I love this time of year. I love the music. I do christmas mystery songs for my students to try and guess which song it is. I also start them working on a song for a December recital. I like doing them at nursing homes to bring cheer to the older folks, and it's a free piano spot. It seems to be pretty informal so the nerves don't creep up too much. I team up with another teacher so there is a variety of music. Then after the program we give the students candy canes to congratulate their great job.
My mom would have a "Christmas party" with no parents. She would do games, have treats and the kids would play their songs for the other students. My favorite game was the newspaper game. You roll up a newspaper and everyone has a different Christmas name. Then you call out the names before the "it" person hits you on the head with the newspaper. We loved the game, and the party. It was always a blast.
As far as gifts go, I've made piano bags, classical music CDs, let them pick an extra prize, and treats of course. What do you do for Christmas?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Composers
I find the life of composers fascinating! I have been listening to an audio lecture called, "How to listen to and understand great music" by Professor Robert Greenberg of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. It has been very enlightening to do dishes to:) I've learned that Tchaivosky was afraid that his head would fall off while conducting, so he would hold on to his head with one hand and lead with another. I learned that Debussy preferred the company of cats to people, and Mozart was not as crazy as the movie Amadeus made him out to be.
I loved this series for also explaining the different styles of German, Italian, and French music. They correlate with their language. German is sharp with lots of consonants and so is their music. Italians have a perfect blend of consonants and vowels, and their music focuses on relationships. French language is full of vowels. You often cannot tell where one word ends and the other begins and the same is true of their music...there isn't a defined beat. It's very flowy. This is generalizing and paraphrasing, but it helped me to recognize the differences and appreciate the beauty of each style of music.
I loved this series for also explaining the different styles of German, Italian, and French music. They correlate with their language. German is sharp with lots of consonants and so is their music. Italians have a perfect blend of consonants and vowels, and their music focuses on relationships. French language is full of vowels. You often cannot tell where one word ends and the other begins and the same is true of their music...there isn't a defined beat. It's very flowy. This is generalizing and paraphrasing, but it helped me to recognize the differences and appreciate the beauty of each style of music.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Your own Children
I read a great article about your own children in piano here. It really made me think about our recent adventures that my daughter and I have had. She and I have been trying to have piano lessons every week. I even went to the extent of setting an alarm on my phone once a week. Despite my best intentions, we had a piano lesson about once a month, and usually there was an episode of tears involved. I get perplexed when no fun is involved, and my daughter is a perfectionist that expects to get things perfect from the beginning. The two of us don't see eye-to-eye very well. Then about 3 months ago, I worked out an arrangement with another piano teacher friend of mine. I teach her daughter and she teaches mine! She is much more disciplined and expects more from her students. I am more into my students having fun and enjoying the process. I think our differences really compliment each other, and both of our daughters are reaping the benefits.
My daughter is 8 and her teacher believed she could learn all of her scales and other requirements in 2 months for an upcoming "Piano Achievement Days" at our local music store. Not only did she succeed, but she earned a medallion for exceptional performance!! I was so proud of her accomplishment and the high expectations that her teacher had for her. Even though there were tears in our practicing sessions, the deadline motivated both of us to overcome the bumps. Now she does enjoy her medallion and her memorized pieces. I think it is great to have another perspective, sounding board, and mentor for your children.
Does anyone have good suggestions for how they help their children practice? I'd love some feedback on that subject. We are still narrowing down a routine:)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Expanding your knowledge base
Lately, I have been trying to expand my knowledge of music. The library is a great FREE resource. I found some great audio books on CD called "How to listen to and understand great Music." There are 8 volumes with 8 CDs in each. I have just finished the first volume. I listen to them while cleaning or doing dishes. It's been a great thing to start for me. I enjoy learning as much as I can as conveniently as possible. I have also made some kits after expanding my knowledge on different musical aspects.
So if you want to expand and create supplements, I'd love to hear what subject you choose and how you incorporate it into lessons!
So if you want to expand and create supplements, I'd love to hear what subject you choose and how you incorporate it into lessons!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Marketing
I think the best way to market is to network. Find out who the piano teachers are, and if they have a waiting list, ask for referrals. I now have 6 students! Some came from flyers, friends, craigslist, and the referrals I was talking about.
It's interesting to be in a new phase. I now have 4 adult students and 2 children. I love teaching each age group. They are very different and rewarding in their own ways. If you want to target a group, you can specify it on flyers.
How do you market?
It's interesting to be in a new phase. I now have 4 adult students and 2 children. I love teaching each age group. They are very different and rewarding in their own ways. If you want to target a group, you can specify it on flyers.
How do you market?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Supplements
I like to add something to the summer months to keep my students guessing...Last year I had to recycle my ideas.
One year I researched some famous composers and found a picture, some interesting facts and a song of theirs. That Christmas I made CD's with all the songs they heard over the summer. I learned some things I didn't think was appropriate to share, but it sure was great. I would like to put it all together and offer it as a kit for those that would like to use it for their students. February was the time that I started researching for the summer.
Another year I did a unit on American music styles. Blues, Jazz, Country, Tejana, Folk, etc. And I found a lot of the very first recorded songs on playlist.com! It was really cool! I wanted to have the students get a feel for the style of music that they loved and find out how it started. I don't know if they thought it was as cool as I did, but it was fun for them to listen to the songs. I found most of the information from this unit out of one book from the library. I'll have to look it up!
If you have any ideas for some fun supplemental units, please share!!
