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Teaching Piano by Ear: A Journey into the Unknown

by Roberta Wolff

Learning piano by ear is a difficult, but rewarding task. This month, my site will be dedicated to helping teachers engage their students with this style of teaching. Aural training is vital, and I hope this month will show you exactly why, and inspire you to give it a go.

10/02/2017 Read more

[Video Interview] Students Share How They Found Success Learning Chords and Composition

by Sean Wales

Former Students on Composition Today’s post provides you with a student perspective on learning chords and composition. Adrian and Jackson are two of Tim’s former students. They will share with you their experiences on piano composition, and why it transformed their musical education. There are a series of videos below, touching on teaching chords, incorporating ... [Video Interview] Students Share How They Found Success Learning Chords and Composition

08/28/2017 Read more

Piano Studio Technology: Ensuring You’re Up-to-Date in the Digital Age

by Tim Topham

This month we are exploring everything to do with Piano Studio Technology on topmusic.co. Join us for the ride! It was interesting to read on the blog last month that, according to our round-up of successful piano studio owners from around the world, the most important thing piano teachers need to build, sustain and grow a thriving ... Piano Studio Technology: Ensuring You’re Up-to-Date in the Digital Age

07/03/2017 Read more

Supercharge Your Piano Studio Organisation with Google Gadgetry

by Nicola Cantan

When it comes to piano studio organisation, there are many great options. You might be a pencil and paper type of person, you may be using Microsoft applications, or even something specifically designed for music teachers such as My Music Staff. But what if I told you there was a whole suite of free tools ... Supercharge Your Piano Studio Organisation with Google Gadgetry

07/12/2017 Read more

5 Absolute Essentials of an Exceptional Piano Studio Website

by Nicola Cantan

You probably know you need a piano studio website. That’s not news to you. But what are the absolute essentials that need to go on a studio website? What takes your website from being just average to being exceptional? These are the essentials that can help you stand out from the crowd. Make sure your ... 5 Absolute Essentials of an Exceptional Piano Studio Website

07/05/2017 Read more

The Power of 4 Chord Composing

by Tim Topham

Introduction All month we have explored the importance of composition in the piano studio. Now, I am excited to share with you an online course which I have been spending heaps of time creating over the past months. It’s called my 4 Chord Composing course. The following post will explain why teaching chords and composition is so ... The Power of 4 Chord Composing

08/23/2017 Read more
 

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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

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

Blog Roundup: Best Business Articles from Around the Web

by Sean Wales

Continuous Learning There’s only so much we can cover in one month when it comes to any given topic. In the case of this month, we have been looking at Piano Studio Business and Marketing. Make sure you check out the opening post of the month which has links to all of the content we have ... Blog Roundup: Best Business Articles from Around the Web

06/28/2017 Read more

Digital or Acoustic Pianos: Which Is Best for Your Students?

by Tim Praskins

Welcome to our final guest post for this month’s theme, Technology in the Piano Studio. Today we welcome digital piano reviewer and experienced music teacher Tim Praskins.  He has a wealth of piano knowledge and is the perfect person to turn to when deciding what piano you should recommend to your students. A contemporary debate surrounding ... Digital or Acoustic Pianos: Which Is Best for Your Students?

07/26/2017 Read more

Why You Should Be at the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Convention in 2017

by Tim Topham

Join Us at the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Convention In this live Facebook video, Tim Topham chats with Carly McDonald about why you need to be at the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Convention in 2017. It is running in Adelaide between 10-14 of July. Both Carly and Tim will be presenting at the event. For more information ... Why You Should Be at the Australasian Piano Pedagogy Convention in 2017

05/18/2017 Read more

Top 7 Hidden Benefits of Teaching Pop Piano Music in Your Studio

by Nicola Cantan

Teaching pop piano music to your piano students isn’t just about appeasing the kids. Pop isn’t simply the cookie that they get for doing their “proper” piano practice. At least, it shouldn’t be. Including some songs from the radio in your piano teaching curriculum can do so much more for you and your students than ... Top 7 Hidden Benefits of Teaching Pop Piano Music in Your Studio

05/22/2017 Read more

Fun Classical Piano Arrangements [RR#6]

by Tim Topham

Fun Classical Piano Arrangements Good morning everyone. Great to be hanging out with you again today for my Repertoire Rap series. We’re up to number six and today’s video is all about teaching cool classical piano arrangements that kids love. Some of you are going to be a little bit surprised, I would imagine, to ... Fun Classical Piano Arrangements [RR#6]

05/13/2017 Read more

Boost Your Piano Teaching Productivity with These 5 Tips

by Sean Wales

Teaching Productivity Being organised and productive is sometimes the best way to ensure your business runs smoothly. How can you expect to continue expanding your piano studio with all these new students that your awesome website is attracting if you don’t have the time to fit everything in? Even the most disorganised person can learn ... Boost Your Piano Teaching Productivity with These 5 Tips

12/09/2022 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

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

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

Exploring Piano Exams and Recitals

by Tim Topham

This month, we’re going to focus on two sometimes controversial aspects of piano teaching: exams and recitals. This will include discussions around performing, competitions, festivals, performance anxiety and so forth. We’re going to discuss the best approaches for incorporating exams into your studio, when students should sit exams and how to discuss exams with pushy parents. When it ... Exploring Piano Exams and Recitals

04/03/2017 Read more

How to Teach a Pop Song with No Music [Repertoire Rap #3]

by Tim Topham

Hi again, everyone. It’s Tim Topham here with another Facebook live repertoire rap. These are my overviews of some of the stuff that I’m doing with my students in regard to music that they want to learn and some of the best books that are out there that I’m finding. As you come on the ... How to Teach a Pop Song with No Music [Repertoire Rap #3]

03/09/2017 Read more

3 Keys to a Comprehensive Piano Lesson Plan

by Tim Topham

Piano teachers are some of the most dedicated, committed and hard-working professionals around. But are we sometimes too dedicated for our own good? I know that feelings of being overwhelmed and burnt-out are all too common. I think part of it stems from our own desire to always deliver that ‘perfect’ lesson. One that includes a little ... 3 Keys to a Comprehensive Piano Lesson Plan

03/08/2017 Read more

Teaching Beginner Piano and Planning a Curriculum

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!

03/02/2017 Read more

20 Creative Ways to Start a Piano Lesson

by Tim Topham

If you’d like some ideas about different ways to start a piano lesson, then today’s post is for you. While we all know that routine can be great for some students, I like to mix things up every now and then. It keeps students on their toes and starting a lesson with something creative is a ... 20 Creative Ways to Start a Piano Lesson

08/31/2022 Read more

Lesson Plan Templates for Piano Teachers

by Tim Topham

This blog is all about trying new and creative things in your teaching. One of the best ways to introduce new ideas into your studio is with a comprehensive plan. In today’s post, I’ll share with you some planning tools that I’ve developed over the years to help with my own organisation. You’ve really got ... Lesson Plan Templates for Piano Teachers

03/15/2017 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