Advice for teachers who want to join the membership.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='141055']

Links & Resources Mentioned

Today's Guest

Rebecca Singerman-Knight is a piano teacher based in Teddington, South West London. Rebecca worked in the corporate world for 15 years before leaving to set up her own private studio. She tailors her teaching to her students’ specific interests and provides a varied musical experience in her lessons. In this podcast episode she shares how she got creative with her lessons during lockdown doing piano mashups with her students.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC249: The Art of Communication with Ben Kapilow

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +1000

As a piano teacher or podcast host, it is so important for you to be able to connect and communicate with your students and audience effectively. But this doesn’t come naturally for all of us. This broadcast originally aired on the Ben Kapilow All Keyed Up podcast, shared with permission. Ben and Tim discuss tips learned on the art of communicating effectively as teachers and podcast hosts. We also discuss the importance of being student-centred, how you can prepare and stay present in lessons, and why silence can be crucial in effective communication, too.

[01:14] Overlap and connection between podcasting and interviewing and lesson delivery.
[04:39] How to make lessons student-led for shy students.
[08:16] Approaching podcast interviews in a neutral way.
[12:22] His experience in rethinking teaching approaches to students.
[14:11] The importance of being student-centered.
[17:11] Balance of being prepared and being present in podcasting and teaching.
[22:03] How Tim has learned to communicate with laser sharp clarity.
[28:25] Tim shares more about TopCast and TopMusic.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='141021']

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Ben Kapilow is a music director, teacher, composer, and podcast host. The All Keyed Up podcast is an interview podcast where he speaks with a wide range of professionals about topics that are pertinent to the field of piano teaching. Ben has served as the Resident Music Director for the Media Theatre for the Performing Arts since Summer 2017. As a composer, his works have been performed by various groups. But one of his biggest interests is writing music for children. His pieces have been performed by about 40 elementary and middle school vocal and instrumental groups. Ben currently teaches private piano, songwriting, and voice lessons through the Media Theatre. His studio currently includes approximately 55 students and he is intricately involved in the theater’s education program. He currently holds PreK-12 Music Teacher Certification for the state of Maryland.

He graduated Pi Kappa Lambda from the Peabody Conservatory with an M.M. in Music Composition in 2017. In 2013, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Swarthmore College with a B.A. in Music and Psychology.

Today's Sponsor

Newzik is a unique digital score platform that lets you work in real-time with other musicians. With over 100,000+ users, Newzik lets you organize your scores in a digital library accessible at all times, enrich your scores with multimedia files including YouTube videos, and most importantly share your scores and markings in real-time with your band, your students, or your entire orchestra. Newzik offers a free-forever option as well as affordable subscriptions with unlimited storage and extra features such as Maestria, the first Optical Music Recognition technology based on artificial intelligence, which lets you turn paper into interactive digital scores.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC248: Building Community with Piano Parents and Other Teachers with Shelly Davis

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +1000

The encouragement of piano parents to their children plays a huge part in their growth as a student. But, as piano teachers, we also have a role to play in collaborating and connecting with parents and other teachers to help our students succeed. In this episode, Shelly Davis shares the lessons she has learned over the years by teaching piano, as well as interviewing so many teachers, parents, and students on her podcast, the Piano Parent Podcast.

[02:40] Shelly gives us an update and peek behind the scenes on her Piano Parent Podcast.
[05:17] The technological advancements she has gained since starting the podcast.
[07:10] Lessons from the podcast that she has applied in her teaching life.
[10:40] Shelly tells us about how music teachers have a different level of parent support at home.
[15:12] Advice for teachers to help connect with their studio parents better to inspire students.
[19:01] Having parents feel that they are in a combined partnership with the piano teacher.
[23:21] Challenges that make it hard for parents to help at home.
[27:25] Shelly tells us more about the concept of the community of teachers.
[34:08] Advice and thoughts about parents and music education.
[38:32] Shelly tells us more about her new project.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140993']

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Shelly Davis is the host of the Piano Parent Podcast. She’s been an independent piano teacher since 1990 and has worked with hundreds of children. She currently lives in Texas, has been married for 32 years, and is the parent of four musical children.

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC247: It’s Just a Job! with Rachel King

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Have you ever felt that sense of dread or burnout over teaching? Well, today’s member spotlight really shines a light on this feeling that we all have from time to time. Rachel King had these negative feelings for quite a while but, thankfully, found a way out of it which is what she shares in this episode. She is now enjoying her teaching like never before. I'm so thankful because Rachel really lets us into her life and how she’s feeling. She also shares the shift she made, how it came about, and the impact it has had on her teaching and students.

[03:34] Rachel shares an update on her current studio and students.
[04:36] Her feelings regarding her teaching before.
[07:29] What she did to make herself feel enthusiastic in teaching again.
[11:12] How she felt after her mindset change.
[12:23] The outcomes that happened after.
[14:13] The reaction of students to the change.
[15:53] Her new approach to teaching students.
[17:32] Feeling less anxious and frustrated about lessons.
[19:30] Rachel talks about liking her students better and students performing better after the change.
[20:00] The changes she saw in her relationship with money and the income that she's making.
[20:58] Being able to stand firm on her studio policies and increasing rates because of her new mindset.
[24:29] Rachel's response on emotional investment in teaching.
[27:54] How Rachel found out about TopMusicPro.
[30:33] Sharing how she justifies the investment she's making at TMP.
[31:54] Future plans for her studio.

Transcript of the show

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Today's Guest

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC246: Why ALL students need to sing with Nikki Loney from The Full Voice Podcast

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Have you ever considered implementing singing in each of your lessons? Or is it already a part of your teaching routine? There is so much benefit to be gained from this exercise and this is what Nikki Loney and I are going to talk about today. Nikki is the owner of The Full Voice, The Full Voice Music (a publishing company), and host of The Full Voice Podcast. In this episode, she shares some practical tips and ideas for getting started in including singing in instrumental lessons. It is so valuable in teaching and learning instruments which is why singing is also a core part of my No Book Beginner Framework. It's about how I teach in those first 3 to 10 lessons without any reading and without any method books. But there is a lot of singing, chanting, and clap backs, and musical conversations, and percussion, and all that kind of stuff because it’s so important.

[03:16] Nikki’s story of how she came to do what she’s doing now.
[08:21] The importance of singing for instrumentalists.
[15:45] Initial things we can do with students ages 6 and 7 for singing.
[20:45] Enhancing lessons with singing work.
[23:26] Her take on Kazoos.
[24:03] Improvements teachers who start encouraging singing in their lessons can expect from their students.
[27:55] Nikki tells us about the Full Voice Podcast.
[30:59] She shares about her publishing company Full Voice Music.
[36:15] Final thoughts from Nikki.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140734']

Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Nikki Loney is a voice teacher, podcaster and vocal music resource creator from Canada. Nikki has been working with singers of all ages and abilities for 30 years. She discovered her teaching inspiration came from her youngest voice students. Her evil agenda is to inspire teachers to welcome young singers into their teaching studios. And her publishing company, Full Voice Music, has been intriguing voice teachers with fun and educational, vocal music resources for more than 20 years now.

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC245: Are Recitals the Best Way to Assess Your Students? with Tom Donald

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Have you ever wondered whether recitals and forcing kids to perform on stage is really the best way to assess their growth in their music learning? For the longest time, recitals have been teachers' go-to but as time and technology have changed music and lessons, so have these assessments. In this episode, Tom Donald shares creative ways of looking at his students' progress and how this process has helped both his students and studio. Join us in this interesting conversation as we dive deep into the alternatives you also might want to consider for some of your students who maybe are doing things more in the composing, recording, and songwriting realms.

[04:42] Tom tells us about himself and his music school.
[05:54] Different ways to assess the progress of our students.
[09:40] How they started recording their students’ music.
[12:17] The music recording process.
[16:18] Releasing the music to the public.
[19:01] Several styles of releasing music for children.
[20:25] The reason behind calling his students members.
[21:06] The packages he offers and the marketing he does for lessons.
[22:20] Tom shares secret wins on teaching.
[23:47] How student releases can come back as great marketing for their studio.
[26:00] Students releasing music for the fun of it.
[27:44] Update on his performances.

Transcript of the show

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Links Mentioned

Today's Guest

Tom Donald is an incredible jazz pianist and also one of our expert teachers in TopMusicPro. He is a passionate advocate for the use of chords and improvisation in all music learning. He's also a champion for the struggling adult amateur by connecting them with their inner genius. He’s a real coach. He’s worked on musical transformations with countless students over the last two decades and now heads up the London Contemporary School of Piano. In this episode, we discuss some of the innovative ways he has implemented in his school to assess students.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC244: Supporting your local community with Mike Grande

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +1000

We’ve got a return guest today, Mike Grande, who actually came on the show about a year ago right at the start of the pandemic. We’re doing a catch up on what he’s been up to, how he handled the closure of his half a million dollar school in New York 5 months after it opened, and the great things he has done and is still doing to help his students, their families and his local community. Of course, we’ll also be talking about his Rock Out Loud Live platform and how things are going with that since it started during the start of the pandemic.

[04:09] Mike shares his experience with building his music schools and how Rock Out Loud Live started.
[06:48] The reason why Mike decided to build a new platform for online lessons.
[10:34] How he handled the situation his studio was in during COVID.
[15:42] The story behind his recent award.
[19:52] How hybrid lessons are going to play out in the future.
[22:39] Using virtual lessons for make-up lessons.
[24:34] Mike gives an overview on Rock Out Loud Live.
[27:10] Features of Rock Out Loud Live.
[30:26] The number of users the platform has today.
[31:50] Rock Out Loud Live pricing and inclusions.
[32:59] Talking about back up plans for your business.
[36:44] Mike shares his presentation on One Inch at the Teacher Turbo Conference.

Today's Freebie

[thrive_leads id='140640']

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140629']

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Michael Grande is the owner of two music schools; one in New York and one in New Jersey. In November 2019, after spending over $650,000 building out his New Jersey school; Rock Out Loud, he was told he had to close due to COVID-19. As the music education world went to ZOOM for Virtual Music Lessons, Michael decided to accelerate the production of his own Virtual Music Lesson Portal; RockOutLoud.live. RockOutLoud.live is the world's FIRST Virtual Music Lesson portal designed for music educators that is three years in the making. To date, Rock Out Loud Live is now being used in 113 countries, hosts over 40,000 lessons a week and has 4000+ music schools currently using the platform for their Virtual Music Lessons.

Today's Sponsor

Are virtual lessons with ZOOM driving you MAD? Audio issues, trouble connecting? RockOutLoud.LIVE is a virtual music lesson video platform made for music teachers who want to provide their students with the ultimate virtual music lesson experience. Inside the RockOutLoud.LIVE video application, you’ll have access to resources like sheet music searches of a library of songs along with chords you can share across screens to your students in real-time. Plus, your student can download their virtual lesson notes while inside the virtual session! It’s cheaper than your Zoom account and gives you all of the tools to teach in an interactive lesson. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial by visiting RockOutLoud.live today.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC243: Quick Bites: Unpacking Evolution Innovations with Tim Topham

Fri, 28 May 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Are you one of those teachers who want to expand their business while not trading time for money anymore? You can do it with a little bit of imagination and a lot of help from TopMusicPro Evolution. In this episode, Tim unpacks Evolution Innovation from inspiration he has found in some of our current Evolution members. Whether you want to launch an online course, membership, subscription service, sell arrangements or sheet music online, compose, or write a book, we will help you through that process. Listen in to learn more about this and how music teachers (not just piano teachers!) have benefited from it. Related: attend this free 45-min webinar on how to start your own music teaching business idea. topmusic.co/3secrets

[02:10] Do you have secret projects at the back of your mind?
[03:39] Learning how to build an online music business through Music Teacher Startup.
[05:52] Idea samples of teachers who are a part of our evolution membership.
[10:16] Top benefits of joining us.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140532']

Links Mentioned

Music Teacher Startup

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC242: Understanding Dyslexia: How Teaching Language Relates to Teaching Music with Becki Laurent

Fri, 21 May 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Did you know that 1 in 5 people in the USA have dyslexia? So, if you've got 20 students, the odds are pretty high that at least four are dyslexic. Therefore, understanding dyslexia is an important tool to have. In today’s episode, Becki Laurent joins us to talk about how we can better reach our music students that struggle with this learning challenge. We discuss myths, misconceptions and tips for teaching students with dyslexia. Becki also shares the components of the Orton Gillingham method of teaching reading and how we can incorporate these in music teaching. It's a super informative and interesting episode you won't want to miss.

[03:13] Becki shares how she got on the journey of teaching music to kids with dyslexia and ADHD.
[13:41] The conversation you need to have with your students’ parents.
[15:54] Top 5 Myths for teaching students with dyslexia.
[23:03] Understanding dyslexia and why rhythm is so important in teaching dyslexics.
[28:02] How using the process of teaching dyslexics can help any student become better.
[34:42] Components of the Orton Gillingham teaching method and how we can apply it to music.
[43:19] Sample strategies you can use to teach students.
[51:02] Tips for making the process of learning fun for students.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140481']

Links Mentioned

Becki Laurent LinkedIn

About our Guest

Becki Laurent is the director of a music school in West Texas. Her superpowers include ADHD, listening, analyzing and getting things done. She doesn't sleep much and can often be found on Facebook at all hours of the day and night in all the time zones of the world.

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC241: YouTube Masterclass with Carlos Pacheco

Fri, 14 May 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Have you ever wondered whether YouTube could be a powerful marketing channel for your studio or business? If you are an aspiring content creator or are already creating videos for YouTube, you should definitely tune in to this YouTube masterclass episode. Carlos Pacheco, our YouTube channel manager, joins me to tackle the questions you have about using YouTube to market your business. He answers the common questions aspiring content creators have such as how often you need to post, what you can do, what you can’t do, what YouTube likes, what it doesn’t like, what if you get a copyright strike; all those kinds of questions.

[02:29] Carlos gives us a short intro about himself.
[05:10] How Carlos has helped us grow our YouTube channel since 2018.
[07:14] Making money through our AdSense revenue.
[09:29] Tips for teachers who want to use YouTube as a part of their marketing strategy.
[15:43] Can going viral help with your channel?
[17:22] How the YouTube algorithm works and how it worked for one of my videos.
[20:58] The sweet spot for YouTube to like your channel more.
[23:21] What you need to do to become successful on YouTube.
[26:07] Carlos’ thoughts about sending people off YouTube to get their emails, buy products, etc.
[30:05] Using YouTube as an educational platform.
[32:50] Mistakes people make when starting a channel.
[34:31] Directing people to your website from YouTube.
[36:46] The process of monetising your videos.
[38:31] Advice for uploading back-up videos on your channel.
[39:46] Handling copyright disputes and claims.
[42:56] Top metrics to watch out for on YouTube.
[45:27] Posting videos about products you sell.
[47:01] The most important thing to remember in posting YouTube videos.
[49:37] Building tags for your videos.
[51:49] Why you need to put a call-to-action on your videos.
[53:29] 5 top tips for content creators.
[57:53] The importance of using creative thumbnails.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140450']

Show Sponsors

RockOutLoud.LIVE is a virtual music lesson video platform made for music teachers who want to provide their students with the ultimate virtual music lesson experience. Inside the RockOutLoud.LIVE video application, you’ll have access to resources like sheet music searches of a library of songs along with chords you can share across screens to your students in real-time. Plus, your student can download their virtual lesson notes while inside the virtual session! It’s cheaper than your Zoom account and gives you all of the tools to teach in an interactive lesson. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial by visiting RockOutLoud.live today.

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Carlos Pacheco is a consultant and a YouTube audience strategist who’s been working and advising creators, producers, content owners, and distributors all about channel growth, content optimization, piracy protection, and monetization strategies since 2012.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC240: Overcoming the Challenges of Becoming a Great Piano Teacher with Emily Laney

Mon, 10 May 2021 15:02:00 +1000

Join guest host Sarah Buckley and guest Emily Laney today for a chat today which includes stories and real examples of finding your best teaching studio fit. They're going to unpack how you can define and work with your current studio, challenges and all, and mold it into a unique best-fit for both yourself and your clients alike.

[01:47] Exploring what a successful studio business looks like.
[04:21] Getting your teaching and studio to a higher level by making it more about the students.
[06:38] Making your recitals more exciting than the usual.
[07:34] The best changes Sarah and Emily noticed when they started out with teaching versus now.
[10:29] Boundaries - what it means and why we need it.
[17:30] Sarah and Emily share their experiences when their boundaries were challenged and their learnings from it.
[21:04] Sarah’s thoughts about the importance of a client’s financial investment and their investment in the goals they want to achieve.
[23:56] Sarah’s process of checking in on parents and students.
[25:36] Sharing their recent wins in teaching and what it meant to their students.
[28:55] Creating moments to support our students to become the best they can be.
[35:22] Emily’s thoughts about teacher differentiation.
[36:40] Sarah shares one of the best boundaries she implements in her studio.
[40:25] Lessons from experiencing burnout as a teacher.
[48:29] Stepping out of their comfort zones and experiencing positive results in the process.
[52:55] Sorting out priorities for growth and 5 year plans.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140411']

About our Guest

Emily Laney is our Integrator and Content Director at TopMusic and a veteran teacher herself. Emily has enjoyed working in performing arts management in marketing and PR in addition to pursuing creative teaching. She volunteers in MTNA as club treasurer in her spare time.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC239: Hiding Your Musical Veggies with Composer Karen Marshall

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Karen Marshall shares her story of returning to studying and teaching music after succeeding in a career in marketing and public relations. Well-loved as a composer and best-selling author, Karen has also trained extensively in the area of special needs.  In addition to learning about her teaching journey, we discuss Karen's compositions, some of which we will be giving away in our Top Music Teaching Facebook group. So do watch out for that! [03:34] Where Karen’s own music lessons started [10:08] The reason she pursued marketing instead of music. [11:15] Teaching children when she was younger. [12:14] Working in PR and marketing while teaching piano to adults. [14:28] The catalyst of how she started composing music. [19:35] What she did differently in Get Set Piano. [26:20] Karen's current work. [31:13] Tips for managing work-life balance. [34:23] The importance of networking in Karen’s work and evolution. [38:00] Karen Marshall shares an overview of her books.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140388']

Links Mentioned

About our Guest Karen Marshall

Karen Marshall is a bestselling author and classroom, peripatetic and private music teacher. Karen trains extensively in the area of special needs. She firmly believes in giving children a sound musical foundation and is passionate about bringing the joy of music to all.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC238: Member Spotlight: Roslyn Walters on Creative Composition

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +1000

In this episode, I’m bringing on one of our TopMusicPro members, Roslyn Walters, to talk about how she is using ideas, lessons and strategies from TopMusicPro in her own teaching. We specifically focus on how she ingeniously integrated our Creativity Kickstarter lessons to teach and explore creative composition and improvisation to her students. Roslyn has been teaching music for over 20 years. Her passion is to teach and encourage people of all ages to develop their musical skills and to help them believe that they can do it. I’m even more excited that Roslyn has actually been kind enough to share a PDF download of her process for teaching chords. Don’t forget to grab that freebie after you listen to this episode.

[03:33] Roslyn shares about her studio and students.
[04:05] She tells us about her own musical upbringing.
[06:26] Describing her teaching before she joined TopMusicPro.
[08:18] Her teaching struggles and worries before joining TMP.
[09:57] How the membership has contributed to her growth as a teacher and business owner.
[11:45] Sharing how she used one of TMP’s Creativity Kickstarters.
[14:42] Roslyn tells us more about her composition Waterfall and why student's like this piece.
[19:24] Listening to Mystery at Midnight, her students' own composition.
[22:26] An overview of how she teaches chords to students.
[24:32] Listening to major and minor pineapple chords.
[30:57] What students enjoy about composing their own music.
[31:53] The story of how she came across the TMP membership.
[34:06] Sharing her first experiences in TMP and the best thing about being a part of it.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140339']

Links Mentioned

Piano Lesson Melbourne

About our Guest

Roslyn Walters has taught piano and classroom music for every 20 years and has experience teaching adults and children, beginners and advanced grades, exams and music for leisure and for fun. Her passion is to teach and encourage people of all ages to develop their musical skills and to help them believe that they can do it.

Thank you for tuning in!

Today's Freebie

TC237: Solving Makeup Lessons Once and for All with Laura and Dave from LessonMate

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TC236: Using an App to Augment Your Students’ Learning with Dan Harvey

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +1000

Have you ever dreamt of having your own app that can help with your own teaching and relationship deepening with students and parents? In this episode, we unpack the wonders of augmenting your teaching through apps with Dan Harvey, the Co-Founder and Chief Relationship Officer at Passion.io. Passion.io is a drag and drop, no-code app creation platform for coaches, music teachers, personal trainers, and knowledge entrepreneurs who want to monetize their skills online with their own mobile app. We are going to discuss how you can work with apps in both the traditional and online teaching setting; how valuable it is for teachers and students; and how Passion.io can help you with delivering content this way.

[05:10] Dan’s musical background as a drummer.
[08:13] Tools and tactics he uses to keep his practice as a musician.
[10:28] Why they created passion.io.
[13:29] The story of what set him up to this path.
[17:38] The value that teachers can get from having an app.
[20:19] Expanding your reach through the mobile app experience.
[21:42] Positioning your product to be engaging for your target audience.
[25:04] What to expect from passion.io.
[26:51] Options and ideas of what you can do with your app made via passion.io.
[28:55] Augmenting studio offerings to flow with the changes.
[31:37] Using gamification as a driver and motivation for practice.
[33:37] Dan shares the gamification features that can be used in the app.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140262']

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Dan Harvey is the Co-Founder and Chief Relationship Officer at Passion.io. Prior to founding Passion.io, he was the drummer in the band, Dog is Dead. Dan teaches solopreneurs and beginning coaches and teachers how to sell knowledge digitally and scale their coaching businesses online. He covers everything from months of training, sales, to digital marketing, and course creation. His company, Passion.io is a drag and drop, no-code app creation platform for coaches, music teachers, personal trainers, and knowledge entrepreneurs who want to monetize their skills online with their own mobile app.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC235: “What’s your secret project?” A Chat with Angela Myles Beeching

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Have you ever wondered if you’re fulfilling your true life’s purpose? Or are you one of those who have been discouraged to pursue their goals because of the lack of courage and fear of failure? In this episode, Angela Myles Beeching helps us navigate these thoughts and feelings to set you on the right course. Our topic is equally relevant to both musicians and music teachers. Angela is a leader in the field of music career development and she maintains a thriving online coaching practice to help musicians get more of their best work out into the world so that they can finally become the artists they are meant to be.

[04:07] Angela gives us a quick overview of her keynote at the MTNA.
[05:45] She talks about the business and entrepreneurialism program for musicians.
[09:16] The story of how she started learning and teaching music.
[13:29] Talking about career development and entrepreneurship as a part of university courses.
[19:04] The importance of teachers having an artistic vision.
[22:52] Finding your core purpose and linking it with the marketing side of your studio.
[25:27] The power of storytelling and how teachers and musicians can use it.
[26:59] Angela gives us advice on networking for teachers and musicians.
[29:34] Why we should try new things and put ourselves out there.
[31:55] Angela’s top tips for teachers.

Transcript of the show

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Links Mentioned

About our Guest Angela Beeching Myles

Angela Myles Beeching has been in the industry for decades and has made incredible changes and had immense impact on so many teachers and musicians around the world, particularly in the area of helping students in conservatories and college areas to find out more about career opportunities and entrepreneurship. She is the former director of career and entrepreneurship programs at the Manhattan School of Music, Indiana University, and New England Conservatory. She's a Fulbright scholar and holds a doctorate in cello performance from Stony Brook University. She's the author of the classic, Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music. Angela maintains a thriving online coaching practice, helping musicians get more of their best work out into the world so that they can finally become the artists they are meant to be.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC234: Turning the Pedagogy of Music on its Head with Will Baily

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +1000

Will Baily turns the pedagogy of music on its head by pivoting to recreational music-making philosophies and student-led learning, from a very classical approach to teaching and it has made an incredible impact on him and his students. Our guest today, Will Baily, is a piano teacher and composer. His publications include the “Way Cool” books which use his unique approach to teaching either one-on-one or groups. In this episode, Will talks about the story of how and why he transitioned to this unique approach; the effectiveness and benefits of his current approach to both kids and adults; 4 key tools students can use to play the music they love; and so much more in between.

[02:20] A peek into the life of Will Baily.
[04:25] Will talks about his studio.
[05:21] How he started his musical training.
[08:56] The story of how he started teaching.
[10:03] The changes he applied to his teaching approach.
[13:09] Meaning of recreational music-making.
[15:28] Advice for teachers who are unsure of going with the flow of students.
[17:20] The effectiveness of his approach to both kids and adults.
[21:54] A short summary of Will’s teaching approach.
[26:27] 4 key tools students need to play the music they love.
[29:21] Measures to assess the progress of students.
[31:06] Will shares his experience about being a composer.
[34:28] Publications that Will has worked on.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140189']

Links Mentioned

Musical Moments & "Way Cool" Keyboarding Website

About our Guest

Will Baily is a piano teacher and composer. He has been teaching piano privately and in groups for over 45 years. He holds degrees in Elementary Education, Music Theory and Composition, and Piano Performance and Pedagogy. He’s currently working with Debra Perez creating group teaching materials for students of all ages.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC233: How TopMusicPro Transformed My Online Piano Lessons with Kara Hess

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +1000

You can transform into the piano teacher you’ve always wanted to be with full of confidence and armed with knowledge from experts in the field just like what Kara Hess, one of our TopMusic Pro members, did. In this episode, I’ve invited Kara who wrote a beautiful email to us about the transitions and positive changes she has gone through since joining TopMusicPro membership. I wanted to bring her on today to share her experience with you on how she transformed her online piano lessons. You’ll be absolutely blown away with the transformation that she's had in her own mind and mindset since becoming a member. It really is quite revolutionary. I can’t wait to share this with you.

[03:27] A short introduction on Kara’s teaching background and studio.
[04:35] Transitioning from a hobby to a professional teacher.
[05:18] Things that changed for her when she shifted her mindset to being a professional teacher.
[06:36] Her plans for growing her studio.
[08:05] Her biggest worries before she joined TopMusicPro in November 2020.
[13:50] How she found out about the TopMusicPro.
[14:35] First experiences inside the membership.
[17:35] The transformation Kara has enjoyed after joining the membership including online piano lessons.
[23:03] Features inside TMP that stood out and became influential in her transformation.
[26:15] Looking at the benefits of the membership and its cost.
[33:24] The confidence she has gained since joining the membership.
[34:00] Future plans for her studio.
[36:24] Benefits of being a TopMusicPro member.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140145']

Links Mentioned

Follow Kara at Stay and Play Piano Website
Join TopMusicPro today with a free 14-day trial!

About our Guest

Kara began teaching in 2006 to just a few friends. In 2014, she decided to start building what has since become a professional and successful studio. She teaches piano because she loves music and wants to share that with others. Her biggest hope as a teacher is to create a place for her students to have fun and learn how to make music an extension of themselves.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC232: 5 Years of TopMusic Pro

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +1000

I can’t believe it's been five years since we started this community and it's been such an amazing journey that we've all enjoyed. In today’s birthday special solo episode, we’re going to unpack our journey - the genesis of the community, what's been happening in the membership, and what you can look forward to in the months and years to come. And it's particularly exciting because I thought we can't let a birthday go past without something very special happening. So stay tuned until the end as I announce a very exclusive birthday treat for you!

[01:25] The story of how I became a teacher.
[02:39] How reconnecting with my childhood teacher, Ms Mac, changed the path of my teaching career.
[06:50] Creating my blog and PianoFlix pop teaching course.
[12:55] The start of my podcast, now known as TopCast.
[15:29] Building the membership, TopMusicPro.
[19:42] A look at TopMusicPro today and how it can help with your teaching and growing your studio.
[30:10] Courses and sheets we offer in the membership
[31:49] Discounts we offer to help you with the admin and teaching side of your business.
[35:58] The changes you can begin to experience as a TopMusicPro member.
[42:48] What you can expect from the membership.
[46:27] Learn more about the sweet flash sale for the TopMusicPro membership!

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140100']

Links Mentioned

Join TopMusicPro today!

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC231: Trust That Your Impact on Students Is Not Futile

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +1000

There is nothing more fulfilling as a teacher than knowing that you’ve made an impact on your students’ lives. In this episode with guest Christina Whitlock, we dive deep into how to assess what piano study means to your students, how they feel, and what influence you possess as their teacher. Plus we delve into practical thoughts about burnout and how to prevent it. Christina Whitlock's teaching experience ranges from collegiate teaching, to leading a state music teacher club, and in private practice. She's passionate about creating a positive life impact as a teacher, and networking and helping other fellow teachers. Get inspiration on how you can create a lasting effect on your own students today.

[02:11] Christina’s story of how she started teaching piano.
[07:59] How she taught piano.
[10:10] Her current studio and the other roles she’s taking on.
[12:42] Her biggest passions as a piano teacher.
[14:42] The relationships we can build through teaching piano and how it affects students’ success rates.
[19:31] Sharing stories of teachers who have had great influence on their students.
[24:33] Why Christina decided to work with and release products for teachers.
[26:40] Talking about her podcast for piano teachers, Beyond Measure.
[29:34] Topics that she has covered and will cover in the podcast.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140062']

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Christina Whitlock operates a lively, independent piano studio in addition to teaching adjunct at Taylor University. Christina is a past state president of the Indiana Music Teachers Association, as well as a frequent speaker, adjudicator, and collaborator. Her passion for celebrating the music teaching profession has recently spilled over into a weekly podcast titled Beyond Measure with Christina Whitlock.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC230: How Students with Exceptionalities Help us Grow as Teachers

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +1000

Teaching students with exceptionalities has a deeper effect on us than just the satisfaction and happiness of making the student learn. Dr Erin Parkes is the founder of the Lotus Centre for Special Music Education. It's a charitable organisation committed to providing access to music education for people with exceptionalities. She joins us in this episode, to share more about teaching students with exceptionalities and connecting with them in lessons by having flexibility, empathy, and using key approaches that will help both student and teacher grow.

[02:44] Dr Erin Parkes tells us about the Lotus Centre.
[04:34] The reason behind why she uses the term exceptionalities instead of special needs.
[08:32] A look back at the musical education of Dr Erin Parkes.
[10:44] The story of how teaching children with exceptionalities became an interest for her.
[13:58] The need for flexibility in her teaching approach for students with exceptionalities.
[15:47] Starting and establishing the Lotus Centre.
[17:56] Dr Erin Parkes talks about her current role at the Lotus Centre.
[19:02] Examples and suggestions for empathy-based approaches to students with behavioural disorders.
[23:33] The importance of tuning in to your student’s sensory needs.
[28:21] Using a strengths-based approach for students with exceptionalities.
[31:14] Understanding a multi-modality approach.
[32:53] The impact of COVID-19 on teachers for students with exceptionalities.
[35:31] Common things teachers do and how to fix it.
[41:30] Top 5 tips for teaching students with exceptionalities.
[47:02] Professional development teachers can access the institute.

Today's Freebie

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Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='140036']

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Dr Erin Parkes is the founder and Executive Director of the Lotus Centre for Special Music Education, a charitable organisation committed to providing access to music education for people with exceptionalities. One of her most recent accomplishments is launching the Lotus Centre Institute for professional development which provides music teachers with skills and tools to help students with exceptionalities reach their full potential. Aside from her role at Lotus Centre, she is an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa, teaching courses and guiding students in special music education. She holds multiple degrees in the field of music including a PhD in Music Education from McGill University.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC229: Exploring Styles through Improv with Christopher Norton

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 10:30:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TC228: The 10 Musts for Music Teacher Badassery with Elisa Janson Jones

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +1000

Take your teaching to the next level with productivity hacks and music teacher badassery tips with Elisa Janson Jones. Elisa specializes in helping music educators build, manage, and grow thriving school music programs, and have long and happy careers. She joins us today to talk about how you can prevent burnout, be happier, and become a more productive person.

[03:02] Elisa tells us more about badassery and being badass.
[05:17] Her role in the music education community.
[06:55] Growing up in a very musical home and eventually studying and teaching music.
[13:11] Starting her second business, podcast and online conference.
[20:10] Her plan for the International Music Education Summit in the future.
[21:59] The different twist teachers should expect in the conferences she offers.
[23:29] Challenges independent music teachers face today.
[26:55] Elisa’s best tips for productivity and badassery.
[42:51] The next big picture for Elisa.

Transcript of the show about music teacher badassery with Elisa Jones

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139942']

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Elisa Janson Jones specializes in helping music educators build, manage, and grow thriving school music programs, and have long and happy careers. She holds a bachelor of music, a master of business administration, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Design. Elisa uses her vast and diverse skill set to help nonprofits businesses and music educators around the world. She serves as conductor of her local community band, a columnist for SBO Magazine, and maintains a private lesson studio. She's an internationally-recognized speaker and has presented at national state and local conferences. She's a host and producer of the Music Ed Mentor Podcast, founder of the Society for Online Music Education, and author of the Music Educator’s Guide to Thrive, and The Music Booster Manual. Elisa Janson Jones Photo Credit: Matt Janson Photography

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC227: Hunters and Collectors trumpeter Jack Howard

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +1000

Keen to learn about the experiences of Hunters and Collectors band member, Jack Howard? We'll you're in for a treat because I've invited Jack to share his story with us. Jack is such an accomplished musician - from touring the world with Midnight Oil as their multi-instrumentalist to releasing his own critically acclaimed records since 2001. He has also recently launched his musical memoir called Small Moments of Glory. Learn more about his interesting beginnings as a musician, playing with Hunters and Collectors, and teaching career in this episode.

[04:06] Jack’s musical background, experiences with Hunters & Collectors and teaching career.
[05:17] The story of how he studied at Wesley and what made him go into teaching.
[08:30] Instruments he plays and the bands he is part of.
[09:26] Talking about their group, the Horns of Contempt.
[10:22] How he became a part of Hunters & Collectors.
[13:59] Their process of writing songs.
[15:56] How his experience in performances and bands affected how he approaches teaching.
[19:51] His musical experiences during his early childhood until university.
[26:40] His feelings and thoughts about the music we have at present.
[32:08] Sharing current performances and composing gigs.
[39:00] Fire round - 10 quick questions I ask Jack.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139900']

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Jack Howard, one of the great quiet achievers of Australian music, is an accomplished musician and member of the famous band Hunters and Collectors in Australia. In 2001, he toured the world with Midnight Oil as their multi-instrumentalist. He has also been releasing his own critically acclaimed records since 2001. He recently launched his musical memoir called Small Moments of Glory.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC226: What is 4 Chord Composing All About? (archives)

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +1000

So many students can play well - but how many can write and compose? Do your piano students know essentials like 4 Chord Composing? Get them started easily with this simple composing framework. Learning the essentials of chord progressions can lead students to a better understanding of music. It can also give them the skills they need to recover from a mistake in performance or accompany a singer. One of our favourite activities for piano lessons is 4 chord composing. In fact, we have a full course to show you how to teach this inside the TopMusicPro community. In this podcast, you can hear one module from this course and learn how to teach your students the three most common pop chord progressions.

[02:53] What is the 4 Chord Composing course?
[04:38] What makes this course different.
[05:39] A short background on the course modules.
[07:30] Feedback from teachers who took the course.
[08:21] How to teach the most common pop chord progressions and integrate chords into your teaching.

Transcript of the show about 4 Chord Composing

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139830']

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC225: What to Say to Parents When Their Child is About to Quit with Anita Collins (Archives)

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +1000

When families and students think of quitting, they're often making short-term decisions to reduce busy activities or budgets. It's all too often that piano lessons will be easily nominated as something to drop out of! So what can we teachers say when faced with a conversation with a student who is about to quit piano lessons? Dr Anita Collins is an expert in the field of research about the neuroscience of how music study positively impacts brain health. She joined the podcast in this archive show to talk about what we can learn from brain science research and how it affects decisions like quitting piano. We discuss fascinating insights into why students quit, the value of music education, motivation and practice. She not only shares this wisdom with fellow music educators, but with parents and also with students. Allowing students and their parents to understand why they’re having a tough time, can help them to stick it out. Take a listen to today’s podcast to arm yourself with the science to stop students quitting.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139800']

Links Mentioned

Bigger, Better Brains website
Dr Collins' latest book The Music Advantage: How Music Helps Your Child Develop, Learn, and Thrive

About our Guest

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. Anita is best known for her role as on-screen expert and campaign lead for the Don’t Stop the Music documentary that aired on the ABC in late 2018, as well as prominent TED talks videos. She is recognised for her unique work in translating scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student. Anita is currently an expert education advisor for professional orchestras, public, independent and catholic school authorities, Australian and international media production companies, research expert for university, advocacy and non-for-profit organisations and a founding director of the Rewire Foundation. Find out about Dr Collins' latest projects, including her upcoming book release, at AnitaCollinsMusic.com

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC224: Helping Students Cope with Performance Anxiety with Noa Kageyama (archives)

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +1000

Today, we're taking an investigative look at the psychology behind performance anxiety, what creates it, and the things you can do leading up to a performance in order to perform more freely. Dr Noa Kageyama, a leading performance psychologist and faculty member at The Juilliard School, joins us to talk about the factors that create performance stress and how to overcome it. This archive show originally aired in 2015.

Transcript of the show about performance anxiety

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139768']

In this episode, you’ll learn tips on helping students improve performing results & reduce anxiety:

Why teaching performing skills should be a part of your piano teaching
Visualisation exercises you can do even with your youngest students
How to turn off self-criticism when performing
How you can help your students to focus during their performance
What diaphragmatic breathing is and why you should be teaching it
How to practice the lead up to a performance

Links Mentioned

Noa Kageyama A.K.A The Bulletproof Musician Website

About our Guest

Photo Credits for Noa Kageyama: Rosalie O’Connor Photography Instagram | Facebook Dr Noa Kageyama is a performance psychologist and a part of the faculty of The Juilliard School.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC223: Is “Practice” killing your studio business? with Danny Thompson (archives)

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +1000

Practice and music lessons: they go hand in hand. But what if your students are quietly quitting over it? Danny Thompson unpacks this hot topic on this show today from our archives. Find out why Danny's approach from the beginning is not about emphasizing practice and what he says to new families instead to get them hooked on music.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139716']

In this episode, you’ll learn about practice and motivation:

Why Danny is changing the practice expectation in his studio
What it can do when you remove the homework discussion from lessons
Why it’s so hard to change our thinking and habits in this area
How we can inspire students to want to practise
The impact of the coolness and likeability factor on retention
How this comes across in Danny’s communication and website

Go Further: Take Danny's 7 Levers of Business Course

To learn more growth strategy for your studio, take Danny's short course on the 7 Levers of the Music Business in TopMusicPro Evolution level. It covers everything from traffic to conversions, and how to grow leverage profit margins.

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Danny Thompson is an award-winning podcast producer, professional drummer, and small business owner.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC222: How No Book Beginners Revolutionized Georgina’s Studio (Archives)

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 10:00:00 +1000

Find out what results this teacher discovered when she set aside standard method book options and started students with a no-books beginner approach instead, in this favourite show from our archives. When I published the No Book Beginners framework I hoped it would give teachers the confidence to teach more creatively, and that’s exactly what it’s done for Georgina Jordan. Georgina is a piano teacher in the UK who had a quite traditional music education and was highly motivated to add creativity into her lessons. She joined TopMusic Pro, started teaching beginners with the No Book Beginners framework and it’s opened up a whole new world. Georgina has really taken my ideas, run with them and made them her own. I’m so excited to share her story with you in this episode.

