When I first began teaching piano over 20 years ago, one of the first books that landed on my shelf of must-have piano teaching reference material was Jane Magrath’s Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature. It was my go-to as students moved into intermediate level playing and I wanted to be sure to […]
Free Music Rhythm Pattern Flashcards
Since we’re especially focusing on developing and improving rhythm skills with our practice incentive theme this year, I’ve been on the lookout for additional rhythm resources to add to our studio collection. I recently came across the fabulous website of Ashley Danyew and love some of the resources she has available! She has a set […]
ArrangeMe – A Platform for Publishing and Selling Your Own Compositions and Arrangements
Many years ago one of my 7-year old boy students was dying to play the theme of The Last of the Mohicans on the piano. The problem? He was still in the first half of the Piano Adventures primer level, so there was no way he could make sense of any of the sheet music […]
My Latest Greatest Teaching Gadget – Dry Erase Dice
I didn’t know exactly how I was going to use them when I saw them the other day, but I just couldn’t pass up this pair of dry erase dice! As I told my sister the other day, you know you’re in trouble when you see something cool when you’re out shopping and you stand […]
Free Piano Improvisation Training
Looking for some improvisation inspiration? Tomorrow morning from 10:00-10:45 (PST), Paula Dreyer, of the fabulous Little Gems for Piano book series, is offering a free training for anyone who wants to learn more, and become more adept at, improvising. All participants will receive free piano sheet music and handouts – always a perk! I’ve loved […]
Piano Group Class Game Ideas
We held our first group class of the fall semester this week and it was a ton of fun! With our practice incentive theme of The Aquarium Caper this year, we’re specifically focusing on rhythm skills, so I wanted to be sure to incorporate some fun music rhythm games into the lesson plan. We started […]