The world has changed since you first started taking music lessons. Discover what’s working (and what’s not working) in music lessons in 2023.
Think back to when you first start taking instrument lessons. Whether that was over 30 years ago, 20, 10, or even five, the world has changed so much in that time. And as we teach the next generation, it’s important that we adapt to these changes, creating music lessons that engage our students and help them develop their love and passion for music.
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For over 10 years, we’ve been working at TopMusic on expanding the mindset and abilities of music teachers around the world. We want to enable them to impact, motivate and enthuse their students to fall in love with music and keep that passion for the rest of their lives.
During this time, we’ve been able to work with thousands of teachers to assess what’s working and what’s not in their music teaching.
We’ve also…
At TopMusic we’ve talked a lot about the power of rethinking the purposes of music lessons and adding modern elements into the standard lesson. Elements such as pop music, improvising, chord-playing, and playing by ear.
We’ve long advocated for more flexibility for teachers and giving students choice in what they’re learning.
And we’ve also worked tirelessly to help teachers run a sustainable, successful business.
We don’t just talk the talk at TopMusic. We also walk the walk. Or rather, our teachers and our members do.
We’ve seen and heard the power of our modern music teaching approach in action from teachers like Maryla:
And Wendy:
Considering all the effort you have put in over the years to help other teachers especially someone like me who had no formal training so often felt a bit of a fraud. I no longer feel a fraud at all. I have so many more students sticking with me for at least 3-4 years before they might lose interest and quite a number stay for up to 10 years because I know so many different ways to teach and have moved away from the “exam express” route (which is how I was taught). One of my best successes is that I taught a student from beginner for 9 years before he went off to Universtiry to become a high school music teacher. I hear he has now started working at one of the local schools.
Wendy Love
And Pinky:
From all of our research and discussions, we can see what is and what isn’t working in music lessons in 2023. And we want to share our findings with you.
But first, let us just say something. We know that there are some students who LOVE classical music, happily work their way through exams every year, practice daily, love scales, and are enthusiastic and engaged with anything their teacher gives them. In our experience, this type of student makes up around 1% (or less!) of our studio. If your studio is full of students like this – lucky you! Keep doing what you’re doing! This section is about the other 99%.
In 2023, here’s what we’ve found isn’t working for the vast majority of students:
This approach is leading to:
On a more positive note, here is what we’ve found is working in 2023!
These are just a few of the exciting changes we’ve seen during the evolution of music teaching over the last 10 years.
We feel the best is yet to come.
Many music teachers around the world have started realizing how fun and engaging lessons can be when viewed through a different lens.
Many have been totally inspired and reinvigorated by the materials we’ve shared over the years, particularly inside TopMusicPro.
Gone are the days of teaching every student the same music and waiting for them to play the same old mistakes and do the same old performances.
We believe this is an exciting time to be, or become, an independent modern music teacher.
However, we also know that old habits die hard.
It can be hard to reorient your teaching.
So we’ve developed the PRESTO framework to help you.
Whether you’re wanting to…
The PRESTO Framework is here to help you become a modern music teacher.
And listen to Tim talk about it here.
“I don’t think I’m cut out to be a modern music teacher.”
“It’s too late for me to change my ways. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
“I know I should change, but I don’t know how.”
“I’m never going to feel like a proper teacher…”
Have you had any of these thoughts while reading this article? Or anything else along these lines.
We have something for you.
The TopMusic Certification.
Coming 2024, you can become a TopMusic Certified Teacher.
Our certification will allow you to sharpen your existing teaching skills and earn the qualification of a modern music teacher.
The July 2023 cohort is for TopMusicPro members only, with the certification opening up to non-members in early 2024.
Dawn Gale says:
I’m learning that I am not alone in this world of being “the older music teacher” with traditional hopes and dreams for my students. For the past 4-5 years I’ve noticed students, teenagers, wanting to stop piano lessons. In their words “I want to learn what I want to learn”. I’m an understanding person so I ask ” In your world, what is the ideal piano lesson?”. Answer is “I don’t want to do exams any more, (gasp) scales or theory, just songs I like”. “Ok” says me, trying not to raise an eyebrow, “Tell me what you want to learn”. Taylor Swift and someone called Ariane Grande. So, I start to investigate and listen to these songs. Eventually I find one that is not too easy, sounds reasonable and I set about learning to play them. I am a now a new convert to POV and My Tears Ricochete. Who would have thought !
Well, its through these pieces that I introduce chords and theory ( which are heavily disguised within these pieces, also, patterns are rife) Thanks to Topmusic, I have developed confidence in myself and have found many different ways to teach piano in 2023