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Fun Late Beginner Piano Music [RR#4]

by Tim Topham

Fun Late Beginner Piano Music [RR#4] Tim Topham: It’s Tim Topham here and I’m really excited today to show you some of my recent finds and the things that I’ve been using over the last few years for late beginner students. These are the kids that have done their primer method book, they may have ... Fun Late Beginner Piano Music [RR#4]

03/28/2017 Read more

Are You Keeping Lessons Relevant? [Chat with Paul Harris Part 2]

by Sean Wales

Welcome to Part 2 of our mini-series video chats with UK educationalist Paul Harris. Today we are exploring how you can keep lessons relevant and use your student’s imagination to creatively teach musical concepts. A couple weeks back we saw Tim and Paul talk about how to motivate your piano students. To recap, Paul Harris ... Are You Keeping Lessons Relevant? [Chat with Paul Harris Part 2]

03/27/2017 Read more

How to Teach Beginner Piano Students [No Book Beginners]

by Tim Topham

What is the best way to teach beginner piano students and to inspire, engage and motivate them in their first lesson? Is it through opening a method book and teaching students how to read middle C? Or, is it through: Exploring the piano Creating musical stories Playing games Playing by ear Transposing Harmonising, and Improvising? If ... How to Teach Beginner Piano Students [No Book Beginners]

03/26/2017 Read more

Why I Teach Beginner Piano Students Without a Method Book

by Tim Topham

Teaching young beginners effectively is one of the most critical jobs in music education.  But how often do you assess your strategies for when you teach beginner piano versus continuing to teach the way you’ve always taught (or, worse still, the way you yourself were taught)? Table Of Contents: Questions To Ask Yourself About Teaching ... Why I Teach Beginner Piano Students Without a Method Book

03/22/2017 Read more

Lesson Plan Templates for Piano Teachers

by Tim Topham

This blog is all about trying new and creative things in your teaching. One of the best ways to introduce new ideas into your studio is with a comprehensive plan. In today’s post, I’ll share with you some planning tools that I’ve developed over the years to help with my own organisation. You’ve really got ... Lesson Plan Templates for Piano Teachers

03/15/2017 Read more

Motivate Your Piano Students [Chat with Paul Harris Part 1]

by Sean Wales

Once a piano student conquers a piece of music, teachers will often give them a new piece that is a little bit harder. The same process occurs after a student scrapes through an exam. They go onto the next level, and the next level and the next. But is there a better way to motivate ... Motivate Your Piano Students [Chat with Paul Harris Part 1]

03/13/2017 Read more
 

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How to Teach a Pop Song with No Music [Repertoire Rap #3]

by Tim Topham

Hi again, everyone. It’s Tim Topham here with another Facebook live repertoire rap. These are my overviews of some of the stuff that I’m doing with my students in regard to music that they want to learn and some of the best books that are out there that I’m finding. As you come on the ... How to Teach a Pop Song with No Music [Repertoire Rap #3]

03/09/2017 Read more

3 Keys to a Comprehensive Piano Lesson Plan

by Tim Topham

Piano teachers are some of the most dedicated, committed and hard-working professionals around. But are we sometimes too dedicated for our own good? I know that feelings of being overwhelmed and burnt-out are all too common. I think part of it stems from our own desire to always deliver that ‘perfect’ lesson. One that includes a little ... 3 Keys to a Comprehensive Piano Lesson Plan

03/08/2017 Read more

Teaching Beginner Piano and Planning a Curriculum

by Tim Topham

This month's theme is all about teaching beginner piano in a more fun and creative way and planning lessons for maximum impact without relying on exam boards or other set curricula. I'll be releasing my "No Book Beginners" course to help you engage your students in creative, musical activities before they ever open a method book and we'll explore ideas for lesson planning and sequencing at all levels. Can't wait!

03/02/2017 Read more

Repertoire Rap #2: Film and New Age music that teens and adults love

by Tim Topham

Repertoire Rap #2: Film and New Age music that teens and adults love. All right, hi, everyone. Tim Topham here. Again, for my Repertoire Rap for this fortnight, this is number two. Today’s focus is going to be on your teen and adult students in particular. I found that in working in school environments and ... Repertoire Rap #2: Film and New Age music that teens and adults love

02/23/2017 Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns

by Tim Topham

As students start exploring more non-traditional repertoire in your lessons (eg. pop, lead sheets, etc.), they’ll soon realise that a pianist’s left hand is crucial in providing a number of things: Steady Beat Rhythm & Groove Style Patterns are one of the most fundamental ingredients of music. And so students with a solid pattern vocabulary ... The Ultimate Guide to Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns

02/22/2017 Read more

What’s the Difference Between a Chord Chart and a Lead Sheet?

by Tim Topham

Lead Sheets have a notated melody line with chord symbols written above and may include words if it’s a song. Chord Charts simply show chord symbols with no notation. If the chord chart is referencing a pop song, it will generally include lyrics as well. In both cases, it’s up to the pianist to provide the left ... What’s the Difference Between a Chord Chart and a Lead Sheet?

02/20/2017 Read more