effective piano practice Archives

by Tim Topham

This episode is part two of a three-part podcast series with our TopMusicPro Guitar head, Michael Gumley. Michael has shared tons of wisdom in this episode on teaching students, setting goals, getting engagement, managing money and so much more. In fact, our conversation had so much goodness that I had to listen to it a ... TC255: Part Two: Teaching Guitar with the 80/20 Pareto Principle with Michael Gumley

by Tim Topham

The encouragement of piano parents to their children plays a huge part in their growth as a student. But, as piano teachers, we also have a role to play in collaborating and connecting with parents and other teachers to help our students succeed. In this episode, Shelly Davis shares the lessons she has learned over ... TC248: Building community with piano parents and other teachers with Shelly Davis

by Tim Topham

In this episode, I’m bringing on one of our TopMusicPro members, Roslyn Walters, to talk about how she is using ideas, lessons and strategies from TopMusicPro in her own teaching. We specifically focus on how she ingeniously integrated our Creativity Kickstarter lessons to teach and explore creative composition and improvisation to her students. Roslyn has ... TC238: Member Spotlight: Roslyn Walters on Creative Composition

by Tim Topham

Have you ever been frustrated about makeup lessons? There are a variety of ways teachers handle makeup lessons from not offering them at all to having to take extra hours planning them. Laura and Dave have solved make-up lessons once and for all! Today, my guests Dave and Laura of LessonMate will give you strategies ... TC237: Solving Makeup Lessons Once and for All with Laura and Dave from LessonMate

by Tim Topham

Have you ever dreamt of having your own app that can help with your own teaching and relationship deepening with students and parents? In this episode, we unpack the wonders of augmenting your teaching through apps with Dan Harvey, the Co-Founder and Chief Relationship Officer at Passion.io. Passion.io is a drag and drop, no-code app ... TC236: Using an App to Augment Your Students’ Learning with Dan Harvey

by Tim Topham

Have you ever wondered if you’re fulfilling your true life’s purpose? Or are you one of those who have been discouraged to pursue their goals because of the lack of courage and fear of failure? In this episode, Angela Myles Beeching helps us navigate these thoughts and feelings to set you on the right course. ... TC235: “What’s your secret project?” with Angela Myles Beeching

Plans & Pricing

by Tim Topham

Will Baily turns the pedagogy of music on its head by pivoting to recreational music-making philosophies and student-led learning, from a very classical approach to teaching and it has made an incredible impact on him and his students. Our guest today, Will Baily, is a piano teacher and composer. His publications include the “Way Cool” ... TC234: Turning the pedagogy of music on its head with Will Baily

by Nicola Cantan

For most piano teachers, September brings a whole slew of new piano students through the doors. This is both an exciting and a super busy time in a piano teacher’s calendar. It’s also an opportunity to start fresh – to make practice happen from the get-go. In my experience, students that practise regularly in the ... Amplify and Elevate New Student Practice Routines in Your Piano Studio

by Tim Topham

Aaron Garner used to be like many teachers, frustrated by sitting in lessons correcting note errors in his students’ pieces all day. That is, until he found a way to help students practice better. Aaron brought together the magic of backing tracks and technology to create a comprehensive practice solution for students: Piano Marvel. This ... CPTP133: How to motivate and help students practice with Aaron Garner

by Tim Topham

Philip Johnston brings a fresh take to music teaching ideas and preconceptions. The piano teaching unthinkables we discuss in this episode may be controversial, but even if you disagree they provide fantastic food for thought. In today’s show we bring video game thinking into the piano studio, abolish long-held beliefs about piano practice and throw ... CPTP131: Piano Teaching Unthinkables with Philip Johnston

by Tim Topham

Is the way we approach practice in our studios all wrong? Are our practice expectations unrealistic or counterproductive? Danny Thompson and I will unpack this idea of taking practice and homework out of the equation and focusing instead on inspiring our students and growing their love of music. Could this be a useful experiment in ... CPTP129: Why “Practice” might be killing your studio business with Danny Thompson

by Tim Topham

Motivation and practice are the biggest keys to our students’ success at the piano. That’s why I’m so thrilled to welcome back Samantha Coates for part two of our three-part series on student motivation. (Listen to part 1 here if you missed it.) In today’s show, Samantha is talking us through the parents’ role in ... CPTP123: The Motivation Equation with Samantha Coates (Part 2)