One year I researched some famous composers and found a picture, some interesting facts and a song of theirs. That Christmas I made CD's with all the songs they heard over the summer. I learned some things I didn't think was appropriate to share, but it sure was great. I would like to put it all together and offer it as a kit for those that would like to use it for their students. February was the time that I started researching for the summer.
Another year I did a unit on American music styles. Blues, Jazz, Country, Tejana, Folk, etc. And I found a lot of the very first recorded songs on playlist.com! It was really cool! I wanted to have the students get a feel for the style of music that they loved and find out how it started. I don't know if they thought it was as cool as I did, but it was fun for them to listen to the songs. I found most of the information from this unit out of one book from the library. I'll have to look it up!
If you have any ideas for some fun supplemental units, please share!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Practice, Practice, Practice
Hey there, I want to deliver what I promised. My mother was a piano teacher and I had the opportunity to observe the progress of more than 30 students at a time.
One in particular stands out among all the rest. Her name was Shauna. She would practice faithfully every day for 30 minutes. She started almost a year after me. She was my age, and I thought that I had a "head start," but I did not consistently practice everyday. Because she did, she excelled at everything, and even got to the point that my mom told her it was time to find a new teacher because she taught her everything she knew! Most of the others did alright, but none were as consistent as Shauna. I think there are different techniques you can teach, but the main thing is being consistent! One way I like to keep track is by that calendar with recorded times every week, another way would be to check off the progress of the songs they know well.
So have your students figure out the best time for them to practice everyday. I like to have them "demonstrate" their practice routines with me, like I wasn't there. It's very enlightening to find out how they view your words of wisdom.
I think another thing that is very motivating, is finding out what "their piece" is. My mom told my brother that he could quit piano when he learned a Chopin Nocturne that was a demo on the keyboard. When he could play that like the demo, then he could quit. And her technique worked. He is an amazing pianist today thanks to the goal that was placed before him. Now that he knows not only the nocturne, but many other impressive pieces, he doesn't want to quit! My daughter wants to learn "heart and soul" by the end of this year, and she has already learned the top hand! Goals are motivating. It would be great to see what song your student wants to learn, whether it be a classical sonatina, or the latest pop sensation on the radio. When they get to play what they WANT to play, they practice because they know the end result is going to be enjoyable! So figure out with your student what their "goal" is for the year, or when they finally can "quit" piano. You can get the parents in on the fun too, by giving you insights to the type of music they listen to, or the songs they love to play over and over and over again. Give them the freedom to explore...If they don't know what to explore, then you can help guide them to many different types of music to find out what their "song" is. My song surprised even me! It was a contemporary rain forest song!
One in particular stands out among all the rest. Her name was Shauna. She would practice faithfully every day for 30 minutes. She started almost a year after me. She was my age, and I thought that I had a "head start," but I did not consistently practice everyday. Because she did, she excelled at everything, and even got to the point that my mom told her it was time to find a new teacher because she taught her everything she knew! Most of the others did alright, but none were as consistent as Shauna. I think there are different techniques you can teach, but the main thing is being consistent! One way I like to keep track is by that calendar with recorded times every week, another way would be to check off the progress of the songs they know well.
So have your students figure out the best time for them to practice everyday. I like to have them "demonstrate" their practice routines with me, like I wasn't there. It's very enlightening to find out how they view your words of wisdom.
I think another thing that is very motivating, is finding out what "their piece" is. My mom told my brother that he could quit piano when he learned a Chopin Nocturne that was a demo on the keyboard. When he could play that like the demo, then he could quit. And her technique worked. He is an amazing pianist today thanks to the goal that was placed before him. Now that he knows not only the nocturne, but many other impressive pieces, he doesn't want to quit! My daughter wants to learn "heart and soul" by the end of this year, and she has already learned the top hand! Goals are motivating. It would be great to see what song your student wants to learn, whether it be a classical sonatina, or the latest pop sensation on the radio. When they get to play what they WANT to play, they practice because they know the end result is going to be enjoyable! So figure out with your student what their "goal" is for the year, or when they finally can "quit" piano. You can get the parents in on the fun too, by giving you insights to the type of music they listen to, or the songs they love to play over and over and over again. Give them the freedom to explore...If they don't know what to explore, then you can help guide them to many different types of music to find out what their "song" is. My song surprised even me! It was a contemporary rain forest song!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Advertising
The first thing I did was tell everyone that I teach piano. I told my church, school associates, neighbors, etc. Then, I have been posting flyers anywhere there are community bulletins (the library, the arts building, rec center, and at a group get together.) I also put an ad in the paper, but no calls from that. I posted an ad on craigslist and got a call from that avenue. In looking for a flyer, I found a great resource with a readymade template to use. This blog is called "Color in my piano" and she has great templates for a variety of different forms a piano teacher could use. I know I will be visiting this one more often!
In the past, I know the best way to advertise for students is word of mouth...the hard part in moving to somewhere new is getting that first student. From that point on, it seems to take on a life of it's own. As long as you love what you do, success will come to you! Students feel that you care and you are good at teaching them, their parents will see that and refer you to other people looking!
Has anyone tried different ways to advertise that brought them great success?
In the past, I know the best way to advertise for students is word of mouth...the hard part in moving to somewhere new is getting that first student. From that point on, it seems to take on a life of it's own. As long as you love what you do, success will come to you! Students feel that you care and you are good at teaching them, their parents will see that and refer you to other people looking!
Has anyone tried different ways to advertise that brought them great success?
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