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A Piano Teacher’s Guide To Piano Method Books

by Tim Topham

Knowing how to find the right method book can be tricky - our guide will help you feel inspired to start your search.

07/10/2023 Read more

How to Teach Creatively Using a Piano Method Book

by Tim Topham

When you have a brand new beginner piano student, what do you do? Do you crack open a method book and start working through the book from the very first lesson? Or do you encourage your students to be creative? Inspire them to explore the piano and make music. A fantastic way to do just ... How to Teach Creatively Using a Piano Method Book

07/03/2023 Read more

Product Review: Rockschool Piano Method

by Michael McGregor

Review: Rockschool Piano Method Books 1 & 2 for beginners

07/17/2020 Read more

Music Learning Theory Wrap-Up

by Tim Topham

I believe that Music Learning Theory has been one of the most profound themes I’ve ever featured on the blog and I’m so thankful to everyone who has shared their ideas and stories around this remarkable approach to music education.  It has certainly changed my thinking on music teaching. Has it changed yours?  For the final post ... Music Learning Theory Wrap-Up

08/01/2016 Read more

TTTV051: Audiation in Action with Andy Mullen

by Tim Topham

This month has been Music Learning Theory month on topmusic.co and with that has come a lot of talk about audiation. But what is audiation really? What does it mean and how does it look in a teaching context? If we want students to take full ownership or musical concepts and patterns, they should be able ... TTTV051: Audiation in Action with Andy Mullen

07/30/2016 Read more

How Music Learning Theory Gives Meaning To What We Teach

by Andy Mullen

  Well-meaning piano teachers sit students down at the piano, and immediately take out the method book, and show their student, for example, where middle C is on the staff, and where it is on the piano…They begin with the eye, and with reading, with little, if any, attention to a student’s audiation. If we instead ... How Music Learning Theory Gives Meaning To What We Teach

07/27/2016 Read more
 

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Feel the Beat off the Seat | Tips for Teaching Rhythm

by Barbara Grout

This week’s article comes from Music Learning Theory (MLT) teacher and presenter, Barbara Grout and is all about Tips for Teaching Rhythm. Rhythm is one of those fundamental aspects of music that many of us fail to help students understand and feel innately. If you’ve ever had a student not realise that they’ve ‘missed’ a beat in ... Feel the Beat off the Seat | Tips for Teaching Rhythm

07/20/2016 Read more

Why teaching music reading is the wrong way to teach piano [Part 2]

by Paul Myatt

In Part 2 of this series (click here for Part 1), I’m going to go into details about strategies that you can use to engage in a more multi-sensory approach to teaching including aural and music reading strategies and the importance of singing. Aural Strategies You may have some students who are very good readers. You, ... Why teaching music reading is the wrong way to teach piano [Part 2]

07/18/2016 Read more

Music Learning Theory

by Tim Topham

When I first heard about Music Learning Theory and the work of Dr Edwin Gordon, a whole lot of puzzle pieces I had about music reading suddenly fitted into place. Put simply, Music Learning Theory is a research-based explanation of how we learn when we learn music. What is the best approach? How do we give students the skills they need to 'talk' the language of music before they start reading?

07/05/2016 Read more