The Piano Teaching Idea Share #4 is here! As always, there are hundreds of fantastic ideas and tips for piano teachers.
If you haven’t read or taken part in an Idea Share before, here’s a quick overview: during webinars, we ask teachers 2 or 3 questions pertaining to teaching and being a piano teacher. We receive hundreds of answers, compile them together, and share them in a free downloadable PDF so that everyone in the ComposeCreate® community can benefit from hearing the wisdom and ideas of other teachers!
As Wendy said in our last webinar, “a rising tide lifts all boats”. And teaching can feel isolating, so using tried and true ideas from other teachers isn’t only helpful for teaching, it’s a good reminder that we’re not alone!
Our first Idea Share was all about recitals and games for online lessons. Idea Share #2 gave ideas on self-care and lightening your load. Idea Share #3 was about teaching rhythm. And this Idea Share #4 covers lifesaver ideas and gadgets, plus the best ways to get new students!
Just click the button above to get these ideas straight to your inbox! I always love seeing how many teachers use the same things (30/40 piece challenge, anyone?), but it’s also encouraging and motivating to see a tip or idea that I hadn’t thought of before. Whether you’re new to teaching or would consider yourself a veteran, there’s something to be learned in this Idea Share list!
Here were the questions:
1. What Is Your Favorite Teaching “Gadget or Gizmo”?:
Here are some of my favorite responses:
- Paula: Highlighter tape. It comes in different colors. You can write on it and it easily removes from the music.
- Diana: Animal erasers (Diane Hidy just wrote a post on why these erasers work and how to use them – find it here!).
- Kelly: I love my “teaching assistant” named Hop. He’s just a webkinz frog. They can explain musical concepts to him or teach him note names, etc.
2. What Teaching Idea Has Been A Lifesaver You’ll Continue to Use?
- David: I use the 30/40 Piece Challenge. But I also use badges as collectibles that the students can get to attach to their bags like they might at scouts.
- Laura: Musical tag: I play a section of a student piece, then the student continues when I say “Tag, you’re it!” It works virtually as well as in person. The student has to follow the music, listen, and be able to jump in at the appropriate time.
- Martha: My students have loved your idea of looking for musical symbols in their piece and seeing how many they can name in 30 seconds—I ding the bell for each item. They often ask to do this, and it makes a great theory review.
- Rebecca: “Pocket Songs”. 3 songs that students can play at anytime if someone says, “You play piano? Play something.” And they can just play a song. I designed a jean pocket and we write in the song names and update throughout the year.
3. What Has Been Your Best Way to Get Students In the Last 6 Months?
- Ann: Let your “old and established” local teachers know that you are in town and am taking students. I’m getting lots of new requests because I’ve been teaching 50 years and have a good reputation. I want to help the younger teachers and am happy to refer.
- Deborah: Make sure you have a good Facebook page, then join a Mom’s Facebook Group for your area. Moms will frequently ask about piano teachers in the area and you can respond to them. (My friends the student’s parents always respond and recommend me).
- Katharine: Online recitals with invites to friends from my students. I got a few new students this year from this. Also a music note mask…..lots of questions about it and I get to tell them what I do.
Thank you to everyone who commented or sent in answers! We truly appreciate it, and wouldn’t have this amazing resource without all of yo your ideas. If you have any additional ideas, please include them below!
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