practical music theory
blog posts

Teach music confidently without the stress

CPTP151: Motivating Music Theory with Glory St. Germain

by Tim Topham

Glory St. Germain is the creator of Ultimate Music Theory, a Registered Music Teacher, sought-after clinician and a Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (NLP). She is really passionate about taking the “blah” out of music theory teaching. If you thinking that music theory has to be boring and dry – you need to listen to this show. Glory gave us so ... CPTP151: Motivating Music Theory with Glory St. Germain

03/02/2019 Read more

How to Use Music Theory Games to Get Real Results

by Nicola Cantan

You might have heard about all the benefits of teaching using games already. Students learn better, more thoroughly and more durably when the learning is fun. However, if you’ve ever actually tried adding games into your lessons, you might have seen another side to this equation. Music theory games also take time away from your lesson…and ... How to Use Music Theory Games to Get Real Results

02/19/2018 Read more

TTTV009: Paul Harris on Simultaneous Learning

by Tim Topham

Have you ever wondered how you can possibly fit everything you need to into a 30 minute lesson? There’s just so much ground to cover with scales, pieces, sight-reading, theory, improvisation, composing…the list just seems to go on, and on. Paul Harris has a fantastic way of looking at lesson structure. His simultaneous learning method flips ... TTTV009: Paul Harris on Simultaneous Learning

07/26/2015 Read more

Teaching Classical Piano by Teaching Pop Piano

by Rebecca Langley

I’m really happy to have Rebecca Langley write for the blog this week. Rebecca’s article about making connections in music goes right to the core of what effective piano pedagogy is all about and the timing couldn’t be better: my podcast with Paul Harris (Mr. Making Connections in Music Himself!) goes live this Sunday and picks-up exactly the ... Teaching Classical Piano by Teaching Pop Piano

07/23/2015 Read more

The age old question…how do we make piano scales fun and relevant?

by Nicola Cantan

Introduction “Ok, let’s start with some scales.” *Cue student’s eyelid’s drooping*. We all know we’re supposed to teach our piano students their scales, but it can quickly turn into a battle of wills. I never want to tell my students to “eat their vegetables”, so how do I make those vegetables look like candy? It’s not ... The age old question…how do we make piano scales fun and relevant?

04/28/2015 Read more

HookTheory – hands down THE BEST new resource for music teachers

by Tim Topham

What I’m about to share with you is one of the coolest and most useful things I’ve found on the internet for music teaching. Ever. No, it’s not an app, and no, I’m not being paid to write about it. It’s just really unique…and brilliant. If you’re a music teacher and you’d like to teach ... HookTheory – hands down THE BEST new resource for music teachers

05/17/2014 Read more