Category Archives: Improving as a Teacher

Readers, Introduce Yourself! …on the Color In My Piano facebook page

By joy (admin) | Published: 13 May 2010
Get to know the other readers on this blog – please take a moment to introduce yourself on the discussion page of the Color In My Piano facebook page!  There are a few introductions there now, and I’d love to get to know more of you. To receive blog updates right in your facebook newsfeed, [...]
Also posted in Resources / Links, Technology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Building Your Studio: How to Inform Parents About Your Tuition Rates

By joy (admin) | Published: 10 May 2010
When you get a phone call from an parent of a potential student asking about studio information, should you inform potential students of your rates first, or should you tell them about your studio first? I know a fellow teacher who does not answer the “rates question” - even when specially asked about it - until the [...]
Also posted in Building your Studio, Topics in Teaching Piano | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Building Your Studio: Offer Free Trial Lesson, and Have References Ready!

By joy (admin) | Published: 7 May 2010
A few months ago, I received a call from a parent who was looking for lessons for her two daughters.  She was a little reluctant to commit to lessons because of a past experience with another teacher: the teacher was an excellent performer, but unfortunately not as great of a teacher.  I chatted with her [...]
Also posted in Building your Studio, Ideas, Topics in Teaching Piano | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Listening and Communicating in 4-Handed Piano Music

By joy (admin) | Published: 27 April 2010
A colleague of mine and I are planning to learn some four-handed piano music this summer, and perhaps do a whole recital together of just four-handed music in the fall semester.  So I’ve been digging around on YouTube, looking for repertoire ideas.  And I have couple of cool videos to share with you today: What [...]
Also posted in Advanced Level, Beginners/Elementary Level, By Student's Level, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Motivation, Recitals / Performances, Repertoire/Method Books, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Topics in Teaching Piano, What I'm Up To | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Preparing for Student Recitals: Recording!

By joy (admin) | Published: 16 April 2010
Many of us teachers are probably currently preparing our student for spring recitals, so today I thought it might be beneficial to discuss a way of preparing for performances: recording your students playing their pieces, and then listening to the playback together. Benefits of Recording The student practices performing. Playing for a recording device can [...]
Also posted in Advanced Level, Beginners/Elementary Level, By Student's Level, For During the Lesson, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Interpretation, Recitals / Performances, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Technology, Topics in Teaching Piano, practicing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

New Music Blogs on the Block

By joy (admin) | Published: 15 April 2010
This week, I recently stumbled upon some great blogs about piano teaching to add to my blogroll.  Some are new, and other have been around for a while, but they all have wonderful things to share! Jen’s Piano Studio Blog – lots of game ideas and free resources.
Also posted in Resources / Links, Topics in Teaching Piano, inspiration | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Play forte – but NOT accented…

By joy (admin) | Published: 2 April 2010
You know, learning to play an instrument is all about making breakthroughs.  There are so many things to consider and train yourself to do.  It’s a complicated process!  You are never done learning.  There’s always room for improvement. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been realizing that when I play forte on the piano — [...]
Also posted in Advanced Level, Beginners/Elementary Level, By Student's Level, For During the Lesson, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Interpretation, Posture at the Piano, Topics in Teaching Piano | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

So you want to start a blog?

By joy (admin) | Published: 1 April 2010
Today, I thought I’d share a little bit about my experiences as a blogger.  I don’t claim to be an expert by any means, but I would like to share what I have learned over the past year! Considerations before starting your own blog: Determine your audience. Who are you writing for — your students? [...]
Also posted in Technology, Topics in Teaching Piano | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Teaching 2-Against-3 Using Movement

By joy (admin) | Published: 18 March 2010
In answer to a question a received last week, I thought I’d talk a little bit more about teaching 2 against 3, as I had mentioned in a post about teaching music through movement. To tell you the truth, I have not needed to teach 2 against 3 very often so far, and when I [...]
Also posted in Advanced Level, Beginners/Elementary Level, By Student's Level, Early Childhood Music, For During the Lesson, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Rhythm, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Topics in Teaching Piano, piano camps | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Celebrating One Year!

By joy (admin) | Published: 15 March 2010
After browsing through the colorinmypiano.com archives and — alas! — it seems that we’ve missed our own anniversary! Here’s a rundown of the history of the colorinmypiano.com blog: It was on February 28, 2009 that I first conceived of this blog and wrote my first post: a welcome and brief statement of purpose.  I found my [...]
Also posted in Beginners/Elementary Level, By Student's Level, For During the Lesson, Ideas, Other Resources, Technology, Topics in Teaching Piano, What I'm Up To, printables | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
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