The Teach Piano Today Podcast

We’re just going to go ahead and assume you’re a Piano Guys fan… and, as their videos have been watched 300 million times, I’m also going to assume you’ve watched more than one!  They are truly an inspirational group and a rapidly growing phenomenon in the music industry. One-on-one with “The Piano Guy” It was […]

We're just going to go ahead and assume you're a Piano Guys fan... and, as their videos have been watched 300 million times, I'm also going to assume you've watched more than one!  They are truly an inspirational group and a rapidly growing phenomenon in the music industry. One-on-one with "The Piano Guy" It was a huge honor (and a "bucket list moment") for me to have the opportunity to chat one-on-one with The Piano Guys', Jon Schmidt.  Trevor and I first had the opportunity to get to know Jon during the International Week of the Piano Geek online conference we hosted last spring where Jon and the rest of the Piano Guys hopped onto the TeachPianoToday Facebook page for a live Q&A session. But while our conversations in the past were "all things Piano Guys"... my most recent conversation with Jon was about piano teaching. Have a listen to the TeachPianoToday Podcast Episode 13 where Jon and I discuss his take on keeping teenage piano students motivated both from the perspective of a music celebrity, and as a teacher himself.  As true masters of motivational music, the insights given by The Piano Guys are words you'll want to take to heart. Keeping Teen Piano Students Motivated Jon and I chat about teen motivation, the challenges that teaching pop music presents, ways to make pop music work for your piano teaching studio and much, much, more. You'll also gain insights into The Piano Guys' newest projects (they have a brand new album out called A Family Christmas and a matching music book that is hot off the press - find both on Amazon).  Hear from Jon himself about what's next for The Piano Guys! After listening to the podcast, you can cruise through all of the piano guys videos, sheet music, albums, music books and more at their website.  Be sure to like them on Facebook too - they'll bring some regular hilarity to your news feed! Winners From Yesterday's Giveaway: Congratulations to Patrick and Wendiann who will soon be receiving a copy of our resource Shhhh... Your Piano Teacher Thinks This Is Practice! Click Below To Listen Now Visit our iTunes page to download or listen to the podcast or select one of the choices below.

We’re just going to go ahead and assume you’re a Piano Guys fan… and, as their videos have been watched 300 million times, I’m also going to assume you’ve watched more than one!  They are truly an inspirational group and a rapidly growing phenomenon in the music industry. One-on-one with “The Piano Guy” It was […]

This our 12th Episode of the Teach Piano Today Podcast and we’re excited to introduce you to Pat Hensely.  Pat is a National Board Certified Special Needs Specialist and is on the National Board of Directors for the Council for Exceptional Children.  We’re chatting with her today to give piano teachers some valuable insights into […]

This our 12th Episode of the Teach Piano Today Podcast and we're excited to introduce you to Pat Hensely.  Pat is a National Board Certified Special Needs Specialist and is on the National Board of Directors for the Council for Exceptional Children.  We're chatting with her today to give piano teachers some valuable insights into how to motivate and engage students with learning differences. Tips for Teaching Piano to Kids with Special Needs Most piano teachers have encountered a student with learning differences, and we're often left wondering what strategies we can use to best serve the unique needs of these children. As piano teachers, we're not often specifically trained in this area of education, and so we may feel ill-equipped to adjust our teaching practices to fit what our student may need. Pat is here today to share her 30 years of expertise in this area, and to give piano teachers some concrete ideas you can use tomorrow to adapt the way you teach in order to motivate and engage these students.  Listen in as she shares: Her 3 biggest pieces of advice for piano teachers who are teaching a child with special needs for the very first time. Her most effective strategies and tools for meeting the needs children with learning differences. The questions every piano teacher should be asking the parents. And MUCH more! Whether you've taught special needs children for years, or if you're a newbie to this area of piano teaching, you'll definitely learn something from Pat's many years of special education experience. Links We Mention: Pat's mention of the iPad app (Classdojo) that can help track student behavior can be found here Our really effective strategy for students who need a visual schedule and a reward system can be found here. Pat's personal blog with vast amounts of information can be found here. Listen Below Click play below or download the podcast in iTunes to listen now.  If you enjoy the podcast, we so appreciate it if you could leave us a 5 star rating in iTunes!

This our 12th Episode of the Teach Piano Today Podcast and we’re excited to introduce you to Pat Hensely.  Pat is a National Board Certified Special Needs Specialist and is on the National Board of Directors for the Council for Exceptional Children.  We’re chatting with her today to give piano teachers some valuable insights into […]

If these 3 words strike fear into your very soul… then you’re not alone!  Improvising, chording and composing with piano students is something that many piano teachers avoid simply because it feels like uncharted territory. Teaching without a book can seem difficult… until now! During this podcast, we’re chatting with Karen Gibson and she’s here […]

If these 3 words strike fear into your very soul... then you're not alone!  Improvising, chording and composing with piano students is something that many piano teachers avoid simply because it feels like uncharted territory. Teaching without a book can seem difficult... until now! During this podcast, we're chatting with Karen Gibson and she's here to discuss how she dove right in and added improv, chording and composing to piano lessons with all of her students. She'll share why she decided to add this aspect to her teaching, and how she went about adding improv and composing to lessons with all ages of students. Karen also gives her top 3 tips for getting started with improvising with your piano students and discusses the difference it has made to her piano teaching studio (she currently teaches over 50 students). Set Your Piano Students Free Adding improv, chording and composing to your piano lessons can be a freeing experience for both you and your piano student.  Not only do they help your piano students to really connect with their lessons, but it also provides some great "teachable moments" in terms of piano theory, technique and building the muscle memory they need for more difficult repertoire down the road.  Popular music is really becoming... well.. popular!  And for your piano students to approach this in an authentic and efficient way, learning to teach chording and improv is a must. If you'd like to download this podcast, or our previous 10 Podcast Episodes, to your iPod or smart phone find us in the iTunes store by searching "Teach Piano Today". If you love the idea of composing with your piano students and truly giving them a feeling of ownership and connection to their music... but you really just like to have a book... then we've got the resource for you!  The Curious Case of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff gives you 12 rock-solid composing lessons that will have your kids creating great pieces from week 1! Click Below To Listen Now!

