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How to Plan and Run a Pop Piano Recital [Part One]

by Tim Topham

If you’re a teacher that is embracing more modern music teaching in your studio, you’re probably finding that your recitals are becoming more and more filled with pop music! Depending on the nature of your traditional recitals, you might like to consider whether running a dedicated recital/concert just for your pop music students would be ... How to Plan and Run a Pop Piano Recital [Part One]

05/03/2017 Read more

Integrating Pop Piano Teaching into Your Studio

by Tim Topham

If you’ve been following my writing for any length of time, you will be aware that I’m passionate about helping students learn the music they want to learn. Part of that approach will naturally involve pop music because it’s the kind of music that 9/10 students are listening to at the moment. Students often want ... Integrating Pop Piano Teaching into Your Studio

05/01/2017 Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Piano Exam Syllabuses: Which One Is Best for Your Students?

by Sean Wales

Piano Exam Syllabuses There is an abundance of piano exam syllabuses out there. It can be confusing and overwhelming when choosing which exam your students should sit. The language is hard to understand and it’s difficult to get your head around all of the various requirements, especially when you have multiple students sitting different exams. ... The Ultimate Guide to Piano Exam Syllabuses: Which One Is Best for Your Students?

04/26/2017 Read more

Behind the Piano Examiner’s Desk: What Is It Really Like?

by Dr Mark McGee

Welcome to our second guest post this month by an AMEB piano examiner. The first article explained everything you need to know about a Rockschool piano exam- click here to read that post.  Today, we are very privileged to have Dr Mark McGee presenting his thoughts on being a piano examiner.  Mark is Assistant Director ... Behind the Piano Examiner’s Desk: What Is It Really Like?

04/24/2017 Read more

Cool Late Beginner Music Part 2 [RR#5]

by Tim Topham

Good morning everyone, or good evening if you’re over in the states or Europe. Tim Topham here again for my fortnightly Repertoire Rap-Up. So, what I do in these sessions if you haven’t seen one of these before is, just go through a whole lot of cool music I’ve found recently, that kids are really ... Cool Late Beginner Music Part 2 [RR#5]

04/19/2017 Read more

How to Organise Fun Piano Recitals [Expert Roundup]

by Sean Wales

Fun Piano Recitals Today we have a fantastic Expert Roundup post, giving you some ideas on how to organise fun piano recitals. Contributing to today’s post are experienced piano teachers and music bloggers. They are sharing with us a way of putting on a performance or recital that is different; a recital that is creative, ... How to Organise Fun Piano Recitals [Expert Roundup]

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How I Got off the Piano Exam Express

by Sean Wales

This month has been all about Exploring Exams and Recitals and one phrase has popped up a few times: exam express. I’m Sean and you may have seen a few articles written by me recently featured on Tim’s blog. I learnt piano with Tim at high school for four years and during this time, Tim transformed ... How I Got off the Piano Exam Express

04/17/2017 Read more

An Open Letter to Parents of Piano Students

by Tim Topham

A Document for Piano Parents Everywhere As the nature of music education shifts from one of note reading, performance and interpretation to one of creativity, curiosity, composition and exploration, many piano teachers are finding it hard to explain the value and importance of this change with parents. This means that there is sometimes a conflict between what ... An Open Letter to Parents of Piano Students

04/15/2017 Read more

How do Rockschool Piano Exams Work?

by Stuart Storer

This month, to help piano teachers with their understanding of piano exams, I have two fantastic guest posts from experienced AMEB examiners.  Today’s post is all about a creative new piano syllabus. Rockschool is a syllabus run in the United Kingdom and they have teamed up with AMEB to bring it here.  It is all ... How do Rockschool Piano Exams Work?

04/12/2017 Read more

How to Tackle Piano Performance Anxiety

by Roberta Wolff

It is the million dollar question that all students will ask you at one point during their education: “How can I stop feeling nervous about performing?”.  Performance anxiety is natural and students deal with exams and concerts in different ways. Some students embrace the pressure that comes with it, while others need a helping hand.  ... How to Tackle Piano Performance Anxiety

04/10/2017 Read more

Teach Principles First [Chat with Paul Harris Part 3]

by Sean Wales

Wrapping up our mini-chat series with Tim Topham and expert UK educationalist Paul Harris is today’s video all about teaching piano principles first.  In the previous two videos, Tim and Paul have chatted about the best ways to motivate your students and how to keep your piano lessons relevant. In case you missed them, click on ... Teach Principles First [Chat with Paul Harris Part 3]

04/08/2017 Read more

Piano Studio Concerts and Exams – What Works Best?

by Roberta Wolff

  What is the best way for you to use piano studio concerts? Should teachers play at these concerts? How do you deal with pressure from parents who just want their children to do exams?  These are all queries that arise when discussing and planning performance opportunities for your students. When running a studio with ... Piano Studio Concerts and Exams – What Works Best?

04/05/2017 Read more