We just completed Piano Teaching Idea Share #6 at the New Music for All Ages Webinar! And even though we asked teachers one of these questions a few years ago, we got some new and insightful answers that gave us some fresh ideas to try!
What’s a Piano Teaching Idea Share?
Don’t know what an Idea Share is? Here’s a quick explanation:
During each webinar, we ask teachers questions that we think the entire ComposeCreate® piano teaching community could benefit from hearing. Once we have all of the answers, we compile them into a free downloadable PDF so that you can have access to the ideas and wisdom of piano teachers from all over the world!
Our other five Idea Shares can be found here – all with fantastic ideas and different perspectives:
- 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
Ideas on Marketing Piano Lessons
Especially exciting were the answers to one of the questions on marketing. We sent out a survey this summer asking teachers whether the economy had affected their studio. While most teachers shared that they hadn’t yet been affected, we wanted to offer ideas to those who had been affected, and as a way to encourage those who may be worried that they will be in the future.
Hence the marketing question during Idea Share 6. There were ideas I’d used myself, ones I had forgotten about, and ideas that I would never have considered on my own!
Here’s a video of this excerpt of the webinar:
Here were the questions and some of my favorite responses:
1. What teaching idea are you most excited about this year?:
- Laura: Setting goals, and having students set their own goals, too.
- Kyle: Using “Science of Reading” concepts such as phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness AND applying them to reading music rather than text. Especially phonics.
- Rebecca: Using this catalog to help a piano adult student who struggles with steady rhythm and pausing at bar lines. Soo excited for this catalog!!
2. What is the best marketing idea that yielded you new students?
- Gail: I admit, my Google page is a treasure. It’s an efficient method of helping families find a piano teacher locally. (I, Amanda, talked about this during the webinar as it has been my best marketing tool as well.)
- Gabrielle: I have great working relationships and friendships with local elementary music teachers and college professors. They often get requests to teach piano lessons, and they don’t have time! Plus, they have often met these students and can offer insight and support!
- Terri: Connecting with local home school groups can bring students earlier in the day!
Thank you to all of our ComposeCreate® teachers who sent in answers! This Idea Share resource is so helpful to teachers, and we are always amazed by your creativity. If you have any ideas, please let us know in the comments!
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