Transcript of the show about teaching beginners with no books

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139687']

In this episode, you’ll learn how teaching beginners without books revolutionised Georgina's studio:

Why Georgina joined the TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle)
How having a community helps a new teacher
How Georgina uses the No Book Beginners framework in her studio
Which students this is a good approach for
How to expand on the story-based ideas in No Book Beginners
Why this approach is so valuable for her students

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Georgina is a pianist, teacher, and photographer based in the UK. As a TopMusic Pro member, she started teaching beginners with the No Book Beginners framework and it’s opened up a whole new world.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC221: Best of Nick Ambrosino (from archives)

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +1000

In this favourite episode from our archives, author Nick Ambrosino joins us to talk about how to reframe your teaching viewpoint to experience more joy and less burnout. As teachers, we want to see motivated students pursuing their goals with an ownership attitude -- but how do you make the switch? Listen to Nick's powerful thoughts as he explains the reason he wrote two best-selling story-based books with life-changing advice for teachers.

Transcript of the show with Nick Ambrosino

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139659']

In this episode, you’ll learn about Nick's perspective for revitalizing your teaching:

Why you should start thinking of yourself as a facilitator, not a teacher
Using compliments wisely
How to start each lesson right
Why you should exchange buts for ands in your comments after a student’s performances
How Nick applies “Goldilocks” to piano practice
Why you should think about getting your students to write their own assignment notes
How teaching piano is similar to sanding wood

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Teachers turn to Nick Ambrosino to learn how to become master motivators who nurture their students to exceptional levels of achievement and accountability while reigniting their own passions as professional educators and gaining a sense of fulfillment. As a learning specialist, coach, and speaker, Nick is renowned for his work on creating growth in accountability, self-motivation, and self-esteem. Nick is currently working on a screen play and a book on relationships.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC220: Jazz Perspectives with Composer Kerin Bailey

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we’re speaking with one of Australia's most-loved composers, Kerin Bailey. Kerin shares his musical background, influence of jazz music, and thoughts about effective ways to teach jazz skills and chord progressions to students. We'll also hear Kerin demonstrate on the piano from his improv system for teaching, and give you some takeaways for your own students.

Transcript of the show about composer Kerin Bailey

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139613']

In this episode, you’ll learn about Kerin's compositional works and improv system:

[03:27] Kerin Bailey performance
[05:20] Jazzin’ Around, his most well-known piano series and his compositions for other instruments
[07:00] The instrument he most enjoys composing for
[08:15] Exploring orchestral writing
[09:08] Kerin’s musical background and multi-instrument studies
[10:34] Learning how to read lead sheets
[13:24] Emergence as a composer
[16:20] More on educational influences
[20:48] Focus on jazz composition
[24:17] Self-publishing
[26:16] Other music for piano that he has published
[27:52] His most recent composition, Drowsy Bees and Butterflies
[30:26] Learn tips from Kerin’s improv system

Links Mentioned

Kerin Bailey Website

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnLm6Fuy5YY&list=RDqnLm6Fuy5YY&start_radio=1&ab_channel=KerinBailey

About our Guest

Kerin Bailey is one of Australia's best-loved composers. He commenced piano lessons at age 7 and his interest in jazz dates from that time. He began playing for local dances and concerts at 11; a key element in developing his improvisational skills. In 1978, he graduated from the University of Adelaide with an Honours Degree in Music majoring in Classical Piano Performance. Trumpet was his study as a second instrument and later, flute and violin. Since then, he has enjoyed a varied career in music including eight years as a music lecturer with TAFE, contracts with the University of South Australia and continues to be in-demand as a professional musician, composer, speaker and teacher.

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

TC219: Pro Piano Skills for Teen Students with Carol Matz

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +1000

Carol Matz joins us on the show today to talk about Pro Piano skills and specifically why older and teen students need and want them. Her Interactive Piano method helps your students learn how to "strum" chords, play along with lead sheets, and develop real-world musicianship skills like composing or improvising. If you're looking to make music study more relevant, more social, and more "sticky" for the often-busy older students, try the top 5 tips about teaching these Pro piano skills from books 3 and 4 of her method series.

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139531']

In this episode, you’ll learn how to teach pro piano skills

[03:37] Where Pro Piano Skills fit into Carol’s incredible books and method.
[05:07] Using books 3 & 4 of the Interactive Piano method for older or teen students
[06:13] Skills Carol has highlighted in the book
[13:59] Helping non-traditional music learners excel and find success
[15:40] A peek into the 1 activity each for the 5 steps of Pro Piano Skills
[32:04] Improv vs. composing
[35:55] The book sequencing and how you can best use it
[41:44] Using Pro Piano Skills with online lessons

Links Mentioned

Carol Matz Interactive Piano method website

About our Guest

Carol Matz has composed, authored and arranged over 300 published titles for piano students. She's an experienced piano teacher and has presented numerous piano teaching workshops throughout the United States, Canada, England, New Zealand and Australia. She is very well known for her Famous & Fun Series. Carol studied composition, arranging and orchestration at the University of Miami and has written for a variety of ensembles including orchestra, jazz big band, brass quintet and string quartet. Her work includes studio arrangements for a number of artists in the Miami area recording studios and of course, her own incredible Interactive Piano Method.

Thank you for tuning in!

I encourage you to implement the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

And if you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. I do read every single review personally, too! Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

TC218: Emotive Repertoire for Teens and Adults from Movies & New Age

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +1000

In this episode, find 20+ emotive teen piano repertoire picks that appeal to older or adult students, complete with play-through demos. Teen and adult students require extra repertoire planning, because you're not often teaching from a method book, but finding specific pieces that appeal to their unique tastes. They often gravitate toward darker, moodier, rich, chordal-based music with repetitive lines. We'll look at themes from movies and popular new-age style composers, from Yiruma to Einaudi, in this episode, (and save you some time playing through them all yourself!)

Transcript of the show about emotive repertoire for teens

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139434']

In this episode, you’ll hear our 20+ emotive teen repertoire picks

All of Me - Piano Guys
Comptine d'un autre ete - Amelie theme
Cristofori's Dream - David Lanz
Forrest Gump theme (in Piano for Leisure series book)
Glasgow theme from Love, Actually
Kiss the Rain, and A River Flows in You - Yiruma
Primavera - Einaudi
Gymnopedie no. 1 - Satie
Le Onde "The Waves" - Ludovico Einaudi
Nuvole Bianche "The Clouds" - from Insidious - Einaudi
Schindler's List theme
Song for Guy - Elton John
The Heart Asks Pleasure First and Big My Secret - Michael Nyman from The Piano
American Beauty theme - John Williams
St. Elmo's Fire theme
Summer of '42 theme
Tubular Bells from The Exorcist
Metamorphosis works - Philip Glass
Chariots of Fire theme
In My Place; Atlas; Fix You - Coldplay

Sponsor

Links Mentioned

Repertoire Rap page

Thank you for tuning in!

I encourage you to implement the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice, if it's inspired you.

And if you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. I do read every single one review personally, too! Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

TC217 Penelope Roskell’s Top Tips for a Healthy Technique

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +1000

Learn about success tips for teaching a beautifully healthy technique for all students. Today, we've invited the UK's foremost specialist in technique, Penelope Roskell, to talk about playing freely, utilising whole body/whole person teaching approaches. On the podcast today, Penelope talks about her book, The Complete Pianist: from Healthy Technique to Natural Artistry. Her book covers all aspects of piano technique for teachers, students and pianists of all levels to learn from.

Transcript of the show about healthy technique tips:

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139391']

In this episode, you’ll learn more about teaching healthy technique to students.

[04:47] Penelope’s teaching background.
[06:37] Remarks on online classes with advanced students.
[07:14] Background teaching story
[08:40] Piano teaching has evolved in the past decade
[11:00] Going about the right way of teaching piano technique.
[13:07] Penelope's purpose behind writing this book
[17:02] Various ways to utilise this guidebook
[18:25] Finding solutions for common technique problems
[19:08] Incorporating videos in the book’s lessons and explanations.
[21:12] Main book sections
[24:49] Talking about her favourite parts
[27:15] Penelope talks about common mistakes in teaching approches
[32:00] Example: detached playing versus playing legato too soon.
[34:52] Where to find Penelope, her book, and the courses & workshops she offers.

Links Mentioned

Penelope Roskell Website

About our Guest

Penelope Roskell is an international pianist and Professor of Piano and Pedagogy at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. She is the author of The Complete Pianist, from healthy technique to natural artistry and of The Art of Piano Fingering. She is also the foremost UK specialist in helping pianists prevent and recover from injury.

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

I encourage you to implement the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. And if you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. I do read every single one review personally, too! Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

TC216: Teaching Gamified Sight Reading with Percussionist Nathan Petitpas

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +1000

In today's episode, we unpack Nathan Petitpas' sight-reading resource called Dots and Beams. Nathan is a percussionist, drummer, composer and music educator based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Understand how this versatile resource works and how different it is from the rest. Nathan shows us how we can use this in our lessons by putting me under the pressure of doing some live sight-reading and rhythmic & melodic exercises. We use excerpts from his book, which you can download here before listening to the show you can follow along on the exercises we try.

Transcript of the show about teaching sight reading

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139345']

In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse of teaching sight reading the gamified way:

[04:04] Tim shares about his experience about playing percussion.
[05:57] Nathan’s current studio.
[07:06] Teaching percussion online.
[08:14] The story of how Tim came about interviewing Nathan.
[09:18] Nathan tells us about his resource, Dots and Beams.
[11:22] How his books are different from other sight-reading books.
[18:35] Going through some sight reading exercises with Tim.
[36:18] Instructions for teachers in the books.
[38:28] Rhythm exercises.
[49:08] Rhythm and Pitch Exercises.
[57:10] Incorporating the sightreading exercises into your lessons.

Links Mentioned

TopMusicTeaching Facebook Group

About our Guest

Nathan Petitpas is a percussionist, drummer, composer and music educator based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As an educator, Nathan has taught drum set, percussion, Western music theory, composition and piano. He currently teaches private drum set and music theory lessons in his private studio as well as theory and percussion through the Regent Park School of Music in Toronto. Nathan holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Acadia University and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Toronto both with a concentration in Percussion Performance. Connect with Nathan at NathanPepitas.com

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

In conclusion, there are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

TC215 Research-Backed Insights on Piano Student Retention with Karen Gerelus

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +1000

100 students will start piano lessons this year and 98 will quit before they reach proficiency. Learn the reasons why students quit piano and how to help! This episode features guest Karen Gerelus speaking on research-based insights about piano student retention.

Transcript of the show about piano student retention

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139293']

In this episode, you’ll learn how extrinsic and intrinsic motivation affects piano student retention:

[03:47] A short introduction on Karen and her studio.
[05:58] Talking about her research work called Parting Ways with Piano Lessons – comparing motivation between continuing and dropout piano students.
[08:17] Focusing on retention in her research.
[11:46] Key factors for students quitting.
[12:59] The impact of parents being in the music lesson.
[15:16]Self-Determination Theory
[19:30] Motivating kids externally at the start is okay. Hopefully, the intrinsic will take over.
[22:27] Karen shares her own story on quitting and coming back to piano.
[27:16] Explaining the quote “There is no relationship between practice time and motivation.”
[28:15] Thoughts for teachers about practicing and having a tough-love stance, a hard stance on, or being relaxed about it.
[32:42] Karen talks about what she found out about students dropping out because of the lack of popular repertoire.
[37:57] The reason why teachers are often quite resistant to offering autonomy in musical choice in their lessons?
[40:01] Giving students show-off pieces to boost their confidence and retain their interest.
[42:05] Recommendations for bridging the gap between external motivation and internal self-motivation in students.
[48:57] Karen talks about the most basic point of her research.

Links Mentioned

Hear related episodes about movitation:
TopCast 122: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 1)
TopCast 123: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 2)

https://youtu.be/3sRBBNkSXpY

Karen's research paper: Parting Ways with Piano Lessons: Products, Invoked Reasons, and Motivation Related to Piano Student Dropouts
Research paper on Predictors of Student Dropouts

[caption id="attachment_139301" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Motivation Spectrum[/caption]

About our Guest

Karen Gerelus is a third-generation piano teacher and scholar whose work has been featured in prominent academic journals and pedagogy conferences. She holds a Master of Arts in Piano Pedagogy, several artist diplomas, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Calgary where her research focuses on identity and motivation in piano students. Find her work at GerelusMusic.com.

Today's Sponsor

Thank you for tuning in!

TC214: The 5 Myths of Improvisation with Bradley Sowash

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 11:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TC213: Becoming the CEO Teacher with Kayse Morris

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TC212 Is Tonaly the Ultimate App for Chord Progressions?

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +1000

With Tonaly app, our latest favourite theory/composition tool, we found a better way to teach and have fun using chord progressions in music lessons. (Ever had trouble explaining and using the circle of fifths easily with students? Us, too!) Christian Hengst, the Tonaly app developer and a bass player himself, joins us on the podcast to talk about the app's unique features. He goes into what this app can do for your chord-challenged players, to get them motivated about progressions, keys, and modes, and also explores what bugged him in the first place about the circle of fifths, causing him to develop this elegant, interactive app! Tonaly app also completely aligns with the 4-Chord Composing Framework, a creative lesson plan for teaching chords. If you're interested in using it for your teaching, we're giving away free app codes to 20 lucky individuals on this podcast. So, stay tuned!

Transcript of the show about the Tonaly app

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='139072']

In this episode, you’ll learn how the Tonaly app works

[04:14] Christian tells us about his musical background.
[08:44] The story behind developing the Tonaly App.
[11:17] Getting inputs from the community to add features to the app.
[13:42] Common users of Tonaly.
[17:06] Tonaly is only built for iOs, not (yet) for Android.
[18:03] Tim demonstrates how to use the Tonaly App on his iPad.
[18:50] Christian tells us about one of the coolest features of the app and how it works.
[20:25] Tim walks us through his favourite features.
[23:59] How affordable is the app?

Links Mentioned about Tonaly app

Show Sponsor

About our Guest

Christian Hengst is an app developer and bass player based in Germany. He created one of the best-designed and best-looking chord playing apps called Tonaly.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC211: The 3-Step Strategy to Successful 30-Minute Lessons with Julie Duda

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 07:00:00 +1000

Learn how to plan 30 minute piano lessons that are excellent but also seriously fun! Give your students the inspiration and motivation they need, which will also improve retention in your studio. In our conversation, Julie Duda unpacks her three-point strategy to keep students engaged in lessons both in-person and online. Julie also talks about the resources she created to streamline and fit creative activities into 30-minute length piano lessons.

Transcript of the show about creative 30 minute piano lessons

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138998']

In this episode, you’ll learn Julie's three strategies for fitting creativity into 30 minute piano lessons:

- [03:28] Julie’s transition from classroom to piano teaching.
- [07:04] She tells us about her current studio.
- [11:50] She shares her 3-step strategy for creative 30 minute piano lessons.
- [13:48] Using games to teach students from multiple levels.
- [17:15] Applying her strategy to online lessons.
- [18:30] Julie shows us her lesson folder.
- [19:11] Using stickers for more than just fun
- [19:46] Utilising Tonara to help keep track of student activities.
- [20:44] How she conducts better 30 minute piano lessons.
- [21:45] Ending her lessons with a system and games like Taco Tuesday.
- [23:41] Find the perfect students for your studio.
- [26:30] How to save time in lessons.
- [28:03] The formula for successful lessons.
- [31:06] Working with advancing students.
- [32:14] Her process of cleaning her studio.
- [34:08] Incorporating kids’ love of sports in lessons.
- [38:20] Offering Apple Studio field trips to her students.
- [40:01] Activities she does for student retention.
- [41:46] Things that have really had an impact on your ability to get where she is now.

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Julie Duda is a piano studio owner and creator of innovative resources and games for music teachers. Julie's studio is well-known for personalized, organized and creative piano instruction. Her studio and innovative teaching practices have been highlighted on Wendy Stevens’ blog, Upbeat Piano Teachers and Tonara Studio. Her studio website features over 60 digital resources for music teachers with the best available now on The TopMusicMarketplace.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC210: Daniel Patterson on Why Marketing Matters at Any Stage

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, you’ll learn how studio marketing tips can help your studio quality at any stage, even if your spots are already all filled. Daniel Patterson, one of the top thinkers about music studio marketing, joins us talk about better marketing tips for music teachers. His focus is on understanding the mindset and needs customers. You'll learn to reframe how you talk about your lessons program in ways that families really value. Then, keep listening to discover the real reasons families inquire for lessons but don't complete signups, or why they might join your studio but not support the activities you offer, and drop out quickly. The secret about retention and enrollment might not actually be about your teaching at all. Instead look at the way you're communicating value to student families about your studio offerings.

Transcript of the show about studio marketing

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138940']

In this episode, you’ll learn how to genuinely connect with piano parents and families in your studio marketing:

[02:17] What’s keeping Daniel busy at the moment and the current services he’s offering.
[03:24] The reason he created this presentation.
[06:22] Why do you need marketing even if you’re already happy with your studio and students?
[08:36] Freebies from Daniel
[9:42] The 5 questions you need to ask about marketing.
[12:12] Daniel’s goals for you at the end of the presentation.
[13:56] Reasons why students aren’t sticking to our studios and how we can solve this issue.
[15:17] What is marketing?
[30:03] Why you need to market?
[40:00] When should someone market?
[41:11] Where should you market?
[43:45] How can you market effectively?
[50:10] Wrap up.

Links Mentioned

GrowYourMusicStudio.com/Tim

About our Guest

Daniel Patterson is a classically trained pianist, author, educator, blogger, and marketing consultant. He is the founder and owner of GrowYourMusicStudio.com. Since 2016, he has helped over 350 studio owners grow their music studios, hire and train staff, and develop better systems for education and retention.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC209: Christopher Oill Teaches Tim Composing LIVE

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +1000

In this episode, you'll learn a functional framework on how to teach composing with your students, including a free printable handout to walk you through the creative process. Our good friend Christopher Oill joins us to teach composing using his unique five-step compositional process. And, in this show, he runs me through the whole process LIVE. No practice, no preparations - he teaches me how to compose on the spot. Chris discusses and outlines his process step-by-step and gives you practical tips to implement in your creative teaching today.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138863']

In this episode, you’ll learn how to teach composing:

[03:08] Christopher tells us about his piano education and current studio.
[03:46] What is the 5 Step Compositional Process?
[05:17] How the process works for online lessons.
[05:55] Tips on what teachers can do while listening to the podcast.
[06:37] The overall view of the process.
[08:23] Step One: Think
[11:20] Chris and Tim come up with a composing idea.
[13:02] Step Two: Outline
[18:07] Step Three: Research
[28:28] The process of creating melodies.
[33:43] Step Four: Sketch
[40:08] Tips for reviewing compositions of students.
[42:12] Step 5: Shape
[47:40] Using this process for kids.
[49:08] Do students need to notate their music?
[50:52] Christopher tells us about his 2 Newly released publications.

Links Mentioned

Today's Freebies on how to teach composing

Below, find a free fillable template very graciously written by Christopher Oill, walking you all the way through composing in five thought-provoking steps. And listen to audio of two pieces Chris & Tim worked on: 🎹 Sailing 🎹 Basketball TopMusicPro members will find the sheet music to these two pieces free -- see member library resources. [thrive_leads id='138869']

About our Guest

Christopher Oill is an exclusive composer for FJH Music Company, a proud owner of the Oill Piano Studio and a concert pianist. In all of his teaching, performing and composing, he pushes the limits of innovation and creativity keeping the world of piano pedagogy fresh, inviting and exciting.

Today's Sponsor

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TC208: Amy Bastow’s pivot to Virtual Piano Academy

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TC207: Rote Teaching Queen Paula Dreyer on Composition

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +1000

Our dear friend Paula Dreyer joins us on the TopCast to talk about rote teaching and composition today. You'll explore how you can use rote music with your own students to inspire composition and go way beyond boring reading-only methods with piano students. This rote and reading approach is especially well suited for beginning students and older students. Paula Dreyer's Little Gems for Piano book series features brilliantly levelled rote pieces perfect for lessons or recitals. She also recently launched the Piano Flow Summer Intensive course for teachers, and her original solo piano album called Central Star, coming out in Fall 2020.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138710']

Related: TopMusicSheets is our monthly digital sheet music book, available to all TopMusicPro members! Paula's duet book (TMS vol5) will be available through September 30, 2020. Check out our membership options here.Watch Paula and Tim demo Paula's duet compositions from TopMusicSheets vol.5 :[embed]https://youtu.be/GdsCc5dNsi8[/embed]

In this episode, you’ll learn about rote learning with composition with Paula:

[04:04] A peek at her current studio and projects.
[07:35] Paula talks about her new Central Star album.
[08:18] What is rote teaching?
[09:08] The story behind her Little Gems books of rote & reading pieces.
[11:35] Her background in music training.
[17:42] About her teaching studio
[19:24] The reason she decided to self-publish Little Gems for Piano.
[28:22] Biggest advantage for teachers in adding rote music for beginner students.
[30:37] The connection between reading and rote music.
[31:31] Advice to teachers in using rote for beginner lessons.
[34:11] Hardest thing about her journey on creating her books.
[35:41] Paula talks about her feature on TopMusicSheets for the month of September 2020.

Promo & Links Mentioned

Special offer on Paula Dreyer's compositions at her site: Use coupon code SAVE15 for 15% off on *one-time downloads.
(This offer is good for digital sheet music only, marked one-time use. It excludes studio-licensed digital books.)
Piano Flow Group Intensive

About our Guest on rote composition

Paula Dreyer is a pianist, educator and composer making music in a unique style that draws upon influences of classical, Spanish, film and improvisational music. She seeks to inspire, include and connect individuals through her globally successful Little Gems for Piano Educational Series. She recently debuted her original solo piano album, Central Star.

Thank you for tuning in!

In conclusion, there are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on Apple Podcasts or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

TC206: Introducing the TopMusicMarketplace

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +1000

On today's episode, I'm formally introducing the launch of the TopMusicMarketplace! We built this market platform to connect music teachers who've created curriculums, methods, camps, and other offerings with studio owners and students in search of better learning experiences. We'll investigate why there is a need for a centralized marketplace just for music teachers. We'll help you:

Explore the TopMusicMarketplace offerings
Learn 10+ benefits about the market if you're a seller
Hear time-saving benefits from studio owners' points of view
Find out how to feature your own items as a seller

Additionally, I've brought along a few of our 40+ sellers onto the show to quickly chat about what they’re offering and to give you an idea of what’s available.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138650']

In this episode introducing TopMusicMarketplace, you'll learn about:

Why build a marketplace & my thought process behind wanting to create it
How TopMusicMarketplace aims to benefit music teachers and content creators
What I see for the future of the platform
Saying goodbye to the closed-door model of teaching
Helping content creators get found
Making online marketing solutions
Helping these teachers & authors avoid launch failure
Offering creators a curated, established audience
11 benefits for music teacher-creators taking their product to market
and 10 benefits for music teachers searching for solutions for their own studios
You'll also meet featured sellers: Jennifer Foxx, Natalie Weber, Grant Arnold, Rosemarie Penner, and Lynda Irvine.

Thank you for tuning in!

In conclusion, there are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on Apple Podcasts or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

TC205: [Case Study] Growing Your First 30 Students in 6 Months

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 11:00:00 +1000

Mary created a full studio in under six months. Hear how she did it! You'll learn about growing your students and finding extra time for creative work in this episode. Mary Chalaby joined Tim on the show to discuss how she achieved significant growth in her Brisbane studio within the first 6 months of establishing it. She also tells us how joining Piano Pivot Live and TopMusicPro has helped boost her confidence in running the business from the start, helping her find encouragement and space to create. In this conversation we’ll find out how she managed to make her business thrive and grow from zero to 30 students in record time, even during a pandemic!

Promo Mentioned

Piano Pivot Live virtual tickets are now available on a very special offer for 50% off, giving you six months access to the full HD conference recordings with all the speakers and conference handouts. You'll enjoy on-demand access to our virtual PPL lounge through Jan 23, 2021. Enter special offer code PIVOT50 for $64.50US promo rate ($129 retail value) at PianoPivotLive.com

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138580']

In this episode, you’ll get tips on growing your students:

[02:12] A quick introduction on Mary and her musical background.
[04:25] Mary shares her great first lesson experience.
[06:29] The story behind her video performances of playing beautiful hymns and musical arrangements.
[08:44] Her teaching background and how she started her business.
[09:39] The catalyst for starting her own music studio.
[11:34] The evolution of her business since she started in January 2020.
[13:02] Mary tells us more about her experience at the Piano Pivot Live Conference.
[14:01] How she uses the TopMusicPro membership for personal and business development.
[18:01] Creating her own curriculum for teaching her students.
[19:04] The benefits that Mary has gained since joining TopMusicPro.
[20:02] Her view on Joining subscriptions and justifying the costs that come with it.
[21:32] Improvements in her studio since attending Piano Pivot Live and joining TopMusicPro.
[24:01] Mary’s goals for her studio.
[25:02] The process of rebranding her studio.
[26:27] Her progress and plans on creating her own curriculum.
[28:42] Mary shares her future plans for expanding and growing her studio.
[30:00] The biggest scare she had after starting her business.
[30:38] AHA moments she has had in the last 8 months that have made a big difference in her studio.
[33:08] Advice for teachers who are thinking about joining TopMusicPro.

About our Guest

Mary Chalaby is a pianist, teacher, music arranger and event manager. She has a passion for sharing her love of creative and high-quality music-making with her community, both through teaching and performing. Her studio, Koala Keys Music School, is located in Brisbane, Australia.

Links Mentioned

Explore TopMusicPro
Access the PianoPivotLive conference (on-demand)
Mary Chalaby Music Facebook
Koala Keys Music School Facebook

Thank you for tuning in to learn about growing your students!

TC204: Embracing Special Needs Teaching with Selena Pistoresi

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 13:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TC203: Piano Pivot Live Mid-Year Results

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +1000

It's so inspiring to see that in just seven months after holding the Piano Pivot Live Conference, we have seen remarkable results from our participants. Improved teaching techniques, professionalised businesses and student number growth are just some of changes that Caeli Hinkler and Elise Jeffrey have seen in their studios. And they're going to share more about their experience in this episode.

Promo Mentioned

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138456']

In this episode, hear Piano Pivot Live results and inspiration

Caeli Hinkler

[03:11] The story of how she started teaching piano.
[04:14] Her studio and students before she attended Piano Pivot Live.
[04:52] Her biggest worries when she started teaching.
[07:18] How she heard about Piano Pivot Live.
[08:22] What it meant for her to get the PPL Scholarship.
[10:01] Her memorable moments at the conference.
[12:18] Best takeaways that she has used for the last 6 months.
[14:39] Her experience in online teaching.
[15:36] Going back to in-person lessons.
[16:40] Increasing the number of students from pre and post PPL.
[17:21] Her goals for the future.
[18:18] Sharing her thoughts on Top Music Live events.

Elise Jeffrey

[20:45] Her studio and students before attending Piano Pivot Live.
[22:06] Struggles she had before attending PPL in January 2020.
[23:15] Incorporating creativity and improvising in lessons.
[24:45] The catalyst that pushed her to attend PPL.
[26:01] Her most memorable moments in the conference.
[28:42] Winning the grand prize at the conference.
[30:40] Adapting to online teaching.
[31:40] Coming back to and continuing in person lessons.
[33:04] What the future looks like for Elise.
[34:07] Doing group lessons.
[35:14] Wisdom for teachers looking at attending.

About our Guests

Caeli Hinkler, a young teacher from Australia who won a Young Teachers' Scholarship to the Piano Pivot Live Conference. This was the first-ever conference she attended as a teacher. She has been teaching piano for 1 and a half years. Elise Jeffrey has 10 years of experience in teaching piano in her hometown Innaloo. She was the lucky grand prize winner of the Kawaii digital piano worth over $4,000 at the Piano Pivot Live Conference.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC202: Sproutbeat creators Eik and James

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:00:00 +1000

Teaching music theory online just got a burst of fun and colour from Sproutbeat, a digital theory app. Our guests today are Eik Mar and James Laughlin, founders of Sproutbeat, which has full-colour digital theory worksheets and games you can use on a tablet for teaching - without any printing or storing messy papers! Whether you teach online or offline, Sproutbeat's worksheets and games will truly benefit you and your student. In this episode, Eik and James share the beginnings of Sproutbeat and how it evolved to where it is today. We also talk about Sproutbeat - what it is, how it works, the benefits of using the product, and so much more.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138395']

In this episode, you’ll learn how to add some fun into teaching music theory online - or in-studio!

[04:29] A little background on Eik and James.
[05:20] Developing an app idea for music theory online
[06:11] Eik’s current studio.
[06:42] Working together as husband and wife.
[08:01] What is Sproutbeat?
[08:41] Resources available on the platform that work for online and in-person lessons.
[09:26] How students submit their work to teachers on Sproutbeat.
[10:42] The story behind the name Sproutbeat.
[14:01] Main pain point or struggle that teachers have that SproutBeat can solve.
[15:20] How the app can increase kids’ desire to want to learn.
[17:04] Organizing files inside Sproutbeat for easier access.
[19:32] Accessing the app through different gadgets.
[20:56] How the platform looks and works.
[23:05] Upcoming features of the new version of Sproutbeat.
[25:51] Integrating Sproutbeat on your iPad and Zoom for teaching students.
[27:19] Top tips for teachers doing theory or using games.
[29:00] Sproutbeat plans, payments and marketing strategies.
[32:13] Special discount for listeners - 25% coupon code!

Links Mentioned for

Sproutbeat Website
- 25% off Discount Code: topmusic2020
Sproutbeat Facebook Group

About our Guests

Eik Mar, Sproutbeat co-founder, is a classically trained pianist, author and music educator who has been teaching small children to play the piano for about 20 years. She's always believed that if she could make music education more engaging for her students, they would learn faster and retain more information, thus, providing the inspiration for SproutBeat. James Laughlin is co-founder of SproutBeat and a web developer and entrepreneur. He's a people person who is constantly developing new ideas for online services to make life easier and bring people together.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC201: Unpacking our new TopMusicPro Lite and Evolution tiers

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +1000

We all learn best when the best minds all come together, ask questions, support each other, share ideas. And that’s what having and being part of a membership like TopMusicPro is all about. Not every teacher has the same plans and goals. But regardless of where you are in your teaching journey, we can support you in your teaching. On today’s TopCast episode, I’m going to share the top benefits and inclusions of the 3 plans we have under TopMusicPro to give you an idea of what you can get with the membership. Choose a membership level that suits both your budget and the stages of teaching and business that you’re in.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138367']

In this episode, you’ll learn about the different offerings on our TopMusicPro tiers:

[03:00] The benefits of our Lite plan.
[07:26] Our core membership offering - the Studio plan.
[10:33] The discounts we offer with the TMP Studio & Evolution plans.
[13:55] The new Evolution plan inclusions.

Links Mentioned

Show Sponsor for TopmusicPro Tiers episode 201

Are virtual lessons with ZOOM driving you MAD? Audio issues, trouble connecting? RockOutLoud.LIVE is a virtual music lesson video platform made for music teachers who want to provide their students with the ultimate virtual music lesson experience. Inside the RockOutLoud.LIVE video application, you'll have access to resources like sheet music searches of a library of songs along with chords you can share across screens to your students in real-time. Plus, your student can download their virtual lesson notes while inside the virtual session! It's cheaper than your Zoom account and gives you all of the tools to teach in an interactive lesson. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial by visiting RockOutLoud.live today.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC200: Jacob Collier Talks Music and Education

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TC199: How Rock Out Loud Outperforms Zoom for Music Lessons Online

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +1000

Today we're taking a look at Rock Out Loud Live, which is well-positioned to take over Zoom's market share for online music lessons. We'll meet Mike Grande, the founder of Rock Out Loud Live, and hear why he's created this new teaching platform, niched specifically for musicians and just released in July 2020. In this episode, Mike and Tim talk about the pain points teachers (and parents) experienced with lessons on Zoom or other video-based platforms, and how Rock Out Loud was made to solve those limitations and help you win back clients. We are going to unpack everything that this online music lesson platform offers - from great features, better audio quality, chords on-screen, affordable fees, and more. You are not going to want to miss this episode because this will change your online music lessons in the best way possible.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138232']

In this episode, you’ll learn how Rock Out Loud Live is a better platform for your online music lessons:

[02:35] Why July 17 is a very special day for Mike.
[03:41] His crazy idea of launching RockOutLoud.Live and competing with Zoom.
[04:36] A little background on Mike’s current profession.
[06:57] Getting into music teaching and building a school.
[08:31] Juggling his business and career at the same time.
[09:56] Starting a school just before COVID-19 hit.
[10:40] Reopening his most recent studio and getting back in the game.
[11:35] The genesis of Rock Out Loud.
[12:45] Why Zoom struggles with audio and how he made it better through his platform.
[15:15] Sample audios from Zoom and RockOutLoud.Live
[17:18] The future of music teaching past lockdowns.
[18:26] Benefits of the hybrid approach for teaching.
[18:54] Great features of the Rock out Loud platform.
[24:25] The differences of the free and paid version.
[25:33] Using different devices to access the Rock Out Loud Platform.
[27:23] Has it solved the issue of being able to play duets in real time?
[28:46] The best feature that comes with the platform.
[33:08] Exploring the ability to add different camera views.
[35:30] Feedback of teachers on using various instruments on the platform.
[37:55] Available free and paid plans on Rock Out Loud.
[41:37] Simplest way to join rooms on the platform.

Links Mentioned

RockOutLoud.Live

About our Guest

Mike Grande is the founder of Rock Out Loud Live and the owner of two elite music schools in New York and New Jersey. When he’s not rocking out at one of his music schools, he wears his corporate suit as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for a specialty financial institution on Park Avenue.

Show Sponsors for How Rock Out Loud Outperforms Zoom

Are virtual lessons with ZOOM driving you MAD? Audio issues, trouble connecting? RockOutLoud.LIVE is a virtual music lesson video platform made for music teachers who want to provide their students with the ultimate virtual music lesson experience. Inside the RockOutLoud.LIVE video application, you'll have access to resources like sheet music searches of a library of songs along with chords you can share across screens to your students in real-time. Plus, your student can download their virtual lesson notes while inside the virtual session! It's cheaper than your Zoom account and gives you all of the tools to teach in an interactive lesson. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial by visiting RockOutLoud.live today.

tonebase is an online education platform that gives you access to the world’s leading classical musicians. With our library of 400+ video tutorials, you can unlock the insights of GRAMMY award-winning players, international competition winners, and pedagogues from top music schools like Juilliard and Yale. Whether you’re just starting out and looking to learn foundational techniques or ready to take on the most advanced concepts and pieces, there's something for every passionate musician on tonebase. Find the knowledge and inspiration you need to take your playing to the next level!

Thank you for tuning in!

TC198: Broadway Composer Andrew Gerle on the Art of Songwriting

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we'll meet Broadway composer Andrew Gerle and learn about the art of songwriting, sight reading and auditioning successfully. Andrew is an award-winning composer and lyricist, music director, and author who came from a classical background. His love for theatre has brought him to work on dozens of Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional and touring productions in New York City. He teaches musical theatre performance, theory, and composition at the Manhattan School of Music. We touched on important topics including the changes and challenges in the lives of musicians and performers brought about by the pandemic. This conversation brings useful tips and information for teachers and performers alike.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138162']

In this episode, you’ll get insightful information and tips on auditioning, sight reading and the art of songwriting:

[01:59] Getting to know Andrew’s background in music and theatre.
[05:54] A glimpse at a week in the life of a working composer
[07:02] Andrew shares his ultimate dream.
[08:49] The impact of COVID-19 on performers and musicians and how it has brought out innovation and creativity in them.
[10:38] How Andrew’s network of connections helps in the work that he does.
[11:35] His process of writing musicals.
[13:31] Great tips for becoming a confident sight reader.
[18:50] How Andrew developed top skills for sight reading.
[21:47] Advice for teachers who are training students to sight read.
[25:06] Andrew shares information about his book, The Enraged Accompanist's Guide to the Perfect Audition.
[27:06] Insightful tips for performers on having successful auditions.
[32:22] The reason why his love for classical music remains in addition to his focus on musical theatre.
[35:18] The most important music theory elements that every student of music should know.
[38:26] Theatre songwriting approaches for students.
[43:08] Do students really need notation?
[43:58] The notation software that Andrew uses.
[45:00] The surprises and challenges brought about by the current COVID-19 situation.

Links Mentioned

Andrew Gerle Website
Book: The Enraged Accompanist's Guide to the Perfect Audition
Book: Music Essentials for Singers and Actors (Hal Leonard/Applause Books)
Benefit album: Artists in Residence, avail. on Apple Music

About our Guest

Andrew Gerle is a composer/lyricist, librettist, pianist and author. His works for the theatre include the musicals Meet John Doe (Jonathan Larson Award, cast album on Broadway Records), Gloryana (Kleban Award, Richard Rodgers Award), The Tutor (three Rodgers Awards) and La Tempesta (with Fantasticks lyricist Tom Jones, Tokyo premiere 2019). He has performed as piano soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra (as winner of their Young Artists Competition), the Yale Symphony Orchestra, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and on programs for National Public Radio and Television. He has served as musical director for many Off-Broadway, touring and regional theater productions, and been a pit and rehearsal pianist for Broadway productions including An American in Paris, Matilda and Ragtime. Andrew is also the author of The Enraged Accompanist's Guide to the Perfect Audition and Music Essentials for Singers and Actors (Hal Leonard/Applause Books), and is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music. This spring, he produced and engineered the benefit album Artists in Residence, featuring all new songs and performances from Tony and Grammy Award-winning writers and actors about our temporarily constrained lives. www.AndrewGerle.com

Show Sponsors for Andrew Gerle on the Art of Songwriting

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TC197: The Truth About Family Life and Piano Teaching with Rosemarie Penner Pt. 2

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:00:00 +1000

This episode is the second part of my conversation with Rosemarie Penner on balancing family life and piano teaching. Rosemarie unpacks her top tips for time-saving technology in studio management. Plus, she's also giving us a rundown of the apps she can't live without! If you are a teacher treading in the world of online teaching at the moment, what Rosemarie shares will be very useful for your studio right now. In this episode, she also shares a big change she's planning for her studio and two books that have made a big difference in her personal and professional life. Missed the first part of this conversation? Listen to Episode 196 with Rosemarie, part 1 In part 1, we talked about avoiding burnout, setting realistic expectations, creating healthy routines, communicating with family and keeping track of the things you have to do. You'll especially love hearing about Rosemarie's Ladder of Priorities which helps her get the right balance in work and life.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='138054']

In this episode, you’ll learn about apps & tech to help with family life and piano teaching balance:

[01:56] What to do with notifications on technology devices.
[04:16] Setting rules/policies for parents on texting and emailing on weekends.
[06:34] Tips for teaching using technology, systems and apps.
[13:00] Preconceived notions and how these can hold you back.
[14:22] The big change that’s happening to her studio.
[18:00] Two books that have changed her perspective.
[22:59] The benefits she’s been getting from the TopMusicPro membership.

Links Mentioned

Apps:

Planboard
Google Drive
You Record
Music Memos
Canva

Books:

Links:

About our Guest

Rosemarie Penner is an analytical creative... plus online piano teacher and composer at “Must Love Music”! She loves to make learning simple, fun and interactive. When not writing articles (like this one), she enjoys reading and playing video games. For creative ideas and resources, visit Must Love Music.

