Don’t forget about the opportunity for students to submit questions to Kevin Costley! The deadline is next Tuesday, October 6th!
I’ve come across several new tips for teachers in the last weeks and I just couldn’t wait to share them with you.
Secret Password
Sally Ritchie, the owner of Whirligig Games shared with teachers how she posts a rhythm outside her door and asks the students to knock the correct rhythm to be admitted to their lesson! Of course, you might have to post a few different leveled rhythms for your different levels of students, but one teacher did it this week and called it the “secret password” and reported that it worked beautifully! HT to Karen Koch for sharing this idea. (HT is a “hat tip” for those of you wondering. It is given to people who has drawn attention to or shares something interesting.)
No Makeups
Several of the teachers on the pno-ped-l mailing list shared this week about some of the responses they get when they tell inquiring or current students that they have a “no makeup lessons” policy. Kathleen Gault shared that at the end of her policy, she writes, “”These policy statements are in accord with the most recent recommended professional polices of the Music Teachers’ National Association.” Though it may not change people’s responses, they can at least see that such policies are not abnormal.
Two Must-Read Blogs
I “met” Elissa Milne on Twitter and discovered her fantastic blog which discusses many aspects of piano teaching. Elissa is also a composer and has some great thoughts on composing music for children. You can see a sample of her thought-provoking writing on this post: Scales as Propaganda. Lisa lives in Australia. Some of her books include the Little Peppers Series published by Faber Music. You can follow her on twitter: @Elissa Milne.
Jason Sifford, a composer for FJH has also started a blog called The Piano Pedagogy Page, which contains thought-provoking insights into piano teaching and composing music for students. Go to his home page and scroll down to see all the interesting articles he has written including: Repetition, Repetition, Repetition; The Meaning of Level; Composing for Kids. Jason’s most recent publication is called Gumshoes, which contains excellent jazz pieces for intermediate students.
Excellent writing on both blogs!
