Creativity
blog posts

Teach music confidently without the stress

Recent Guitar Pedagogy Creativity Repertoire Beginners Studio Business

From Improvisation to Composition: How to Nurture Your Students’ Creativity

by Andrew Bishko, Musical U

Each week I write my student’s assignments in a plain notebook. Quite frequently, as I’m leafing through a younger child’s book, I discover a string of letters, or a scrawled drawing of a staff (number of lines variable) crowded with half notes. Some of them are proud of their “compositions”, others sheepish. But usually, when ... From Improvisation to Composition: How to Nurture Your Students’ Creativity

08/21/2017 Read more

A Beginner’s Guide to Piano Composition in the DAW

by Doug Beney

Computerizing Piano Composition Computerizing the piano composition process may seem daunting if you’ve never played anything but acoustic pianos. However, the early stages of combining music and computers came about using keyboard instruments, so you’re already accomplished with the primary interface. That said, those early stages were nearly 40 years ago and much has evolved ... A Beginner’s Guide to Piano Composition in the DAW

08/16/2017 Read more

How to Get Your Beginner Piano Students Composing Music

by Carol Matz

Carol Matz is well known in the piano teaching community for her Famous and Fun series, and more recently for her Interactive Piano Method. She’s also an experienced piano teacher herself and she knows what works when it comes to great arrangements. We are super excited to have her presenting today’s guest post, all about how to ... How to Get Your Beginner Piano Students Composing Music

08/14/2017 Read more

Composition Kickstarters: 5 Ways to Inspire Your Students to Write Music

by Nicola Cantan

Some piano students can be a bit reluctant to compose music. Perhaps they’re nervous, or feel under pressure to come up with something amazing. So much so that they just…can’t get started. When this happens – don’t give up! These cautious composers usually just need a composition kickstarter to get the ball rolling. If you’ve ... Composition Kickstarters: 5 Ways to Inspire Your Students to Write Music

08/09/2017 Read more

Putting Pen to Paper: Q&A with Canadian Composer Jean-Michel Blais

by Sean Wales

Jean-Michel Blais is a world renowned Canadian-French composer. You may have heard his compositions in the past on Spotify or YouTube. We have included a video of one of his pieces in this post, so be sure to have a listen! We are so lucky to have had the chance to ask Jean-Michel a few ... Putting Pen to Paper: Q&A with Canadian Composer Jean-Michel Blais

08/07/2017 Read more

Piano Composition: Encouraging Your Students to Write Music

by Tim Topham

Piano Composition Month It will be of little surprise to regular readers of this blog that composing, and it’s precursor activity, improvising, is high on my list of priorities for well-rounded music instruction. With much of the focus of music lessons today being on reading, performance and examinations, students whose lessons are based solely on ... Piano Composition: Encouraging Your Students to Write Music

08/02/2017 Read more
 

Join the the preeminent professional development, learning and networking community for instrumental music teachers.

 
topmusic topmusic
 

From First Contact to First Lesson: How to Sell Your Creative Piano Teaching

by Andrew Bishko, Musical U

I’ve never been one to give much thought to ringtones, but when I sat down to write this post on the business of teaching piano, I said to myself, “I’m going to change my ringtone to cha-ching.” Even in our online world, nothing brings students in like a real-time phone conversation. And nothing keeps them in ... From First Contact to First Lesson: How to Sell Your Creative Piano Teaching

06/11/2017 Read more

How to Write Your First Piano Chord Progression: Breaking Down the Basics

by Doug Beney

Today we have a guest post which will help your students understand how to create, compose and understand a piano chord progression.  We have experienced blogger, musician and writer Doug Beney joining us. Welcome Doug!  Doug runs a blog called MIDI Lifestyle, all about technology and software in music. You can check it out here.  ... How to Write Your First Piano Chord Progression: Breaking Down the Basics

05/15/2017 Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns

by Tim Topham

As students start exploring more non-traditional repertoire in your lessons (eg. pop, lead sheets, etc.), they’ll soon realise that a pianist’s left hand is crucial in providing a number of things: Steady Beat Rhythm & Groove Style Patterns are one of the most fundamental ingredients of music. And so students with a solid pattern vocabulary ... The Ultimate Guide to Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns

02/22/2017 Read more

What’s the Difference Between a Chord Chart and a Lead Sheet?

by Tim Topham

Lead Sheets have a notated melody line with chord symbols written above and may include words if it’s a song. Chord Charts simply show chord symbols with no notation. If the chord chart is referencing a pop song, it will generally include lyrics as well. In both cases, it’s up to the pianist to provide the left ... What’s the Difference Between a Chord Chart and a Lead Sheet?

02/20/2017 Read more

Classically Trained to Creatively Curious | Exploring Creative Piano Teaching

by Tim Topham

This month's theme is all about helping 'classically trained' teachers feel more comfortable exploring creative ideas in their teaching. Whether that's a few off-bench activities or dipping your toe into some improvisation, I know that this month's suggestions will have a big impact on both the way that you teach, and the outcomes for your students.

02/02/2017 Read more

Fun First Piano Lesson: 12 Bar Blues [videos and lesson plans]

by Tim Topham

The first piano 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 ... Fun First Piano Lesson: 12 Bar Blues [videos and lesson plans]

01/24/2017 Read more