Hybrid Pianos: The Best of Both Worlds?

by Tim Topham

It’s hard to miss the stampede of technical innovation at the moment. At the time of writing, Elon Musk has just unveiled his most detailed plans yet for colonising Mars and flying people from Melbourne to London on rockets in 2 hours (and I actually think if anyone can do it, he can). Apple has released ... Hybrid Pianos: The Best of Both Worlds?

Beyond the Piano: How to Teach Group Ensemble Classes

by Andrew Bishko, Musical U

Piano, with its polyphonic ability to be self-sufficient, tends to be taught as a solo instrument. Even in piano group classes, the typical set-up is a room full of soloists. But a roomful of pianos does not reflect the music your students typically hear and listen to. In all popular and folk styles, the piano ... Beyond the Piano: How to Teach Group Ensemble Classes

How to Adapt Your Teaching for Partner Piano Lessons

by Nicola Cantan

Partner Piano Lessons When I first posted an article about teaching partner piano lessons I was surprised at the huge reaction I got from teachers. They were excited. They were intrigued. But they also had tons of questions: What’s my setup like? How long are the lessons? Do I teach both students together, or alternate ... How to Adapt Your Teaching for Partner Piano Lessons

Music Mentor Group: How to Build a Successful Music Business

by Sean Wales

Today ​we have a really exciting guest post from four music entrepreneurs. They created the Music Mentor Group (MMG), showing how every teacher can create a truly successful music business. These teachers now own businesses with hundreds of students and multiple teachers. Many piano teachers don’t study business at university, so these marketing gurus are here to ... Music Mentor Group: How to Build a Successful Music Business

Piano Studio Business and Marketing

by Tim Topham

I’m very pleased that this month we will be focussing on the business side of running your piano teaching studio. We last studied this topic in May 2016 with articles about building early childhood music programs, running a travelling piano school, how to hire piano teachers and exploring marketing case studies from a number of my ... Piano Studio Business and Marketing

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.

Autism and Music Teaching: Tips from a Clinical Psychologist

by Tim Topham

Today’s article is the result of an email I sent to this Friday’s Podcast guest, Lydia Meem from Autism Understanding, asking for her thoughts on strategies for teaching music to students with special needs. Lydia is a clinical psychologist. While she doesn’t teach piano, she has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with autism and other developmental ... Autism and Music Teaching: Tips from a Clinical Psychologist

Transform Your Piano Teaching with Tim Topham and Paul Myatt [Live Event]

by Tim Topham

I’m so excited to announce my first live events will be held around Australia in September to November 2016. The Transform Your Piano Teaching 1-day workshops will be held in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth (Brisbane dates to be announced). This training is an absolute must for any Aussie teachers who are interested in improving their ... Transform Your Piano Teaching with Tim Topham and Paul Myatt [Live Event]

Stop Stressing about Business – It’s Bad for Business!

by Nicola Cantan

Most piano teachers don’t become teachers because they love invoicing, scheduling and writing policies. We teach because we love music, love working with kids, and because we love being able to share our knowledge. The reality for most though is that running your own studio is the only viable way to be a piano teacher. ... Stop Stressing about Business – It’s Bad for Business!

How to Streamline and Grow your Piano Teaching Business

by Tim Topham

One of the most important aspects of running any teaching business (and yes, your private teaching studio is a business!), is ensuring you’re up-to-date with everything you need to know to keep your studio running efficiently: scheduling, invoicing and billing, your results and statistics (profit/loss, investments, depreciation), accounts and bookkeeping, legal responsibilities, tax, insurance and ... How to Streamline and Grow your Piano Teaching Business

Planning a Piano Summer Camp

by Tim Topham

One of the best ways to increase your income as a piano teacher is to run a summer camp. Whether you're in the northern or southern hemisphere, school holidays are a great opportunity to increase your income by running special group activities or camps with your studio and so this month is designed to get you thinking about how this could work in your studio. Welcome to Summer Camp Month! Even if your summer vacation isn't until the end of the year (like here in Australia), I know that the ideas and concepts that we'll be discussing this month will be invaluable for any holiday period or group activity, even if they are months away at the moment. It's always good to start planning early!

6 of the Best Piano Games for your Group Lessons

by Heather Nanney

Piano games and music activities are SO beneficial when it comes to teaching beginner piano students, especially in group classes. Whether you’re looking to use games as a little break or as a fun way to reinforce music theory, Heather Nanney is here to give us a step-by-step plans of action for her various games ... 6 of the Best Piano Games for your Group Lessons

Top 4 Piano Teaching Facebook Groups – get connected!

by Tim Topham

I’ve been a Facebook user for some time now. When I first started using it in my mid 20s, it was mainly for connecting with friends, keeping up with news and the usual time-wasting social media activities: browsing the news feed, looking at pictures, playing online games and generally wasting time! In fact, I was ... Top 4 Piano Teaching Facebook Groups – get connected!

10 Must-Follow Blogs for Piano Teachers

by Tim Topham

As part of my own professional development, I keep a close eye on blogs from piano teachers around the world. You can learn so much and get great links to other resources by following a few key blogs. You don’t have to check these websites yourself every week as you can subscribe to receive emails ... 10 Must-Follow Blogs for Piano Teachers

014: Keys to Imagination Games with Michelle Sisler

by Tim Topham

In this show, Michelle Sisler, founder of Keys to Imagination shares how she revolutionized piano education by integrating technology & engaging games.

013: Using the Piano Pronto Series with Jennifer Eklund

by Tim Topham

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Jennifer Eklund, the creative mind behind the Piano Pronto method books series.

009: Piano Detectives Club Summer Camp Debut with Janet Hart

by Tim Topham

In today's episode, our guest Janet Hart shares some exciting news surrounding the release of Piano Detectives Club summer camp edition.

How To Teach Songwriting to Your Piano Students

by Tim Topham

So your piano student wants to write their own music. How can you help them?

5-Step Composition Process Template

by Timz Fojas

Composing with students is a great way to embrace their creativity, encourage them to put their music theory into practice, and to appreciate music from the perspective of the composer.

008: 5 Ways to Increase Your Income this Summer and Beyond

by Tim Topham

In today's solo episode, I'll be sharing some actionable ideas to help you maximize your income during the summer months and beyond.

My First Summer Camp: Where I Went Wrong

by Tracy Selle

Does the thought of running a summer camp fill you with dread? It does for me. Thinking about a dozen kids all doing a dozen things at once stresses me out. My heart is starting to palpitate as I write this! I used to make excuses. I’m an only child. My husband and I have ... My First Summer Camp: Where I Went Wrong

TopMusic Certification: A Piano Teacher’s Story

by Georgina Wilson

Learn about the TopMusic Certification program experience from a TopMusic Certified piano teacher.

Piano Teachers’ Resolutions for the New Year

by Georgina Wilson

As the end of year approaches, it's a perfect time to discuss piano teachers' resolutions. For inspiration on changes you can make to improve your teaching business, keep reading!

Plan Your Best Year Challenge 2024

by Timz Fojas

359: Why Julie & Sue Became TopMusic Certified Teachers

by Tim Topham

In this episode, we're having a chat with two remarkable music educators who recently became TopMusic Certified Teachers, Julie Galan and Sue Stubbs.