All too often, we piano teachers can become overwhelmed with “what to do next” in our studios. We might ask ourselves questions like, “What new ideas are out there? What could I be doing better?”
In the spirit of noticing what’s going right in our studios, Wendy set the theme for Idea Share #14 – “What are you doing right now in your studio that’s working well?” And what a joy it was to see the responses from teachers pouring in! Everyone left the August 2024 webinar feeling a little lighter than when we arrived!
If you missed the August 2024 “Celebrating the Best New Autumn Music” webinar, we introduced beautiful new music from Wendy and Jason Sifford, from early elementary to intermediate. To see all the details, read the “New 2024 Autumn and Halloween Music Releases” blog post!
Idea Share #14: What are you doing right now in your studio that’s working well?
Teachers shared uplifting insights – here are a few:
- Brenda: For our Halloween recital this year, we are doing all ensembles, trios and duets instead of solo pieces. My students are excited to work with one another. It also will give us more time to play Ghost Bingo and have snacks! Fun!
- Annette: I ask my students what they want to improve on their pieces. It helps them own their goals instead of hearing me say the same thing over and over again.
- Jason Sifford: Jason uses an animal-themed page marker (with drawn on fangs!) to illustrate wrist rotation. He places the animal page marker onto the students wrist and asks the student to “make it dance”!
You can get ALL the ideas teachers shared here:
What’s a Piano Teaching Idea Share?
If this is your first time reading about our Idea Shares, here’s an overview:
During the webinar, we ask teachers to answer a question that we think would benefit all piano teachers. After receiving answers from both webinar sessions, we compile them all into a free downloadable PDF so that you have access to ideas from the entire ComposeCreate® piano teaching community!
Idea Shares 1-13 can be found here:
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #1- Encouraging books, creative ideas, injecting energy, online games
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #2 – How teachers are lightening their load
- Rhythm Idea Share #3 – Teaching rhythm
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #4 – Gadgets and gizmos, lifesaving ideas, marketing ideas
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #5 – Taking care of yourself and Energizing Ideas
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #6 – What are you excited about and Best Marketing Tips
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #7 – Student holiday gift suggestions and Making the holidays less stressful
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #8 – What new things are you doing and Adding a Composer of the Month to your studio
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #9 – How does surprise enhance students’ learning?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #10 – How would you introduce this piece to students?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #11 – How can we make holiday recitals easier?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #12 – 2024 Excitement and How do you connect music and art?
- Piano Teaching Idea Share #13 – Favorite Office Supplies for Teaching
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