Today's Sponsor

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TC196: The Truth About Family Life and Piano Teaching with Rosemarie

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 11:00:00 +1000

Does teaching leave you depleted (and rather guilty when you're too tired to parent properly after work?) In this show with Rosemarie Penner, we'll learn about balancing family life and piano teaching. Rosemarie is a mother, teacher and entrepreneur. Like her, we have all struggled with balancing our time and energy between all the things we want and need to do, especially during this lockdown period. But she reminds us that you can do it with the right plan and support system. This conversation is the first of a two-part series where Rosemarie and I unpack how to avoid burnout, set realistic expectations, create healthy routines, communicate with family, and keep track of the things you have to do. You’ll especially love hearing about Rosemarie’s Ladder of Priorities which helps her get the right balance in work and life.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137948']

In this episode, you’ll learn how to balance family life and piano teaching:

[03:59] Rosemarie tells us about her studio.
[04:58] What is a travelling studio?
[06:24] The Unfinished Lesson Blog and her online income streams.
[07:16] Avoiding burnout with the help of Rosemarie’s Ladder of Priorities.
[13:47] Streamlining your business to the demands of family life.
[18:23] Creative tips for handling online teaching.
[22:27] Creating healthy routines for your mental and physical health
[26:12] The importance of open communication lines within the family.
[30:12] Tacking to-do lists like a pro.

Links Mentioned

Must Love Music Website

Today's Freebie

[thrive_leads id='138001']

About our Guest

Today's Sponsor

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TC195: How Tonara Motivates Students with Beth Horton

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 12:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we'll learn how Tonara motivates students. Beth Horton, Creative Education Specialist at Tonara, talks to us about her favourite features and benefits of the platform that you can take advantage of. She also shares tips on how to use Tonara in your own studio to get you back more time without sacrificing the progress of your students. Managing your studio lessons, motivating your students to practice, and creating meaningful connections between yourself, parents, and students is now available to you. Whether you are doing online or face-to-face lessons, Tonara will be able to help you and your students be focused and connected every step of the way. Related: Read our article about how Tonara saves your time with studio admin

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137885']

In this episode, you’ll learn how Tonara motivates students in an agile learning environment:

[02:57] An overview of Beth’s studio in Texas.
[05:54] Using online lessons in various aspects of your studio.
[06:56] What got her into trying Tonara for her studio.
[10:29] Benefits of using Tonara in her business and student outcomes.
[18:06] Tim and Beth’s favourite features of Tonara.
[19:22] Motivating students in your studio.
[24:28] Setting up customized lessons for teachers and students.
[29:11] Insightful ways to use recordings in your lessons.
[31:56] Clever ways you can use groups in Tonara for community building among your students.
[36:16] Using scheduling and calendar features.
[38:06] Ways you can get great support when using Tonara for your studio.
[42:06] Tonara billing for teachers.
[43:50] How Tonara can bring more value to your business.

More about Tonara

Discount for Non-Members - 10% off Tonara: Sign up on your Desktop or Download the Tonara App and sign up here. Don't forget to use your coupon code timtopham to get the discount!
Discount for Top Music Pro Members - 25% off Tonara
Get discounts on Tonara, plus MusicNotes.com, tonebase, and 20+ others as a member of TopMusicPro. Explore our membership here.
Related: Watch a quick video with Lou Ann about 5 Ways Tonara will help you become a better music teacher

About our Guest

Beth is currently a Creative Education Specialist at Tonara where she helps teachers stay connected to their students through technology. She is a former band director who now lives and teaches from Lubbock, Texas with her studio, Sharing the Love of Music.

Today's Sponsor

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TC194: Hone Piano Technique at tonebase, the Masterclass.com for Music Teachers with Ben Laude

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +1000

Today we'll explore learning piano technique at tonebase from the top musical minds. Many of us wish we could think about music the way concert artists do, but few have the time or connections to make it a reality. Perhaps you're a competent musician but you don't know what else to add to polish your repertoire. Or, you're teaching advancing students and are unsure how to coach them beyond correcting notes, rhythms, and simple phrasing. In this show, we talk to Ben Laude, head of piano at tonebase.co, which is a new learning platform designed to connect you with the world's foremost artists and pedagogues. You can learn piano technique at tonebase from the likes of Leon Fleisher, Garrick Ohlsson, Simone Dinnerstein, and more. We’ll look at the unique learning possibilities of the platform and discuss the masterclasses, artist roster, technology, and more. We’re also going to announce some very exciting news! Listen in to find out.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137834']

In this episode, you’ll learn about piano technique at tonebase

[03:39] Ben’s musical background
[05:25] Loving classical music at a young age.
[07:37] The piano teacher who taught and inspired him as a teenager.
[10:12] The goals of tonebase.
[11:44] Ben’s interesting journey on working for tonebase.
[13:03] The evolution of Ben’s role at tonebase.
[14:30] 3 top things Tim loves about tonebase.
[16:02] Types of classes available for tonebase members.
[21:14] Learning from the Masterclasses on tonebase.
[29:09] The right and wrong way of teaching technique to your students.
[31:37] Ben shares his 3 favorite stories on working with masters in the industry.
[36:18] His wishlist of brilliant musicians to include at tonebase.
[40:34] An overview of tonebase’s awesome features.
[42:35] TopMusicPro and tonebase: why it’s a complementary match.
[47:29] How tonebase can help improve your own skills and practice.

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Ben Laude is the Head of Piano at tonebase.co. He is a concert pianist, music educator, and producer. Laude holds a DMA in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School, where he served as a Music Theory Fellow. He has also held faculty positions at Bard College-Conservatory and the Suzuki School for Strings. An experienced public educator, Laude has presented for the New York-based Music Talks series, and served as artistic director for the concert-lecture series Piano Evenings with David Dubal.

Today's Sponsor

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TC193: Leading a performing Arts Academy through Covid-19 and Beyond with Jeff Davidson

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 13:00:00 +1000

Bedford Youth Performing Company co-founder Jeff Davison talks about leading a performing arts school through Covid-19 and beyond, on this show about music school leadership. Central to Jeff’s teaching philosophy is the mission to never let a student go. His experience with 25+ years of teaching and leading a full-time large staff in multiple arts disciplines is just phenomenal. Together, BYPC has currently transitioned all of its classes online. What a feat that is! Today, we’re going to get down to how he’s managing it all. You’ll pick up a lot of takeaways and ideas from this episode on building your business, student recitals, approaching students and so much more.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137546']

In this episode, you’ll learn how to lead your team and support your students even through hard times:

[05:41] Running Bedford Youth Performing Company, a non-profit performing arts school in Bedford, NH.
[08:01] Learn about their students and the instruments they study.
[09:21] How their team of teachers work.
[10:59] The story behind building a non-profit company.
[13:34] Creating an arts and dance integrated preschool curriculum.
[17:08] A look into their current student performances.
[22:18] Planning goals for student recitals.
[25:36] Thinking through issues on audio, tech and copyright for online classes and recitals.
[29:12] Issues and advice about online recitals and what students look forward to about them.
[31:35] The importance of asking inputs from students and their parents.
[32:55] Integrating a mix of online and face-to-face classes.
[35:10] Looking at a different approach in teaching students.
[38:24] Teaching Jeff’s favourite students - teenagers.
[41:27] Jeff’s experience inside TopMusicPro membership.
[44:42] The next 25 years for his career.

Links Mentioned

Bedford Youth Performing Company

About our Guest

Jeff Davison, along with his wife Ann, founded a multi-disciplinary performing arts school in Bedford, New Hampshire, US, where he’s taught music for 25 years. Jeff attended Berklee College, New England Conservatory, and has studied with Dorothy Taubman. He currently enjoys playing in a reggae band in addition to teaching and running the 501(c)3 school, Bedford Youth Performing Company.

Today's Sponsor

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TC192: The Flute Coach’s Non-Teaching Dream Studio

Fri, 29 May 2020 13:00:00 +1000

Hear one Australian mom's story about creating a non-teaching dream studio for flute lessons, where she runs the business while balancing a busy family schedule and PhD studies. Christie Gallen, aka The Flute Coach, has founded a successful online flute lessons business without doing the teaching herself, freeing up her time to study for an advanced degree and balancing family needs. We'll take a look at her business model and ideas, including how Christie works together with her associate, Monique who does the teaching, while Christie takes care of managing the business and marketing the brand. In this episode, Christie shares interesting stories of how she built her business and how it has grown over the years into a successful online teaching studio. Studio owners who feel boxed in by 1:1 teaching hours can learn scaling tips from The Flute Coach's proven method.

Transcript of the Show about Christie Gallen, aka The Flute Coach's studio

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137399']

In this episode, you’ll learn how this mom created a non-teaching dream studio:

[01:51] Christie’s story on how she became The Flute Coach.
[05:47] 1st stage of her business: creating content on flute playing.
[07:05] Using keyword research to make her information rank on searches.
[09:53] Having affiliate marketing in her business.
[13:27] 2nd stage of business: setting up lessons for students by outsourcing teaching.
[16:19] Earning without teaching.
[19:22] How to build a teaching business without teaching.
[22:21] Building your audience through marketing.
[24:45] Introducing the teacher to prospective students.
[26:23] Monitoring and getting feedback on lessons.
[28:27] A sample of packages she offers for new students.
[31:37] Hiring other teachers to teach for her business.
[34:38] Christie tells us about her course “The Online Studio Jumpstart”

Special Promo for TopCast Listeners:

👉 Special for TopCast listeners ($20 off the full price of Christie's Online Studio Jumpstart course). The link found above has the coupon already applied.

Links Mentioned

About our Guest, Christie Gallen, the Flute Coach

Christie Gallen is a passionate flute player and the founder of TheFluteCoach.com. She's also a mother, wife, scientist, part-time PhD student, lover of zombie movies and Stephen King novels.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC191: Jennifer Foxx on Online Summer Camp Programs

Fri, 22 May 2020 14:00:00 +1000

In some parts of the world, seasonal camps season is upon us, but what does it look like running online summer music camps? Jennifer Foxx, a Top Music Pro expert teacher and owner of Music Educator Resources, talks to us about running great online summer camps for your piano students. If you’ve never thought about having one, I’m pretty confident that after you listen to this episode, you’ll be looking at the concept in a different light. Jennifer shares heaps of information on how she conducts her camps, where she gets resources, how you can make it work with templated kits ready-made, and so much more. Particularly, in this time of COVID-19, Jennifer shows us how you can still continue your students’ learning and practice through fun and engaging online summer music camps.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137297']

In this episode, you’ll learn about creating engaging online summer camps for your students:

[04:55] Jennifer’s basis behind running online music camps.
[06:50] Benefits of teaching online in a camp format.
[08:08] Why summer camps are still relevant this year and during this pandemic.
[09:35] An overview on the camps that she runs.
[10:36] Differences between doing live vs. online camps.
[11:48] A look at how she runs her camps.
[13:52] Advantages of online camps.
[15:29] Pros and cons of buying or creating your own resources.
[16:40] Great summer practice ideas teachers can implement.
[20:34] A quick recap on practice packets and workshops.
[21:59] Her membership to Daniel McFarlane’s Supersonics Piano.
[24:06] Assigning summer practice buddies between students via Tonara.
[26:22] Jennifer’s tuition structure and cost pricing her summer camps.
[28:46] Scheduling lessons for camps or practice packets.
[30:09] Communicating with parents on setting up classes.
[31:10] Jennifer’s resources at the Top Music Marketplace.
[33:25] Tips for teaching online.

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Jennifer Foxx is one of our TopMusicPro expert teachers. She has been teaching piano for over 30 years and running summer camps for 25 years. She creates helpful resources and tips for fellow piano teachers through her business, Music Educator Resources.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC190: Inspiring and Motivating Teens with Jerald Simon

Fri, 15 May 2020 15:00:00 +1000

Learn about inspiring and motivating teen piano students in this podcast episode. Jerald Simon of Music Motivation joins us in a rebroadcast of one of our favourite shows from last year. One of the interesting points Jerald shares in this conversation is a story about one of his students coming in for a lesson and literally saying he didn’t want to touch the piano keys! We talk about how and why he started composing music for his teenage students and the awesome outcomes he achieved from doing so. Teaching isn’t just about being rigid to help the students learn their chords, notes, etc. It’s more about inspiring and motivating your teens to play and make the music their own.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137243']

In this episode, you’ll learn about motivating teens in piano:

[03:46] Jerald’s background and studio.
[04:36] The types of classes he teaches in his studio.
[05:43] Teaching a transfer student who hates piano.
[14:49] Hooking students to learn piano.
[18:56] Finding music that connects with your students.
[21:15] Tips for teachers to have their students take ownership of their cool songs.
[23:44] Using backing tracks during lessons.
[25:45] Boosting students’ self-esteem in piano recitals.
[27:59] Jerald’s compositions and YouTube videos.
[30:21] Starting spot in teaching students to play.
[32:48] Top tips for motivating teenagers.

Links Mentioned

Jerald Simon YouTube Channel
Special Promo Code for TopCast listeners: get 20% off on Jerald's Cool Songs repertoire with code "timtopham"

About our Guest

Jerald Simon is the founder of Music Motivation, a company that provides music instruction through workshops, seminars, concerts and performances in the field of music and motivation. He is a composer, author, poet, music mentor, and piano teacher primarily focusing his piano teaching on music theory, improvisation, composition and arranging.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC189: 5 Tips for Teaching Piano to Teens

Fri, 08 May 2020 15:00:00 +1000

What does it take to become the go-to piano teacher for teenagers? In this episode, I'm giving you my 5 tips for teaching piano to teens. Most of my tips are actually relevant to teaching students of other ages, too - including adults. I cover strategies you can use to approach teaching piano to teens and adults versus younger children and relate piano practice to a teenager’s way of thinking. Teaching teens isn’t just about having them learn chords and read music. And this episode will help you understand what to do, how to connect with your teens, and make lessons relevant, relatable and fun.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137205']

In this episode, hear tips on teaching piano to teens:

[04:08] Must-ask questions for your teen students [05:27] Getting teens to read music
[06:41] Encouraging teens to play something they like
[08:01] Building relationships with your students.
[11:03] Flexibility in teaching structures.
[15:20] Be cool and build rapport with your students.
[21:03] Be relevant - connect with your student’s lives
[25:34] Use technology to teach and inspire teens and adults.
[27:49] Be yourself and have fun.

Links Mentioned

Thank you for tuning in!

TC188: Inspiring Students with Interest-Based Learning with Tony Parlapiano

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 12:30:00 +1000

What if you created a studio experience where instead of lesson books, students study based on their preferences? In this episode, I chat with Tony Parlapiano, who focuses on interest-based learning. Tony is definitely doing something right because his student retention is off the charts with most families staying until the end of high school. Amazing right? This is probably an approach that not many teachers are practising. That’s why it’s really interesting to dive deep into the set-up and structure of these lessons. We talk about the way he teaches, incorporating basic and theoretical topics in lessons, not having recitals, dealing with learning plateaus, and so much more. Whether you’re teaching classical or pop, there’s so much to learn from Tony’s experience. And, P.S. I know you’re wondering too - YES, that is his real last name! :)

Transcript of the show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137122']

In this episode, you’ll learn more about teaching students through interest-based learning

[06:30] Tony's current studio and students.
[08:38] His experience with lessons when he was a kid.
[11:01] Learning to play the piano at a later stage.
[13:13] The story of how he started teaching music.
[14:53] His approach to teaching students.
[19:13] Incorporating basic and theoretical topics while teaching students.
[24:46] Recitals, performances, and concluding studies.
[26:02] Teaching students based on their interests.
[30:11] Dealing with students who experience plateaus in learning.
[32:39] Having good student retention.
[34:54] Tony talks about popMATICS.
[39:26] His way of teaching students to compose or play pop music.

Links mentioned

About our guest

Tony Parlapiano is a piano instructor and the creator of popMATICS, a concept-based music curriculum that approaches learning by listening and reading through writing. Tony resides in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and carries a copy of his birth certificate for anyone who questions the authenticity of his last name.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC187: Noa Kageyama and Rob Knopper on Maximizing Results with Online Lessons

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +1000

Are you a piano teacher and tech newbie trying to figure out how to maximize your results with online lessons? In this episode, I’m sharing audio from a webinar I conducted with Dr Noa Kageyama A.K.A. The Bulletproof Musician and Rob Knopper from the MET Opera Orchestra. You’ll get heaps of ideas to help you get started with your first online lesson or improve your current ones. We share tips for setting up your tech, teaching approaches to use, steps to becoming more effective as an online teacher, and so much more. We can all agree that for beginners in online teaching, it’s hard work at the start with a bit of a learning curve for some of us. But if you persevere to learn about using the right equipment and systems you need, your journey to online teaching will only start to go upwards from there.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='137077']

In this episode, you’ll learn how to jumpstart your online lessons:

[05:18] The tech you need to get started with online lessons.
[06:24] Working on your online teaching workflow.
[10:05] Benefits of teaching online.
[12:53] Examples of making online lessons better.
[16:05] An effective way of teaching students.
[18:33] Two approaches to teaching online.
[22:50] Setting up your tech ahead of time.
[27:00] Tips for taking notes and writing exercises during an online lesson.
[31:35] Can you play together with your student during online lessons?
[33:19] The best platforms and settings you can use.
[37:15] Suggestions for teaching young students online.
[38:28] Are online ensemble-based lessons or rehearsals possible?
[39:40] Recommendations for tech equipment investments.
[42:41] Marketing your piano lessons online.
[44:14] Websites to check when looking for piano teachers online.
[44:48] Convincing skeptical parents to avail online piano lessons.
[46:33] Teaching rates for online versus face-to-face.
[47:29] Zoom vs Skype.
[47:58] Microphone recommendations for piano students.
[52:32] Using 2 cameras with Zoom.
[53:56] Plugging in more USBs in your computer.
[54:10] The issue of using bluetooth headphones or microphones when going live.
[54:39] Using headphones for students and teachers during lessons.

Resources and Apps in this Episode

Links Mentioned

About our Guests

Photo Credits for Noa Kageyama: Rosalie O'Connor Photography Instagram | Facebook Noa Kageyama is a performance psychologist and a part of the faculty of The Juilliard School. Rob Knopper plays percussion with the greatest orchestra on earth: the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He studied at Juilliard and was a fellow in the New World Symphony.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC 186: How Carly Walton Teaches Online While Travelling the World

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +1000

How many trips have you missed because you had lessons to teach? In this podcast episode, I have with me the queen of all things online teaching, Carly Walton. You’ll learn how she teaches online while travelling the world, without the dreaded makeup lessons. I really admire her passion to help teachers overcome their fear of technology; and you’ll definitely feel that, too, in our conversation as she talks about her experience. We talked about so much online teaching goodness that I can almost guarantee you’ll have an idea of how to set up your online classes after listening to this podcast. Carly shares her effective and creative online teaching techniques, methods, apps, and tech stack that make piano teaching easily doable even outside your home.

In this episode, you’ll learn how Carly teaches online while travelling the world, without missing a beat:

[03:06] Creating resources that help teachers teach online.
[04:47] The benefits of online teaching.
[06:35] Tips for travelling and teaching piano at the same time.
[09:43] Recorded video lessons versus live teaching.
[10:15] Should you offer make-up lessons?
[11:52] What she loves about Tonara.
[13:19] Her current students’ ages and abilities.
[14:43] The travel and at home tech stack she uses.
[16:46] Using Internet Midi to improve your teaching and play duets.
[18:45] Key points in improving sound quality for online classes.
[21:41] Online teaching experiences of teachers in her community.
[23:58] Adapting to the new way of teaching.
[24:53] Teachers continuing their online classes after the COVID-19 pandemic.
[25:53] Things we can improve in our online teaching.
[27:33] Ideas for off-bench activities for online lessons.
[28:59] Using apps for teaching.
[30:03] Teaching theory to students.
[31:33] Her favourite methods or approach she uses online.
[33:25] Carly’s comprehensive online teaching course.
[37:54] Top tips to get started with online lessons today.

Special Promo Mentioned:

Amazing news for TopCast listeners– Carly has decided to extend her “pay what you can” special offer for her online teaching course for a limited time! Please visit her website here to check out the details.

https://www.teachmusic.online/course

Resources & Apps in this Episode

XKey Air
MV88
Tonara
Classroom Maestro
Music Flash Class
Tenuto App
SproutBeat
Fundamentals of Piano Theory Books on Amazon
Piano Adventures
Carol Matz Interactive Piano Method

Links Mentioned

About Our Guest

Carly Walton is a Berklee College of Music graduate, and online teacher, performer, and world traveller. She has taught music at K-8 schools and been a choral instructor for two charter schools. Carly also enjoys arranging music for piano students and choirs. Carly has been teaching music online for the last eight years and one year ago started her Teach Music Online course and coaching program. She has a passion for helping teachers overcome their fear of technology and find ways to be creative and effective as online music teachers. She has a thriving Facebook group with more than 5,000 music teachers where she hosts free training workshops and resources.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC185: Look Inside Stephen Hughes’ Virtual Piano Studio

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 15:00:00 +1000

Learn how you can make online teaching easier and more effective for you and your students. In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the unique teaching approach of Stephen Hughes who has been teaching piano online for a decade. He blends old and new methods of teaching with an emphasis on creativity and strategic practice. We'll take a look today inside his virtual piano studio! Stephen shares his teaching methods and tech stack to get you started with online teaching in no time. I, myself, learned something very interesting from this conversation. It just goes to say that whatever stage you’re at with online teaching, you’ll surely get valuable and simple tips, tricks, and advice in making your online lessons click.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136913']

In this episode, you’ll experience a look inside a successful virtual piano studio:

[06:38] How Stephen started with online teaching.
[08:56] His studio, classes and students today.
[09:50] Recorded vs. Live lesson approaches
[11:33] Advice for teachers who are new to online teaching.
[14:12] Software and apps to use for beginners.
[16:58] Tricks for using books and scores when teaching online.
[17:57] Tips for setting up audio in Zoom.
[19:39] Advice for teaching kids online.
[23:25] Scheduling breaks when teaching.
[24:58] Setting up your student’s camera the right way.
[26:44] Correcting students & Demonstrating remotely
[28:38] Score sharing with ForScore
[31:29] Changing your approach with teaching scores online.
[32:37] Key things to remember for online teaching
[33:28] Methods he uses for teaching students online.
[34:35] Stephen’s Tech Stack
[39:22] Top Learnings from a decade teaching online

Links Mentioned

- Virtual Music Room Facebook Page
- Virtual Piano Studio Website
- Virtual Piano Studio Facebook
- Virtual Piano Studio YouTube
- Virtual Piano Studio Instagram
- Stephen Hughes Email
- Software, Apps and Tech Mentioned
  - Zoom
  - Piano Safari
  - ForScore App
  - Pathways to Artistry Repertoire Book 1 - Rollin
  - Wirecast

About our Guest

Stephen Hughes is a professional pianist, online piano teaching specialist and music technology trainer. He started teaching online a decade ago and went full time in 2018. His online abode is called the Virtual Piano Studio where he teaches a growing community of students in all ages and skill levels. His students come from all over the world, particularly in the U.S., China and Australia. Stephen holds a National Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) designation which is the highest honour a private music instructor can receive in teaching.

Thank you for tuning in for a look inside this virtual piano studio!

TC184: Dr Anita Collins on the Neuroscience of Music Lessons and the Brain

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 15:00:00 +1000

Learn why the brains of musicians are 30% denser and more connected, due to the high cognitive load of creating music. In this podcast episode, we'll hear from leading neuroscience educator Dr Anita Collins on music lessons and the brain. Dr Collins' work is based on neuroscience data and research findings. She explains how the brain lights up like fireworks when playing music, creating a denser, more connected neural network, resulting in innovative thinkers.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136810']

In this episode, you’ll learn how music lessons positively affects the brain:

[06:05] Learning how the brain responds to music like fireworks.
[08:44] How and why it works.
[09:17] The workings of a reward system on the brain.
[12:50] Music education in Australia today and why it’s so important.
[16:20] Don’t Stop The Music documentary.
[18:34] The link between music and innovative thinking.
[19:44] The brain of music learners.
[21:21] Suggestions for teaching children to enjoy learning piano or music.

Links Mentioned

About our Guest

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. She is internationally recognized for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student. Over the last two years, Anita has interviewed close to 100 researchers in labs across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia so she can share the most up to date research with educators. She is also well-known as a TedX and Ted Talks speaker. Anita is founder of Bigger Better Brains, an education program for the global music education community about the application of neuromusical research.

Thank you for tuning in!

TC183: How To Attract Your Dream Students Through Instagram with Ruth Power

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:35:00 +1000

Are you utilizing your Instagram business account in the best way possible? In this podcast from Piano Pivot Live, hear an excerpt from Ruth Power. Ruth shares on how to attract and nurture dream students through Instagram. These tips can help you expand your studio without a large marketing budget. Lots of music teachers are on Instagram. However, if you’re not actually able to convert those followers, likes, or views into real students, then Ruth has some tips for you.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136767']

In this episode, you’ll learn about how to attract your dream students through Instagram:

[06:16] Ruth’s introduction.
[07:02] Figuring out who uses Instagram among PPL Live Conference attendees.
[09:31] Stats on Instagram users.
[13:20] Reason why people are shifting from Facebook to Instagram.
[18:30] First myth: It’s all about the client, not you!
[20:30] Result: attracting unenthusiastic students
[22:40] Pivot: Ruth's brand started attracting different students by sharing her joys and values

Links Mentioned

Ruth Power is a music-publishing editor, piano course creator and digital content queen from New Zealand with a mission to develop creative pianists in her community, PianoPicnic.com. Piano Picnic was established in 2016. It's a piano learning hub with snackable lessons inspired by micro training. Ruth teaches over 1,000 students with her creative skills of playing by ear, from a lead sheet, riffing and improvising.

Thank you for Tuning In!

How are you attracting students to your studio through Instagram?

Listen to the entire lecture of Ruth Power, and the other relatable and inspiring presenters from Piano Pivot Live with a virtual ticket to see it all online, complete with professional video and slides.

TC182: Helping ALL Piano Students Achieve Greatness with Nicola Cantan

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:10:00 +1000

By improving inclusivity, we are helping our piano students achieve greatness. In this episode, learn how to differentiate your teaching so that each and every one of your students can find success. Nicola Cantan is a piano teacher, author, blogger and creator of imaginative and engaging teaching resources. She loves getting piano students learning through laughter and exploring the diverse world of music-making through improvisation, composition and games.

For those who were not able to join us at the Piano Pivot Live event held last January 2020, this a preview of Nicola’s talk on inclusive teaching where she shares how teachers can help all types of students succeed in and make sure that they are excited and engaged about their piano lessons.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136730']

In this episode, you’ll learn about helping piano students:

[02:58] Two universal truths for piano teachers.
[04:20] Example of 4 kinds of students.
[09:52] Why students quit.
[10:34] The marketing funnel.
[12:45] The student funnel.
[14:55] The students who make it past the student funnel.
[17:57] Three funnel wideners to create diversity in the piano teaching community.
[22:25] The importance of clear, simple, regular and supportive communication between teachers and parents.
[25:20] Making learning music fun through games.

Links Mentioned

Thank you for Tuning In!

How are you helping your piano students succeed in continuing their lessons and progress?

Listen to the entire lecture of Nicola Cantan, and the other relatable and inspiring presenters from Piano Pivot Live with a virtual ticket to see it all online, complete with professional video and slides.

TC181: Inside Philip Johnston’s $100m dream music teaching empire

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 18:52:00 +1000

If you had $100m to spend on designing, constructing and fitting out a dream music teaching empire, what would it look like? Philip Johnston is one of music education’s best-known writers and lateral thinkers, pianist, and composer. Aside from being a musical genius, Philip also holds black belts in three different martial arts and runs Australia’s largest school-based martial arts program.

For those who were not able to join us at the Piano Pivot Live event held last January 2020, this is a chance to get a taste of what Philip presented. In this podcast episode, he shares his insights on creating your own dream music teaching empire, with a studio that's just right for you and your students, using technology and items you might already have -- or are easily available to you.

Transcript of the Show

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136649']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Thought experiment: What will you do with $100m to spend on a studio?
A tour of what a $100m studio would look like.
The very first thing Philip would do when building the world’s best piano studio.
Important things you need for your studio and how to use it.
Using technology to analyse your student’s playing.
The benefits of recording students and how you can do it with technology you already have or can easily buy.

Links Mentioned

Philip Johnston Website

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you ready to take your studio to the next level?

Listen to the entire Philip Johnston lecture, and the other relatable and inspiring presenters from Piano Pivot Live with a virtual ticket to see it all online, complete with professional video and slides.

CPTP Bonus Episode with Philip Johnston

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 20:10:15 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

CPTP180: Melody Bober in Conversation

Sat, 30 Nov 2019 01:01:00 +1000

Do you compose your own music? Do you explore music composition with your students? Composers truly bring me in awe with their work and I am so honored to be interviewing a very well-known artist who I’ve wanted to have on the show forever. I thought it would be fun to end Season 3 of the podcast with another one of my Composer Spotlights, which feature conversations with some of your most cherished composers and arrangers, delving into their background, teaching and thoughts on creativity and composition, how they’ve come to be doing what they're doing, and how they create their amazing works that we love so much. My guest today, Melody Bober, is well-known to every music teacher and almost needs no introduction. She is an inspiring composer who creates motivational piano pieces that foster her students’ understanding and love for music. With more than 20 years of music-teaching experience, a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance, she is in great demand at conventions and workshops for piano teachers across North America. And today she's going to share her experience and expertise in music composition. It's a super inspiring interview and I can't wait to share it with you.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136096']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[06:53] A week in the life of Melody Bober.
[08:10] The time Melody puts into composing and arranging music.
[08:48] Her experience in piano lessons when she was young.
[10:15] Melody’s students in the community center.
[12:09] The difference of the lessons she had when she was young versus the lessons she gives her students now.
[13:25] Helping students explore composition.
[14:33] The reason she became a teacher.
[15:20] The age she first started composing.
[16:50] Looking back on her early compositions.
[17:50] The story behind her name.
[18:47] The process of how she became a published composer.
[21:20] The pedagogy of her pieces at the forefront of her mind while composing.
[23:19] Piano student levels in the United States.
[24:55] Her approach for composing.
[26:01] What makes an engaging student piano piece.
[27:44] Important things piano teachers should include in their lessons to encourage creativity and explore composing.
[29:06] Her favorite compositions among all her compositions.
[30:08] The series’ that has gained more feedback than others.
[31:55] How she got the skills to write in so many styles.
[35:57] How teachers who are not so strong in composition can encourage students to compose their own songs.
[38:05] Thinking of titles for her compositions.
[40:14] How she writes her own music.
[40:45] Other composers she admires.
[41:30] The music she plays during her down times.
[42:55] One takeaway that she wants everyone to know.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Tonara creates an inspiring community for music teachers and students throughout the week. With students feeling connected to their teacher and peers, and because of the fun and engaging practice tools built into the platform, teachers can see a dramatic increase in the amount and quality of their students’ practice. Teachers no longer have to worry that assignments will get lost or go unread. Multimedia-rich assignments can be reused and updated quickly, making any assignment a festival of creativity and inspiration. Help your students discover the difference effective practice can make. Tonara is available on mobile, tablet, and desktop! So head to tonara.com and sign up for a 30-day free trial, or download the app from your respective mobile store on your device. Let Tonara create happiness in your studio today!

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Studio Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST. [thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Do you compose or teach composing to your students?

What is your approach to composing music? Do you encourage creativity to your students through composition?

CPTP179: Finding Flow and Conquering Performance Anxiety with Jeremy Siskind and Frederic Chiu

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:17:00 +1000

How do you help yourself or your students deal with performance anxiety? It’s one of the things many teachers and students go through whether it be just in front of 1 person or a whole stadium. It can really be nerve-racking! Today's episode is all about the challenges of performance. Further, we can help our students with their and our performance anxiety by finding flow in rhythm in our playing. In that vein, we will also be unpacking tips and strategies on practicing routines, and exploring new repertoire for advanced pianists. Plus, we'll have a look at using Kickstarter to fund performances, projects or anything related to your studio. I have invited two incredible pianists to join us in the podcast today, Jeremy Siskind and Frederic Chiu. Jeremy is a jazz pianist & composer who has written eleven publications. Frederic is an internationally renowned concert pianist who collaborates with both classical and jazz pianists to bring vivid live concert experiences to all his audiences.

Transcript of Show on Finding Flow & Conquering Performance Anxiety

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136076']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[05:45] Guest introductions for Jeremy Siskind and Frederic Chiu
[09:40] Jeremy’s background.
[10:24] Frederic’s background.
[12:43] The reason behind Frederic’s non-traditional approach on piano recitals and performances and how it looks like.
[16:21] Their thoughts on traditional classic recitals.
[21:31] Frederic’s Classical Smackdown concert.
[23:11] Frederic’s suggestions and strategies, particularly for teachers on performing such hard repertoire so flawlessly.
[27:49] Jeremy’s approach to managing his nerves.
[29:11] Is jazz or is classical harder?
[30:49] Frederic’s classical and traditional piano background as a child.
[33:10] Jeremy tells us more about Perpetual Motion Etudes.
[34:25] Tips for students to get into the mindset where they can take off and keep on going.
[36:36] How videos and recorders can help students go into performance mode.
[38:16] Frederic’s thoughts on practising performing.
[44:13] Effects of memorization on performing for Frederic.
[47:32] Jeremy’s thoughts on the effects of memorization on performing.
[49:25] Jeremy’s inspiration on doing the Perpetual Motion Etudes.
[51:21] Funding Perpetual Motion Etudes through Kickstarter and how it worked for Jeremy.
[54:24] His main reason for using Kickstarter for funding.
[55:59] Their thoughts on competitions.
[01:01:43] Closing words from Frederic and Jeremy.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Tonara creates an inspiring community for music teachers and students throughout the week. Students can enjoy feeling connected to their teacher and peers. Similarly, because of the fun and engaging practice tools built into the platform, teachers can see a dramatic increase in the amount and quality of their students’ practice. In addition, teachers no longer have to worry that assignments will get lost or go unread. Multimedia-rich assignments can be reused and updated quickly, making any assignment a festival of creativity and inspiration. Help your students discover the difference effective practice can make.

Tonara is available on mobile, tablet, and desktop! So head to tonara.com and sign up for a 30-day free trial, or download the app from your respective mobile store on your device. Let Tonara create happiness in your studio today!

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Additionally, as a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Studio Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member. Thus, whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST. [thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In to learn about flow & performance anxiety!

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Do you also experience performance anxiety as a teacher or student?

What measures did you take to manage it? Do your nerves lessen after every performance?

CPTP178: Running Music Camps and Holiday Workshops in Australia [Case Study]

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 00:28:00 +1000

Are you open to the idea of exploring the world of music camps and holiday workshops in your area? Do you want to know what it takes to set these up? My guest today, Sofie Arhontoulis, has been a piano teacher in South Australia since 1994, teaching in schools and in her private studio, Saili Music. She is also a gigging musician since graduating from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide in 1991. Sofie has over 25 years of professional experience in the teaching and performing industry, performing live and as a studio musician. Along with Sofie in this interview is her business partner Helen Favretto. These two amazing women have teamed up to run Kidz Jam Factor, offering music camps and art classes side by side during holidays. Find out how they entered and succeeded in this venture to spread their love for art and music and, at the same time, expand their studio marketing and add to their income as teachers.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='136000']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[03:27] Introduction for Sofie Arhontoulis.
[05:18] Introduction for Helen Favretto.
[06:10] The classes they offer for kids.
[07:06] Story behind the name of Kidz Jam Factor.
[07:30] Their inspiration for offering summer camps.
[09:50] The price at which they offer their classes.
[10:34] Using their networks and available facilities to offer their classes.
[10:57] Impacts on their business and student outcomes.
[12:07] How they offered the classes.
[13:44] The number of students they got for their classes.
[15:24] The length of their classes.
[16:45] The activities they conduct in their classes and how they introduce music.
[18:13] Their main reason for offering the classes.
[20:57] Starting their idea from scratch.
[21:50] Gaining repeat students and getting parent contact details.
[23:39] The classes they’ll be running in the next holidays and how they market it.
[25:24] Other types of marketing that they do.
[26:25] Tips for other piano teachers who are interested in offering camps too.
[28:03] How Sofie made her connections and was offered the use of a studio for free.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you ready to offer music camps during the holidays?

Where do you plan to offer them? What are your goals for offering the classes?

CPTP177: Are You Fit 4 Piano? Rae de Lisle Unpacks her Interactive Technique Book

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:54:00 +1000

What approach do you use when teaching technique to your students? Are you familiar with the techniques you should teach? My guest today, Rae de Lisle, is the author of Fit 4 Piano eBook, Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Auckland, and one of New Zealand’s foremost piano pedagogues. Her teaching has produced many outstanding pianists. Aside from the many awards she has been given, her ground-breaking PhD on focal dystonia has resulted in specific concepts about instrumental retraining, leading to many international presentations and keynote speeches. Fit 4 Piano is a fun, interactive e-book designed to assist the development of a coordinated technique. This unique book uses an approach that aligns with all teaching methods and contains more than 80 HD videos of exercises, musical examples, showing how these concepts are relevant whether playing the easiest pieces or advanced repertoire. If you want to learn more about technique in a very interesting way, you’ll definitely want to stick around and listen to this episode.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135932']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[10:58] Where Rae is from and the kind and style of teaching she is doing.
[12:21] What is technique?
[13:03] How making sounds in piano is the most important thing.
[14:10] The approach of using fingers versus the whole body.
[15:19] What made Rae decide to write a book about technique.
[17:12] The value of the interactivity of the book she wrote.
[19:17] An important highlight in Rae’s book.
[20:06] The story of how the images were created in the book.
[21:19] The reason behind the title of her book Fit For Piano.
[23:11] Key mistakes that teachers make with beginner students.
[25:28] The importance of getting movement right from the beginning for beginner students.
[27:27] Argument on buckling the joint.
[28:46] General principles for posture.
[31:25] The approach of detached motion versus legato.
[32:47] Technique names in her book
[34:38] Covering all levels of student technique.
[35:48] Tips for relaxation
[37:16] How all methods align well with her approach.
[38:27] The availability of her book in PDF and ePub form.
[39:23] How her exercises fit in with teachers approach to scales, arpeggios and others.
[41:22] The type of teachers who should read her book.

Links Mentioned

Rae De Lisle Website
Fit 4 Piano eBook
Fit 4 Piano eBook Discount Code: timtophamdiscount2019

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What approach do you use in teaching technique?

Do you teach it right from the start? How has it improved the way your students play?

CPTP176: A Fireside Chat with Marvin Blickenstaff

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 21:15:00 +1000

What approach do you use in teaching your students, especially beginners? My guest on this podcast episode, Marvin Blickenstaff, is one of the most well-known and well-loved teachers in the US. He is a teacher, lecturer, performer and publisher with numerous honours and awards under his belt. His extensive background in piano as well as his positive approach to teaching his students make him stand out amongst the crowd. Marvin shared his wide-ranging experience in the world of piano teaching and gave us some brilliant and insightful tips on how to teach students, especially beginners. So if you are teaching beginners in your studio (which I am pretty sure you are!) then you wouldn’t want to miss this episode because you’ll definitely learn a whole lot from this influential piano teacher.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135868']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[06:26] Marvin Blickenstaff’s Bio
[07:50] Marvin’s current teaching schedule, his students, and the kind of teaching he does.
[09:47] His association with the The New School for Music Study in Princeton.
[11:38] A glimpse into a week in the life of Marvin.
[13:16] His background learning piano, when he started and how his lessons were like.
[18:54] His approach of teaching students.
[20:49] Marvin’s wide range of experience in studying piano.
[24:07] Marvin’s current performances and his go-to composers and works.
[27:06] His catalyst for teaching piano to students and teachers.
[32:13] Marvin shares mistakes he sees teachers make with teaching, especially with beginners and gives some wonderful examples and tips on how he teaches his own students.
[39:33] How he starts teaching reading to students.
[41:14] Most important things he imparts to students on techniques.
[45:13] Teaching legato for beginning students.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What approach do you use in teaching beginner students?

