Beginners Archives - Page 3 of 4

by Tim Topham

Rote teaching got a bad rap for a while. But piano teachers are starting to realise the value of teaching pieces by rote and incorporate this puzzle piece into their teaching. Teaching rote pieces alongside reading pieces provides so many benefits. Kids who learn pieces this way are better at finding patterns, using their ears and ... CPTP079: Rote Teaching with Amy Greer

by Tim Topham

This month's theme is all about teaching beginner piano in a more fun and creative way and planning lessons for maximum impact without relying on exam boards or other set curricula. I'll be releasing my "No Book Beginners" course to help you engage your students in creative, musical activities before they ever open a method book and we'll explore ideas for lesson planning and sequencing at all levels. Can't wait!

by Tim Topham

The first lesson of the year is a great time to do something different with your students. And I don’t mean just choosing a new piece of music. I mean scrapping the music altogether and getting off the page. It’s easier to do than you might think and kids love it. Want to know exactly ... Fun First Piano Lesson: 12 Bar Blues [videos and lesson plans]

by Tim Topham

When I started to explore Piano Safari I was excited. I’ve looked at many piano methods and none made quite as much sense to me as Piano Safari does. The books include rote teaching, intervallic reading, technique and improvisation all in one method. What’s not to love? The way they approach technique is truly inspired. Julie and ... TTTV071: Exploring Piano Safari with Dr Julie Knerr and Katherine Fisher

by Paul Myatt

A plethora of research confirms why we, as music educators, should educate little ones. In 2015, a University of Queensland study found when a young child is engaged in music making with an adult (usually a parent), he or she benefits in the areas of attention regulation, acquisition of positive social skills as well as ... How to Build an Early Childhood Music Program from Scratch

by Tim Topham

Irina Gorin is famous in the piano teaching world. Irina’s YouTube videos of her teaching have helped and inspired so many teachers, especially when it comes to teaching technique. Irina didn’t always feel so confident teaching beginners. When she first moved to the USA and used traditional method books, they always felt a bit…lacking. The five ... TTTV062: Irina Gorin on Teaching Beginners

Plans & Pricing

by Tim Topham

Teaching an early childhood music education program can be a great addition to a piano studio. Not only is it an enriching teaching experience, but it makes business sense too. Young children are often able to attend classes during times you might not normally be able to fill. Plus graduates of your program can feed ... TTTV061: Teaching using MusikGarten with Ellen Johansen

by Tim Topham

Teaching early childhood music requires a different approach to usual piano lessons and, for many teachers, unless you've been trained in this area, working out the best way to teach really young students can be a huge challenge. So this month on the blog and podcast, we're focussing on teaching the youngest students, from around age 0 - 8 years, exploring how to give them the best educational outcomes and set them up for a life of music-making. Ready to learn more?

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

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

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

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