If these 3 words strike fear into your very soul… then you’re not alone!  Improvising, chording and composing with piano students is something that many piano teachers avoid simply because it feels like uncharted territory. Teaching without a book can seem difficult… until now! During this podcast, we’re chatting with Karen Gibson and she’s here […]

Have you ever told someone you are a piano teacher and then had them immediately ask “And what do you do for work?”. If so, you are familiar with the struggle faced by many piano teachers; where your business is actually perceived as a hobby. Having your piano studio clients perceive you in this way […]

Have you ever told someone you are a piano teacher and then had them immediately ask "And what do you do for work?". If so, you are familiar with the struggle faced by many piano teachers; where your business is actually perceived as a hobby. Having your piano studio clients perceive you in this way is definitely something you want to avoid if you are looking to grow your studio, avoid common problems and headaches, and create a successful business.  You may be wondering why this perception is even there in the first place; and what you can possibly do to avoid it. Heaps Of Success and a Bustling Studio Listen in as we discuss this topic with piano teacher, Becky Hooper from Arkansas.  Becky recognized this common pitfall in her own studio and has made some really positive changes to her studio which has resulted in heaps of success and a full and bustling studio. Becky shares her ideas on why the "Piano Teaching Hobby" perception exists, and gives advice on how to make just a few simple changes to your business practices in order to truly be taken seriously and to be treated as the professional that you are. Find out how Becky avoids common "piano teacher headaches", how she learned the value in being adaptable, how she uses technology to boost her professionalism and more! Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned piano teacher there are many great take-aways and reminders in this Podcast.  Remember you can now find this podcast in iTunes by searching "Teach Piano Today" in the iTunes store. If you've realized that you really do need to tune up your business practices, our piano teaching guide book is a great place to start!  It's a small investment that will definitely pay off as you learn how to make positive changes to your studio immediately. Click Below To Listen Now

Have you ever told someone you are a piano teacher and then had them immediately ask “And what do you do for work?”. If so, you are familiar with the struggle faced by many piano teachers; where your business is actually perceived as a hobby. Having your piano studio clients perceive you in this way […]

It’s Teach Piano Today Podcast Episode 9 and we’re continuing our Success Series, bringing you insights, advice and ideas from piano teachers around the world who are doing fabulous things in their piano teaching studios.  Today we’re chatting piano theory; specifically how to effectively include it in your lessons in a way that is meaningful […]

It’s Teach Piano Today Podcast Episode 9 and we’re continuing our Success Series, bringing you insights, advice and ideas from piano teachers around the world who are doing fabulous things in their piano teaching studios.  Today we’re chatting piano theory; specifically how to effectively include it in your lessons in a way that is meaningful […]

It's Teach Piano Today Podcast Episode 9 and we're continuing our Success Series, bringing you insights, advice and ideas from piano teachers around the world who are doing fabulous things in their piano teaching studios.  Today we're chatting piano theory; specifically how to effectively include it in your lessons in a way that is meaningful and memorable. If there's ever someone who has this down pat it's Austin, Texas teacher Kristen Smith. To say she's embraced the concept of inventive theory instruction is an understatement! Listen in as Kristen explains how teaching piano theory has directly contributed to the amazing success of her piano studio. Theory and a Whole Lot More! But this isn't simply a discussion of how to make teaching piano theory fun, you'll also gain insight into how Kristen takes a very systematic and organized approach to adding theory to her piano lessons.  If you've ever found yourself reaching for a random theory game just to fill time, you'll want to keep her words of wisdom in mind. And while Kristen has spent a lot of her own personal time creating theory materials for her students, we know that many of you are super busy and just don't have the time to spend to do this.  If Kristen's words inspire you to add piano theory to your studio in a new and inventive way, then our resource "Pssst....Your Piano Teacher Thinks This is Theory" is a great way to do so.  Not only are the 88 activities completely memorable, engaging and motivating, but they're also organized in a way that will allow you to immediately add piano theory to your lessons in a way that makes sense (and is ridiculously fun!) We also wanted to remind you that this podcast can now be found in the iTunes store (still a free download) to allow you to easily add it to your iPod or smart phone.  Just search "Teach Piano Today" in the iTunes store.  We are so very thankful to all of you who submitted 5 star ratings last week (and if you'd like to do so again for us we'd be so appreciative).  In fact... we landed in iTunes' list of "New and Noteworthy" Podcasts this weekend, and to say this was exciting news for us is an understatement! So pop us on your iPod, hit your jogging trail or (if it's raining like it is here... your treadmill) and have a listen to this week's podcast; prepare to kiss those old note spellers goodbye! Click Play Below To Listen Now