Are you teaching reading and good technique right from the start? How has it improved the way they play?

CPTP175: Top 10 Reasons to Book Your Piano Pivot Live Ticket NOW

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 01:25:00 +1000

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135805'] Have you booked your ticket to the Piano Pivot Live yet? In this episode, I shared the top 10 reasons you need to book your conference tickets now. Apart from discussing major event details, I also talked about some of the things you can expect to see, learn and do in and out of the conference. It’s going to be an inspiring, interesting, and jam-packed exchange of ideas, innovations, creativity and passion for music between all attendees, including speakers. I am very, very excited to share this event that we’ve worked so hard for and I can’t to welcome you in Melbourne in January 2020. So, book your tickets now!

In this episode, you’ll learn

[04:10] Latest news
[08:40] Piano Pivot Live event & ticket details
[09:23] The reason why I decided to run this event.
[11:15] What is a piano pivot and why I named this conference the Piano Pivot Live.
[12:52] Top 10 reasons you should book your Piano Pivot Live tickets now!
[13:18] Reason #1: Things to expect from this conference that will be run by Tim.
[15:41] Reason #2: Get a chance to win a brand new, never-before-released digital instrument from Kawai worth over $4000!
[16:40] Reason #3: Get ideas to set actionable goals to help you get a return on investment.
[19:08] Reason #4: Meet and listen to my handpicked, curated group of speakers with brand new and never before presented topics.
[21:22] Reason #5: We have a great venue with full catering provided.
[23:05] Reason #6: Everything is presented in a single stream.
[23:53] Reason #7: You’ll receive so much sponsor giveaways and experience a one-of-a-kind trade space.
[24:54] Reason #8: We will be having masterminds and an implementation session.
[28:09] Reason #9: You’ll be visiting Melbourne in the summer.
[30:44] Reason #10: Tickets are running out!

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you attending or planning to attend the Piano Pivot Live Conference?

What are you most excited about the conference? How do you think it will help you as a piano teacher?

CPTP174: How a 16 year old Teacher is Building an Online Empire with Alexa Madison

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 23:17:00 +1000

What can you learn from a 16-year old piano teacher about teaching, blogging, marketing, composing, selling and running a studio with 30 students? My guest today is 16-year old Alexa Madison who is a young piano teacher and budding composer moving her way up in piano teaching and business. She has successfully built a business not only teaching piano, but also selling resources and original compositions to fellow teachers as well. She has grown a social media following and has a blog where she shares her teaching ideas to allow other teachers to benefit from her experiences. There is so much to learn from this young woman and I’m pretty excited to share her story with you in this episode of the Creative Piano Teaching Podcast. So listen in and enjoy this inspiring show with Alexa Madison.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135722']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[05:34] 16-year old Alexa tells us her story on how she learned piano.
[07:07] Teaching her first unofficial and official piano lessons.
[08:06] Her parents’ thoughts about Alexa teaching piano at a very young age.
[09:16] The space where she teaches her students in their home.
[09:51] The ages and levels of her current students.
[10:41] How she has built up her studio to 30 students in 4 years.
[13:07] Managing school and teaching piano at the same time.
[15:27] The best and worst experiences in the piano lessons she received and how she has used these to improve the lessons she gives her students.
[16:47] Alexa as a self-taught composer who sells her compositions online.
[19:00] How she came up with her ideas on teaching, building a social following, blogging, and being entrepreneurial.
[20:10] Building and growing her online store.
[20:45] The resources she offers teachers on her website.
[21:44] Her process and method of composing songs.
[23:49] Her teaching approach with young beginners.
[25:29] What older piano teachers can learn from a younger teacher.
[26:56] The reason she named her Facebook Page and Group “Piano Language”
[28:57] Kinds of students she enjoys writing music for.
[29:48] Composers that she admires and loves.
[31:52] Alexa’s future plans for her business.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you give importance to your online presence as a piano teacher?

Have you taken any steps to increase your online presence through your website or social media? Has it helped your overall marketing strategies for your studio?

CPTP173: MTNA President Martha Hilley on 49 Years of Teaching and Mentoring the Next Generation

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 00:42:00 +1000

How did your journey to music education start and where is it now? Are you engaging yourself in conferences, associations, and getting certifications that can support and build you up as a professional music educator? My guest today has had over 49 years of teaching in music education and has definitely made a mark in the industry. I am so excited to bring in my dear friend, Martha Hilley, the current President of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) in America. In this conversation, she shares her story and experience in teaching and the lessons she has learnt over the years. We also dive into the MTNA, the NCTM Certification and the upcoming MTNA Conference in Chicago on March 21-25, 2020 where I will be doing a masterclass on creative teaching. We're offering an exclusive conference registration discount that you won’t find anywhere else in this episode. Don't miss it!

Today's Freebie

Register for the MTNA 2020 National Conference and use the discount code 20Topham20 to get USD $210 off the non-member registration. This code will be valid from today until December 5, 2019.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135681']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[07:41] Martha’s 49 years of teaching music education.
[12:59] Her role in the MTNA.
[15:26] The story of how she started Group Teaching as one of her specialist skills.
[23:08] Martha’s plans of setting up a studio for beginning adults age 60 and above.
[24:00] Her approach to group teaching.
[30:24] The main goal of the MTNA.
[32:26] The state of music education in Texas.
[36:41] MTNA’s Certification Program.
[45:56] The MTNA Conference in Chicago on March 21-25.
[46:50] How to register to the MTNA Conference in Chicago in 2020 with an exclusive discount offer for listeners of the Creative Piano Teaching Podcast.
[49:26] Tim’s Masterclass in the MTNA Conference.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you continuously improve yourself as a music teacher?

Do you regularly attend conferences or enrol yourself in further studies? How has it changed the way you teach?

CPTP172: Getting Value from Professional Development with Amy Comparetto

Sun, 06 Oct 2019 22:49:00 +1000

Have you ever considered joining a membership, attending a conference, getting coaching or studying further to expand your skill set and knowledge as a piano teacher but too worried about the cost of investment? My guest today is TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle) member, Amy Comparetto. She shares her experience on how she invests in her professional development and makes sure that every single penny she spends comes back to her studio. Amy also talks about her inspiring story on how she gained and even doubled her money back on the membership through teaching the ideas she learned in her studio. This conversation with Amy has amazed me in so many ways! I invite you to listen in on the interview today to learn more about how you can manage your studio better and get a return on the investments you make in your professional development.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135662']

In this episode, you’ll learn

[03:18] Amy’s story and her studio.
[04:53] Her current focus on her studio.
[05:18] She shares about the piano lessons she received as a child.
[06:37] The length of her teaching career and how she started teaching in her own studio.
[07:40] Getting her own studio and hiring other teachers.
[08:04] The steps she’s taking to grow her studio and number of students.
[09:34] What made Amy decide to join the TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle).
[10:33] Amy’s feedback on the TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle) Membership.
[11:14] The workshops Amy ran.
[14:00] The amount she charged for the workshops.
[14:35] Discussing Return on Investment (ROI) in her business.
[16:23] Her studio space rental / purchase.
[17:48] How she came up with the workshop idea.
[19:00] Calculating ROI by including the time she spent working on the workshop.
[22:13] Inviting students to sign up for the workshop.
[23:25] Payments for the workshop and the software she uses for her studio.
[25:24] Using Quickbooks for her studio.
[26:16] Investing in her professional development.
[27:05] Amy’s future plans for her studio.
[29:25] Amy’s tips for other teachers who are worried about costs for professional development.

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you invest on yourself professionally as a teacher?

What benefits have you reaped from expanding your skill set and knowledge? What ideas did you implement to get a return on your investment?

CPTP171: How to Teach Piano Songwriting with Lisa Donovan Lukas

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 22:51:00 +1000

Have you thought about incorporating songwriting into your students’ piano lessons but just don't know how or where to start? Lisa Donovan Lukas, author of The Young Musician's guide to Songwriting shares valuable lessons from her book on her process to encourage both teachers and students to use their creativity and explore songwriting. Aside from being a composer, lyricist and lifelong pianist, Lisa maintains an active piano studio where she enjoys teaching piano, music composition and songwriting. Listen and learn tips for teaching songwriting to your budding composers.

Today's Free Download

Download the songwriting powerpack to kick-off this style of teaching in your studio (or to help you explore this in your own practice). [thrive_leads id='135573']

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135543']

In this episode, you’ll learn

07:29 - Lisa's background.
08:20 - Lisa’s journey as a student and teacher.
12:31 - The importance of creativity in her lessons and teaching.
13:44 - Getting space and using the world around you to get inspiration.
15:27 - Why teachers should consider unpacking songwriting with their students.
16:38 - How songwriters have stronger skills in lyrics, melody or chords than others and how you can build where you are weaker.
18:43 - Lisa’s reason for writing her book: The Young Musician's Guide to Songwriting.
19:55 - Who can benefit from the lessons in the book?
20:49 - Can students who work through Lisa’s process be all-rounders and create songs from scratch?
21:40 - A peek at how Lisa conducts her lessons.
22:55 - Beginning the process of songwriting with students.
26:43 - Using progressions in songwriting and how the 4 Chord Composing can work with this.
29:48 - Encouraging students to sing their compositions.
31:12 - Working with scales in melodies.
32:10 - Lisa shows and demonstrates an example of a student’s free-writing.
37:44 - Is it important for students to notate the final composition?
38:36 - Using Garageband when working on songwriting with students.
39:37 - Do teachers need to be good and experienced singers or songwriters to teach this to their students?
40:16 - More information on the free download: Lyrics and Rythm
42:49 - Tips from Lisa on Songwriting.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

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Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you teach songwriting to your students?

How do you go about it? What benefits have you seen in developing their creativity?

CPTP170: How one teacher makes $100,000+ teaching online with Brent Vaartstra

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 00:24:00 +1000

Have you ever wished you could get into teaching online? Not just Skype or Facetime lessons but actually with passive income streams that mean you're not trading time for money? That's exactly what Brent Vaartstra has done and now he helps other musicians and music teachers do the same. Brent started out with a simple blog about jazz standards and has grown that into a six-figure business. He hosts the Passive Income Musician Podcast all about teaching online and making money as a music teacher and I'm delighted to welcome him to the show.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135293']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Brent got started teaching online
How to find the smallest viable audience to get started
How a marketing funnel works
How to create your very first product
Technology tips for getting started
Mistakes you can avoid in online business

Today’s Sponsor

My Music Staff is studio management made easy – our web-based software helps you manage the core aspects of your private music teaching business. Whether you are a single teacher or part of a multi-teacher studio team, our affordable software is a perfect fit and designed to help your business achieve success. My Music Staff can do everything your private music studio needs. It helps you centrally manage your website, student contact information, schedule, invoicing and more. Visit our website (www.mymusicstaff.com) to start your FREE 30-day trial today and experience all of the features that My Music Staff has to offer. No credit card is required to start your trial and there is no obligation to subscribe.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you ever dreamed of teaching online?

Have you thought about passive income streams or alternative ways of making money?

CPTP169: A chat with Musiclock creator Perttu Pölönen

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 00:23:00 +1000

MusiClock is one of my favourite apps. I use it in my lessons to make scales more interesting and to provide backing tracks for improvisations. I'm delighted to have its creator on the show today, Perttu Pölönen. Not only has Perttu created this fantastic app (at only 24!) he's also working on a whole method with physical manipulatives, the app is just one component. I found this interview inspiring and fascinating as we dove into Perttu's mission and the story behind MusiClock. I hope you enjoy it too.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135249']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Where the idea for MusiClock came from
How the app fits in with Perttu's method
The team behind MusiClock's development
What Perttu wants to achieve with his method
Why he believes in opening up music theory
How MusiClock makes improvisation simpler

Links Mentioned

MusiClock

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you used MusiClock?

What did you like most about this app? Did any part of Perttu's story suprise you?

CPTP168: The Ultimate Piano Teaching Conference: Piano Pivot Live 2020

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 00:45:00 +1000

Have you ever been to a piano teaching conference and loved every single minute of it? Chances are, although you probably learned some great tips and met some awesome people, there was a bit of room for improvement. I'm putting on my first piano teaching conference in January 2020 in Melbourne and there a few things I'm doing differently. I've hand-picked each presenter, and I've seen them all speak before so I know they're fantastic. I've also included masterminding sessions so that you can make action plans right away...and much more. Listen in to find out what makes Piano Pivot Live different.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135203']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why I decided to put on my own piano teaching conference
What's different about Piano Pivot Live
Some of the amazing guest speakers
What topics we'll be covering
How the event will be structured
Why you should come join us in Melbourne in January 2020

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you have any questions about the Piano Pivot Live conference?

Leave them in the comments below and I'll be happy to answer them.

CPTP167: 100% Summer Retention with Music Alive and Clinton Pratt

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 21:25:00 +1000

Have you ever wanted to do something a bit different for one of your recitals? What if you could also increase summer retention rates while you're at it? That's exactly what Clinton Pratt has done with his Music Alive concerts. Clinton holds these unique visual media concerts at the end of every summer and students are so excited to participate that there's no way they're going to skip out on lessons. The visual components also help students to connect to music more fully and get them more involved with their pieces. Take a listen to find out more about how Clinton puts these Music Alive concerts together.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='135168']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Where the idea for Music Alive came from
What students can choose to do for this concert
How to get started with students who aren't feeling creative
How to organise the other students who are involved
What parents think of these concerts
How he covers the costs and venue hire
The benefits of Music Alive for retention and marketing
What technology you would need to get started

Links Mentioned

Clinton’s resources for podcast listeners

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you think you might try a Music Alive style concert?

Has Clinton inspired you to try something new? What do you think about using this as a summer retention idea?

CPTP166: From Piano Teacher to Wedding Pianist with Liz Craig

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 01:46:00 +1000

Have you ever thought about playing for weddings? Becoming a wedding pianist can be a great complementary income for piano teachers and a fantastic way to perform and keep up your playing chops as well as explore new music. Liz Craig has combined teaching with being a wedding pianist with great success and it now makes up about 60% of her income. Learn from Liz's mistakes, experiences and awesome organisational skills in this episode.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134959']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Liz got into playing for weddings
How engaged couples find her through her site
Why she enjoys playing in this setting
How she plans what to play at the ceremony
How to prepare special requests quickly
Organisation tips for booking events

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you played for any weddings?

What did you like and dislike about it? Is this an area that you'd like to get into more?

CPTP165: Building to 2000 students a week with Jonny Wilson

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 01:33:00 +1000

Have you ever thought about building a music academy? Something on a large scale rather than just working as a solo teacher from home? Building a music academy with 2000 students a week is never going to be an easy road, but my guest today, Jonny Wilson, would tell you that it's worth it. Listen in to find out how Jonny started with just a few students in his garage and built up to the huge school he runs now.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134922']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Jonny got started with just a couple of drum students
Where his first hired teachers came from
How he found his first commercial space
Why he moved to more locations and then back to one
How they promote in schools and on Facebook
The ins and outs of their referral program

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you dream of building a music academy?

What's holding you back? Did Jonny's story inspire you to move forward with your dream?

CPTP164: Meet my Student Tim (and his dad)

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 23:05:00 +1000

I get questions and requests from time-to-time to hear from my students. What do they think of my creative teaching style? What's it really like to learn from me? In this episode, you'll hear from one of my actual students, Tim. Find out why he has 2 piano teachers and what his dad thinks about our lead sheet and improvisation studies. Plus hear us jam together at the end!

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134855']

In this episode, you’ll learn

What my student loves about piano
Why he has 2 teachers and what are different focuses are
Why my student's dad wishes he did piano exams
How they found me and became students
What's different between the teaching styles

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Which of Tim's words of wisdom stuck out to you?

Did you agree with what he said about students getting to learn what they want? What did you think of his dad's perspective on exams?

CPTP163: Christopher Oill interviews ME!

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 23:13:00 +1000

This podcast episode is quite different. In fact, it's pretty unique as Christopher Oill has asked to come on the show to interview me. In the interview, Christopher dives into what my business looks like today and how I got started. We also spoke about piano teaching trends, how to put ideas from the podcast into action and much more. This was a really interesting chat and I hope you get a lot out of it.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134818']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How I describe what I do and the hats I wear
Why I'm passionate about improving piano teaching
How I stay on top of and ahead of trends
How you can take ideas from the podcast and use them more broadly
Tips for putting yourself out there or being more "extroverted"
How I built my team for my online business
The tools and equipment I use in my studio

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you have any questions to add?

Is there anything you wished Christopher had asked about? Pop your questions in the comments and I'll get back to you.

CPTP162: Powerful Strategies for Teaching Lead Sheets

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 22:01:00 +1000

I believe strongly in the power of teaching lead sheets in our piano lessons. Lead sheets can help students understand music better and make them more "all-rounder" pianists who can adapt to different musical contexts. On the show today, I'm sharing some of my thoughts about why we should teach lead sheet playing to our students and a great clip from one of our TopMusicPro courses with Forrest Kinney.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134744']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why I love teaching lead sheets to students
What an "all-rounder" musician is and how I become one
How to create a lead sheet
How you can get started teaching lead sheets
Styling ideas for teaching lead sheets to beginners

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST. [thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you teach your students about lead sheets?

How do you go about it? What benefits have you seen for your students?

Today's Free Download

CPTP161: Intelligent Music Teaching with Professor Robert Duke

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 13:16:00 +1000

Bob Duke is the author of Intelligent Music Teaching, The Habits of Musicianship, and Brain Briefs. He is also the director of the Center for Music Learning and speaks regularly at conferences all over the world. I had the pleasure of watching Bob give a teaching demonstration in Adelaide a couple of years ago and it was seriously inspiring. He's on the show today to share his ideas and strategies for intelligent music teaching. There are so many tips for you in this interview that could literally revolutionise your teaching – make sure you don't miss it.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134704']

In this episode, you’ll learn

What questions you can ask to make a student listen more actively
The difference between competence and comprehension
What retrieval practice is and why it matters
Why Bob has replaced the phrase "one more time"
Why teacher demonstrations in lessons are so important

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Which of Bob's tips stood out to you the most?

Did he help you to see something in a different light? Share your thoughts in the comments.

CPTP160: Balancing Rote Repertoire and Siight Reading with Samantha Coates

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 23:26:00 +1000

Rote repertoire has been gaining popularity in recent years. Piano teachers are realising the value of teaching by rote alongside reading in order to teach technique and allow students (especially beginners) to explore more of the piano. Samantha Coates has created a fabulous resource that combines rote repertoire with reading to create truly holistic music lessons. I'm delighted to have her back on the podcast today to explain why she has started incorporating rote work into her own teaching and what it could do for your students.

Special Listener Discount

Samantha is generously offering a 25% discount on everything at her roterepertoire.com site! At checkout, click to enter the coupon code 2019TIM and your pack or membership will be reduced by 25%. This code is valid until midnight on May 17.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134476']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Samantha got into rote teaching
How rote teaching works and why it's useful
How students can connect rote pieces to reading
How this approach can lead to students creating and composing
Why note names are not as important as some teachers think
Which students these pieces are particularly suited to
The problem with a purely reading-based approach

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you use rote repertoire?

Have you explored Samantha's pieces or one of the other rote repertoire resources? How have you found the process?

CPTP159: Inspiring and Motivating Teens with Jerald Simon

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 21:32:00 +1000

Do you have trouble motivating teens in your piano studio? I think we've all found this difficult from time-to-time. My guest today is an expert at reaching teen students and connecting to them with the music they love. Jerald Simon has composed a whole series of pieces designed to inspire students that are especially great for motivating teens. He calls them Cool Songs because that's what his students call them. Take a listen to this episode and hear how Jerald saved many students who were on the brink of quitting by listening to what they wanted to learn and finding the music that would hook them.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134421']

Special Offer from Jerald

Use the code "timtopham" to get 20% any order from Music Motivation.

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Jerald was inspired to start his Cool Songs series
How to find the "hook" and bridge students towards classical music
How to make theory fun for students by making it practical
Why Jerald creates backing tracks for his songs
How to simplify improvisation to get students started
Top tips for motivating teens in your studio

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you have trouble motivating teens in your studio?

What music has clicked with them? Have you tried any of Jerald's Cool Songs?

CPTP157: How to Hire a Virtual Assistant for Your Piano Studio

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 00:48:00 +1000

"I have so much free time, I don't know what to do with it!"...said no piano teacher, ever. We could all use more time to spend with family, planning for our studio or practising the piano ourselves. If you have a never-ending to-do list it might be time to hire a virtual assistant to take some of the load off. It's easier than you think to hire someone who can complete repetitive tasks or tasks you don't have to expertise to do well. In this episode, I'll talk you through what to hire out, how to find the right people and help you get started with your own virtual assistant.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134284']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you would want to hire a virtual assistant
Ideas to save time when you feel over-stretched
Where to find assistants to hire locally
The advantages of hiring someone in another country
When to think about hiring out a task
What kinds of jobs you could hire a virtual assistant to do
How to train your V.A. using screen recording software

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What jobs would you love to give to a virtual assistant?

Do you have a list of stuff that it would be great to get off your plate? Share in the comments below. :)

CPTP156: Forrest Kinney on Pattern Based Improvisation

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +1000

You're in for a treat. Forrest Kinney is coming back on the podcast to talk about pattern based improvisation. Forrest Kinney is a strong advocate for getting all beginner piano students to improvise. His books Pattern Play and Create First help teachers to just that through the use of simple patterns that make improvisation accessible to everyone. In this episode, Forrest explains his approach and gives us some fantastic tips for transitioning from duet to solo improvisation, teaching theory through improv and much more. Tune in and get inspired.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134236']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Bach would have taught you to improvise
How to bridge the gap between duet and solo improvisation
Why blues improvisation is not always the best place to start
An approach for teaching theory through creativity
What to do with students who don't actively listen
How improvisation can help students with poor rhythm

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you teach pattern based improvisation?

Have you used Forrest's resources to do it or do you have another method? What are the biggest stumbling blocks for you in this approach?

CPTP155: 10 Ways to Fit Music Teaching Games into Your Lessons with Nicola Cantan

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 02:12:00 +1000

This episode of the podcast is a little bit different. My podcast producer, Nicola Cantan, has taken over the show today to give us 10 strategies for finding more time for music teaching games in our lessons. If you don't know Nicola, she's the writer behind the Colourful Keys blog and the creator of the Vibrant Music Teaching site where she shares games and creative lesson ideas with members all over the world. Nicola is extremely passionate about the power of music teaching games and I'm delighted to be handing over the reins to her for this show so that she can help us all fit more games into our lessons. Even if you've never considered teaching with games before, I highly recommend taking a listen to get her perspective on the serious business of fun.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134184']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why games are so important and valuable for your piano lessons
How to convince your piano parents to increase lesson times
What buddy lessons are and why you might want to consider them
Options for adding group workshops to your studio
How to create a games lending library
How implementing flipped learning ideas could save you time
Strategies for speeding up piano teaching games

Links Mentioned

Vibrant Music Teaching Podcast
How to store and organise your piano teaching games
More about why Nicola believes in the value of games
Colourful Keys YouTube channel (with videos for flipped learning)
How to use games as a travelling teacher

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you use music teaching games?

How do YOU find the time? Do you use one of the ideas Nicola explained in the episode?

Today's Freebie

Enter your details below to grab Nicola's awesome game and have some intervallic giggles with your students.

CPTP154: Your Legal Questions Answered with Richard Chapo

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:04:00 +1000

Legal questions can make piano teachers' heads hurt...but we need to consider the legal issues associated with our business and make sure we're covered. My guest today, Richard Chapo, is here to answer all our legal questions. Of course, Richard can't give specific legal advice but in this episode, he does give straight-forward and practical tips that will help us decipher the jargon and understand the best practices.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134133']

In this episode, you’ll learn

What you need to consider when creating an online course
What GDPR is and who needs to worry about it
Whether you're covered by home owner's insurance for your teaching studio
The difference between an LLC and sole proprietorship
Who is an independent contractor and who is an employee
How much our studio policies really cover us
Whether we need video cameras in our studios

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Did any of the legal questions answered today surprise you?

Share your thoughts and perspectives on these tricky issues in the comments.

CPTP153: Recital and Event Ideas to Build Community with Linda Poelzer

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 23:00:00 +1000

Linda Poelzer is a TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle) member who never stands still. Her studio is so creative it makes my head spin and she's here today to share some of her fantastic studio event ideas. She runs a thriving studio in Canada and from piano olympics, to a name that tune gameshow, to a Christmas coffee house her recitals are certainly never boring. Listen in to get some amazing recital and event ideas for your studio.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134056']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Linda uses group lessons in her studio
The parents' role in Linda's piano studio
Ideas for a special "piano olympics" studio event with games
How to host a name that tune gameshow in your recital
Why Linda decided to host a parents' dessert date night this year
What the Christmas coffee house idea is and how to host one

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you going to try one of these recital and event ideas?

Or perhaps you have one of your own to share? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

CPTP151: Motivating Music Theory with Glory St. Germain

Sun, 24 Feb 2019 21:00:00 +1000

Glory St. Germain is the creator of Ultimate Music Theory, a Registered Music Teacher, sought-after clinician and a Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (NLP). She is really passionate about taking the "blah" out of music theory teaching. If you thinking that music theory has to be boring and dry – you need to listen to this show. Glory gave us so many valuable tips to bring music theory to life as well as sharing how she uses music theory clubs to make her studio more profitable and accelerate her students' progress.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='134024']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Glory became passionate about teaching music theory
Whether digital notation means students don't need to hand-write music anymore
How writing music can make students better readers
How becoming a Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner has helped Glory understand her students better
Glory's top 5 tips for making music theory engaging and fun

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

How do you feel about music theory?

Did you enjoy it or dread it when you were learning piano? How do you think your students feel about it?

Today's Free Download

CPTP150: Global Piano Teaching Expert Roundup 2018

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:23:00 +1000

This is a very special episode. For the 150th episode of the podcast, I've gathered together 6 expert teachers from TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle) for a roundtable discussion about the future of piano teaching. We had a fantastic discussion that spanned the areas of improvisation, teaching reading, performances and much more. It was truly inspiring for me personally, and I know it will be for you too. Make sure you don't miss this one!

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='133139']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Whether recitals are the best goal for today's piano students
How do we balance reading and improvisation
How we can make piano studios more inclusive
Where creativity fits in a student's studies
Why we need to integrate all aspects of music again
How we can help the future generation of music producers, sound designers and more

Get the Podcast Bundle

I'm so excited to get this Podcast Bundle into your hands! It's packed full of incredible teaching goodies and resources. Click here to get your Podcast Bundle today.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What do you want for the future of piano teaching?

Do you have similar goals to one of our experts? I'd love to hear your vision for our industry in the comments below.

CPTP149: How the 5DPP revolutionised one teacher’s studio with Lisa Kiernan

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 00:47:00 +1000

Last December Nicola Cantan and I ran something we called the 5 Day Piano Pivot or "5DPP" for short. This free challenge was designed to help piano teachers really think through and plan the future of their piano studio. Too often as self-employed piano teachers we can get stuck in the weeds of the teaching, planning and admin we need to do each day. The 5DPP is the perfect opportunity to gain focus and clarity. We're about to open up the 5DPP for you to take (or take again) and I thought this would be a great time to hear from a participant. Lisa Kiernan is on the show today to share what impact this challenge had on her teaching, and how it could help you too.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='133022']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Lisa wanted to teach more creatively
What freeing her students from a reading first approach has done for them
What the Piano Pivot is and how we structured it
Breakthroughs that Lisa experienced as part of the challenge
How the goal setting in the 5DPP made a difference
What chords have done for Lisa's teen students
What effective hourly rate is and the impact it has

Links Mentioned

Piano Pivot sign-up

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Did you take part in the Piano Pivot last December?

How did it impact your studio? What was your favourite part of the process?

CPTP148: How to Lease Your First Studio Space with Sophia Hardesty

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 23:13:00 +1000

Leasing your first studio space is an exciting step to take for your business. But many piano teachers are held back because they're not sure where to look or what the process will be like. My guest today has been through it all. Sophia Hardesty has grown her studio from one room up to 7 rooms – with a large performance space. She now runs a thriving studio of over 200 students in Annapolis. Sophia's journey is a great one to look to for inspiration. She's taken things one step at a time to get to where she is now. Take a listen to find out more.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='132674']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Sophia decided to lease a studio space
The process of finding, interviewing and hiring teachers
How Sofia has grown her studio over time
How to choose a great commercial location
Why you need a lawyer to look at your lease agreement
The value of a business coach

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you thinking of leasing your first studio space?

What's holding you back? Did Sophia's story inspire you to start your search?

CPTP147: How Teaching Beginners with No Books has Revolutionised Georgina’s Studio

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 02:13:00 +1000

When I published the No Book Beginners framework I hoped it would give teachers the confidence to teach more creatively, and that's exactly what it's done for Georgina Jordan. Georgina is a piano teacher in the UK who had a very traditional music education and was struggling to add creativity into her lessons. She joined the TopMusicPro, started teaching beginners with the No Book Beginners framework and it's opened up a whole new world. Georgina has really taken my ideas, run with them and made them her own. I'm so excited to share her story with you in this episode.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='132342']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Georgina joined the TopMusicPro.
How having a community helps a new teacher.
How Georgina uses the No Book Beginners framework in her studio.
Which students this is a good approach for.
How to expand on the story-based ideas in No Book Beginners.
Why this approach is so valuable for her students.

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you use a method book from lesson 1?

Are you unsure of how to structure or plan lessons without that kind of framework behind you?

CPTP146: “Behind the Studio” with Amber Harnisch

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 02:32:00 +1000

I love hearing how teachers are getting on in their studios, and what new ideas they're trying out. Amber Harnisch is definitely an inspiring example to follow. She has diversified her studio over the past few years to include a mixture of pair, overlapping and one-on-one lessons. This has revolutionised her teaching and led to more opportunities for creativity – and more enjoyment for her. Amber has also recently created a company, and hired her first staff. Her commitment to mentoring the newer teachers is fantastic and I hope you enjoy hearing her story.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='132235']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How pair lessons work in Amber's studio
Why creativity helps when teaching group lessons
What motivated Amber to switch to teaching pair lessons
How she transitioned to pair lessons and got parents on board
How Amber finds new students
Why you might want to register as a company
How mentorship fits into Amber's plans

Links Mentioned

TopMusicPro membership

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you considered trying pair or overlapping lessons?

What has stopped you from giving it a go? Do you think you could try it now that you've heard how Amber does it?

Today's Free Download

Amber has generously provided this fantastic checklist for you to use in your studio. This is such a useful resource and I hope you'll take full advantage!

CPTP145: Dealing With Loss in the Studio Setting

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:20:00 +1000

My guest today has dealt with more than her fair share of loss, both personally, and seeing her students experience loss. She's on the podcast today to share how she has worked through this and help teachers who are in similar situations. I know this is not an easy topic. This wasn't an easy interview to record, but I believe it's important. I really hope that listening to this episode will be of use to those going through something similar or just to have in your back pocket in case these tough and unfortunate things come up with your students.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='132184']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How composing music can help children work through loss
How performing music at funerals can be beneficial for students
What to say to students who have lost a friend or relative
How a beach ball might be the best contribution you can make
The little things that make a big difference

Links Mentioned

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you ever had a student who was going through loss?

How did you deal with it? Did you find a way to support them through music or in another way?

CPTP144: [Case Study] Pop Piano Teaching in Action with Anna Fagan

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 23:41:00 +1000

Pop piano teaching doesn't have to be something you do just for fun, or just because your student begs you. It can actually have real value for your students in so many ways. The approach I advocate for teaching pop music might feel a bit foreign: focusing on chords, simplifying music and teaching rhythm by ear, but it doesn't have to be scary. Even if you've never played a pop piece or you don't have a clue what's on the radio right now, you can still teach this way. Anna Fagan is an TopMusicPro (formerly nner Circle) member who has had great success with one of my resources, the Top 10 Pop Songs download. She's on the podcast today to share how she brings pop piano teaching into her studio and the benefits for her students.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='132108']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How to know which songs will be popular with students
What to do when a student brings in something that's too hard
How to simplify pop music with students
How one teacher has put pop piano teaching into action
The best approach for learning pop piano rhythms
How you can bring pop piano teaching into your classical studio

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What do you like about pop piano teaching?

How has teaching pop music benefitted your studio? What's been your biggest challenge?

CPTP143: Being the Worship Music Pianist – Tips and Tools

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 09:54:00 +1000

Becoming a worship music pianist means shifting mindsets a bit. You're not always going to be the lead player, sometimes you're going to need to take a supporting role. You're also going to need to read lead sheets...and to get better at listening to other musicians. Whether you're interested in being a worship music pianist yourself, or you want to prepare your students for this role, Drew Collins is here to help. Drew is a worship music leader and there's no one better to give us the ins and outs of church music. Take a listen to find out more.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='132059']

In this episode, you’ll learn

The responsibilities of being a worship music pianist
The difference between worship piano and worship keys
How to speak different music dialects as needed
What the drive, support and accent roles are
How to get students to listen to music in different genres
The most important skills and qualities for a worship music pianist

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

My Music Staff is studio management made easy – our web-based software helps you manage the core aspects of your private music teaching business. Whether you are a single teacher or part of a multi-teacher studio team, our affordable software is a perfect fit and designed to help your business achieve success. My Music Staff can do everything your private music studio needs. It helps you centrally manage your website, student contact information, schedule, invoicing and more. It even has a new feature where you can upload video and audio files for your students to stream directly from the portal! Visit our website (www.mymusicstaff.com) to start your FREE 30-day trial today and experience all of the features that My Music Staff has to offer. No credit card is required to start your trial and there is no obligation to subscribe.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you taught a student who became a worship music pianist?

How did it go? What surprised you about Drew's perspective on this type of playing?

CPTP142: The Challenges of Teaching a Blind Piano Student with Anastasia Buettner-Moore

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 22:43:00 +1000

Have you ever been asked to teach a blind piano student? What did you say? It's tempting to say no – not because we don't want to teach them – but because we feel unprepared. But there is no degree in teaching piano to the visually impaired (that I know of) and if we don't teach them they might be left to fend for themselves. Anastasia didn't shy away from this challenge, she embraced it. She has been teaching a blind piano student for several years now, and she's here today to help us all feel confident diving in too.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='131904']

In this episode, you’ll learn

What prompted Anastasia to take on a visually impaired student
How teaching a blind piano student is different and how it's the same
How braille music notation works
What supports are out there for blind piano students
How you can get started teaching visually impaired students

Links Mentioned

Playwell Perth

Today’s Sponsor

My Music Staff is studio management made easy – our web-based software helps you manage the core aspects of your private music teaching business. Whether you are a single teacher or part of a multi-teacher studio team, our affordable software is a perfect fit and designed to help your business achieve success. My Music Staff can do everything your private music studio needs. It helps you centrally manage your website, student contact information, schedule, invoicing and more. It even has a new feature where you can upload video and audio files for your students to stream directly from the portal! Visit our website (www.mymusicstaff.com) to start your FREE 30-day trial today and experience all of the features that My Music Staff has to offer. No credit card is required to start your trial and there is no obligation to subscribe.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you ever taught a blind piano student?

How did it go? What was the most challenging part of the experience for you?

CPTP141: Playing by Ear with Ruth Power

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 09:25:00 +1000

Playing by ear is an area of piano that can intimidate some teachers. If you've never done it yourself, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to teaching students these skills. On the other hand, teaching songs to students by ear is often the quickest route to getting them sounding great and playing the music they want to play – especially for teens. My guest today, Ruth Power, is here to talk us through the process and demystify playing by ear. She has a step-by-step course where she teaches students songs by ear and she's here to show us the ropes.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='131821']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Ruth wanted to create a course about playing by ear
How teachers who are nervous about playing by ear can still help students
What she teaches in her course
The first steps to teaching a song by ear
How she activates and exercises up her students' ears
How this approach can lead students to understand harmony

Links Mentioned

Today’s Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you teach students the skills for playing by ear?

How do you go about it? Do you take a similar approach to Ruth?

CPTP140: Getting Teen Beginners Fired-Up with Jennifer Eklund

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 00:09:00 +1000

Some teachers really find teen beginners a bit of a struggle. These students come to us from a very different place than our younger kiddos and often with pretty unreal expectations of how fast they're going to progress. But these were some of Jennifer Eklund's favourite students to teach. She's on the podcast today to convince you that they can be your favourites too, and give you some great tips on how to be successful with teen beginners. Jennifer Eklund has just launched a new method book especially for older beginners. Fired Up! uses rich harmonies, duets and backing tracks right from the get-go and is perfect for those teen beginners who want to sound good yesterday.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='131121'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why teen beginners were some of Jennifer's favourite students
What makes teaching teen beginners tricky for some teachers
How we can deal with YouTube tutorials
How to approach the first lessons with a new teen beginner
What to do with students who want to "sound good yesterday"
The value of backing tracks for teenage students
Why you should be playing duets with all your students
How to get started with improv based on your students' pieces

Links Mentioned

Piano Pronto
Piano Pronto Lead Sheets
Fired Up! - method book for older students
FM Sheet Music

Special Discount for Listeners

Jennifer has been very generous in offering an extra 10% discount on the Fired Up! books for listeners of this podcast. Make sure to enter the coupon code FIREDUP when ordering from Piano Pronto to get this awesome discount!

Today's Sponsor

Sheet Music Plus isn’t just fantastic because it’s the largest sheet music directory online (which it is!) they’re also doing their part to help music teachers with their program Easy Rebates. If you sign up to Easy Rebates you get access to 8% cash-back on all your orders. You can also set up lists for your students to purchase and get the 8% cash back on those too! Since Sheet Music Plus has over 1,000,000 titles including print and digital downloads, it's the best place to go when you have student requests or need something for an upcoming recital, so you should definitely take advantage of this free program. Go to sheetmusicplus.com/easyrebates to find out more and sign up today.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

How do you approach teaching older beginners?

Have you struggled to keep your teens engaged? Do you have any tips to share on what worked for you?

CPTP139: How to Teach on YouTube and Skype with Josh Wright

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 19:58:00 +1000

Teaching online could open up so many opportunities for you to work different hours, make more money and reach students you couldn't otherwise. Whether you want to teach on YouTube, Skype or Facetime my guest today can definitely give you some great tips. Josh Wright has been taught by an amazing pedigree of teachers and now shares insightful tips he has picked up along the way in his fantastic YouTube videos and online courses. He also teaches students both in-person and on Skype around the world. In this interview, we dive into YouTube tips, tech setups and teaching ideas. Josh does lots of demonstrating in this episode so if you're a TopMusicPro member make sure to watch the video of this one in the Resource Library.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='130897'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Josh got started creating YouTube videos
How to get a good recording setup for less than $200
Why he believes YouTube tutorials do not undercut teachers
Where the tips he shares come from
The benefits of teaching piano online
Tips for Skype and other online lessons
What Josh does with students who love learning video game music

Links Mentioned

Blue Yeti microphone
Pro Practice Repertoire Series
ForScore iPad app
Do Skype lessons actually work – YouTube video
Adult Piano Adventures
Piano Marvel – use this link to get a special discount for podcast listeners or start a free trial!
CPTP133 with Aaron Garner from Piano Marvel
The Tim Ferriss Show
Travel like a Boss

Special Deals for Listeners

Josh has been extremely generous in offering some special deals for listeners of the Creative Piano Teaching Podcast. Use the coupon code "Tim" for 20% off any product from Josh's online store and "Timskype" for 10% off your first Skype lesson with Josh.

