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How to Import Sheet Music Into Your iPad

by Tim Topham

I get asked this question by lots of teachers, particularly when they first decide to purchase an iPad. Getting started using an iPad in your music lessons for the first time can be quite a challenge, so I hope the resources on this page will help to get you started. Firstly, if you’re new to ... How to Import Sheet Music Into Your iPad

08/20/2015 Read more

Motivating Teens To Practise Piano By Sending Them Online

by Rebecca Langley

Have Your Teens Always Got Something Better To Do? Let’s face it, most teens can always find something to do instead of practise piano. With pressures from school, sports and other activities alongside the always-on social networking aspect of their lives, encouraging teens to engage in a solitary activity that requires serious focus and effort can be a ... Motivating Teens To Practise Piano By Sending Them Online

08/11/2015 Read more

Get the latest Bluetooth Page Turner from AirTurn

by Tim Topham

If you use an iPad to store your sheet music (and who doesn’t these days?!), then you should definitely invest in a Bluetooth Page Turner from a company like Airturn. It makes shuffling through pages on your app (you use Forscore, right?) as absolute breeze, allowing you to go forwards or backwards with the touch ... Get the latest Bluetooth Page Turner from AirTurn

07/28/2015 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

How Pinterest for piano will motivate and inspire your teaching

by Tim Topham

If you’re a piano teacher and you haven’t yet had the chance to explore the MASSIVE amount of information available on Pinterest, then you should set aside an hour or two this weekend to see what all the fuss is about. The $5B+ company is the fourth-largest online social media enterprise (after Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter) ... How Pinterest for piano will motivate and inspire your teaching

07/20/2015 Read more

How to Build Essential Musicianship with Pop Songs Students Love

by Doug Hanvey

In your quest to help students travel the path of piano mastery, have you ever considered teaching them how to play a lead sheet? Teaching students how to play lead sheets – melody and chord symbols – of popular songs is the hot new trend in piano studios these days. It’s easy enough to find ... How to Build Essential Musicianship with Pop Songs Students Love

06/19/2015 Read more
 

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Top 10 Pop Songs for Piano Students

by Tim Topham

If you’ve decided to embrace teaching pop in your studio in the last few years, well done! (If you haven’t, then keep reading as I’m determined to get you thinking more about how this can impact your studio positively starting right now). There are myriad pedagogical benefits of working with students on pop music, including keeping ... Top 10 Pop Songs for Piano Students

06/09/2015 Read more

Creating a Buzz with Piano Film Music

by Tim Topham

Hands up if you’ve ever taught the James Bond Theme, Star Wars or the Pink Panther? My guess is that at least 99% of you just raised your hand, and with good reason. ‘Classic’ film tunes like these are fun to play and teach, have timeless appeal and are loved by students of all ages. ... Creating a Buzz with Piano Film Music

06/04/2015 Read more

Why I’m presenting at the NCKP 2015

by Tim Topham

As most of you know, I’m really excited to have been offered a presenting gig at this year’s National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, to be held in Chicago from July 21 to August 1. The line-up of presenters and workshops is awesome! I’ve been told the pre-conference sessions on the Wednesday before the conference are some of the best ... Why I’m presenting at the NCKP 2015

05/15/2015 Read more

Don’t miss online music business training from Wendy Stevens!

by Tim Topham

Need help with the business aspects of your studio? I just wanted to let you know that Wendy Stevens, one of my favourite teachers and bloggers from the USA, has just opened-up registrations for two online training events to help you run your piano teaching studio more effectively. The events will be run as 90-minute ... Don’t miss online music business training from Wendy Stevens!

04/28/2015 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?

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How Do I Find Out What Pop Music to Teach?

by Tim Topham

If you're teaching in a 21st Century piano studio (and I hope you are!), you're hopefully open to teaching pop music. Perhaps this is a new area of teaching for you, or perhaps you've always taught pop music and reading from lead sheets.    Whatever your situation, I'm really glad that you've decided to take ... How Do I Find Out What Pop Music to Teach?

04/24/2015 Read more