PPP104: Children Need Their Parents To Help Them Through Challenges with Tracy Selle




Piano Parent Podcast show

Summary: <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> PPP104: Tracy Selle <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Piano teacher, Tracy Selle, has been an independent piano teacher in North Texas for 16 years.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Tell Us Your Personal Piano Story <br> <br> <br> <br> Started playing in 3rd grade.Became the pianist of my church when I was 13th. Continued that job through high school.Graduated from VA Tech. I did study some music, but ended up focusing on science and became a TV Meteorologist. But still worked at a church pianist on the side.Once my son was born, I knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. That’s when I transitioned to teaching piano.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Were You A Good Student? <br> <br> <br> <br> Define “good.” Haha!I was REALLY busy with dancing and other activities. I could have practiced more. (Although my mom made sure I DID practice each week.)In hindsight, I think it “forced” me to be a good sight reader.Playing the piano for my church was the very best thing for me as a pianist. It gave me a “purpose” for my music. It also “forced” me to have the music performance – ready each Sunday.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> What is one thing you often say to your piano students? <br> <br> <br> <br> “One more time!” This is a huge joke in my studio because I say it about a dozen times. Students laugh at me because they know it’s never ONE more time. Haha!<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Is there a common struggle your piano parents deal with? How do you help them through it? <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Maybe just finding time to practice. Families are SO busy and parents tend to think that practice has to be a 30 minute session. I try to explain that 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there really adds up. I also stress the importance of consistency.You can read more of Tracy’s practice suggestions in her book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/101-Piano-Practice-Tips-Keyboard-ebook/dp/B00H7LDXJK" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“101 Practice Tips”</a>.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> What keeps you motivated as a teacher? <br> <br> <br> <br> I love reading. Books like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008T1AMCI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&amp;btkr=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Dynamic Studio</a> inspire me.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> I love connecting with other Upbeat teachers on Facebook. (Piano Teachers will be interested in Tracy and her partner Sara Campbell’s website and blog for teachers, <a href="https://upbeatpianoteachers.com/p/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upbeat Piano Teachers</a>.