Today's Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you want to teach on YouTube or Skype?

Have you tried teaching online before? What do you find to be the biggest challenges and benefits?

CPTP138: What is 4 Chord Composing All About?

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 00:21:00 +1000

Playing simple 4 chord progressions can open up so many possibilities for students. It can lead them to a better understanding of music and it can give them the skills they need to recover from a mistake in a performance or accompany a singer. One of my favourite activities for piano lessons is chord composing. In fact, I have a full course to show you how to teach this inside my TopMusicPro community. In this podcast, you can hear one module from this course and learn how to teach your students the 3 most common pop chord progressions.

In this episode, you’ll learn

What the 4 Chord Composing approach is
How the course is structured
What this type of teaching can do for your students
How to teach the most common pop chord progressions
How to integrate chords into your teaching

Links Mentioned

Top 20 Tips for 4 Chord Composing
Related: 4 Chord Composing Course

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='130870']

Today's Sponsor

Get $175 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

This is the biggest discount I've ever offered on the podcast so grab it while you can. It's going away on September 7th! Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: CHORDPODCAST. [thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you tried 4 Chord Composing?

If not, does the idea of teaching like this appeal to you? What way do you teach chords to students at the moment?

CPTP137: Randy Faber on a New American Piano Technique

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 21:56:00 +1000

I sincerely doubt Randy Faber needs any introduction to most piano teachers. He is one of the creators of the extremely popular Piano Adventures method books, and regularly speaks on pedagogy and performs across the world. I'm delighted to have Randy on the podcast today to share his thoughts on piano technique. His experience working with both students and teachers gives him a unique and invaluable insight into how we move at the piano. In this episode, Randy Faber gives his thoughts on arm movements, 3D playing, legato for beginning students and Hanon exercises. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from this superstar of the piano pedagogy world!

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Nancy and Randy got started in teaching
The beginnings of the Piano Adventures method books
Why patterns are so important for great teaching
Where the "American" piano technique comes from
How Randy feels about big arm movements
When legato should come in a student's development
What's coming up at Piano Adventures

Links Mentioned

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='130722']

Today's Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Does this approach to technique resonate with you?

Is there anything you disagreed with in this episode? Anything you were surprised to hear?

CPTP136: [Case Study] How to Hire Your First Piano Teacher

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 23:42:00 +1000

The thought of how to hire your first piano teacher can be a daunting one...but exciting at the same time. When you have too many students, a waiting list or new enquiries coming in frequently – it might be a good idea to start thinking about how to capitalise on this opportunity. Anastasia Buettner-Moore has just gone through this process this year and she's on the podcast today to help you hire your first piano teacher too. Annie made this decision because her schedule was simply too full. She couldn't maintain her current schedule, let alone add new students as requests came in. She chose to hire a college student so that she could also act as a mentor and provide training for a new teacher and this model has worked out very well for her. Take a listen to hear how she went about it and how you could do something similar.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='130618'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Annie decided to hire a teacher
Where she advertised for a new teacher
Why she chose to look for a student to hire
How much she pays her contracted teacher
How Annie goes about training and mentoring
Mistakes to avoid when hiring your first teacher

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you want to hire your first piano teacher?

What are your main concerns? Did Annie's story inspire you to give this some more thought?

CPTP135: How to Use Instagram to Market Your Studio with Dawn Ivers

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 10:58:00 +1000

Instagram is a unique social media platform. It's all images, with no links...and it can be confusing to know how we can use Instagram to market our studios effectively. Is Instagram just for building our community, or can we use it to attract new students? What are the best images to post and where can we get them? Those are the questions that Dawn Ivers is here to answer today. Dawn has a beautifully curated Instagram for her own studio, and she also helps to create graphics for Shelly Davis's Piano Parent Podcast. I'm delighted she was able to join me for this interview and I hope it helps you demystify Instagram for your piano studio once and for all.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='130560'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Instagram is most useful for piano studios
The demographics who Instagram is popular with
What to post on Instagram
Where you can use links on Instagram
How to get permission to use students' photos
What hashtags are for and when to use them
How "Stories" work and how you might use them

Today's Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you use Instagram to market your studio?

How do you use it and what do you post? Do new parents ever find you through Instagram?

CPTP134: Continuing Professional Development with the Curious Piano Teachers

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:52:00 +1000

Sally Cathcart and Sharon Mark-Teggart are curious. And they want to spread that curiosity to other piano teachers around the world. They're big believers in professional development and they deliver content to help teachers improve in their membership site and regular online workshops. They're just about the launch a new session of their comprehensive course to help piano teachers achieve a diploma qualification. In this interview, we talk about the changes in professional development for piano teachers, the importance of controlling your advice monster, and how we can all continue to get better as teachers each and every year. Take a listen to find out more about these truly inspiring teachers!

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='130452'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Sally and Sharon started the Curious Piano Teachers
How they make sure their training is practical and relevant
What the internet has done to open up piano teacher professional development
Why you need to tame your advice monster
Where the idea for the new diploma course came from
How the diploma course works and who it's for

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

How do you keep up with professional development?

Do you find that there are more opportunities than there used to be? What resources do you think have made the biggest difference in your teaching?

CPTP133: How to Motivate and Help Students Practice with Aaron Garner

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 17:53:00 +1000

Aaron Garner used to be like many teachers, frustrated by sitting in lessons correcting note errors in his students' pieces all day. That is, until he found a way to help students practice better. Aaron brought together the magic of backing tracks and technology to create a comprehensive practice solution for students: Piano Marvel. This software breaks pieces down and gamifies the process of practising the piano. Learn how you could help students practice in your studio and what effective practice looks like in this episode.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='130254'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Where we're going wrong with teaching students how to practice
Why students need a way to self-analyse their practice
Why technology will never replace good teachers
How Aaron reduces the preparation time for a piece with a new student
Where gamification can help in piano practice
Why Aaron builds up a new piece in layers with a student

Links Mentioned

Piano Marvel – use this link to get a special discount for podcast listeners or start a free trial!

Today's Sponsor

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

How do you help students practice?

What do you do to motivate them? How do you get them to practice effectively?

CPTP132: Launching a New Business on the Side with Janna Carlson

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 21:30:00 +1000

Not all piano teachers want to teach piano full-time. If you've ever thought of starting a new business in a related (or completely different) area to your studio – then today's episode will provide great inspiration for you. There's nothing wrong with loving piano teaching...but not loving the idea of doing it 50 hours a week. Sometimes even though we enjoy our teaching businesses, we want to do more, or we want more variety. That's how Janna felt when she decided to start her new business: Studio Rocket Web Design. Janna still teaches in her thriving studio, but she's someone who likes to be pushed and take on new challenges. If that sounds like you, I hope you'll get something out of listening in on this coaching call.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129948'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you might like to consider a side-hustle alongside your piano teaching
Pricing considerations for a new business
How to launch a new project or business
Methods of managing projects between multiple people
The pitfalls to watch out for in a new business
What to track and what to do with metrics
How TopMusicPro (formerly Inner Circle) Roadmap could help you with exploring a new business

Links Mentioned

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Have you thought about starting a new business on the side?

What other passions do you have besides teaching piano? What's holding you back from starting or moving forward with a side-hustle business?

CPTP131: Piano Teaching Unthinkables with Philip Johnston

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:02:00 +1000

Philip Johnston brings a fresh take to music teaching ideas and preconceptions. The piano teaching unthinkables we discuss in this episode may be controversial, but even if you disagree they provide fantastic food for thought. In today's show we bring video game thinking into the piano studio, abolish long-held beliefs about piano practice and throw reading out the window for beginner piano students. This is a different style of podcast episode but it's still chock-full of inspiration. Take a listen and prepare to be challenged!

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129843'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How martial arts relates to piano teaching
The value of digital pianos in piano teaching studios
Why you should be recording all your student's playing
How and why we should rethink daily practice requirements
Why reading should not always be your first priority
What the most exciting thing you can do in your business is

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Thank you for Tuning In!

Did any of these unthinkables shock you?

Was there one that had you shouting at the podcast? Did you gasp? Let me know your thoughts (pro or con!) in the comments.

CPTP130: Funnels and Facebook Ads for Piano Teachers with Danny Thompson

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 12:12:00 +1000

Facebook ads can be a little tricky for piano teachers. I know many teachers who have accidentally spent too much without any tangible result. But they can also be extremely powerful if used the right way. Danny Thompson is back on the show today for part 3 of our business masterclass, and this time we're diving deep on Facebook ads. How can we make them work for us? What does all that jargon even mean? Find out everything you need to know about Facebook ads for piano teachers in this episode.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129777'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Facebook ads work for Danny's studio
Why getting expert help is so important
Why boosting posts is usually not a good idea
What retargeting is and what it can do for you
How email marketing works for music studios
How to set up your targeting for Facebook ads
What types of images and videos to use in your ads

Links Mentioned

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Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you tried Facebook ads in your studio?

What have you found works well for you? Have you considered hiring an expert?

CPTP129: Why “Practice” Might Be Killing Your Studio Business with Danny Thompson

Thu, 31 May 2018 17:24:00 +1000

Is the way we approach practice in our studios all wrong? Are our practice expectations unrealistic or counterproductive? Danny Thompson and I will unpack this idea of taking practice and homework out of the equation and focusing instead on inspiring our students and growing their love of music. Could this be a useful experiment in your studio? Explore this controversial idea of not having a practice requirement for beginning lessons with your students on today's episode and see why it's not quite as crazy as it first sounds.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129728'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Danny is changing the practice expectation in his studio
What it can do when you remove the homework discussion from lessons
Why it's so hard to change our thinking and habits in this area
How we can inspire students to want to practise
The impact of the coolness and likeability factor on retention
How this comes across in Danny's communication and website

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What do you think of this new way to view beginner practice?

CPTP128: Creating Your Piano Studio Brand with Danny Thompson

Wed, 23 May 2018 00:05:00 +1000

What is a studio brand, is it the same as your logo or letterhead? And what's the point of understanding your studio brand anyway? Knowing how people perceive you and how you want to be seen in the community is an important part of gaining clarity in your marketing and business. Danny Thompson is on the podcast today to give us an insight into branding and what it means to us as piano teachers. Danny came to the music teaching business from a different perspective than most of us, and I always enjoy his unique views on business and marketing. Find out what you need to know about your studio brand by listening in.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129700'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Danny's unusual route to running a music studio
What branding is and why it's helpful for your business
The step-by-step process to finding your brand identity
Where your "USP" fits into the business planning process
How to get help with your design and writing for your website
The most common branding mistakes teachers make

Links Mentioned

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Thank you for Tuning In!

What's your brand identity?

Do you know what you want people to say about your business when you're not around? Do you think this comes across in your marketing and studio website?

CPTP127: Jon Schmidt from The Piano Guys

Wed, 16 May 2018 06:50:00 +1000

Jon Schmidt is none other than the "piano guy" from The Piano Guys. He is a pianist, composer, piano teacher, and author, and I'm delighted to have him join me on the podcast for this episode. The Piano Guys are known for their incredible pop and classical arrangements. In 2016 they passed 1 billion views on YouTube with their amazing videos with unbelievable backdrops like cliffs, forests and even the great wall of China! In this interview Jon gives us the inside scoop on those awesome videos, as well as his thoughts on tampering with the classics, and what we can do to inspire the next generation of creative pianists. You don't want to miss this one!

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129646'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

The magic behind their incredible music videos
What it's like to be inspiring so many piano students around the world
How Jon got his start with traditional piano lessons
Where the inspiration for Waterfall came from
How Jon approaches teaching chords to students
How they go about choosing and creating new arrangements
Jon's views on "messing" with the music of the great composers
The essentials of Jon's own practice routine
What we can do to inspire the Jon Schmidts of the future!

Links Mentioned

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How do you think Mozart would feel about these mashups of his music?

Do you think he would want us to set his music in stone? Or do you think variations would have been welcomed by the great composers?

CPTP126: Taking Care of Business with Todd Whaley

Thu, 10 May 2018 02:53:00 +1000

There's a global shift among piano teachers to start taking their studios more seriously. Many teachers are now taking care of their businesses and no longer see this as just a "hobby" or a side job. This is a profession. And with that comes all the trappings a small business needs like invoices, expense tracking, efficient scheduling and fee structures. How can we handle all of it and still have time to improve our teaching and invest in professional development? That's what Todd Whaley is here to help us with. We're going to reveal the biggest mistakes teachers make when it comes to the business of running a piano studio, and what you could be doing differently.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129594'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you shouldn't be handling invoicing manually in your studio
How many teachers are moving away from having teaching as just a "hobby"
How offering different payment options helps you get paid faster
What you should do to decide what your fees should be
Why we shouldn't be getting involved in a race to the bottom
How you can be kind to yourself when it comes to billing
What software can do to improve tax time
The biggest trend in the most successful teachers

Links Mentioned

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Are you being kind to yourself when it comes to your billing?

Do you have automated systems in place? Do you sometimes make your fee structures more complicated than they need to be?

CPTP125: 25 Years of Composing and Arranging with Phillip Keveren

Wed, 02 May 2018 01:21:00 +1000

Phillip Keveren has created some of my favourite arrangements for piano. All of his pieces are beautiful, pianistic and playable. As he points out in the interview, you don't want a student doesn't want to be working on a pop arrangement for 6 months, and his work makes these pieces students want to play accessible to them at their level. Phillip got his start with fairly traditional piano lessons, but he was lucky enough to have teachers who never tried to squash his creativity. They supported his exploration, and he learnt by studying what other composers had done and trying to apply it to his own pieces. Take a listen to get an insight into a day in the life of a modern composer and what makes him tick.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129547'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Phillip got his start in music in a traditional lesson environment
How his early teachers encouraged his creativity
What he does to continue to learn even now by looking at scores
What his arranging process looks like and how he decides on the levelling
How Phillip got started with Hal Leonard
Some of his favourite books and arrangements
How we can foster the skill of arranging in our own students

Links Mentioned

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Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you have a favourite Phillip Keveren collection?

Is one of his books a "go-to" resource in your studio? Leave your top recommendation from his vast canon in the comments below!

CPTP124: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 3)

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:18:00 +1000

This is the third and final part in our wonderful series on piano student motivation with Samanatha Coates. (Listen to part 1 here or part 2 here if you missed them.) Samantha shares a great quote in this episode: "It is not your job to motivate students. It is your job to create the environment in which they can motivate themselves." – Edward Deci And Samantha really breaks down what it means to create that environment. Bringing the ideas of mastery and relatedness into everything we do, means we can foster this lifelong musicianship that we all want for our students. She also discuss the importance of autonomy. How, as teachers, we have to allow our students to make decisions so that they can connect with the music they're learning. This is essential listening for all piano teachers. Make sure you tune in.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129233'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why self-determination theory is relevant to piano teachers
The most common reasons why students quit
How group teaching can help with relatedness
How and why to let students choose their own repertoire
Why the exam express is so destructive for the feeling of mastery
Why finding the right repertoire is the most important thing we can do

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

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Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you allowed your students enough automony?

Do they get to make choices in their studies? Do they get opportunities to relate to their peers in your studio?

CPTP123: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 2)

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 02:12:00 +1000

Motivation and practice are the biggest keys to our students' success at the piano. That's why I'm so thrilled to welcome back Samantha Coates for part two of our three-part series on student motivation. (Listen to part 1 here if you missed it.) In today's show, Samantha is talking us through the parents' role in piano lessons and how we can communicate that role to them. Parent education is a hugely underestimated part of our job as teachers. If we get this stuff right, it makes a massive difference. One of the ways Samantha explains this to parents is using her progress matrix which you can find on her blog here. By laying out the balance of practice and support (with a sense of humour), Samantha makes it very clear how direct this relationship is. No practice + no support = No progress...it really is that simple. I know you're going to get a heap out of this episode, I certainly did.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129190'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why some students quit music
What makes the Suzuki method work
How to handle pushy piano parents
How to explain to parents what their role is in the student's progress
Why Samantha awards scholarships for good practice
How these awards motivate her students and their parents

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Thank you for Tuning In!

How do you educate your piano parents?

Do you think they realise how crucial their role is? Do they know what goes into good progress with a musical instrument?

CPTP122: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 1)

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 11:45:00 +1000

Motivating students to practice is a big topic for piano teachers. In fact, it's probably the biggest one. Tackling this area is no small undertaking, and I'm delighted to welcome Samantha Coates to the podcast to talk us through it. In this three-part series Samantha is unpacking motivation and parent education, and what leads to students that are intrinsically motivated to practice. In this first episode, Samantha discusses overscheduled students and how teachers can educate the parents about practice expectations. She also explains the difference between "if-then" and "now-that" rewards and why this distinction is so important to make. Ultimately, at the end of this series, I hope you will have started to understand how you can move your students into that top green square of the motivation matrix. Let's get started.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129131'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why kids are so overscheduled these days
What we can do with these overscheduled students from the first meeting
The best way to use rewards in our studios
Why we do need some extrinsic motivation
How we can better understand our students' motivation
The biggest change you can make straight away in your teaching

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Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you give out rewards in your studio?

How do you think this affects your students' motivation? Has Samantha changed how you think about rewards and motivators?

CPTP121: The Digital versus Acoustic Divide

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 10:14:00 +1000

Where do you stand on the digital versus acoustic issue? Do you encourage your students to get acoustic pianos or are you more open to high quality digitals? While I think good acoustic pianos are fantastic for students to have at home, a lot of the time digital pianos are actually the better option. When parents are purchasing a practice instrument for a beginner, they're unlikely to want to invest enough to get a really solid acoustic piano. And a digital piano wins over an old beaten-up acoustic every time. Take a listen to today's show to hear about what sparked this topic, why I recommend digital pianos to my students, and which ones are my favourites.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='129051'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Where competitions fit in my piano teaching philosophies
What I would recommend for a student's practice instrument
The types of pianos and keyboards and how they compare
Why I don't agree that students need to start at 3 or 4 years old
When and why a digital piano is better than an acoustic

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Where do you stand in the digital versus acoustic divide?

Do you notice a difference between your students who practice on digital pianos? Do you think Fanny Waterman was right to point the finger at these instruments?

CPTP120: 5 Simple Tips to Improve Your Piano Studio Website

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 06:27:00 +1000

It's my absolute pleasure to have one of my TopMusicPro (formerly kno as Inner Circle) members on the podcast today. Janna Carlson is not only a fantastic piano teacher, she's also launching a business to help other teachers with their piano studio website. Since switching to group teaching, Janna has seen first-hand the power of an effective site. Her piano studio website keeps enquiries coming in on auto-pilot – so she can focus on improving her teaching. Janna's on the show today to give us some insight on what makes for a great site. We cover everything from images to contact forms to formatting. All the things you need to improve (or develop) your own piano studio website.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128925'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What professional development has done for Janna
How her teaching studio has transformed over the last two years
Why she is adding another branch to her business
How she has moved from a "music teacher" to an "entrepreneur"
Why Janna wants to help teachers with their websites
What images can do for your studio website
The best way to write on your website
Why you need a contact form and contact buttons
How to get feedback from parents on your website
What to do if you don't have a website
How to update an old website

Links Mentioned

Studio Rocket Web Design

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Does your piano studio website need some improvement?

Did any of the pitfalls Janna mentioned today hit home? What's the one area you're going to make a change in straight away?

CPTP119: Con Brio Online Examinations with Peter Wang

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:22:00 +1000

Having built a successful music studio, Peter Wang wasn't done. Now, he and his colleagues are trying to make their mark on the music exam world with Con Brio exams. They've set about addressing some of the common concerns teachers have with traditional exam systems. Con Brio exams can be applied for at any time, from anywhere in the world. Their online system makes this easy and flexible for teachers. Con Brio exams also have a vast selection of pieces to choose from. They are passionate about every student loving their exam repertoire – not just playing it to get the grade. Take a listen to learn more about these interesting and innovative exams.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128899'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Peter and his colleagues decided to create their own exam system
What they want to improve on from the traditional exam boards
The structure of Con Brio exams
Why they chose to use a video recording instead of live exams
How they tackle the authenticity issue
How they plan to make their examiners are consistent
Why they have not included a technical requirement

Links Mentioned

Con Brio Exams

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How do you feel about online examinations?

Is there anything that excites you about this new way of examining? Do you have any concerns about the way it works?

CPTP118: The “Crisis in Creativity” with Kevin Olson

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:42:00 +1000

Kevin Olson is a natural composer. He started composing at a very young age and creativity seemed inevitable to him. Now, he wants to encourage that in the next generation. Apart from inspiring our students with wonderful motivating repertoire, Kevin also has some fantastic words of wisdom when it comes to including creativity in our lessons. By taking it a little bit at a time – we can find more time for creativity. Our students don't have to be producing complete, fully-notated compositions. Start with including improvisation and drawing from the pieces your students are playing. Then you can see where it goes from there.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128768'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Kevin started composing at age 5
The place of composition competitions in Kevin's studio
Why external motivation is important for teen music students
What we can do to foster students' creativity
How to integrate creativity with everything else you have to cover
The music Kevin is most excited about right now
How he goes about composing a concerto
Where he starts a new composition

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Where does creativity fit in your teaching?

Do you find it hard to plan into your lessons? Have you been trying to do too much or jump too far?

CPTP117: Creating Preschool Music Programs that Rock with Dave Simon

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 13:37:00 +1000

Have you ever thought about bringing rock bands into your teaching studio? Many teachers would be interested in this kind of ensemble playing experience, and the positive introduction it provides to music. But few would think of bringing this to preschool students. Getting preschoolers into rock bands might sound like something that would need a team of music prodigies, but the way Dave's doing it means any kid can get involved. Any child really can be part of a band at 4 years old, given the right approach. Learn how Dave Simon's preschool rock bands work in this episode.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128637'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Dave decided to start his school of rock
How a movie helped him expand his business
How and why he hired his first teachers
Why Dave started writing his own curriculum
Dave's refined & thorough process for hiring teachers
How KidzRock started and who it's for
How Dave designed the music for student success
The impact this program has had on student retention

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you thinking about bringing rock bands to your studio?

What do you like about Dave Simon's approach? Is there anything you would differently?

CPTP116: What’s Coming in 2018 for the Podcast, Blog and Inner Circle

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 20:26:00 +1000

2017 has been an amazing year and I've so enjoyed sharing piano teaching ideas and inspiration with you on the podcast. We've covered everything from lead sheets to best business practices, and the feedback from all of you has been fantastic. Take a moment with me to look back over this year, and sneak a look forward to what's coming up in 2018 on today's show. I'll also share with you a bit about my team, and some of what goes into running this site. Here's to an even more awesome year next year!

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128361'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you shouldn't be doing everything in your business yourself
How I hire out tasks for my business
Some of the key members of my team and what they do
The most popular episodes of this year
What's coming up for the podcast in 2018
Webinars and training planned for early next year
Where you can catch me in person at conferences

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What season topics would you like to see covered?

If one or two of the ones I mentioned should be top priority – let me know in the comments. I'd love your input on this.

CPTP115: Are You an Imposter Piano Teacher?

Sat, 02 Dec 2017 10:39:00 +1000

Do you ever feel imposter syndrome? This is the feeling of being a "fake". Feeling like others around you in your profession have more skills, more knowledge or even secrets that you don't know about. Many new piano teachers, or even ones with years of experience, can feel a bit insecure in their own teaching abilities. Perhaps it's because they don't have a piano pedagogy degree, or maybe they're just comparing themselves to others and it seems like they come up short. I hear some version of imposter syndrome from piano teachers all the time, and I know I've felt it myself. More teachers than you realise feel exactly this way. Which is why today I'm going to share with you some ways you can overcome imposter syndrome as a piano teacher.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128231'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What imposter syndrome is and why it matters
Why I've felt this way myself too
Why you need to stop comparing yourself to other teachers
Tips for fighting imposter syndrome
How you can feel more confident in your teaching
How my own community can help with this
The importance of having a mentor as a new piano teacher

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you experienced imposter syndrome?

How did you overcome this feeling? Why did you feel that way in the first place?

CPTP114: Piano Pivot: How to Gain Clarity, Avoid Overwhelm and Achieve Success in 2018

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 12:46:00 +1000

Do you want to find success in 2018? No matter what that word "success" means to you – you're going to need to clear the decks first. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by all the amazing stuff out there, you're not alone. I hear from teachers all the time who find themselves spinning in circles trying to do too much. I'm so excited to tell you how you can beat the dreaded information overload, and find piano studio success in 2018. The challenge I'm running along with Nicola Cantan from Colourful Keys is going to help you do just that. This isn't just about pedagogy either. It's a wholistic approach to your piano teaching life. Take a listen to find out what this Piano Pivot is all about and how it can help you.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128165'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why teachers are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out
How to beat overwhelm by staying healthy
How you can set goals that give you clarity
Why habits and testing can help you be productive
How the Piano Pivot is structured
The key areas we're going to look at in this challenge
How to join in with the Piano Pivot and beat the overwhelm

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

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For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.

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Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you want to find success in 2018?

I think we all do, right? What's stopping you from being successful right now?

CPTP113: Planning for New Piano Teachers: From Policies to Performances

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 23:29:00 +1000

Proper planning for new piano teachers (and more experienced ones) can save time, headaches and money. When you think things out in advance you can avoid falling into the traps that many new piano teachers do. Nicola Cantan is back on the podcast today to share tips on planning for new piano teachers. We cover a lot of ground, from lesson formats to performances to payments, and how you can bring all these things together if you know your big WHY as a teacher. Whether you're a brand new teacher, or just need a reset button – I think you'll love this conversation. We share some great insights and examples from our own teaching to make it super practical and relevant to your planning process.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='128013'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you need to plan your studio (even if you've been winging it so far!)
How you might be making less money than you could be
Where to look for your "why" or mission statement as a teacher
How you can decide your lesson format, length and location
What you need to consider when making policies
The pitfalls of policies and payments for piano teachers
How to plan a great recital that reflects your teaching style

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio

Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos.

AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§ Berlin (C. Bechstein)

* Hamburg (Steinway) * Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300)

Grand Acoustic Sound System

* 6 x speakers, 2 amps * Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field

Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing
Dual headphone capability
Piano duet mode

For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you see the importance of planning for new piano teachers?

Is there anything you wish you planned when you started out? Perhaps something that cost you in time or money in those first few years?

Today's Free Download

CPTP112: Having a Mission and Planning Lessons Effectively with Leila Viss

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 02:09:00 +1000

Planning lessons effectively is definitely an art, not a science. There are many things to balance and the actual lesson might look quite different in the end – but with experience it does get easier. Leila Viss is not only a fantastic piano teacher, but she's also helping to shape future piano teachers at the La Mont Piano Prepatory Program. Through her work there and at her home studio, she has picked up some helpful tips for planning lessons effectively for both groups and individual lessons. Leila shared a great quote in this interview as she spoke about the spiralling of concepts: "You have to make the knowledge ready for the child, rather than waiting for the child to be ready for the knowledge." – Jerome Bruner ...And so many more gems! Whether you're a newbie teacher or a veteran, you're definitely going to learn a heap from this episode.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127914'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why lesson planning is important for piano teachers
How Leila plans for her group lessons
Why you need a mission statement for your teaching
Common mistakes that planning can help us avoid
How to teach students to practice and give them ownership
The why, what and how of planning lessons effectively
Where technology fits into the planning process
How much input students should have in the lesson structure

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio

Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos.

AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§ Berlin (C. Bechstein)

* Hamburg (Steinway) * Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300)

Grand Acoustic Sound System

* 6 x speakers, 2 amps * Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field

Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing
Dual headphone capability
Piano duet mode

For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you planning lessons effectively?

Do you fall into any of the traps or mistakes Leila mentioned? Does your lesson planning process look like hers?

Today's Free Download

CPTP111: The Life of a New Piano Teacher with Joe Harkins

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 22:10:00 +1000

Joe Harkins is a new piano teacher who came to piano teaching (like many of us do) from a mixed background of playing and performing. He got inspired to return to further pedagogy studies when he saw the gaps in his own knowledge, and joined the La Mont Piano Prepatory Program. For a brand new piano teacher, Joe is wise beyond his years. He shares some amazing nuggets and insights that he's learned, including how to remember to look at the "big picture" when you're teaching. Joe's desire to learn and improve his teaching is truly inspirational. I know you're going to get a lot out of today's episode – whether you're a brand new teacher yourself or not.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127807'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Joe got his start with playing jazz and other styles
What inspired Joe to start teaching piano
How he came to find the value of further pedagogy studies
The biggest worries for a brand new piano teacher
Why classical music gradually became more important for Joe
The benefits and drawbacks of working in a music school
What Joe was doing wrong in his own practicing
The most valuable lessons from his graduate studies
How to begin to incorporate technology in your teaching

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio

Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos.

AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§ Berlin (C. Bechstein)

* Hamburg (Steinway) * Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300)

Grand Acoustic Sound System

* 6 x speakers, 2 amps * Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field

Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing
Dual headphone capability
Piano duet mode

For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What was it like for you when you first started teaching?

Did any part of Joe's story resonate with you? Was there something in his journey that made you think differently?

CPTP110: Why Every Student Should Know Happy Birthday with Lucinda Mackworth-Young

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 21:40:00 +1000

Lucinda was trained in a traditional classical system, but when she realised that she couldn't even play Happy Birthday at a party (without sheet music) she felt a little cheated. Why couldn't she do something so simple after all these years of study? She wished that someone who had these playing by ear skills would write down the formula, so that we could all learn to do it. As Lucinda began to teach students herself she gradually developed this step-by-step process and eventually put it all together in her book: Piano by Ear. Lucinda has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to teaching aural skills – and how to play Happy Birthday – in a way that's digestible for students. She makes playing by ear accessible to even the most by-the-book teacher. I'm so excited to share this interview with you today, I know you're going to take away a lot of great tips and ideas.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127716'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What sparked Lucinda's interest in playing by ear
Why we got out of the habit of teaching ear training
What most people want from piano lessons
The balance between reading, ear and improvising
How to encourage more singing in your studio
Why you should sing the chord numbers as you play
How Lucinda teaches Happy Birthday with chords
How Lucinda approaches modes

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio

Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos.

AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§ Berlin (C. Bechstein)

* Hamburg (Steinway) * Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300)

Grand Acoustic Sound System

* 6 x speakers, 2 amps * Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field

Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing
Dual headphone capability
Piano duet mode

For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Can your students play Happy Birthday?

What about Lucinda's approach to this was most interesting to you? Do you teach them these kind of well-known songs by ear?

CPTP109: What is Solfa and How Does it Help Students with Christopher Sutton

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 22:53:00 +1000

Depending on where you got your musical start, solfa might be an integral part of your musicianship – or it might be a foreign language. If you didn't learn solfa growing up or never felt like you had a"good ear" it can be intimidating to launch into solfa exercises in your teaching. It's tempting to just pick up a book of exam ear exercises and practice those before the big day. But you'll be missing out on so much goodness, and your students will be too. Ear training with solfa can be fun, practical and above all truly musical. Christopher Sutton has some fantastic tips to share with us today all about using solfa in your piano teaching. Many of these ideas were new to me – and are things I'm definitely going to be using going forward. Take a listen and see if you're persuaded by the power of solfa too.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127660'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Christopher is so passionate about aural
What solfa or solfege is
Why solfa is such a powerful musical tool
How it can be used in your teaching
The difference between movable and fixed solfa
How to get started with achievable solfa exercises
How solfa can help with chord theory

Links Mentioned

Today's Sponsor

Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio

Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos.

AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§ Berlin (C. Bechstein)

* Hamburg (Steinway) * Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300)

Grand Acoustic Sound System

* 6 x speakers, 2 amps * Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field

Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing
Dual headphone capability
Piano duet mode

For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you decided to give solfa a try?

Do you feel like you could give some of these exercises a go? Let me know if you use some of these simple solfa exercises and how you get on in the comments.

CPTP108: Ear Training That’s Actually Fun with Kristin Jensen

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 00:09:00 +1000

Ear training can be dull. But it definitely doesn't have to be. Kirstin Jensen is here to tell us about some super fun and effective aural activities you can do with your students in just a few minutes of lesson time. These ideas will even get your youngest most wiggly students excited to work on ear training. When it comes to ear training, a little goes a long way. Kirstin has seen a marked difference in musicality between her students that have done ear training from the start – and those that haven't. So what are you waiting for? Jump in and listen to Kirstin's great aural tips, your students will thank you.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127549'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why ear training is even better in group lessons
How to build up your confidence with aural
Creative ideas for making ear training fun and interactive
Activities for rhythmic dictation (with cheering!)
How ear training improves students' playing in general
Why Kristin includes compositions and improvisations in every recital

Links Mentioned

The Best Aural Activities for Absolute Beginner Piano Students
Even Young Kids Can Create at the Piano
Auralbook app
Beginner ear training games
Ear training worksheets
How to teach kids to play by ear

Today's Sponsor

Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio

Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos.

AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§ Berlin (C. Bechstein)

* Hamburg (Steinway) * Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300)

Grand Acoustic Sound System

* 6 x speakers, 2 amps * Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field

Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing
Dual headphone capability
Piano duet mode

For more details about the Casio Celviano click here.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Which of these aural activities have you tried?

Do you ever jump too far ahead too soon like I do? Or perhaps you've been scared off from lack of confidence in your own skills?

Today's Free Download

CPTP107: How to Simplify and Teach a Pop Song by Ear

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 20:21:00 +1000

When it comes to teaching pop, sometimes the best approach is to learn it aurally. Working out a pop song by ear gives you more opportunities to teach your students theory, and creates a much more musical experience. In this episode I take you through step-by-step how you can teach your students a pop song by ear. I take the song Mockingbird by Eminem and break it apart just like I would with a student in a lesson. You don't need to write off rap or hip hop songs like this – sometimes they can make great teaching material. Take a listen if you're curious about this different approach to teaching pop.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127440'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

Today's Free Download

If you want to try teaching pop by ear but you're finding it hard getting started, you need this cheat sheet. [thrive_leads id='127469']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How to get a student started with a new pop song
The most important questions to ask when teaching pop
How to use pop as a valuable aural exercise
Why you need to get your students singing when playing by ear
What this can teach your students about key signatures
How to combine the chords, bass line and melody to create an arrangement
Why I don't teach pop songs unless a student brings it to me

Repertoire Rap Video

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you ever teach music completely by ear?

Have you been nervous to try this kind of teaching? What's holding you back from teaching your students to play by ear?

CPTP106: The Power of Keyboard Ensembles with Susan Ogilvy

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 19:07:00 +1000

For piano students, working in keyboard ensembles is fantastic for so many reasons. They teach kids about rhythm, phrasing, working as a team, and so much more. When you're playing with another musician – you have to actually listen. This is so valuable for young pianists and such a rare opportunity. All young pianists should be given this chance to round out their playing and musicality. Susan Ogilvy has worked for many years with keyboard labs and keyboard ensembles and she has some amazing ideas to share with us today. Learn how you can get started using ensembles in your studio more easily (and cheaply!) than you might think.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127355'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Susan got into group teaching and keyboard labs
What a keyboard ensemble looks and sounds like
How playing in a band helps pianists' rhythm
How keyboard ensembles teach so many skills
Why you don't always need to be a weighted key purist
What students can learn about the other instruments through keyboard ensembles
How imitating a wind instrument helps with phrasing

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you taught keyboard ensembles?

Are you looking to expand into more group work? Or put on a ensemble concert?

CPTP105: Building a Group Teaching Studio with Debra Perez

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 10:15:00 +1000

Debra Perez has helped teachers around the world to make the switch to a group teaching studio. She knows all the ins and outs of parent education, marketing and the best set up for your group piano lessons. Listen to this episode and you'll learn why changing to a group teaching studio is getting such a buzz (for students and parents) and how you can change your studio over. Debra will also help you assess whether group teaching really is a good fit for you – it's not for everyone! Tune in to hear from one of the masters of group teaching, and learn everything you need to know about this important transition.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='127226'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Debra started her group teaching studio
Why she started mentoring and teaching other teachers
The mindset piece of the group teaching puzzle
How to learn not to micro-manage in your teaching
What are the biggest positives of group teaching for students and teachers
What parents really want from music lessons
How to make the switch to group lessons from private
How to educate your piano parents before changing over

Links Mentioned

Way Cool Keyboarding

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you made the switch to group teaching?

What was the biggest change for you? Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

CPTP104: Forrest Kinney on the 4 Creative Arts

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 02:05:00 +1000

Forrest Kinney and I have a lot in common. We both believe that modern classical music eduction is missing a step when it comes to teaching the creative arts. Somewhere along the way improvising, composing and arranging got cut out of the equation – and we're fighting to get them back into piano studios around the world. Piano teachers can feel dizzy with all the different creative projects they could or should be doing. The way Forrest frames these as the four creative arts gives a lot of clarity to creative piano teaching. I'm delighted he was able to come on the podcast to explain his philosophy and approach to teaching these creative arts.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='126496'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

Today's Free Download

Download the Four Arts of Music graphic and see how these creative arts are interrelated and connected. [thrive_leads id='126470']

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Forrest is so passionate about this way of teaching
Who's fault it is that performers stopped improvising
How performing classical music can be creative...but usually isn't
What the four creative arts are and which comes first
How these creative arts line up with how we use language
What to do with students who are afraid to improvise
Why it's important to be musically literate too
How improvising duets create a "fail proof" environment

Links Mentioned

Improvising and arranging books by Forrest Kinney

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you teaching all four creative arts?

Were you encouraged or bolstered by Forrest's way of looking at creative teaching? Share your inspirations from today's show in the comments.

CPTP103: A Chat with Mayron Cole, Pioneer of Group Teaching

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 20:53:00 +1000

When Mayron Cole started teaching piano in groups, no one was doing it. She made up her own activities, learnt as she went, and gradually created her own curriculum which is now used in piano studios all over the world. Mayron is here today to share her wisdom from 38 years of group teaching. From transfer students, to headphones, to studio policies – she has heaps of tips for you. Learn about the ins and outs of teaching in groups and make your studio a success by listening to this episode. If you're considering the switch to group teaching (or already teach in groups) then this is essential listening.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='126387'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Mayron got started with group piano teaching
Why she thinks group lessons are far superior to individual
How and why Mayron first set up her strict studio policies
Why transfer students are much harder than brand new students
How Mayron handles transfer students and finds their level
Why a digital piano can be better than an acoustic
The place of headphones in group lessons
How to organise groups by age and ability
The format and structure of Mayron's group lessons

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you considering teaching in groups?

What top tip will you be implementing from Mayron's advice? Is there anything you disagree with her about?

CPTP102: Teaching and Exploring Modes in the Piano Studio

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 18:19:00 +1000

When it comes to teaching modes, teachers can come across all sorts of stumbling blocks. For one thing, they may not have the in-depth knowledge they feel they need – or they may just be unsure of where modes fit in the piano curriculum. I get questions about modes all the time from teachers. How to identify them, when to teach them, and what their place is in our studios. So in this episode I thought I'd tackle teaching modes and how to have fun with them in your teaching. I'm talking about the characteristics of each mode and breaking down the mystique that surrounds modal pieces. Don't forget to download the worksheet so you can follow along for maximum effect.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='126319'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

Today's Free Download

Get the fantastic modes cheatsheet to take away the confusion for good and get to grips with modes. [thrive_leads id='126285']

In this episode, you’ll learn

What exactly is a mode
The difference between a scale and a mode
Why I don't reference modes based on white piano keys
Why we need to teach modes
The characteristics of each mode
How you can use the modes to improvise
How to tell if a piece is in a mode
What you can do to get better at identifying modes

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

How do you go about teaching modes?

Do you explore modes throughout your students' studies? Did this episode help you to clear some things up around modes and what to do with them?

