Comments for Music Teaching Success

Comment on Marketing Yourself Online as a Music Teacher Through Social Networking Tools by Canton Music Lessons

Canton Music Lessons — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:45:58 +0000

Social networking is great for all businesses but is especially important in an industry like ours where it is easy to promote fun facts and the importance of arts in one’s life!

Comment on How to Handle Students that Aren't Practicing Music by Mike V.

Mike V. — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:07:44 +0000

This is a great article on practicing.

I am considering sending this link to the parents and students that I work with, just so they can see what it’s like from the our point of view.

Practicing is the toughest issue. One technique that I have been trying to apply is dealing with the practice issues immediately, as they arise. I’m a big believer in “running to conflict” rather than running away from it.

As I’ve been doing this more and more, I’ve seen students get more focused, more consistent, and have more fun.

Comment on How To Network With Music Teachers and Music Professionals by Elan Chalford

Elan Chalford — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:03:41 +0000

When you network, online or off, a good preparation is to have your unique way of teaching or playing summed up in one line. Or one concept. That’s been easy for me, since most musicians, even violinists, I meet do not play the fiddle. They immediately can see me as the violinist who plays and teaches the fiddle.

Comment on Promoting Your Music Lessons Online by Kelly Sarconi

Kelly Sarconi — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:21:44 +0000

Very nice post.

Comment on Setting up your Music Teaching Website by Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:53:13 +0000

Teaching children is very easy, fun, and rewarding if you keep in mind one thing – they are children. Children need a variety of short activities in music lessons that focus on learning. The first thing I do in lessons is warm-up, scales, arpeggios, etc because children like patterns. Then I focus on new materials, then review. If a child’s attention fades, I draw them back to what we are doing, if that does not work I move onto another music activity reinforcing what we were just doing.

For example if we are working on playing a song and they get distracted, try breaking the song into hands separate on the piano. If they are playing a string instrument as the teacher you play the accompaniment and the student play the melody. If that does not work to keep their attention, try doing there music theory workbook with them and then returning to your previous activity they were distracted from.

Remember creativity is the key to working with young children.

Comment on Setting up your Music Teaching Website by Wallace G.

Wallace G. — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:58:17 +0000

Hey Robyn, very informative blog post! Please continue this awesome work..

Comment on Setting up your Music Teaching Website by Matthew C. Kriner

Matthew C. Kriner — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 11:49:46 +0000

I have found it difficult to teach piano to children due to not paying attention do you have any advice for that?

Comment on Promoting Your Music Lessons Online by Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:01:11 +0000

What a great idea! I have already started to ask my students parents to be a friend on facebook. I have set up a page for the studio and have asked all my parents to “become a fan” then I can send them reminders and news about the studio events. I also asked them to become my friend for my personal account too, because then they get to see more of who I am and my family and we develop a deeper personal relationship that is not always possible in the short lesson time we have.

Keep the great ideas coming and thanks so much!

Comment on Become a "Expert Teacher?" by Piano Teacher

Piano Teacher — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:43:08 +0000

I agree–I think its so important for every piano teacher to be aware of his or her weaknesses and strengths. Then just work with them or around them.

Comment on Making Money Teaching Music by Carol Broos

Carol Broos — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:21:18 +0000

This is a wonderful idea Robyn. Thanks for the great resource.