CPTP101: 100th Episode Special: Our Favourite Conversations From the Last 2 Years (Part 2)

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:35:00 +1000

Did you become a piano teacher because you LOVE music, but now struggle to handle the business side of things? Or perhaps you're in a little bit of a teaching rut and need to find a way out? Well then today's episode is for you. This is the second part of our 100th episode celebration and I'm sharing my favourite conversations so far about business and teaching transformations. These are the best snippets from the podcast so far that will help you level up your business game, and those minute details about your teaching that could change everything. Find out about multi-teacher studios, automation, teen retention and more in this awesome roundup episode. If you've enjoyed these extra special episodes with our favourite conversations then let us know in the comments. We'd love to hear what you think.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='126203'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How to have a life and run a business
Tips for travelling teachers
How to nurture new leads for potential students
When the right time is to hire another teacher
How to automate the new student enquiry process
Why you should try teaching non-legato first
The value and importance of rote teaching
How to set goals for students with special needs
How to keep teens in lessons through the rough patches

Links Mentioned

Free Download

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST. [thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

What did we miss?

Now that you've heard both parts of our 100th episode special, was there one of your favourite conversations that we missed? What do you think should've made the list?

CPTP100: 100th Episode Special: Our Favourite Conversations From the Last 2 Years (Part 1)

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 23:55:00 +1000

It's the 100th episode of the podcast! To celebrate we've put together a two part special with the best clips from the past 99 conversations about creativity, business and teaching transformations. If you follow the blog and podcast, you'll know that creativity in piano lessons is one of my great passions. That's why I've dedicated this first part of our 100th episode special entirely to ideas about improvisation, composition and creative teaching. I've so enjoyed each and every conversation I've had on the podcast so far and I'm looking forward to many more. If you have a favourite episode (perhaps one I left out) make sure to leave it in the comments. Enjoy this extra special episode and stay tuned for part 2 all about the business of piano teaching.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='126163'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you should bring creativity into your studio
How to get started if you’re apprehensive about improv
How to bring a sense of curiosity into your teaching
What you can do with a pentatonic scale to inspire students
How to get students to explore music from the start
The difference between validation and feedback
Why the relationship come before anything else in teaching
What's wrong with just saying everything was: "Great!"

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Which episode has had the biggest impact for you?

Was there an idea that you tried out from the last 99 episodes? A favourite quote that stood out?

CPTP099: How Pamela Wedgwood Inspires her Piano Students

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 15:56:00 +1000

Pamela Wedgwood first started composing because her students wanted to learn pop...and yet they weren't always ready to play the full pop music they wanted to. So she started experimenting to create music that would inspire them to practice. She now has all sorts of publications including the popular Jazzin' About and Upgrade! series which have been loved by countless students and teachers across the globe. She's also of course a fantastic teacher with a wealth of experience and in this episode she shares tips for everything from memorising to improving listening skills. You don't want to miss this one – take a listen and get inspired.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='126067'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why Pamela Wedgwood started composing for her students
How she goes about composing new music
How Pam gets students to listen when they're playing
Pam's composing method for a new piece
How to start a new composition from a title
What students can learn from composing music
The genesis of the Upgrade! series

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Have you used any Pamela Wedgwood books?

Has any of Pam's music inspired your students? What's your favourite piece?

CPTP097: Meet the Musician Behind my Favourite App: iReal Pro

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:17:00 +1000

Massimo Biolcati is the creator of my favourite app of all time, iReal Pro. This app is the best tool I've found for creating a band experience to practice pop and jazz music on the piano. Something that I believe very strongly should be included in more music teaching studios. When Massimo started the app it was something completely different. But through some time and a lot of coding magic it's grown into the wonderful tool that I now use in my teaching. This app is like the best backing track ever...and so much more. Find out how it came about, what you can use it for, and some insider tips and tricks in today's show.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='125873'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What iReal Pro is and why it was invented
How I use iReal Pro in my teaching
Where the name came from
How the app has evolved into a backing track treasure trove
What's in store in the next version of iReal Pro
How the different styles in the app function
More sneak peaks at whats to come in the app
A special practice trick that you might not know about

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you use iReal Pro?

What's your favourite feature? What unusual or interesting ways have you used this awesome app?

CPTP098: A Sneak-Peak Inside an TopMusicPro Monthly Mastermind

Sun, 16 Jul 2017 16:19:00 +1000

One of the fantastic benefits that my TopMusicPro members get access to is the opportunity to take part in a live mastermind call once a month. In these video calls we focus on hot topics for piano teachers, and members can ask questions of myself and our guest experts. These calls are so valuable and one of the many highlights of being part of my community for piano teachers. So I thought it would be fun to give you a sneak peak inside an TopMusicPro (formerly known as Inner Circle) mastermind in today's show. In this snippet one of my members, Karen Lien (check out her member spotlight here), is asking about group teaching. Karen got some great advice here for marketing her studio and has gone on to fill several of her new group classes very successfully since this call. Take a listen to see what a mastermind is like – and get some great tips along the way.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='125994'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What happens in our TopMusicPro masterminds
The value teachers get out of these live calls
Marketing tips for starting a group class
How to introduce a referral program to get new students
How to reach out to homeschoolers
What else you can get out of the community

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST. [thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you wish you could be on these live calls?

What would you love help with that you could ask the community about? What questions did this discussion bring up for you?

CPTP096: Tech Games for Rhythm and Composition with Katie Wardrobe

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:12:00 +1000

Katie Wardrobe is the ultimate guide to have when it comes to music teaching technology. She helps teachers all over the world to incorporate technology into their teaching with workshops, online training and tons of awesome resources. Explore these games for rhythm teaching and get started using them simply and easily in solo and group lessons. Teaching rhythm to students doesn't have to be a struggle when you have great technology at your side. Want to get your students to experiment more with composition? We've got you covered there too. Take a listen and discover pedagogically sound and enjoyable ways to use technology in your piano teaching. (We've even included some options for the non-apple users out there.)

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='125775'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What this "ba-boom-slap-clap" thing is all about
Ideas for developing body percussion and layering in other skills
How to use rapping in the music studio
Non-apple music tech options for PC and android users
What drum grids are and how you can use them
How to create band experiences in the piano studio
How to avoid wasting time online and stay productive
Tips for using Google Docs efficiently

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What games for rhythm did we miss?

Do you have a favourite rhythm teaching game? Share your fun rhythm teaching ideas in the comments.

CPTP095: How to Build a Piano Studio Website from Scratch with Nicola Cantan

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 16:48:00 +1000

Building a studio website might seem overwhelming at first. There is so much jargon to wade through and so many questions to answer...What's a host? What platform should you use? What pages do you need? Never fear. To kick off tech month on the podcast, I'm talking to Nicola Cantan today all about studio websites. From Wordpress to CTAs to finding images, we're covering it all in this episode. If you want a complete step-by-step of how to set up your studio website the right way then you're going to want to get join TopMusicPro. Nicola has put together a comprehensive Online Studio Launchpad course for TopMusicPro members that will hold your hand throughout the whole process of setting up your studio website. Click here to find out more about TopMusicPro membership.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='125624'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

Today's Free Download

This free guide will help you to put together a photo/media release so you can start getting photos of your smiling students up on your website. [thrive_leads id='125625']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How to get permission to share student photos
Why we recommend building your website on Wordpress
What hosting is and why you need it
The difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org
What pages you need on your site
Whether you should start a blog on your site
Where to find photos for your website
How to write great content for your website

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Are you happy with your studio website?

Do you even have a website? What difficulties have you had in setting it up? Do you have questions for Nicola about setting up your studio website? Leave them in the comments and she'll get back to you ASAP!

CPTP094: The $100,000 Piano Teacher with Kristin Yost

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:05:00 +1000

Kristin Yost has always had a keen mind for the business side of piano teaching. As you might know from her book, she became a $100,000 piano teacher – but she didn't stop there! She went on to open her own music school, The Centre for Musical Minds, and throughout her journey she has always found ways to stand out. Even in a crowded market, you too can fill your studio fast if you play to your strengths and put plans in place. Take a listen to today's podcast where Kristin shares how she has achieved her success and how you can find your unique point of difference for your studio's brand.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='125515'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

Today's Free Download

These two worksheets will help you figure out what your point of difference should be. [thrive_leads id='125511']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Kristen got started teaching piano
What she did to fill her studio fast
The mindset piece of Kristin's success
How to diversify your income as a piano teacher
What it takes to open a successful multi-teacher studio
How to set yourself apart in a busy market
How to automate more of your studio business

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What makes your studio different?

Do you find the business side of teaching is standing in your way? How have you branded your studio to differentiate yourself?

CPTP093: How to Nurture and Retain Piano Students on Autopilot with Chantelle Duffield

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 20:20:00 +1000

If you can retain piano students in your studio over the long term, your business will be more efficient. You won't need to keep scrambling for new students if your existing ones stick around. The key to great student retention rates is nurturing your relationships with the students and their parents. Chantelle Duffield is a master at this and has some wonderful marketing strategies to share with us today. From email autoresponders that save you time, to little parent check-in ideas, this episode is full of studio marketing gold. Tune in to find out how to retain piano students better and more easily over the long term.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='125268'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What's changed in effective studio marketing
How get results when you follow up with lesson enquiries
How to save yourself some headaches with automation
Where to get started with a studio website
What you shouldn't put on your website
How to avoid having dead ends on your site
The value of hiring out the jobs you shouldn't be doing
How to increase student retention
How Chantelle recovered from burnout and redesigned her business

Links Mentioned

Studio Expansion
Mailchimp (email automation)
Upwork (hiring virtual assistants)
Fiverr (hiring for specific tasks)
Canva (image creation)
Google Analytics

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you struggle with student retention?

Did anything hit home in this episode that's causing your bucket to leak? What do you think you could try to keep students in lessons longer?

CPTP092: Big Picture Studio Planning with the Music Mentor Group

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 19:11:00 +1000

The Music Mentor Group (AKA Debra Perez, Robyn Harris, Kathy Rabago and Natalia Huang) draw upon their diverse wealth of experience to help teachers succeed in business. This is studio planning with a difference. The difference being that instead of getting caught up in the small things, we're going to look at the big picture today. In today's show, we cover a lot of ground. We look at marketing, student retention, automated systems and group teaching. Above all though, we're focussing on one question: what is your vision for your business?

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='125137'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How the Music Mentor Group got started
Why they chose the word mentor
The biggest mistakes music teachers make in business
Why putting automation in place is so important
How to guard the things that only you can do
Top tips for improving student retention rates
How to keep the one to one connection in a big studio
What group lessons shouldn't look like
How to begin the transition to group teaching in your studio
Considerations when hiring staff and teachers

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

What's your studio planning system?

Do you look at the big picture first? Do you sometimes get stuck in the day to day and the nitty gritty?

CPTP091: From Blog to Business – Coaching Call with Rosemarie Penner

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 11:30:00 +1000

This podcast is a little bit different. Today's show is a coaching call with one of my members, Rosemarie Penner.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How even a travelling teacher can have a music lab
How to first introduce paid products on your site
Where to host your website or blog
How to choose your ideal reader
Ways to make your emails stand out and get read
Advice for choosing a niche for your online business
How to schedule and automate social media
The balance between free and paid products
Why and how to outsource tasks when you can

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Are you getting into online business?

What steps have you taken so far? Which parts of Rosemarie's call stuck out to you?

CPTP090: How to Grow Your Studio Like a Pro with Daniel Patterson

Tue, 30 May 2017 19:34:00 +1000

When Daniel Patterson's studio wasn't magically full three months after graduating college, he realised he had a thing or two to learn about marketing. So he set about finding out everything he could about advertising and growing a music studio.

Daniel now shares what he learnt with other teachers on his blog. If you're looking to grow your studio, he's the man to listen to. He knows what works.

Take a listen to find out how to grow your studio and differentiate yourself in a crowded market, why group teaching might deserve a second look, and what advertising methods are best for music teachers.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Daniel first got into the world of studio marketing
Why it's better to take ownership of business issues
How group teaching could make you a better teacher
The best way to get started teaching groups
What Daniel has learned from his mistakes over the years
Why online advertising is the best choice for most teachers
What prospective piano parents actually want
How to get great testimonials for your website
How to target your advertising and appeal to your ideal clients

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Do you need to grow your studio?

Are you happy with the studio size you have? Have you considered going to group teaching to fit in more students?

Today's Free Download

This eight page pdf will help you figure out marketing, business and how to grow your studio.

CPTP089: Carol Matz on Piano Teaching and Arranging

Wed, 24 May 2017 12:27:00 +1000

Carol Matz is well known in the piano teaching community for her Famous and Fun series, and more recently for her Interactive Piano Method. She's also an experienced piano teacher herself and she knows what works when it comes to great pedagogical arrangements. But Carol is also on the podcast to talk about the other side of arranging: how to teach arranging skills to our students. Having this ability can connect our students to a whole variety of music styles and make them more likely to stick with their music studies. But how do we teach it? What's the process? Carol has step-by-step advice for us that's going to make teaching arranging as easy as making a sandwich. Take a listen to see what I mean.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. [thrive_leads id='124707'] TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

How to get a student to identify as a musician
Ways of making music more social for students
How to teach students about chords & arranging
A simple way to teach chords to beginners
How to drill chords in a way that's not boring
Step-by-step instructions for getting kids to arrange music
How to fill out chords when students have small hands
What the interactive piano method is and why Carol wrote it

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Thank you for Tuning In!

Do you teach arranging in your piano teaching?

How do you go about it? Do you use a similar method to Carol? If you don't teach this skill, what's holding you back?

CPTP088: 15,390 Pop Songs and Counting: The Hooktheory Story

Wed, 17 May 2017 13:51:00 +1000

Hooktheory is a truly innovative site. It looks at harmony from a completely different perspective than traditional music theory. This is what happens when you bring together three engineers with a shared passion for music.

By analysing the underlying chord progressions of thousands of pop songs – these guys are not simply learning what makes for a hit. They've also developed new ways of teaching music theory so that students can see their instrument as a toolbox to be explored.

The approach the guys at Hooktheory have taken is so inspiring. I'm delighted to be having them on the show today to talk about their journey and their philosophies on music education.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Where the idea for Hooktheory started
How pop songs get added to the site
What to do when you first go to Hooktheory
Whether the infamous four chords are as common as we think
How a pop song can "sell" music theory to students
Why exploration is missing from many piano studios
The surprising lessons learned from creating Hooktheory
How to use Hooktheory as a teacher in groups and private lessons
When to expect a version that works on iPad

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Are you a fan of Hook Theory?

Have you looked around the Hook Theory site? What do you think of their approach to pop music and music theory?

CPTP087: Top 6 Myths of Teaching Pop Piano

Wed, 10 May 2017 19:02:00 +1000

When it comes to teaching pop piano, I've heard it all. Teachers cite these six barriers for getting into pop teaching time and again. But today I'm going to bust these myths.

I get why you might be reluctant to branch into this area. Especially if you've bought into any of these preconceptions about teaching pop piano.

It doesn't matter if you were classically trained, hate pop music or think it's a waste of time; I think every teacher should at least be open to a sprinkling of pop in their lessons. Take a listen and see if teaching pop piano deserves a second glance for you.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you don't need to be a "pop fan" to teach pop piano
How pop music can give your student a quick win when they need it
How teaching pop piano music can help you to teach theory
What to do with tricky pop rhythms
How you can make your students happy with just small sections of songs
Why your students should be accompanying their own singing
How you can save yourself some prep time
Why you might not need sheet music at all

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

What's stopping you teaching pop?

If you're already teaching pop piano yourself, what do you think stops other people? Do you think I missed any of the big myths about pop piano?

CPTP086: Top 5 Pop Piano Teaching Hacks with Coen Modder

Wed, 03 May 2017 18:18:00 +1000

Playing classical music didn't really appeal to Coen when he was a kid – so he started forging his own path. He found his way into piano playing through pop music and now teaches his students using the vocabulary of chords as the foundation.

Coen is passionate about pop piano teaching. He treats teaching music like a language, and he thinks a harmonic vocabulary is the first thing they need to learn. When they learn about chords in this way, they see that these notes fit together, no matter which way they're spelled.

There are so many possibilities when it comes to beginner piano teaching. I hope you'll get some inspiration for your studio from Coen's unique, pop-based approach.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Coen came to teaching pop piano
What a piano "hack" is and why Coen teaches this way
Why chords should be the foundation of our teaching
What Coen would do in the first few lessons with a new student
The magic behind musical words
How chords can help students to compose music
The value of patterns for teaching harmony and rhythms
Coen's ideas for teaching pop melodies
What a rhythm block is and how it helps to visualise patterns

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Have you tried teaching harmony first?

What do you think of Coen's approach to teaching? How much pop do you teach in your studio?

Today's Free Download

Coen is generously giving away his Bare Essentials to Keyboard Harmony to my listeners. You're not going to want to miss this comprehensive guide.

CPTP085: More Piano Recital Ideas with Kristin Yost

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 20:44:00 +1000

When it comes to pop piano recitals, Kristin is a pro. Kristin's students get a well-rounded education including pop and classical repertoire, and her annual pop showcase is one of her big studio highlights each year.

This episode was first broadcast in September 2015. There's a good chance you haven't heard it unless you followed the podcast from the very start. Even if you did it's definitely worth a re-listen.

Kristin gives inspiring and practical recital ideas that will help you level-up your next concert. Take a listen and have a fresh look at your next event.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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Today's Free Download

Organise your first pop piano recital with Kristin's free checklist. Enter your details below to get the download.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you need to consider a pop recital
The value of multiple performance opportunities
What an art fusion recital could entail
Possibilities for collaborative music recitals
How Kristin balances pop and classical repertoire
How to prepare students to play with a band
What to do to get started teaching pop
Why you need professional musicians for your recital
Signs that your recital is tired and needs reinventing

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Have you tried a pop showcase recital?

Did you use any of the innovative ideas Kristin shared with us? Do you have your own creative recital plans to add our list?

CPTP084: 7 Creative Tech Ideas for Recitals with Shana Kirk

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 16:53:00 +1000

If you've been to a conference recently, you may have met Shana Kirk at one of the booths there. Shana is an expert on music technology and its applications in the piano studio. She's here today to share seven ways you can use tech to make your recital more creative.

We've all been to a recital that was...well...not too exciting. We want our recitals to be one of the cornerstones of our teaching business. If you're going to go to the effort of putting on a recital, it better get people's attention.

These wonderful tech ideas for recitals will help your event stand out and leave students and parents looking forward to the next one.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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Today's Free Download

If words like MIDI and bluetooth sound like another language to you, today's cheat sheet can help. Download the pdf and get connected – without the headaches.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

The role of tech in piano teaching today
Why having a visual element is important these days
Ways you could collaborate with other arts
Options for digital accompaniments
How to create a virtual orchestra for a performance
What it means to "duet yourself" and how you can do it
How a video performance project can motivate students
How to give your students a wonderful movie scoring experience

Links Mentioned

Visual Performer
Home Concert Xtreme
Synthesia
Piano Maestro
Notestar
SuperScore
Garritan Personal Orchestra
Duet Yourself
Taking Your Online Lessons to the Next Level with Mario Ajero
Free Silent Films
Yamaha Den (for educators, especially those using Disklavier)

Videos Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Have you used tech in your recitals?

Do you have any fun stories to share? Successes or troubles you've had with technology glitches?

CPTP083: What’s the Best Piano Exam Syllabus?

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:37:00 +1000

Exams are not for every student. There are many alternatives if you want to motivate your piano students to move forward and practice more.

But if you do want to go for an exam, which one should you choose? I want to encourage you not to just pick the one you know best, or the one you used growing up. There are so many fantastic options out there – and they all achieve different things.

Today I'm going through the differences to look out for in a piano exam syllabus. I'm also giving you some tips on how exactly to match your student to the best possible exam for them.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

Today's Free Download

This free checklist will help you to narrow down the choices for your student's next piano exam.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

Alternatives to piano exams for motivating students
How to assess the best route to your student's goals
How to decide what you want to achieve with this exam
The main differences between the exam boards
The types of piano exams available
How the marking system should affect your decision
What types of students suit which exam boards
Tips for trying out a new piano exam syllabus for the first time

Links Mentioned

Making Practice Stick (guest article on Graham Fitch's blog)
6 Steps to Beating Overwhelm
ABRSM
AMEB
ANZCA
Trinity College Exams
Rock School Exams

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Which piano exam syllabus do you use?

Do you use lots of different syllabi? Have you explored all the different options that are available?

CPTP082: Trinity College Piano Exams with Barry Walmsley

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 04:29:00 +1000

Barry Walmsley grew up with the AMEB, but when he found Trinity College piano exams it was a much better fit. He started working with Trinity in 1990 and is the perfect person to give us an overview of what this exam board is all about.

Trinity College piano exams have many features that make them stand out. The first one that jumped out to me was the option of either improvising or sight reading in the early grades.

Trinity also has a great rock & pop syllabus which swaps out aural & general knowledge tests for "session skills". The accompanying books are forward-thinking and full of great contemporary repertoire (that you can use even if you don't go for the exam of course).

Take a listen to today's show and see if you might like to give Trinity College piano exams a try.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What makes Trinity different from the other exam boards
How to Trinity exam board started
Where exams should fit in to our piano teaching
How to design a well-rounded music experience
How the Trinity exams are set up
Where the certificate exams fit in
The role of contemporary music in Trinity College piano exams
Advice for pleasing pushy exam focussed parents
Where the Trinity College piano exams are available
The exam marking and examiner training process

Links Mentioned

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Have you tried the Trinity College piano exams?

What do you like about this syllabus? Do you like the idea of the rock and pop or certificate exam options?

CPTP081: 3 Steps to the Effective Teaching of any Piano Piece [Worksheet Download]

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 20:54:00 +1000

Do you ever wonder exactly how to teach piano pieces? Once students have left their beginner method books, some teachers tend to get a bit lost wondering, "What do I do now? How do I prepare my students for their new pieces without that structure?"

The best thing about the creative and flexible approach to teaching that I advocate is that you don't have to be held to a restrictive method book. However, this can also be a bit terrifying if you don't know what to do instead.

There is so much great piano music out there, but what's the best way to teach it?

Today I'm sharing a simple and flexible framework that you can use to start better preparing your students for new repertoire. Never again hastily give your students a few notes about a new piece as they run out the door. Use this structure to get them ready instead.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

Why the way we often introduce new music is not the best way
How this approach will change things for your teaching
How you can save time in lessons so that you can follow these steps
What the template looks like and how to use it
The benefits of working with this template
Sample activities that stem from this planning process
How this way of working can make the learning more enjoyable for your student

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Do you plan ahead for your students' repertoire?

What do you think of this planning template? Do you think it will help you to better prepare your students for their upcoming pieces?

"Elements and Activities" Worksheet

This sheet brings together all elements of a holistic education: listening, moving, creative, reading, writing, and theory. Click here to see a sample worksheet that I've already filled in.

CPTP080: Beginner Piano Teaching Games with Nicola Cantan

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 19:51:00 +1000

Playing games is one of the best ways to get young kids engaged. Whether they're learning about music or maths, gamified learning is effective and fun.

Planning piano teaching games into your lessons will mean your students learn theory concepts more quickly. Games based learning is what children are set up for!

They'll also be even more excited to come to lessons. Kids love interacting and learning through play and you'll build more rapport with your students in the process.

Here today to tell us about her favourite piano teaching games, the effect they have in her studio, and how you can gamify your teaching is Nicola Cantan. Nicola shares tons of her creative and outside-the-box teaching ideas on her blog Colourful Keys.

Let's get more piano students off that bench and giggling with some piano teaching games.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

What games can do for your piano students
The value of games for learning music theory
When to use different types of games & activities
How to get started if you're nervous of playing games
Why you need to teach on your students' level
How games can build relationships with young students
Some of Nicola's favourite games to use in her studio
What's included in today's free games download
Where you can find even more games to cover any concept

Links Mentioned

Colourful Keys blog
Piano Builder Cards (groups of two & three black keys)
The Off-the-bench Catalogue (tons of free games organised by concepts covered)
Landmark Landmines
Grand Staff Twister
Symbol Splash

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Do you use games in your piano studio?

Do your kids get time off the bench during their lessons? Or do you only use games in group lessons or workshops?

What's your favourite game or off bench activity?

Today's Free Download

You can download the Gamified Piano Teaching Powerpack by filling in the form below. This powerpack includes the three games mentioned today: Dynamic Dynamo, Signature Sprint and Line, Space, Leapfrog. You're not going to want to miss out on these awesome games.

CPTP079: Rote Teaching with Amy Greer

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:24:00 +1000

Rote teaching got a bad rap for a while. But piano teachers are starting to realise the value of teaching pieces by rote and incorporate this puzzle piece into their teaching.

Teaching rote pieces alongside reading pieces provides so many benefits. Kids who learn pieces this way are better at finding patterns, using their ears and navigating the keyboard.

You might feel like a fish out of water when it comes to rote, pattern-based piano teaching. Many teachers are apprehensive of trying this style of teaching if they've never done it before. It's scary not to have a book to point at.

Well, Amy Greer is here to help you get started with rote pieces. She's giving us step-by-step insight into her rote teaching style. I hope Amy will inspire you to give rote pieces a try this week.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Amy got started with rote teaching
The role of rote teaching in Amy's teaching
The idea behind the Repertoire by Rote book
How to scaffold the learning of rote pieces
The exact steps Amy uses to teach a rote piece in the first lesson
Why "circling" helps reinforce learning in the piano lesson
What to look for when scouring for rote pieces

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

How much rote teaching do you do?

Any? Do you see the value of teaching pieces by rote? If you haven't tried it yet, what's holding you back?

CPTP078: 5 Tips for Planning a Piano Teaching Curriculum

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 10:03:00 +1000

Properly planning a piano teaching curriculum is not as simple as just following an exam syllabus or a method book series. It requires careful thought and consideration to put together the curriculum for your studio and your students.

Many teachers tell me that they don't have time to fit everything into the lesson time. Others ask me how they can plan for exams alongside creative activities. Making a plan can help with both of these issues.

You're the route planner for your students musical journey. Where are you going to lead them?

Don't let yourself be pulled in different directions of things you should be doing. Listen to episode 78 and start proactively planning your curriculum.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

The pitfalls of "segmenting" a piano lesson
How I define a curriculum vs a syllabus
Why we need a flexible system for planning
How to start planning a piano teaching curriculum
How to lesson plan, and then go with the flow
Why I don't use a method book at all for the first 10 weeks
Ideas for beginner, intermediate and advanced lesson planning

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Do you follow a piano teaching curriculum?

Did you design your own curriculum? Or do you follow a particular method book?

How much lesson planning do you do and how much do you teach on-the-fly?

CPTP077: How to Teach Lead Sheets and Chord Charts with Susan Deas

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:32:00 +1000

Teach lead sheets and your students will be more likely to be lifelong pianists. In fact, Susan Deas surveyed teachers and found that 90% thought teaching lead sheets was useful skill. Cultivating a love of music and keeping students playing was also rated as a primary focus, and most teachers thought lead sheets would help with this.

So why are many of us still not fitting this creative skill into our lessons?

Susan Deas takes a practical, straight-forward approach to lead sheet playing. Her book, Improvisation for Classically Trained Pianists, breaks down this skill into a truly step-by-step process.

As Susan says: "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, have a go!". Jump in to episode 77 and find out how you can teach lead sheets in your studio.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

The difference between a chord chart and a lead sheet
Why Susan set out to research the area of improvisation
What Susan found out about teachers' attitudes to creativity
Why teachers don't teach lead sheets, and why they should
How to get piano parents on board with improvisation
How Susan prepares young students for lead sheet playing
What you can do to fit more improv into your piano lessons
Susan's top tips for how to teach lead sheets

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Do you teach lead sheets in your studio?

If so, what approach do you use? If not, what's stopping you getting started?

Do you like the idea of a more step-by-step process for teaching lead sheets and chord charts?

CPTP076: Preparing Students for their Future with Susan de Weger

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 03:26:00 +1000

It goes without saying that the world is completely different than it was in Beethoven's time. And even Beethoven had what we would now call a portfolio career, teaching, playing and composing. So why is a performance focussed music education still the norm?

Why aren't music teachers properly preparing students for their future?

Decide on your teaching objectives before you (perhaps unconsciously) emphasise performance perfection. Changing your teaching mindset means your students can access all these other avenues that music can open up.

Learning music can teach us many skills beyond the stage. Susan de Weger is here to tell us the how, why and what of preparing students for their future, not the distant past.

PS. This is an audio-only podcast. Please take this opportunity to click here and subscribe to my podcast on iTunes using the Podcast Player on your phone. Get into the habit of listening while you're driving, walking, cleaning or cooking!

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

Why preparing students for their future doesn't mean only performance skills
How music can teach students to try...and then fail
How ensemble playing can teach valuable life skills
Why you should think creatively about your business
How to readjust your expectations and meet students where they're at
What to tell your piano parents to help them with practice
How a career in music really looks today

Links Mentioned

TTTV012: Reinventing the Recital with Kristin Yost
Beyond the Stage (Susan's podcast)
Notable Values (Susan's website)

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

How are you preparing students for their future?

Do you give much thought to the role music will play in your students' lives? What is your core objective as a piano teacher? What do you want for your students?

CPTP075: The 5 Myths of Improvisation with Bradley Sowash

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 19:51:00 +1000

Bradley is a fantastic improviser and has inspired many piano teachers to bring creativity into their piano teaching studios. Through this experience, he has found these 5 myths of improvisation stop many classically trained pianists from getting started with jazz or improv.

When we allow ourselves to believe these myths, we're closing ourselves and our students off from a whole section of music making. And the truth is, you probably already improvise in some way. Even if you don't know it yet.

As part of the classical to chords month, Bradley and I are going to bust through the myths of improvisation. While we're at it, we're throwing in some quick and easy accompaniment patterns you can use to teach creativity right away.

So jump in, and get started with improvisation today. It's not scary I promise.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

What improvisation means to Bradley
The elements of jazz that are open for creativity
Why Bradley was drawn to jazz in the first place
How to improve your musical ear
Why you don't have to be Oscar Peterson to improvise
The approach to creativity and reading that Bradley advocates
How to move to the next level with teaching creativity
Why classically trained pianists shouldn't be scared of the uncertainty of improv
How to get through a lack of musical inspiration in the moment
Tricks and patterns that you can use right away in your teaching

Links Mentioned

88 Creative Keys 2017

At 88 Creative Keys workshops, we teach teachers to improvise, use technology, lead off-bench activities, direct group teaching, and acquire updated business skills with today’s leading pedagogues.

We're passionate about helping you make your successful 21st-century studio a reality. Act fast and you might even catch the early bird discount. Plus all teachers with a teacher's association membership get an extra discount. I hope to see you there!

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Which of these myths of improvisation did you believe?

Was one of these myths getting in the way of musical creativity for you? Do you think your students have any of these preconceptions about to improvisation?

CPTP074: Creative Teaching QnA with Tim Topham

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:10:00 +1000

Creative teaching is obviously something I'm extremely passionate about. I love teaching creative skills to my own students and helping teachers to do the same.

Because of this reputation, piano teachers often come to me with their creative teaching questions. And the same ones come up again and again.

So in today's show, I'm answering your top questions about creative teaching. How can you get started if you were classically trained? Do you need an iPad to teach creatively? How can you find time in your busy piano lessons for these activities?

Find out all this and more in the episode 74.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why you might be more creative than you think
How to find and tap into your own creativity
Why you might need to educate the parents first
Where to find the time for creativity in piano lessons
Why you need to know your goals for students first
What to do if you don't have access to tech and gadgets
How to prevent app overwhelm

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

What's your burning question about creative teaching?

Was there anything I didn't answer in today's podcast? Something you wish I'd answered?

Leave your questions in the comments and I'll try to help.

CPTP073: 5 Reasons to Get More Creative in Your Piano Teaching in 2017

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 16:35:00 +1000

The world is changing and the old style of piano lessons often doesn't fly anymore. We need to find ways to get more creative so we can inspire students to stick with the piano.

As Tiffany, my special "piano-quitter" guest says:

"You'd be surprised at how much students know where they want to go with the music...It might not be on the curriculum, but give it a go, let them explore a bit! Music is a joy and it's a creative outlet."

It's such a shame that Tiffany didn't get to learn this as a child. Maybe, just maybe, if she had been given more creative piano skills she would've been inspired to keep going and push through the challenges of learning piano.

Today I'm sharing the top 5 reasons I love teaching creative piano skills, and hopefully inspiring you to get more creative in your piano teaching this year. And in turn, passing on some musical inspiration to your students so they stick with it.

Transcript

If you'd like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.

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TopMusicPro Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member?

In this episode, you’ll learn

Why so many of today's students quit piano
What I consider a traditional piano education
How creativity can help build teacher-student rapport
Why you should broaden your students' musical horizons
How to make it more likely that your students will be pianists for life
The added music theory benefits of getting more creative
How to keep your teaching fires burning week after week

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: PIANOPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run.

Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

What's your biggest motivation as a creative teacher?

What makes you want to keep learning and improving? How do drive yourself you continue to learn new methods of teaching creativity?

Today's Freebie

I've put together a special download just for podcast listeners: 20 Simple Ways to Add Creativity to Any Piano Lesson. You're not going to want to miss this.

TTTV072: Top 7 Most Powerful Creative Piano Teaching Episodes

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 02:07:00 +1000

So much creative piano teaching innovation has happened this year on topmusic.co, and there's heaps of exciting things coming up in 2017.

Today on the show I'm giving you a sneak peek into what's coming up. We're also taking a walk down memory lane with my top 7 podcast episodes from the past here.

More and more, my focus is on helping teachers with the creative side of piano teaching.These 7 powerful creative piano teaching episodes definitely deserve revisiting. All 7 give you actionable steps for creative piano teaching.

Even if you've been listening to my podcast right from the start take a listen back. There's probably something in them that you missed, or forgot to take action on.

Transcript

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#7 Why Creativity Matters with Dennis Alexander

https://topmusic.co/tttv064-why-creativity-matters-with-dennis-alexander/

Quick summary

This is a chat with one of my favourite contemporary composers, Dennis Alexander.

In this episode, Dennis not only plays a few of his favourite pieces, he answers questions such as "What's the most important thing you feel piano teachers should be teaching students to encourage creativity?".

Why it made the list

Hearing composers talk about what got them into composing (normally the encouragement and creativity of their first teachers) is always interesting. I would love to think that I'm cultivating the next generation of composers in my studio. But creating composers is not going to happen if we only teach students how to read other people's music.

Would Bach, Beethoven and Chopin (and any of the other famous composers) be happy to hear that the majority of piano teaching in 2016 still focusses mainly on music reading, performing and interpreting 'the classics'?

We must remember that, in order to have future generations of composers, we need to be encouraging our students to improvise, create and be curious about music.

How should we do that? Take a listen and find out!

#6 Balancing the Eye and the Ear with Bradley Sowash and Leila Viss

https://topmusic.co/tttv005-balancing-the-eye-and-the-ear-bradley-sowash-leila-viss-on-creativity-at-the-keyboard/

Quick summary

In this podcast, Leila and Bradley dispel many of the myths around creativity.

They discuss what "creativity" actually means, how you can fit it into your lessons and what to do, step by step, to get started. This is the perfect episode to listen to if you want to get fired up about teaching creative skills, and get the tools to get started.

Why it made the list

Bradley and Leila are two of the best creative teachers around. Leila, like many of us, was classically trained and has become more creative through her own professional learning, exploring and practising. This means that she is in a perfect position to guide other classically-trained teachers towards a creative approach because she knows what it's like.

Bradley has a much more jazz-oriented background and so has the chops to teach and play just about anything in any style but he's also connected enough with piano teaching to know the pedagogy, know how to teach and how to share his amazing skills.

While a little longer than usual, this episode is full of ideas that you can use in your teaching right away so get a pen and notepad and watch and learn!

#5 Using Orff to Teach Rhythm with Vashti Summervill

https://topmusic.co/tttv045-using-orff-to-teach-rhythm-with-vashti-summervill/

Quick summary

In her teaching, Vashti uses so many creative and collaborative activities to teach all sorts of concepts.

Vashti was generous enough to give us some full teaching demonstrations in this episode. See inside her wonderful Orff inspired studio and get some great ideas for effective and fun rhythm teaching.

Why it made the list

This is has been one of the most popular episodes to date and I think the reason is that 1. Vashti is awesome, inspiring and great fun to be around 2. She opens the door to her entire studio and shows us how Orff can help us get more creative and 3. She even prepared students to be involved in the podcast so she could demonstrate things live.

Make sure you watch the video of this one and check out the massive oversized marimba! You'll get some great ideas for introducing creative ideas using rhythms created from words and syllables and how the Orff approach could be just what you're looking for in 2017.

#4 Paul Harris on Simultaneous Learning

https://topmusic.co/tttv009-paul-harris-on-simultaneous-learning/

Quick summary

Paul Harris is a teacher, composer and innovator. Among his many interesting ideas is the concept of simultaneous learning.

In this podcast we discuss how to start teaching a new piece without even opening the score, and how to split a piece into manageable “ingredients”. He also give some great tips for preparing students to play in foreign keys with more flats/sharps than they’re used to.

Why it made the list

No discussion of contemporary piano teaching would be complete without talking about Paul Harris and his simultaneous learning concept.

While some of you might be thinking: "that's not really creative", I think the idea of working with the ingredients of pieces gives teachers the opportunity to be incredibly creative.

In this episode, learn about how you can extract the ingredients of pieces in order to pre-teach the student the skills they'll need to approach their next piece. And once you have the ingredients, get creative with them - explore them, improvise with them, etc.

This approach will change the way you teach forever.

#3 The Importance of Harmony with Tom Donald

https://topmusic.co/tttv068-the-importance-of-harmony-with-tom-donald/

Quick summary

Tom Donald believes that teaching harmony and chord progressions to students gives them the skills to really dissect and approach all new pieces of music. No matter what type of music they want to play.

In this episode we talk about his approach to teaching, and what led him to open his own contemporary school of piano.

Why it made the list

This episode was one of the more recent and featured a teacher after my own heart: Tom Donald from the London Contemporary School of Music.

In this episode we discuss something very close to my heart: harmony and particularly, the importance of teaching students about harmony in a way that's relevant, approachable and useful in their music studies.

So often, harmony (chords, progressions, cadences) is a study that's left to dry theory books when, in my opinion, it should be something that students study, discuss and experience in every lesson.

Find out more about harmony and why and how you should teach it in this episode.

#2 Composing, Imagination and Creativity in Young Children with Lyndel Kennedy

https://topmusic.co/tttv065-composing-imagination-and-creativity-in-young-children-with-lyndel-kennedy/

Quick summary

Lyndel’s passion for creativity in piano teaching is infectious and inspiring. In this episode we explore her Play-a-story curriculum and what inspired her to create it.

We discussed what inspired Lyndel to create Play a Story, why she doesn’t teach reading for the first 12 months and what being “musical” means to her.

Why it made the list

Lyndel is one of the most passionate teachers I've ever met and you only need to listen to her speak for a few minutes to get inspired in your own teaching.

Lyndel has developed an approach to improvisation which features imagery, story and film to encourage creativity in students of all ages and it's quite unlike anything I've come across before. It's taken her years and years of painstaking work to put together what she now calls the Inner Musician and it's a program that you can experience in your own teaching.

Find out more about what she's created and how it works in this inspiring episode.

#1 Student Composition Tactics with Daniel McFarlane

https://topmusic.co/tttv001-student-composition-tactics-with-daniel-mcfarlane/

Quick summary

Daniel has created a big niche for himself in the international piano publishing industry in the last five years by creating highly-appealing original music.

Students love his cool style and groovy rhythms so who better to take student composition advice from? His advice is practical, straight-forward and actionable right away.

Why it made the list

This is the first episode I ever recorded and was with my friend Daniel McFarlane, an influential composer and teacher living here in Australia. It's still one of the most downloaded episodes of all time.

While the production may have been a bit rough in those early days, the content is nothing short of amazing. In this episode, you will take away at least 10-20 fantastic activities you can use with your students which explore creativity through scales, modes and patterns which Daniel knows that kids love.

There is also a free cheat-sheet download which I still use in my teaching today!!

If you really are lost and don't know where to start, check out this #1 Episode today.

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

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Did you enjoy this roundup podcast?

I've never done a roundup post like this before. What did you think? Would you like more?

Also, if your favourite creative teaching episode wasn't listed, let me know by leaving a URL and your comment below.

TTTV071: Exploring Piano Safari with Dr Julie Knerr and Katherine Fisher

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 20:48:00 +1000

When I started to explore Piano Safari I was excited. I've looked at many piano methods and none made quite as much sense to me as Piano Safari does. The books include rote teaching, intervallic reading, technique and improvisation all in one method. What's not to love?

The way they approach technique is truly inspired. Julie and Katherine have distilled the essential movements needed by pianists down into animal themed exercises.

Not only do kids love this animal theme, but it makes the exercises more memorable. And when they remember the technique exercises better, they practice them more - and more accurately.

Today on the podcast the creators of Piano Safari, Dr. Julie Knerr and Katherine Fisher are talking technique, sight reading and inspiration. They also give their top five piano teaching tips, and you're not going to want to miss those.

Transcript

Please find a full transcript of this episode at the bottom of this page. If you are a TopMusicPro Member, you can download a PDF of the transcript in the Member Resources Area. Not a member? See below for how you can get $1o0 off your membership today.

In this episode, you’ll learn

How the Piano Safari method came about
The thinking behind the progression of the technique exercises
Why legato playing should be delayed longer than you think
What Julie and Katherine mean by the term rote teaching
The benefits of learning pieces by rote
How Piano Safari approaches teaching reading
How to get started with the Piano Safari method
Katherine & Julie's top 5 teaching tips

Links Mentioned

Piano Safari Special Offer

The wonderful Katherine and Julie are offering all Tim Topham TV listeners 15% off any order for the next 5 days. Enter the code topham15 at checkout.

The offer expires December 21st so act quickly!

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Member Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member.

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Being a full-time teacher myself, I know how busy teachers are and how much time, effort and passion we put into our students. Sometimes, the last thing we want to do in our time off is listen to more piano teaching stuff! So, well done for using this time for self-improvement.

Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

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What's your favourite beginner piano method?

Have you tried Piano Safari yet? How do you approach teaching technique?

What do you think about rote teaching, do you teach by rote already?

TTTV070: Avoiding Pianistic Injury with Dr Bronwen Ackermann

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 10:26:00 +1000

How much importance do you place on technique in your studio? Chances are if you've experienced a pianistic injury yourself you consider your technique teaching very carefully. It can be hard to undo bad habits we get into through years of study. Playing an instrument is a physical task, but we don't often think about it that way. A professional athlete would have a team of physiotherapists behind them. So why do you not see the same for a concert pianist? Dr. Bronwen Ackermann suffered an injury from playing clarinet when she was younger. She assumed her experience was unusual and that most musicians had better technique training than she did. When she became a physiotherapist she discovered most musicians didn't know enough about the anatomy. We need to understand how our bodies work to avoid a pianistic injury. Bronwen is on the show today to give us a medical and technical perspective on piano technique. We're talking about how to prevent pianistic injuries and how to teach our students better techniques from the start. PS. This is an audio-only podcast. Please take this opportunity to click here and subscribe to my podcast on iTunes using the Podcast Player on your phone. Get into the habit of listening while you're driving, walking, cleaning or cooking!

Transcript

Please find a full transcript of this episode at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, click below to download a PDF. If you are a TopMusicPro Member, you can find the full video and transcript in the Member Resources Area. Not a member? See below for how you can get $1o0 off your membership today. [thrive_leads id='121712']

In this episode, you’ll learn

How Bronwen came to specialise in physiotherapy for musicians
What to watch out for when teaching beginning piano students
How to adjust seating for young pianists
The ideal hand and wrist position for avoiding pianistic injury
Rotation and the Taubman approach from a medical perspective
How to warm-up before even touching the piano
The importance of goal oriented practice
What to do when a piano student is in pain
Solutions to common piano technique issues

Links Mentioned

Australian Society of Performing Arts Healthcare
Sound Performers Online Course
Musicians Exercise DVD

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $100 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Studio Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST. [thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Being a full-time teacher myself, I know how busy teachers are and how much time, effort and passion we put into our students. Sometimes, the last thing we want to do in our time off is listen to more piano teaching stuff! So, well done for using this time for self-improvement. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons. If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

How do you approach technique in your teaching?

Do you place a big importance on how your students sit at the piano, or how they hold their arms? Does Bronwen's idea of a physical warm-up before you sit down at the piano appeal to you?

TTTV069: 6 Steps to Beating Overwhelm

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 12:26:00 +1000

Do you ever feel like there's just too much information these days? It can be difficult to know where to put your focus when life, work and the internet seems to pull you in every direction.

Beating overwhelm means knowing where to put your focus and attention. You can't possibly consume all that content - and you shouldn't try.

When you know what you're trying to achieve , set very clear goals for yourself, and hold yourself accountable for achieving them - you're that much closer to beating overwhelm. You need to cut through the fluff and work out why you're doing what you're doing.

In today's solo show I'm giving you 6 steps to follow if you're feeling the information overload. If one of your goals is to achieve a better work-life balance these tips could help you along the way.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

What prompted me to talk about beating overwhelm today
My own routine for staying healthy
How to prioritise which information to consume
Why you should set your teaching philosophy first
How to be more productive in less time
How to automate repetitive tasks
Why you should outsource some of your work

Today's Free Download:

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Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

Did any of today's tips help you see something in a different light? What's your overarching teaching philosophy?

What do you do to stay healthy and feel balanced?

TTTV068: The Importance of Harmony with Tom Donald

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 18:42:00 +1000

Through his own musicianship and teaching, Tom Donald gradually came to realise that something was missing. There was a disconnect between what students wanted to learn and what teachers were teaching. Students were also coming out of lessons without a true comprehension of how music works.

By teaching harmony first, students get a much richer understanding of music as a whole. They're able to see inside all music whether it's pop, jazz or classical. This also opens up students to the similarities between the different genres of music.

Teaching harmony and chord progressions to students gives them the skills to really dissect and approach all new pieces of music. No matter what type of music they want to play.

Find out how Tom approaches teaching, how his studio is structured and actionable steps you can use to incorporate more harmonic into your teaching today.

Transcript

Please find a full transcript of this episode at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, click below to download a PDF. If you are an TopMusicPro Member, you can find the full video and transcript in the Member Resources Area. Not a member? See below for how you can get $100 off your membership today.

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In this episode, you’ll learn

Why harmony is the "ultimate roadmap" of music
How teaching harmony first takes us back to true classical music roots
How to embrace students who are learning from YouTube
What Pachebel and The Beatles have in common
Why students should be singing pop melodies not playing them
The role of classical repertoire in Tom's school
How Tom finds teachers that align with his philosophies

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

What role does harmony take in your studio?

Do you agree that harmony should come first? What was your favourite part of Tom's approach to teaching and business?

Which of Tom's business tips resonated with you?

TTTV067: Building a Travelling Piano School with Abraham Levitan

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 12:12:00 +1000

Abraham Levitan didn't come from a traditional, conservatory background. So, when he started teaching he included all genres of music. He custom arranged pop tunes for his students and encouraged them to play the music that they enjoyed listening to.

Perhaps that's why he was so popular. His teaching style was friendly and accessible and his studio quickly grew. Soon he had a sizeable waiting list and started looking into hiring teachers.

But how did he find the right teachers?

How do you find teachers for a travelling music school that align with your ideas and philosophy of teaching? How do you make sure teachers stick with you for the long term?

Find out all about Abraham's approach to hiring, scheduling, and teaching in today's podcast. Maybe it will even inspire you to start a travelling music school too.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

The benefit of Abraham's unusual route to piano teaching
How a teacher focussed business is better for students
Why he stuck with travelling lessons and didn't open a studio location
When running a business, why simple is better than perfect
Why Chicago is so suited to a travelling music school
Abraham's approach to professional development for his teachers
How to hire teachers that fit your philosophy and style
The interview process Abraham uses in his studio

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off Annual TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

What surprised you about Abraham's travelling studio?

What did you love about his approach to hiring? Was there anything you disagreed with or would do differently?

Are you tempted to start your own travelling piano school?

TTTV066: The Piano Parent Podcast with Shelly Davis

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 21:54:00 +1000

Shelly Davis has a mission. She wants to educate our piano parents so that everyone can get the most out of piano lessons. Even the non-musical families.

With the Piano Parent Podcast, Shelly is giving parents the information they need to support their child's musical education. But, why did she decide to take on this subject? And, why a podcast?

Shelly's own studio is pretty well-aligned to my own way of thinking. She believes not in creating concert pianists, but in fostering flexible piano skills with functional theory.

She brings this down to earth and straight-forward approach to the Piano Parent Podcast as well. Take a listen to learn more about Shelly's studio and her podcast, then go recommend her podcast to your piano parents.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Shelly uses the Circle of Fifths in her studio
Why she's trying to work herself "out of a job"
Shelly's motivation for starting a podcast for piano parents
The most downloaded episodes of the Piano Parent Podcast
The recording set-up Shelly uses
Shelly's own favourite podcasts on music and business
Top tips for starting your own podcast

Links Mentioned

Get $100 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

What would you like your piano parents to know?

Are the parents in your studio musical? Do they understand and support you as a teacher?

What episodes do you wish they would listen to from the Piano Parent Podcast?

TTTV065: Composing, Imagination and Creativity in Young Children with Lyndel Kennedy

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:51:07 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TTTV064: Why Creativity Matters with Dennis Alexander

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 00:37:00 +1000

Dennis Alexander didn't train formally as a composer. He always wanted to teach, and that's what he studied. He stumbled upon composing a little way into his teaching career, and boy are we glad he did!

Dennis's own teacher embraced his improvisations and flare for creativity. Had he had a different teacher growing up, we might not have his fantastic pieces on our shelves today. It's no wonder that he believes in nurturing his own students' creativity.

It was inspiring to meet Dennis at NCKP 2015 and I'm delighted to have him on the podcast today. Take a listen to one of the foremost pedagogical composers. We're talking about the importance of creativity, teaching composing and even getting an exclusive performance from the man himself.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Dennis Alexander got his start as a composer
The way creativity was approached in his own piano lessons
How you can get your students composing and improvising
Why Dennis loved to use the Clavinova in his teaching
The place of rote pieces in modern piano teaching
Dennis Alexander's own composing process
Some of Dennis Alexander's personal favourite compositions

Links Mentioned

This's Month's Sponsor

Make More, Teach Less - The step-by-step online course for running Piano Summer Camps.

Are you looking for step-by-step guidance for creating your own piano summer camps and workshops this year? Are you new to the whole summer camp thing and unsure of how to get started? Want someone to help you?

If you’d like someone to guide you every step of the way from planning to financing to contracts, then this course will be perfect for you. I’m so excited to be announcing that my great blogging friend Jennifer Foxx has recently released her own training dedicated to helping teachers get started with their own summer camp programs.

The course is called Make More, Teach Less and it will be the ultimate companion for anyone looking to start their own summer camp program. Featuring nine online video modules that you can follow at your own pace, Jennifer's training will cover everything you need to know.

Remember that the best thing about a course like this is that it will save you heaps of time and money and avoid you making all the mistakes that Jennifer made when she ran her first camps. Do it right the first time and enjoy the extra income and benefits of a summer-time program for your students.

Want to get $10 off the course today and grab some summer camp lesson plans? Just click the button below to find out how.

Get $100 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

What's your favourite Dennis Alexander piece?

Do you have one piece or book of his that you turn to again and again? A piece that's been a student saver for you?

What stood out to you about his approach to creativity and composing?

TTTV063: How the 4-Week Challenge helped Colin grow his studio by 800%

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 19:55:00 +1000

In TopMusicPro membership, every so often we have '4-Week Challenges'. In these challenges piano teachers set themselves goals to complete within a four week timeframe.

This gives them accountability to the other teachers inside the community, and the motivation and support to achieve their goals. As many piano teachers are self-employed, this can really help to get things done with the encouragement of other teachers.

Colin Young was the winner of the last 4-week challenge. Not only did he manage to stay away from chocolate, he also increased his student load by 800%.

At the start of the challenge Colin just had one piano student. He now has 9 students, and a waiting list. The progress he has made during this time, as well as his engagement in TopMusicPro (formerly know as Inner Circle) community in general is truly inspiring.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

What led Colin to piano teaching
Why Colin joined the TopMusicPro (formerly known as Inner Circle)
What the 4-week challenge is and how it's structured
The biggest benefit Colin got from doing the 4-week challenge
Examples of goals teachers set for the challenge
Some key things to think about when starting a blog
How to get started with student recitals
How to approach getting to know a new piano method

Links Mentioned

This's Month's Sponsor

Make More, Teach Less - The step-by-step online course for running Piano Summer Camps.

Want to get $10 off the course today and grab some summer camp lesson plans? Just click the button below to find out how.

Get $100 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

What are you struggling to get done at the moment?

Is there anything you wish you had that extra push to do? What would go in your 4-week challenge?

TTTV062: Irina Gorin on Teaching Beginners

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 20:12:00 +1000

Irina Gorin is famous in the piano teaching world. Irina's YouTube videos of her teaching have helped and inspired so many teachers, especially when it comes to teaching technique.

Irina didn't always feel so confident teaching beginners. When she first moved to the USA and used traditional method books, they always felt a bit...lacking. The five finger positions used in these method books didn't set her students up for success at the piano.

Tales of a Musical Journey is a unique piano method in many ways. Irina's approach to technique, and narrative style is engaging and effective in teaching beginners. Her use of props helps young children connect to tension free piano playing.

I hope today's podcast will inspire you to think a little differently about how you teach your beginners. I know we can learn a great deal from Irina's experience.

[spp-tweet tweet="Irina's YouTube videos of her teaching have helped and inspired so many teachers, especially when it comes to teaching technique."]

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

What prompted Irina to get started on YouTube
They key difference Irina noticed between Ukraine and USA piano teaching
How Irina came to create her own method books
When music education should begin
How Irina assesses a child's readiness for piano lessons
The piano parents' role in Irina's studio
How pre-reading fits into Irina's philosophy of teaching beginners
Beginning improvisation tips and tricks

Links Mentioned

This's Month's Sponsor

Make More, Teach Less - The step-by-step online course for running Piano Summer Camps.

Want to get $10 off the course today and grab some summer camp lesson plans? Just click the button below to find out how.

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

Have you used Tales of Musical Journey?

What did you find the most interesting about this approach to teaching beginners?

What did you think about the role of parents in Irina's piano studio?

TTTV061: Teaching using MusikGarten with Ellen Johansen

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 22:01:00 +1000

Teaching an early childhood music education program can be a great addition to a piano studio. Not only is it an enriching teaching experience, but it makes business sense too.

Young children are often able to attend classes during times you might not normally be able to fill. Plus graduates of your program can feed directly into your regular piano lessons.

If you're going to start an early childhood music class, it's wise to have the strength of a great curriculum behind you. That way you know you're doing something that works, and you can just focus on the teaching part.

Ellen Johansen has been using MusikGarten for over 20 years, so when she says it works, she knows what she's talking about!

Ellen has found her MusikGarten students to be better readers and overall musicians. They naturally and instinctively improvise, sing and play with musicality. I'm so excited to have Ellen on today and share some of the wonderful examples of her MusikGarten teaching.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

The types of lessons in a MusikGarten studio
Why Ellen went in search of an alternative music teaching method
The benefits of the MusikGarten program
How MusikGarten creates well-rounded musicians
How a class with ages 0-3 looks and what the kids are learning
The biggest mistakes Ellen made when she was starting out
What the transition from music and movement to piano lessons looks like
How to train as a MusikGarten teacher and how you can use the materials

Links Mentioned

Become a Musikgarten Teacher
Stephen Reen - Musikgarten teacher
TTTV048: Exploring MLT with Marilyn Lowe
Ellen's Studio Website
The MusikGarten Teacher Blog
The Early Childhood Music and Movement Association

This month's sponsor

Musikgarten prepares children to play the piano!

Playing the piano, or any instrument, succeeds most quickly when the body, ear, and family are well-prepared.

For both children and teachers, Musikgarten is the best preparation for playing an instrument. We offer a holistic, age- appropriate curricula designed specifically for the various stages of a child's early years.

Musikgarten’s sequential material begins with informal music making in our Birth to 3 ½ year old curricula Family Music for Babies and Toddlers and our 3 to 5 year old curricula The Cycle of Seasons. Here children sing, dance, move, and play simple instruments preparing their bodies and ears for the next step.

Then the children move to our first sequential steps with curricula Music Makers: At Home in the World and Around the World for 4 –7 year olds. This two-year sequence gives children a solid music making foundation by including activities to train the ear, coordinate the body and voice, first steps in music notation, establish fundamental skills for instrument playing, ensemble work and creative movement. This is perfect preparation for piano or other instrument study.

Music Makers: At the Keyboard is our three-year method for groups of young beginners and features a variety of activities which lay the foundation for keyboard success. The program features an aural approach to music learning, building on songs children have come to love and provides a natural pathway to reading music while building a much- loved piano repertoire.

Piano Partners is Musikgarten’s newest publication. This has all the benefits of our Music Makers: At the Keyboard program, but is specially written for partner lessons.

[thrive_link color='red' link='http://www.musikgarten.org/teacher_pianopartners.cfm' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']FIND OUT MORE[/thrive_link]

Get $100 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

Do you teach music and movement classes?

Do you use MusikGarten or another program?

Perhaps you don't teach a program yourself but have experience accepting graduates of one of these programs?

Tell us what you're experience has been with early childhood music classes.

TTTV060: Unpacking Autism with Clinical Psychologist Lydia Meem

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:45:00 +1000

As a piano teacher, you probably consider music to be your area of expertise. But we also have to wear so many other hats as well.

When a student with special needs walks into our studio, we need to understand their diagnosis so we can teach them better. Sometimes we can feel completely in over our heads here. We might not know anything about the diagnosis, what it means and how to these students learn best.

That's why I'm so excited to be unpacking autism with Lydia Meem today. Lydia is a clinical psychologist with lots of experience working with kids with autism.

She has some really fun and helpful tools and tricks to share with us today, as well as fantastic insights into how to teach these students in a way that suits them. Jump in, I'm sure you'll learn a lot, I know I did.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How the diagnosis process for autism looks
Why parents sometimes don't want to tell us about a dianosis their child has
What the ASD student profile sheet is and how you could use it
Useful visual tools for working with students with special needs
Why kids with autism often don't make eye contact
How you can use textures to help kids connect to a piece
A trick for working on collapsing fingertips
How to give really clear instructions

Today's Free Download:

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Links Mentioned

This month's sponsor

This month's sponsor is Noviscore, your new online sheet music resource.

Noviscore's comprehensive music library has:

Up to 4 different skill levels for each song
Wide selection of music genres
Piano solo, piano accompaniment, 4 hands, arranger keyboard, solo instrument
Reading aids and fingering

You can:

View on any device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone)
Print from any computer or laptop
Rest assured that all music is 100% copyright legal

Special OFFER: 30% off all our piano sheet music for Tim Topham members during September!!

Please enter code TTSEPT at payment stage.

[thrive_link color='red' link='https://www.noviscore.com/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Browse Noviscore Now[/thrive_link]

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $50 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member.

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

Did you enjoy this different perspective on special needs teaching?

Were there any of the aspects of autism that surprised you? Or anything you wish you'd known sooner?

What did you think of Lydia's visual representation ideas?

Which of Lydia's sensory tools do you wish you had?

TTTV059: Integrating Music Therapy and Art Therapy with Karen Nisenson

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 11:53:25 +1000

A brief summary of this episode

TTTV058: How Passion, Mindset and a Sharpened Saw will Transform Your Teaching

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 23:56:00 +1000

Something we see time and time again, is that great teachers are lifelong learners. Great teachers never stop trying to better themselves, participating in various forms of professional development and continuing education.

[spp-tweet tweet="Great teachers never stop trying to better themselves."]

Today's podcast is a little different. Paul Myatt and I will shortly be running teacher training events around Australia, so today we're discussing professional development. We're talking about why professional development matters for piano teachers, and also generally about our education philosophies.

Paul and I are both big proponents of teaching differently, and we're bringing you the best discoveries we've found from our own continuing education.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How clear goals and mindset can set students up for success
How experiencing being a novice can benefit your teaching
Why I continually question the traditional teaching methods
What's different about the events Paul and I are running
Why every teacher will be working at a digital piano at our events
Some of Paul's favourite teaching tools for piano teachers from the Orff method

Links Mentioned

This month's sponsor

This month's sponsor is Noviscore, your new online sheet music resource.

Noviscore's comprehensive music library has:

Up to 4 different skill levels for each song
Wide selection of music genres
Piano solo, piano accompaniment, 4 hands, arranger keyboard, solo instrument
Reading aids and fingering

You can:

View on any device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone)
Print from any computer or laptop
Rest assured that all music is 100% copyright legal

Special OFFER: 30% off all our piano sheet music for Tim Topham members during September!!

Please enter code TTSEPT at payment stage.

[thrive_link color='red' link='https://www.noviscore.com/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Browse Noviscore Now[/thrive_link]

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

As a valued podcast listener, you're eligible for a $50 discount on an annual TopMusicPro Studio Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you're a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you'll pay as long as you remain a member.

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

How much professional development do you do?

Do you get the opportunity to attend conferences or workshops? What's your favourite event you've been to?

Do our more "hands on" type training events appeal to you?

TTTV057: Measuring Success in Smiles with Susan Bessette

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 23:23:00 +1000

Sometimes all it takes for a student to be successful in their piano lessons is for the teacher to reframe what success means. Not every student is going to be able to play Beethoven sonatas...which is why Susan Bessette is measuring success in smiles.

After Susan retired from teaching in the prison system, she couldn't resist the challenge of taking on a piano student with autism. As she took on more students with special needs, she searched around the web for resources for her students. She didn't find anything and so she started making her own.

Susan has learned a lot from teaching students with autism, down syndrome and traumatic brain injury. She's got some great tips to share today that will make your teaching of students with special needs more effective.

[spp-tweet tweet="Sometimes all it takes for a student to be successful in their piano lessons is for the teacher to reframe what success means."]

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

What prompted Susan to make her own curriculum for piano students with special needs
How her curriculum is set-up and who it's for
Why you should stop talking so much and start demonstrating more
How Susan has learned control the volume of her voice for students with autism
Some surprising things that could distract students
How a kazoo saved one of Susan's students from frustration
Why you might need to work away from the piano more often
How students can be unlocked by the simplest activity

Links Mentioned

This month's sponsor

This month's sponsor is Noviscore, your new online sheet music resource.

Noviscore's comprehensive music library has:

Up to 4 different skill levels for each song
Wide selection of music genres
Piano solo, piano accompaniment, 4 hands, arranger keyboard, solo instrument
Reading aids and fingering

You can:

View on any device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone)
Print from any computer or laptop
Rest assured that all music is 100% copyright legal

Special OFFER: 30% off all our piano sheet music for Tim Topham members during September!!

Please enter code TTSEPT at payment stage.

[thrive_link color='red' link='https://www.noviscore.com/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Browse Noviscore Now[/thrive_link]

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

How do you measure success?

What do you think of Susan's motto "success in smiles"? Do you have any students that would benefit from this reframing on your end?

TTTV056: Scott Price on Special Needs Teaching

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:11:00 +1000

[powerpress]

Teaching students with special needs can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it has its challenges. If you've been approached by a parent of a child with special needs, you may have been too intimidated to take them on. You may have felt that you weren't prepared or qualified to deal with their unique learning style.

Well, Dr. Scott Price is on the podcast today to help prepare you to teach any child that comes your way by responding to each student's needs.

Dr Price's journey into teaching students with special needs started with one very special student and grew from there. He has gone on to teach plenty of students with autism, ADHD, visual impairments and hearing impairments. He keeps careful notes on the triggers and routines of each of his students so that he can tailor his teaching to suit each individual.

Parents turn to Scott for his ability to adapt his teaching to suit their child, and I think we can all learn a lot from his approach to teaching students with special needs.

[spp-tweet tweet="To teach special needs students, you've got to get creative."]

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Scott got started teaching students with special needs
Some of the ways Scott has adapted his teaching for different students
The typical outcomes from these piano lessons
The unexpected effects piano playing has in other areas for students with special needs
What you should do in a first lesson/interview with a student with special needs
Some of the terminology around autism and the autistic spectrum
The social expectations you need to set out for students with autism
What practice looks like for Scott's piano students

Links Mentioned

Free Download

This month's sponsor

This month's sponsor is Noviscore, your new online sheet music resource.

Noviscore's comprehensive music library has:

Up to 4 different skill levels for each song
Wide selection of music genres
Piano solo, piano accompaniment, 4 hands, arranger keyboard, solo instrument
Reading aids and fingering

You can:

View on any device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone)
Print from any computer or laptop
Rest assured that all music is 100% copyright legal

Special OFFER: 30% off all our piano sheet music for Tim Topham members during September!!

Please enter code TTSEPT at payment stage.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://www.noviscore.com/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Browse Noviscore Now[/thrive_link]

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Full Transcript

[spp-transcript]

Do you teach any students with special needs?

What have you found to be the biggest challenge in teaching these students?

Is there any advice you would give to teachers just starting out with teaching students with special needs?

TTTV055: Cultural Difference in Online Teaching with Sarah Lyngra

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 03:55:00 +1000

[powerpress]

Have you thought about teaching students via Skype who are overseas? Imagine being able to teach students when you can't teach students in your own studio, ie during school, early morning or late in the evening. Teaching overseas students does come with some important things to think about. Sarah gives us some great food for thought in this episode explaining that we have to think outside our own cultural experiences and be aware of the cultural differences of other nationalities and religions.

As well as cultural differences you'll need to think about:

Time zones - what time is it where your students are? And how to time table table that. Try using World Time Buddy to work out times when you and your potential student are available.
Holiday times in the other country. Be aware that some countries don't celebrate Christian holidays, so you'll need to ask your student for their vacation and holiday timetable in advance.
Christmas Carols and other holidays songs - remember overseas students may not be Christians, so they may not celebrate Christmas. Be aware of this, to avoid cultural issues.

Using Internet MIDI see Episode 53 and for other beginner tech ideas relook at Episode 52. Here's a great video of how Internet MIDI works:

Sarah Lyngra's extraordinary jouney across many continents will give you some great ideas on how to start your own Skype teaching program. More information is available from her website: www.teachpianoonline.com.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Sarah got started with online teaching.
How to get students for online lessons from overseas
How to make sure the resources you need are available
How to be culturally aware

Links Mentioned

This month's sponsor

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Melody has just dropped the price of her program to $US30. Get in quickly - this is only available until the end of August. Click the link or image below.

Does the idea of teaching online music lessons seem a bit daunting? Do you know what equipment and technology you need to teach a successful online lesson? Do you know how to set up and use your equipment? What about finding students? Or getting paid? Or setting up your policy? Or knowing which activities can be successful in an online lesson? Are there specific teaching tips you should use for online lessons? How about pros and cons of online teaching? Or troubleshooting when something goes wrong?

Do you ever think, "I could never teach on Skype because I'm afraid of using technology during piano lessons" or "I wish I could stop teaching so many makeup lessons", or "I'm moving soon and I don't want to leave all of my students behind!" or "I wish I had more students to fill the rest of my teaching schedule" .... then these videos are just what you have been looking for!

Put your fears behind you and learn to be a successful and confident online teacher with the step-by-step information included in my training video series, “Learn to Teach Music Lessons on Skype". Learn what equipment you will need, where to purchase it, how to set it up, the pros and cons of online lessons, how to teach an online lesson, and much more in this 85-minute training session.

Extras:

As a bonus, everyone who purchases access to the video below is also invited to join our exclusive Facebook group of teachers just like you where more discussion and sharing of ideas takes place and additional questions about teaching online are answered.
A set of free quote posters for your studio or classroom is also included!

“Learn to Teach Music Lessons on Skype” will help you develop the online studio you’ve always wanted! If you want to be the most forward-thinking and trend-setting teacher on the block, if you would love to increase your client base, teaching hours, and income, and if you want to offer experiences to students that they will remember for years to come, then online teaching is just what you’ve been looking for!

Join me as I answer your burning questions about online music lessons, help you gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to start teaching online lessons, and help you discover ways to expand your studio offerings, set your studio apart, and take your studio to the next level!

Click here to find out more and get it for only $30 until the end of August 2016.

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

How is your online piano teaching going?

Which bit of Mike's technology would you like to own? How could you explore taking your online teaching to the next level?

Full Transcript

Tim: All right, Sarah, welcome to the show today. Great to have you on it.

Sarah: Thank you.

Tim: Now, before we get started, I think you better tell everyone a little bit about your piano teaching adventures and your life adventures from the last few years. You've had some pretty amazing experiences overseas. And this is all gonna be connected to our concept of online teaching, but yeah, give us the rundown.

Sarah: Well, I actually moved overseas about 20 years ago, and I spent 5 years in Copenhagen. And that's where I learned that the market for English-speaking piano teachers when you're working overseas was pretty big, so I taught piano lessons in Copenhagen to an international crowd. And then from there, my husband and I...my husband's Norwegian, and we've never actually lived as a married couple in the United States...moved to Saudi Arabia. And this was right after September 11th, and so things were quite a bit different then, before and after, than they are now. And the majority of my clients initially... I met a piano teacher who was going back to work, so I got her clients. And then over time, there aren't very many piano teachers in Saudi Arabia. They don't have a music curriculum. You can't get visas for music teachers. They don't teach music in the schools. And so the longer I was there, the more local clientele I had, as word got out, the more adult students that I had. We were also involved in clandestine music concerts with artists all over the world.

And the international expat community is quite a bit different than teaching in a local community because you're not just teaching Americans. You're teaching people from pretty much every continent except Antarctica. Even though everybody I taught had at least one parent with a college education, quite a few of the people I taught, this was the first time that they ever had private music lessons. And in Saudi Arabia, a lot of the local students didn't have...well, they didn't have music education...but they didn't have the background of you go to your lessons, you practice, and then the delayed gratification of practicing and then having recitals. And then we had also a wide variety of religious backgrounds, and it was just completely different than what you normally see when you're teaching in a rural community in the United States.

Tim: Oh, absolutely. I can't even comprehend what it would be like to live in somewhere like Saudi Arabia. I think it'd be amazing. It'd be fascinating. It'd be a huge culture shock, I would guess. So when you were living over there, you're talking the expat community. So that's international people living in Saudi Arabia, and you said there's pretty much people from every continent there. So you were giving live one-on-one, personal piano lessons while you were there, as well as online piano lessons. Is that right?

Sarah: Yes. Well, actually I was giving online lessons to students in the United States because I had some here. I was giving online occasionally to students in Saudi Arabia because women can't drive there and driving can be kind of dangerous. And so some of my students had to commute, and when they couldn't get a driver, then I would give them a Skype lesson. And then one of my trips back to the United States, I got an infection that prevented me from flying for a few months, and so I started teaching my students in Saudi Arabia from the United States to keep them going because I couldn't travel.

Tim: Yeah. Well, talk about giving you flexibility, right?

Sarah: Yes, yeah. And it's one of the things, I think, that teachers don't think about because, like, let's say you are going through chemotherapy, for example, you feel well enough to teach, but you can't be exposed to other students. And so having Skype lessons as an alternative gives you the ability to continue teaching your students without exposing yourself to risk. Or if your students are sick or if you're sick, then it's a really good vehicle for that kind of teaching.

Tim: And in Saudi Arabia, piano lessons weren't really common and music education isn't in schools, how do people get pianos? Are there piano sellers?

Sarah: Well, there are. But you know when you go to a show room in the United States, you choose the piano, and then they have a bunch of movers who move them in the tuning community. In Saudi, it's kind of like you shop from a catalog and they ship it in. And when we first got there, it was right around the time of the Second Gulf War. I was teaching group lessons because there weren't many teachers. I had ordered a whole bunch of electronic pianos, and they got delayed because the shippers didn't wanna go into the Gulf until it calmed a little bit.

Tim: Oh.

Sarah: So you had to wait for getting whatever you were gonna get at that point. The tuning, tuning is not a profession that you have in Saudi Arabia, so tuning acoustic instruments was quite challenging for a lot of people. And one of the tuners was deaf, and he wasn't telling his clients. So the clients didn't hear it, and so you could go over to their pianos and you would know that it was tuned by this particular gentleman, who had access to this fabulous group of, you know, Saudis who had pianos. And also, in Saudi Arabia, the music that's often played is played on an oud, which is kind of like a lute, and it's not fretted. And they use quarter tones, and so what sounds out of tune to a Westerner doesn't necessarily sound out of tune to a Middle Easterner.

Tim: Wow. I mean, there are just so many things going against you, even living in the country.

Sarah: Yes, but [inaudible 00:05:39] going for you because there's a real desire for people to learn musical instruments, and so when they find out you're a piano teacher... I didn't advertise. I stopped doing a waiting list because it became overwhelming.

Tim: Wow. I think I could talk to you and ask you so many more questions about Saudi Arabia, but that isn't the focus of today, although it kind of is.

Sarah: Yeah.

Tim: What I wanna talk about is how you went about the online teaching. And as you know, we've had a number of guests on this month who have talked about the technology and things like that, so we can cover that just basically in regard to what you use and what you've seen work. But I think one of the most important things we can talk about with your experience is cultural difference. And so while the first few podcasts of this month have talked about, you know, what to do when it's a snowy day and if you're not too well teaching your local kids or teaching kids in your same country.

But you've got some experience now of teaching in other countries. So what are some of the factors that we haven't really explored in regard to this cultural difference and things you've gotta keep in mind?

Sarah: Okay, so one of the big cultural differences that I see is that, you know, particularly in the United States, in December, everybody does Christmas recitals. And you know, Christmas music is big. The piano [inaudible 00:07:00] all have their Christmas versions of it. Now, when I got to Copenhagen, I was so excited because my favorite Christmas music was actually provincial French carols. We lived down the street from the French school, and I was like, "Oh, my gosh! I've got French students, this'll be their music, and I'll really make a connection with them." And caroling is not a tradition in modern day France, and none of my students knew carols. And I'm like, "Oh, okay." So I had to kind of change my American "This is a great thing" to more European style of teaching.

So then when we got to Saudi Arabia, well, Saudis don't celebrate Christmas. They have Ramadan and Hajj and they have their Eids, and they are not tied to December. They move around through the year. And Christmas is a Christian religious holiday, so my ideas of, "Oh, Christmas music" just totally [inaudible 00:07:55]. And so you see a lot of people doing Christmas recitals in the United States, and some teachers sometimes get a little upset that their students don't wanna do Christmas music, or their students don't wanna do this kind of music. Or they don't even wanna be involved with that particular recital because it goes against their religious beliefs, which is totally fine.

And I think, when you start teaching overseas, it's not your culture that really matters, it's the culture of your students. So you don't teach "Silent Night" to Muslim students unless they are okay with it, you know. You always wanna get consent about the music that you're teaching, particularly if it has a religious bent. "Jingle Bells" is universal, so it seems like you could teach "Jingle Bells" and the secular carols very easily. You know, even "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is very popular because I think "Jingle Bells," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and "Silent Night" are universal. Everybody knows them.

Tim: They're almost folk tunes, aren't they, sort of thing?

Sarah: Yeah. "Happy Birthday" is generally okay, but again, there are a few people that don't do birthday things. So you don't do birthday stuff. And so I think, the majority of students wanna learn how to play the piano because they wanna learn how to play songs and songs that relate to their culture. And if you give them songs that relate to your own culture, then that's not really what they're looking for.

Another thing that I found was really interesting is, in the Middle East, there's a Lebanese singer named Fairuz. And she's like the person that everybody in the Middle East, whether you're Saudi Arabian or... There's also an Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. And these women are iconic, and so you might have a lot of resistance in Middle Eastern culture to taking piano lessons, particularly if they're Western piano lessons. But I found that, if I could make some arrangements of some of these Middle Eastern songs that are universal, it was no longer about taking piano lessons. They were learning how to play Fairuz, and that was huge.

And you know, my adult students, I have Saudi adult students, and in the beginning, they were like, "Oh, I don't wanna learn this. This is what my parents listen to" or "This is, you know, baby music or whatever." But what they found is that, when they went home and they played that, it legitimized their own lessons. Because that's another interesting cultural thing. If you're coming from a culture that doesn't celebrate music, doesn't teach music in the school, and then there's some political reasons why music is not really up there, you don't have people saying, "Oh, my son is doing this," you know, getting everybody around the piano to show them off. So they're not getting a lot of support from home. There's not like, "Oh, great. This piano student is doing wonderfully at home." They have to kind of be self-starters.

Interestingly, though, the Lebanese are very culturally in tune, and you get students' parents who say, "I want my kid to play the Für Elise." And so they're not taking piano...

TTTV054: How Mike Verta Makes $60K on the side Teaching Online

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 23:16:00 +1000

[powerpress]

Have you ever considered sharing your talents to a wider audience than just your students? Would you like to make some extra income on the side while you sleep?

Today's episode is all about taking the idea of teaching online to another level by teaching large groups of people online and then offering a back catalogue of recorded lessons for people to download.

In fact, my guest today brings in around $60,000 each year in addition to his other jobs, just by offering online lessons to people around the world.

The best thing is, anyone can do it!

Online lessons to large groups can be created using free software like Google Hangouts (which, incidentally is what I use for my webinars), with a simple mic and camera and not a whole lot of tech know-how (please see Episode 53 and Episode 52 for beginner tech ideas).

Mike Verta has taken online learning to a next level. He has shared his skills to many many people and when he teaches his sessions are honestly providing genuine assistance to all his students in his live sessions. He has lots of experience in creating and presenting amazing sessions.

While Mike explains his pretty complex setup, don't be intimidated by feeling you have to create something quite as impressive as this when you're starting.

As a teacher you will be able to learn a heap of things by watching one or two of Mike's free videos.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Mike got started with online teaching
How to build an audience for online lessons
What you need to take your online teaching to the next level
How to make sure the resources you need are available
How you can supplement your income using online teaching
How to teach large groups online
How to create passive income from your online lesson folio

Links Mentioned

Wirecast by Telestream
Mike Verta’s website (currently being updated)
Mike’s YouTube Channel
WooCommerce Plugin for WordPress

This month's sponsor

Extras:

As a bonus, everyone who purchases access to the video below is also invited to join our exclusive Facebook group of teachers just like you where more discussion and sharing of ideas takes place and additional questions about teaching online are answered.
A set of free quote posters for your studio or classroom is also included!

Click here to find out more and get $10 off the entire month of August 2016.

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

How is your online piano teaching going?

Which bit of Mike's technology would you like to own? How could you explore taking your online teaching to the next level?

Full Transcript

Interviewer: Mike Verta, welcome to the show.

Mike: Thank you very much. Thanks for having me.

Interviewer: All the way from sunny Los Angeles. It's summertime over there. Right?

Mike: Yeah, it is, always.

Interviewer: And we're struggling through winter, which to Melburnians is always freezing cold, but nothing compared to what half the states get. Now look, I'm really interested in hearing a little bit about your story, how you started teaching, what your training was in, and what you're doing now. Can you give us a little bit of background?

Mike: In terms of teaching, I had no intention of teaching. It happened by accident. I was a working composer or I am a working composer. I've been working since I was 16, and I had joined an online forum for composers and I would post some of my work, just sketches mostly.

And right from the time I started posting work, people would ask questions. Other composers would ask questions about pretty much every aspect of writing music, about composition, the orchestration or performance techniques or studio issues, even things related to the business and all that sort of thing. And over a course of six months to a year, the questions got...there were so many of them. I just couldn't answer them anymore. I was doing that all the time in email and/or on the forum. I was spending way too much time on it.

And of course I wanted to answer, because they were asking the exact same questions that I asked when I was coming up, but you can never really get straight answers especially from professionals who are working. You always feel like there's some secret. It's like the nuclear launch codes. People won't tell you what the real truth is about business negotiations or what their tricks are when they write.

So what I did was I thought, "Okay, you know what I'll do? Is, I'll do a couple of free podcasts. I'll do a couple of podcasts and a couple of YouTube videos and I'll put them on, and this will probably take care of that." Except it went exactly the opposite way, because now people had little pieces of media they could share. So there was just more and more interest in this.

And so I informally said, "Well look, if I did a masterclass series on these various disciplines, is that something you guys would be into?" And there was a lot of interest there. So like I said, without really intending to, but having the teacher's spirit or something, I decided, "All right, let's just do this."

So I didn't have much of a game plan when I started. I knew I could talk about pretty much anything in the industry. And I thought, "How long should the classes be? An hour and a half, something like that." And I picked a price point, and then I just started. They grew in popularity pretty quickly, and now I have a really nice core group of people who come. There's more every day, pretty much.

Interviewer: And so what does the outcome look like today? How many lessons do you provide? How many students do you teach? Do you have the numbers?

Mike: What I did was with the classes, I do them live and I do them on Friday nights in Los Angeles' time. They're very informal. It's almost like a hangout, and there's a structure. There's a plan for the class. And then I take questions and the live people help shape the class, because they'll ask for more clarity on a point.

And I've done to date I think 24 or 26 classes over the course of the 4 years. So they're not regular. It's usually between gigs. And I'd say each class, I'd have to do the math. But I sell them for 30 bucks. I make them 30 bucks because I wanted to make it super cheap.

Interviewer: Bargain.

Mike: Yeah, because the way I figured it was I knew when I was studying with a professional myself, it would cost me about $125-150 an hour for a guy who had a 30 year pedigree in the business. Kids coming up, they can't afford that. That's ridiculous. And it wasn't going to be about the money. Like I said, this was all just gravy. I wasn't planning on doing it. So I figured I'll give them $30. That's near impulse buy, and just for once in the life, they'll get more than they paid for. This will just be one little piece of justice in this world.

But then if a hundred people sign up for the class and I don't do any prep really or maybe an hour. And actually the classes don't go an hour and a half. I think the shortest class I ever did was three hours. The longest one was just a couple weeks ago, it was nine hours. It was just nine hours on the air. Because I stayed on until...

Interviewer: Nine hours?

Mike: Yeah. In fact, I have a free one that's on YouTube, which is six hours.

Interviewer: Oh my goodness.

Mike: Because if that's how it's going, if people have questions, I want them answered. And if it's still staying engaging, then I'll just keep going. So it ends up being this really sick deal for people.

Interviewer: Wow.

Mike: It's packed full of information. It's super cheap. How many have been ordered? I have to check the numbers. The classes I'd say, I don't know if this is a lot. But I think right now, I think they make between maybe $50,000 or $60,000 a year in sales.

Interviewer: Sounds great. Sounds really good. The thing is that you are able to scale it. And that's why I really wanted to focus on this online teaching concept, because it is such an incredible way to scale what you're doing so you can make that kind of money.

Mike: Again, it's not a full time thing. But once the class is done, people can buy it after the fact. So that's the thing. Is that I always encourage people to come to the live show, because then you can ask questions, and then it's literally one on one, especially if I'm saying, "Listen, I'm going to sit here until you're...have gotten your attention." So there's people who will make sure that they show up for the live ones. But then there's other people who, like if they live in Europe and it's always 4:00 in the morning...but then they'll buy it after the fact, and then they can watch it as many times as they want to. So it's got an evergreen product.

The first classes that I did are right now somebody's first class they just bought today. And typically then they just go down the line and end up...so it's worked out that way, and then they stack on top of each other.

Interviewer: It's great. We've had two podcasts this months by the time this one is released. And the first one was very much about getting started teaching online one on one using Skype, and FaceTime, and things. Last week was we had Mario Ajero who's a real specialist in technology for piano teachers. And so he's stepping it up a level, some of the extra technology you can use and sharing keyboards and having the sound come out of your digital piano from the other person's piano, things like that.

This is now going that extra level of, "Well here's another thing you could do. Have one live lesson for a whole group of people, record it so you can make the income from that, and then keep selling it too." Really clever.

Mike: Absolutely. And like anything else. I've done zero advertising on the classes. It's all been word of mouth. But if your content is compelling, and I can talk more about how to actually do that, but people will tell each other and will post a thing about it on forums. And so every once in a while, I'll go and check just to see what the in path was, where was the referral links coming from? And they surprise me all the time. It's like, "How did that get all the way to Russia in this bizarre niche game forum? How did that end up getting...?" But that's the beauty of everybody being connected, is you don't necessarily...your audience will find it, build it and they will come, is what we're saying.

Interviewer: So I want to rewind a little bit back into your history. I can see not less than four keyboards behind you, and a Stormtrooper mask, and a disco ball. Did you start as a pianist or with piano lessons traditionally?

Mike: I was trained classically from the time I was...I started just before I was six, and started with the goal of writing music for film. I was five when I made that decision, my life decision.

Interviewer: Really?

Mike: Yeah.

Interviewer: Wow.

Mike: And so I knew what I wanted to do. So I started training at a conservatory, which just happened to be three blocks up the street from my parents' house in Chicago where I was born. So I was actually working professionally writing jingles and commercials when I was 16.

Interviewer: Wow.

Mike: It's when I started. So I did that for a few years. Then I came out to Los Angeles to get in the business or whatever.

Interviewer: To make it, to make it big.

Mike: Yeah, right. To do it. And I got a record deal when I was young. I think I was 20 when I signed that first thing. And so I was doing albums and touring, and I was a session musician. There aren't as many of them now, but back then you could have a life as a session player. So I'd play on records, and commercials and things. And that's what I was just going to do, just continue doing that and then started doing film work.

And then along the way, something that was just a hobby of mine, which was the early days of computer visual effects and motion graphics accidently became a parallel career. That's a whole other story. But in the end, today I split my time between doing music work and doing basically every other aspect of postproduction. So I direct a lot of commercials. I do color correction work, and editing, and sound design and just lots of visual effects work.

Which I think totally in this business and in this town, maybe everywhere, however you multitask, whether it's inside your field or into related fields, I think multitasking is an artist's best trick.

Interviewer: It's a given, isn't it?

Mike: Yeah, because if one well is empty, another well is full. If this one opportunity dries up...and they have seasons. As a composer, suddenly there's a lot of work and then there's a year there isn't a lot of work. It goes up and down. I think even though we've all signed up for a life that may not have the greatest stability in it, having lots of other trees to pick fruit from can help mitigate that.

Interviewer: We'll have to put some links to some of your work in the show notes, if that's cool.

Mike: Sure. Of course.

Interviewer: I'll be fascinated to hear about it. I love composing and helping my students compose. I wonder whether your teacher had some skills in that area that drove you down that path, or were you very much self-taught?

Mike: You mean as a composer or as a teacher?

Interviewer: As a piano student, as a young boy, did your teacher encourage that stuff?

Mike: No, they hated that. Because what happened was I was studying classically and I was at a conservatory that took it very, very seriously. And all I wanted to do was change the music....

TTTV053: Taking Your Online Lessons to the Next Level with Mario Ajero

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 00:21:00 +1000

[powerpress]

This week on the podcast we're talking next level online lessons with Mr. Technology himself, Mario Ajero. If you're ready to make your online lessons even more effective with some super clever tech, Mario's your guy.

Mario was a pioneer in the early days of music teaching technology. He has tried and tested the best of these tools to enhance his own classroom and online teaching.

Today we're looking at some fantastic ideas to improve your setup for online lessons. Using apps & extra video cameras you can make online lessons even better than in person traditional lessons.

Getting to see all this tech set up and working smoothly is really inspiring. I strongly recommend watching the video for this one if you can, it's great to see this stuff in action. If you're looking for how to get started with the least amount of time and money, you might want to listen to last week's episode with Melody Payne before this one.

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

What inspired Mario to get started with music technology
How Mario uses flipped learning in his piano classes
How internet midi can be used in Skype teaching
What you need to use the internet midi
How classroom maestro works and what you could use it for
What you need to set up an overhead video view
Some possible applications for tech set-up for online lessons

Links Mentioned

This month's sponsor

Extras:

As a bonus, everyone who purchases access to the video below is also invited to join our exclusive Facebook group of teachers just like you where more discussion and sharing of ideas takes place and additional questions about teaching online are answered.
A set of free quote posters for your studio or classroom is also included!

Click here to find out more and get $10 off the entire month of August 2016.

This month's cheat sheet

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

What's one piece of tech that you would love to have?

Did something in Mario's set-up catch your eye? Is there something you've been coveting for a while?

What's your favourite technology you already own?

Full Transcript

Tim: Well, welcome, Mario, to the show. It's so good to have you on here finally.

Mario: No, thanks. It's great seeing you there. It's been awhile when I saw you in CKP last year there and then it's great that we can still connect here thousands of miles away.

Tim: I know. Different times, different seasons. It was great. You came to the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference about two, three, four years ago, something like that, and I remember...

Mario: It was in 2013. That was really great experience there, and I had never traveled that far before, and it was a delight to meet all the Australian teachers, and wish I had more time to stay a little bit longer there, but that's always hopefully an opportunity in the future.

Tim: Absolutely. Well, look, you're known as Mr. Piano Technology, internationally renowned as the specialist here. So it is really exciting for me to get you on the show because I know that you can help me win a whole lot of stuff and all the people who are watching and listening. So today we're going to talk more about the theme of online teaching and the technology that we can use for that. How did you originally get into focusing so much of your career on the technology of music teaching?

Mario: Well, a lot of it was due to the amount of time I had on my hands as far as I was finishing up my doctoral degree at the University of Oklahoma, probably around 2005, 2006, and I was looking for a job as far as I wasn't here at Stephen F. Austin State University just yet. But I had a lot of time on my hands and I was a wonderful procrastinator on trying to not finish my dissertation there. And I just was really fascinated with the emergence of like social media and YouTube and all this online technology where just like little people could...not necessarily make themselves famous, but at least make some kind of contribution. And I was really just fascinated how we could all kind of have a voice and reach out to people that we...or nearly wouldn't be able to reach out to.

And I really didn't get into like teaching people online through video conferencing yet at that particular point because the technology wasn't as widespread as it is here today, but I had seen some people posting up videos on YouTube and also creating their own video podcast. And I thought that, well, I thought maybe I have something to contribute. So it was just kind of a thing that I got a little bit interested in. I started this video podcast, especially with Apple and iTunes promoting video podcasts, I thought it was emerging technology that I thought we definitely should explore here, and it's great seeing, you know, like people like you, Tim, that are carrying on and really delving into that technology to reach out to other people here.

Tim: Well, cheers, and, yes, I think you are a pioneer in many ways with your Piano Podcast, which is still there on...it's on iTunes I think, isn't it?

Mario: Yeah, it's still there. I have to confess that I haven't really devoted a lot of attention to it, and certainly not anything like the way that you've created this whole series of really valuable interviews and have video podcasts for teachers to watch here. But, you know, I tried to post up...a lot of times now it's more just shameless plugs of my kids playing through some technology that sometimes gets more attention. Those seem to get more views than anything that I ever I post on my own there. But hopefully now that things have kind of sailed in a little as far as my career is concerned there, then I might get back into the swing of things here.

Tim: Yes, and we must congratulate you on your recent promotion to professorship, which is really a huge move for someone in education like you. So congratulations.

Mario: Yeah, I hear a lot of people who have a lot of, you know, like tough times with administration, but the administration here and fellow faculty here at Stephen F. Austin State University have been really supportive. And, you know, the whole piano pedagogy community is so tightly knit there that it's not too hard to find a lot of people that are going to be really supportive of one another to help you through that process.

Tim: Fantastic. And look, because you're such a specialist in general, piano teaching technology, I wanted to ask just a few questions on teaching technology in general before we go into the online teaching. And the first one was what do you think is the biggest change that technology has made for piano teaching in the last 5 to 10 years if you could narrow it down to one?

Mario: I don't know if I could really narrow it down here, but I mean, the Internet in particular has just significantly influenced the way that we educate others and even ourselves. Just there's this whole now mentality that if you don't know how to do something, then the first instinct is to go online and try to find out how to do that there. You know, all these cooking videos that kind of scroll through our social media feeds there, all of a sudden we think that we're awesome chefs now, or at least have the ability to do so now due to all these like tasty videos and other things scrolling through our news feeds. So I think in that sense, that's probably been the most significant thing that come across is this whole idea that the Internet has made this world a smaller place where we can share ideas and disseminate information. In fact, you know, I think a lot of students are catching on now that they could probably find information a whole lot faster and much more efficiently online than they could through their traditional face-to-face teacher here. So I think as teachers we need to think creatively to work with those students on how to make sense of all that information and how we can make them better musicians and better people overall. So I don't know.

Tim: It's great, and the change that has come about through all the online learning and stuff, I mean, it's why I do my podcasts. It's why I write blog posts. It's why there are so many people doing those kinds of things because we know we can help people so easily. When they type a question into Google, hopefully it'll pop up, and we'll be to share what we've learned. So, yeah, I would tend to agree. And it's going to be an interesting change, just in education generally, I'm thinking classrooms, too. If students can find out pretty much what they need to know from online, our jobs as teachers change considerably, doesn't it?

Mario: Yeah. I found a shift in, even with my, particularly with my group piano classes that I teach a lot of group piano classes here at Stephen F. Austin State University, where we have...we still have the, you know, multiple piano, digital piano lab and students still come in twice a week there for their classes. But I've kind of adopted a little bit more of a flipped classroom mentality where I do deliver video demonstrations of me playing through some of the technique and the repertoire. And they kind of consume that at their own leisure outside of class, and then they use the piano lab time for us to actually kind of work through some of the problems that they have and try to overcome some confusion that they have through the online delivery of content that we've given them in between classes. And it seems to work out pretty well for most of the students here.

Tim: Fantastic. What would you say to teachers who are just overwhelmed with technology?

Mario: Oh, well. I would say that they're not the only one. Even myself, I find myself overwhelmed with keeping up these days. I confess that I'm one of those people that's really reliant on products on the Apple side of technology. So I have the utmost respect for teachers kind of like yourself who can find the time and resources to keep up with other platform...all the platforms that are out there. And my advice would be how I particularly handle it is what...you should only take on what you particularly feel comfortable with and what you can handle. Don't just implement technology into your teaching just for the sake of saying, "Hey, I've implemented technology into my teaching." But I would say have an educational and/or musical goal in mind just to justify it.

For example, where I'm most fascinated with the use of technology is particularly MIDI and digital audio accompaniments. Because part of my dissertation research, the literature review, showed that practicing with any kind of rhythmic stimuli, whether it be a metronome, or CD accompaniments, or digital accompaniments, or MIDI accompaniments really strengthen students' listening abilities and their rhythmic continuity and rhythmic accuracy. So I try to incorporate that a lot in my studio personally, and I feel that my students and my kids in particular show a stronger sense of rhythm, and it also helps simulate the collaborative piano playing that I think is so valuable for them down the road. And they have such a great time just because, you know, it's a much more rewarding musical experience for them to do that.

Tim: Yeah, it's groovy. Kids do love it. And as you say, it's so important for pianists to make sure you can feel a steady beat, play to a groove, play in a group, and these are things that don't just happen without some...either playing with a second piano, accompanying someone, or playing with a backend track. I'm going to talk about some of the options teachers have for that shortly. One quick last question just on technology generally, what about the people who say that, you know, it's hard to find the pedagogy in a technology? Sometimes it just all seems to be [inaudible 00:10:35] fun and games.

Mario: No, I mean there's a lot of particular apps that have been emerging that kind of gamify the whole educational experience there, and not a lot of teachers are buying into that per se there, but I've seen, you know, positive results as far as that's concerned. I really don't have anything that I can say that I think will probably change people's minds if they really feel that way or not there. But if they've seen any of the videos that I've shared of my kids practicing and maybe performing with the technology, I think that kind of speaks a lot of itself on how the use of this technology is legitimate in helping kids become better listeners and overall...

TTTV052: Teaching Skype Lessons with Melody Payne

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 00:06:00 +1000

[powerpress]

Have you ever considered teaching Skype lessons? Teaching piano online can be a fantastic way to fill daytime teaching hours, or a solution for snow days and other emergencies.

It can be intimidating though. You may feel like you would need a ton of technology and gadgets to do it effectively. Not necessarily so! You don't need to break the bank, or completely change the way you teach to start teaching online. It's easy to get started with just a minimum of equipment and time.

I've invited Melody Payne onto the podcast today to share her tips for getting started stressfree and on a budget. Melody started teaching Skype lessons about four years ago, and has seen it work just as well as in studio lessons.

Melody has some great advice that can get you teaching online right away, tune in to find out what you need to get started!

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How Melody got started with skype piano teaching
The biggest advantage of online lessons
The biggest drawback of online lessons
What you need to get started
The hardest part about teaching online
How the parent can help in online piano teaching
How to make sure the resources you need are available

Links Mentioned

This month's sponsor

Extras:

As a bonus, everyone who purchases access to the video below is also invited to join our exclusive Facebook group of teachers just like you where more discussion and sharing of ideas takes place and additional questions about teaching online are answered.
A set of free quote posters for your studio or classroom is also included!

Click here to find out more and get $10 off the entire month of August 2016.

This month's cheat sheet

Get $50 off TopMusicPro Membership

Copy this coupon code to use when you see the "Coupon Code" box: TTTVPODCAST.

[thrive_link color='blue' link='https://members.topmusic.co/join/pro/' target='_blank' size='medium' align='aligncenter']Become a Member[/thrive_link]

Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Have you ever taught piano online?

What was the biggest challenge you faced? Did you see a great solution to that issue in today's podcast?

Has Melody inspired you to give Skype teaching a try?

Full Transcript

Tim: Melody, welcome to the show. It's so great to have you on here finally.

Melody: Thank you, it is wonderful to be here. I'm really excited to get to talk about one of my favorite things, teaching online.

Tim: I know it's something that you know heaps about, in fact you've put a course together and you're sponsoring this month of lessons. So will talk about that a little bit later on. But I first wanted to say, I'm trying to find out. How did you come to offer Skype lessons?

Melody: Well, it sort of came to me. I wasn't looking to teach Skype lessons, but I had some friends from graduate school whose daughter was almost five years old. They called me and said, we want you to be her teacher. We don't want anybody else. And I said, we're going to have to figure out how to do that, because you live in Louisiana and I live in Virginia.

Tim: What's the distance for those on the other side of the world? Is that inter-state?

Melody: From my home to their home... So we had to figure out something and I don't...

Tim: Sorry, we lost your connection just for a second there. Right when you said how far it was.

Melody: Okay. Its 804 miles, but I don't know how many kilometers that would be.

Tim: So it's, 1200 K or something. It's a fair distance.

Melody: Some way I guess. So we got started, we gave it a try. It worked, we were excited and so here we are four years later. We're still doing Skype lessons, it works great. I was actually asking the little girl, her name is Hanna. I was asking her one day, "What is it like to have Skype lessons?" She doesn't know what it's like to have a lesson in the studio with a person sitting next to her. So for her, this is completely normal for piano.

Tim: So she actually has only ever had online lessons?

Melody: Yes and it's perfect. Online lessons...

Tim: There has never been a chance for the two of you to get together? Would that be something that you'd like to do?

Melody: Well, I would love to, because her mother and father and I have been friends for a long time. But when you live that far away, it can just be difficult. So I haven't seen her in person since she was two years old, and she was actually the flower girl in our wedding. So it's been really fun to get to watch her grow up on Skype, every week.

Tim: Yeah. And so, I think this is really important, because you aren't just saying Skype lessons are great for a little bit of fun or just for a winter's day when it's snowed in or whatever. You've actually taught this girl for four years on Skype. You've actually got the research, you've tested this to see what it's like. You can confidently say, she's no less able or musical or whatever than any other of your other students that you teach one-on-one in the studio.

Melody: Absolutely, 100%. She is doing just as well as anyone that I can sit here right beside at the piano. And to me that is so thrilling. It is so exciting to me to get to work with somebody through technology, and be able to bring them to the same level as a student who is right here sitting beside me. I love it, it's so great. Like you pitch in, it's also wonderful for snow days and that's another reason. I live here in the mountains of Southwest Virginia and we get a lot of snow days in the winter, and schools are closed and the roads are bad, because they're curvy mountain roads and it's dangerous to drive. So we do Skype lessons or FaceTime or whatever the families have and it works really well. And then I don't have to do however many make up lessons that week depending on how many snow days they have.

Tim: People don't have to try and judge the weather and drive when it could be dangerous and things. So you've mentioned a couple of services, Skype and FaceTime. Now, do you tend to prefer one or either of these and are there other options? What do you recommend?

Melody: It really just depends. Skype and FaceTime are the two that I use, depending on what the students has. Most of my students prefer Skype, because that's the one that everybody has heard of and everybody is familiar with. But I have a few who prefer FaceTime, because they have Apple products. So they want to use their laptop or their iPad or sometimes their phone in a pinch, if we can't make anything else work. Sometimes they want to do that. So it really just depends. I have not used Google Hangouts or Ubu or any of those other ones that are available. But I'm sure they would work very similarly to Skype or FaceTime.

Tim: If you've had success with a tool, why would you change it? We're conversing right now, this is a recorded Skype conversation. I can see you and I've got to say you look fabulous and your studio looks amazing. I'm in my little den here. So for anyone that's not watching the video, pop in and just at least have a look at the start so you can say you've got. I actually really love what you've got behind you. That street back brickwork and the little shelf, it just looks really, really cool.

Melody: Thank you.

Tim: So for those people who aren't too sure, Skype is available on any platform, any device. But FaceTime is just for Apple products, right?

Melody: Correct.

Tim: So iPhone, iPad, Mac.

Melody: Right. I do FaceTime lessons on my Mac, I prefer to have a larger screen to look at so that I can see the small details of technique and things like that, versus trying to teach a lesson on an iPhone screen. That is only about this big. It's easier for me to use my Mac, and it's better if the students can too. But if they don't have that, then of course iPads are getting larger and phones are getting larger all the time.

Tim: Yeah. Do you actually have an iPad Pro, the big iPad?

Melody: I don't, but I would love to have one. Do you have one yet?

Tim: No, not yet.

Melody: No?

Tim: No, it would have to be a Christmas present or something, really. All right, so if you could nail it down to one thing, what would you say is the biggest advantage of using a service like Skype for piano lessons?

Melody: For me personally the biggest advantage that I have noticed is that, it's literally made me a better teacher.

Tim: Really? Okay. I wasn't expecting that.

Melody: Yes. I didn't think you would be.

Tim: No.

Melody: When people ask me that question I usually say, convenience. That's usually the first thing that pops into my head. But over time as I've thought about it, it really has made me a better teacher. I am forced to use more descriptive words, more colorful language and metaphors and more precise wording to teach my students things like how to pedal or to end a phrase, or shape phrases. Whatever it is. Using more specific terminology has I guess crossed over into my in-person lessons as well, and it's just made me a better teacher overall. One day I was actually teaching my Skype student. She was ready to start pedaling recently. So we worked on that and I...

Tim: Is this the little girl you were talking about?

Melody: Yes. She's now eight years old. So I started... I know it's just really amazing. She's been having to adjust the bench every week, because she's having growth spurts. That's another advantage of Skype lessons. If they have a growth spurt, you see it and you can help them.

Tim: Yeah, you can see it from a distance on the side. Yeah.

Melody: So we were working on pedaling and I took her through the series of baby steps, we did some coordination, like tap her hands on her lap to indicate if she was playing a key and to march her feet up and down, to help coordinate the coordination of pressing the key and lifting the pedal at the same time. After just a few minutes, she got it and I literally saw everything click in her brain. When it happened, she was the happiest little girl in the whole city probably. To her, learning how to use the pedal and make the music, it just made the music sound so beautiful to her, that was just priceless for me.

Tim: Yeah, fantastic. Is she the girl that you do some demos in your course with?

Melody: She is, she is the same...

Tim: Yeah. Because I remember watching it when you first brought it out and I remember thinking, "Oh, that girl looks like so much fun to teach."

Melody: She's amazing.

Tim: That's great. So we've talked about the biggest advantage for you, which that was quite unexpected. Making you a better teacher, I think that's really... I can see how you would have to be precise with your words, you'd have to choose them carefully, you'd have to think. You'd have to be quite imaginative with how you go about teaching certain things. You couldn't be lazy. Yeah, I think that's really cool for you bring that up. What about the biggest disadvantage?

Melody: Well, one of the disadvantages, usually the biggest disadvantage for me is occasionally when we have bad weather. My Skype connection is just not very good, when we have bad weather. And I don't know why, that's just the way it is. Actually a couple of weeks ago my Skype student Hanna and I, we both live in the Southeastern United States. We have these huge summer thunderstorms that just go across the entire Southeastern United States. We were both getting hit with one the day of her lesson, and we ended up having to just completely quit her lesson after five minutes because the connection was so poor.

I could see her, but she couldn't hear me. And then disconnect and recall and then she could hear me, I couldn't see her. It was just a mess. I have in my policy actually, that if we can't actually make a good connection after five minutes of trying, that we just need to reschedule the lesson. Because otherwise it becomes really frustrating for everyone. I don't want that family to feel stressed, like oh, we've got to make this work and things like that. So we just disconnect and try again another day.

Tim: How often let's say in a semester or half year would that happen for you?

Melody: It's very rare. Usually after a few minutes, things kind of settle down in the airwaves or something, and then the connection settles down and it's okay, even if it starts out not being so good. But that's probably only about the second or third time in four years, that we've had to reschedule because of a bad connection. So it really doesn't happen very often in my experience.

Tim: Do all your students have lessons online or do you also teach one-on-one in your studio?

Melody: Most of my students are one-on-one in my studio, but they do all have online lessons occasionally for snow days, or if I'm not feeling well or if one of their siblings isn't feeling well. So we incorporate it all the time with every student in my studio.

Tim: How many students have regular ones or only Skype lessons? Is it just that one girl or just a couple?

Melody: Just the one right now. I've had a few other students, I had an adult student who took Skype lessons for I guess about a year from me. Then she got a new job, so she didn't have time anymore. But it was a lot of fun working with that adult on Skype...

TTTV051: Audiation in Action with Andy Mullen

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 10:39:00 +1000

[powerpress]

This month has been Music Learning Theory month on topmusic.co and with that has come a lot of talk about audiation. But what is audiation really? What does it mean and how does it look in a teaching context?

If we want students to take full ownership or musical concepts and patterns, they should be able to audiate them. We don't want them just imitating what they've heard, parroting back the melody or harmony or definition. We want them to fully grasp it right through to their core.

Andrew Mullen discovered Music Learning Theory through the choral training of James Jordan. It made a lot of sense to him, and so he started exploring further. He now teaches middle schoolers using this approach, and his students have reaped the benefits of a true understanding of music.

In fact, he's about to transition over his whole school district to MLT teaching!

In today's podcast, Andrew is giving us a great insight into what MLT looks (and sounds!) like in a practical context. Andrew's enthusiasm for MLT is contagious, and I can tell his classes must be great fun as well as educational. I hope you'll take a listen to hear some of his fantastic teaching in action!

Transcript

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In this episode, you’ll learn

How a class based on Dr. Gordon's ideas might look
Why audiation is important
The difference between imitation and audiation
What Andrew's audiation station videos are designed to do
The importance of always being able to find the resting tone
The basics of theMLT syllable system
Why rhythm patterns are organised into a syllable system in MLT
The benefits Andrew has seen for his students since utilising MLT

Links Mentioned

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Thank you for Tuning In!

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Can your students audiate?

Would they be able to identify the home note or whether a chord was tonic or dominant?

Which of Andrew's activities are you excited to try with your students? Do you like the way rhythm is simplified in MLT? Or perhaps how solfa is incorporated?

Full Transcript

Tim: All right. Andy, welcome to the call finally. Great to have you on the show.

Andrew: Thanks, Tim. It's a pleasure to be here, pleasure to talk with you. I love all the stuff that you've done for the piano world and the music education world at large. So it's just a real pleasure to talk with you.

Tim: Brilliant. Well, look and for those of you who are listening and not watching, you'll notice that Andy sounds incredibly professional. I think this is one of the professional interviewees I've had on here. But you'll find out why a bit later on when we discuss some of the videos that he's put together for you guys. So let's first talk about how you personally got into Music Learning Theory, because you're not only teaching it to your students, you're actually...I think you're a presenter, is that right? Or you've certainly had to study from the Gordon Institute

Andrew: A lot of that is right. About five years ago, I took an online course with the noted choral pedagogue, James Jordan, and I don't know if you've heard of him, but he's a pretty crackerjack teacher, and he uses Music Learning Theory as probably one of the main foundations of his whole practice. And so, after reading a lot of his materials, he kept making reference to this Edwin Gordon guy and to this monster book "Learning Sequences in Music" by Dr. Gordon. It's a big one.

Tim: Oh my goodness, that is thick. I didn't realize that. I can tell that it's pretty heavy reading.

Andrew: It's a heavy reading literally and figuratively. So I thought I would go right to the source, and I bought the book and I made it about two chapters in and just didn't understand any of it. So I bought these lecture CDs, which I would highly recommend to anybody. They're sold by GIA, which is the publishing company that publishes all of Dr. Gordon's work. And there's a half hour lecture that's associated with each chapter, and it just, everything really, really hit home. Listening to Dr. Gordon speak is a lot easier than actually reading him. So I would recommend that to anybody who's interested in Music Learning Theory.

There are some lectures that are available actually for free on the Gordon Institute of Music Learning Theory University of South Carolina website. We can link to that later on. But that's really how I got started. I have about a half hour, 45 minute commute. So I spent a lot of time in the car just listening to the old guy talk, and it just really, really hit home. And he just said all the problems that I was having in music education, and he has answers. He has answers to many of those questions, and many of those problems that we have.

So you know, just listening and listening, and listening, and then more books and listening again and MLT, Music Learning Theory, is like you know, peeling back an onion. There's just the layers just never ever, ever, ever stop. So it's been a really exciting journey for me, and I'm happy to be now presenting all that stuff that I've learned to the world at large.

Tim: Fantastic. And so, what kind of teaching do you do today, these days?

Andrew: Currently, I teach middle school general music. I have sixth and seventh graders. Is that what you call it there? Year six and...

Tim: Yeah so about 12, 13-year-olds?

Andrew: Yeah, early teenagers. And I teach keyboard to sixth graders and guitar to seventh graders, you know, as well as just general musicianship. And I have two choruses, a big chorus and a more select chorus. And I do a little fiddle, a little banjo, and I have a rock band at the school. And yes, it's a great opportunity to implement MLT in a number of different areas.

Tim: And the great thing is that the concepts work for small groups, for individual, for classroom, so even though we're talking to you, you're a classroom specialist effectively, I guess, in the Middle East. All of the stuff that we're talking about can apply to any instrumental lesson, right?

Andrew: Yeah there's Gordon certifications, and there's one for early childhood. There's a whole mess of early childhood materials, and resources, and certifications. There's elementary general, which is the level that I just took last week. There's instrumental one, as you know, you talked with Marilyn Lowe. There's a piano one. So it's, yeah, as you say, it applies to individual students and groups as well.

Tim: Right. Well, look we've had a lot of posts this week and some podcasts as well about Music Learning Theory. And a lot of the talk is regarding this concept of audiation, which is a term that Dr. Gordon actually coined, I believe. And it's really, really crucial. But I think without seeing it in action, it's quite hard to understand. So I'm really excited to have you on the talk specifically about audiation but to also share with my viewers some of your videos, which are just brilliant in actually getting a feel for these. So what I'm gonna do now is just jump in. We're gonna listen to part of one of Andy's audiation station videos. And you can talk a little bit more about it afterwards. But would you recommend the teachers who are listening to this for the first time or watching it what should they do as they're listing or watching?

Andrew: I think they should start at the beginning.

Tim: Yep.

Andrew: That's what I think that they should do. They should start at the beginning. Gordon is fond of saying things like there's no correct chronological age, there is a musical age. So you never really know what your musical age is until you start back at the beginning.

Tim: Cool, all right. Well, let's have a quick listen to one of Andy's first videos.

All right, so Andy, tell us a little bit about what we've just heard and how we can actually use this in my audiences, as piano teachers, how we can apply it to the teaching that we're doing without having to go through all the process of having all the training. Are there things that we can do tomorrow with our students?

Andrew: Absolutely. Music Learning Theory teaches with what is called a whole part whole philosophy, W-H-O-L-E part, traditional spelling, and then whole, W-H-O-L-E. The whole, the first whole, is the context that we're in. So the context being a tonality or a meter. The parts of it are what we refer to in MLT is tonal patterns and rhythm patterns. And then once we've listened to the whole dissected it for parts, tonal patterns and rhythm patterns, which are the words of music, then the whole begins to make a lot more sense. We understand the context of the content. For example, if we just have bum, bum, that's just a total pattern that's out there in the world, bum bum. But there's no context to it. We can take bum bum, and we can give it this context. Now, that has more context. But say, we give it a different context. Well, now, that has a different context. Now, we're in minor tonality. We could be in Phrygian tonality, you never know. We could be in Dorian tonality, but we're getting a lot close.

Tim: Let's stick with [inaudible 00:08:00]

Andrew: Yeah, all right fine. We'll stick with mine [SP]. But I think too often as teachers, we give our students a lot of context without context, and they just become imitators.

Tim: You mean content without context, or did you mean to say context without context?

Andrew: I meant to say the right one, which is the way I think you said that.

Tim: We give content without context.

Andrew: Without context, yes. And they become imitators, and they don't become audiators. And you need audiation in order to say something musically.

Tim: And so, part of this is about the fact that if they are given that context, of let's say the major tonality, we want students to be able to go bum, bum, bum. Sorry, it's like 6:00 a.m. here, bum, bum, bum. We want them to be able to hear that resting tone. The tonality of the key, right?

Andrew: Absolutely. In Music Learning Theory, in the practical application of Music Learning Theory, we're constantly asking students to provide that resting tone. We always want our students to be able to provide the resting tone because without the resting tone, we don't have good intonation. We're constantly comparing whatever it is what we're doing to the resting tone, and that doesn't really make too much of a difference in piano because you know, everything is tune. But for most other instruments violin, and horns, you know, you really, really need to have a good sense of intonation. And so, what the audiation station videos do is and what we just heard, is it's the parts.

It takes students through just some very basic parts. In the audiation station, I plan to take students through major and minor tonalities, duple and triple meters, and teach everybody...teach students, the one chord, and the five-chord in both tonalities. And for students to be able to understand big beats, little beats, divisions, and the space in between. So that's my goal, and so what we just heard was effectively just one little snippet of parts that students should be able to take and practice and eventually reproduce and eventually, eventually, hopefully, not too eventually, improvise with. And I think that's one of the most important things we can do for our students is to teach them how to improvise.

Tim: So if I was a seven-year-old coming into your music class, what would the first five minutes be all about?

Andrew: This means audiate. Don't do anything just audiate. Listen to my song. Move like me. Now, you can't see my feet, but I'm...Move like me. Then move like me. Little beats on the lap like this. You're doing like the quick version for you. Then put them together.

Tim: So you're tapping the feet. Is that what you're doing that we can't see?

Andrew: That's right. Yeah, shall I move my feet?

Tim: No, it's fine.

Andrew: Okay. So big beats are in the feet. Little beats are in the lap with what we call spider fingers. Then we try to put them together. Move like me. Together now. Et cetera.

Tim: And all this time they're just listening, no vocal as yet?

Andrew: Not yet, no. This is the whole part whole philosophy. They're getting the whole, the whole, the whole, the whole, the whole, lots of times. But the same sense, we're comparing the whole against the parts. What are the parts? Big beats.

Tim: Which we'd call crotchets, I guess, or whole notes? Whole notes? No.

Andrew: Whole notes is a bad, bad word in Music Learning Theory.

Tim: Is it? Why is that?

Andrew: Because that's what we would call in the business a theoretical understanding. We want to start with labels that are kind of devoid of theory. So big beats and little bits together. So we've isolated a couple of rhythmic elements. We still have the big whole. Then we talk about flow. We don't talk about flow. We do flow. Flow is very, very important because flow is the space in between the beats. So we do it again. Listen to my song, and we do little flow. As much as they will do, sometimes they're a little leery about flowing way too much. So those are some rhythmic elements then we do some tonal elements. Listen to my song and whenever I stop, I want you to sing. They'll all say bam. We haven't labeled it anything because we're still in what's called ro ro [SP] in through the ears out through the mouth and back in, which is a little bit challenging because it's a five-chord function. And they have to kind of go back to one bum. And then we do, let it linger bum, let it linger, bum.

Tim: Good, very nice.

Tim: How did it get it, did I get it well?

Andrew: It is a great bum, great bum.

Tim: Well, thanks.

Andrew: And then we say something like, "Now, you've heard that song about 1,700 times could you please audiate the song. Can you please raise your hand when you are done audiating the song?" Audiate. And then they'll raise their hand when they're done. And then now, you've heard me sing a song about 1,700 times I bet you'd like to sing this song, yay. Ready, sing. There was one kid with a changed voice and mixing and then we do something like, I had this kind of all dial up here ready to go. I would love for you to sing it and then for me to sing something else, but I don't think that it would jive in the space-time continuum.

Tim: We could try. Do you wanna try?

Andrew: All right. Let's try it. So you sing the song, and I'm gonna sing a different song. I'm gonna call it my song, ready, sing.

Tim: Well, that's gonna be fascinating to listening back to it or really awful.

Andrew: So effectively, you're singing the melody and I'm singing the baseline. I'm providing the harmony for them. And then I divide the class in half and one-half would sing the melody then the other half would sing the code roots, the harmonic functions. And then we would switch, and they would their very first really true musical experience with melody, and rhythm, and harmony all together. Now, I talked a lot. In reality that would take about, you know, depending upon the length of the song, three, four, five, minutes. And it's a really, really great introduction to Music Learning Theory. And that's really what I was trying to provide in the A tune videos, is listening opportunities for individuals to be able to listen and pick out melody, and pick out rhythm, and pick out harmony, and have those kinds of musical experiences.

Tim: It's such a great overview. I really, really love that you've got and demonstrated this for us because it really puts it into perspective. You can read only you want of that audiation but to actually hear someone who knows what they're doing actually do it, I think it's brilliant. So I actually reckon we might have a listen to one of your attunes right now. So this is this is a chance for all the teachers watching to actually participate in exactly the activity you've just described, right?

Andrew: Absolutely. And there's a video that's at the beginning of the playlist, which kind of gives you directions and challenges you and charges with what you should be doing with these attune videos.

Tim: Okay, to save us worrying about that now, can you give them a quick overview of what they should be doing when we're about to listen to this one now. We won't play the whole thing but just a...