Creative Piano Teaching Podcast

There’s a global shift among piano teachers to start taking their studios more seriously. Many teachers are now taking care of their businesses and no longer see this as just a “hobby” or a side job. This is a profession. And with that comes all the trappings a small business needs like invoices, expense tracking, efficient scheduling and fee structures. How can we handle all of it and still have time to improve our teaching and invest in professional development? That’s what Todd Whaley is here to help us with. We’re going to reveal the biggest mistakes teachers make when it comes to the business of running a piano studio, and what you could be doing differently. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why you shouldn’t be handling invoicing manually in your studio * How many teachers are moving away from having teaching as just a “hobby” * How offering different payment options helps you get paid faster * What you should do to decide what your fees should be * Why we shouldn’t be getting involved in a race to the bottom * How you can be kind to yourself when it comes to billing * What software can do to improve tax time * The biggest trend in the most successful teachers Links Mentioned * My Music Staff * How to Set Up Monthly Billing Today’s Sponsor My Music Staff is studio management made easy – our web-based software helps you manage the core aspects of your private music teaching business. Whether you are a single teacher or part of a multi-teacher studio team, our affordable software is a perfect fit and designed to help your business achieve success. My Music Staff can do everything your private music studio needs. It helps you centrally manage your website, student contact information, schedule, invoicing and more. Visit our website (www.mymusicstaff.com) to start your FREE 30-day trial today and experience all of the features that My Music Staff has to offer. No credit card is required to start your trial and there is no obligation to subscribe. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next...

Phillip Keveren has created some of my favourite arrangements for piano. All of his pieces are beautiful, pianistic and playable. As he points out in the interview, you don’t want a student doesn’t want to be working on a pop arrangement for 6 months, and his work makes these pieces students want to play accessible to them at their level. Phillip got his start with fairly traditional piano lessons, but he was lucky enough to have teachers who never tried to squash his creativity. They supported his exploration, and he learnt by studying what other composers had done and trying to apply it to his own pieces. Take a listen to get an insight into a day in the life of a modern composer and what makes him tick. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * How Phillip got his start in music in a traditional lesson environment * How his early teachers encouraged his creativity * What he does to continue to learn even now by looking at scores * What his arranging process looks like and how he decides on the levelling * How Phillip got started with Hal Leonard * Some of his favourite books and arrangements * How we can foster the skill of arranging in our own students Links Mentioned * Classical Folk * Classical Jazz Today’s Sponsor My Music Staff is studio management made easy – our web-based software helps you manage the core aspects of your private music teaching business. Whether you are a single teacher or part of a multi-teacher studio team, our affordable software is a perfect fit and designed to help your business achieve success. My Music Staff can do everything your private music studio needs. It helps you centrally manage your website, student contact information, schedule, invoicing and more. Visit our website (www.mymusicstaff.com) to start your FREE 30-day trial today and experience all of the features that My Music Staff has to offer. No credit card is required to start your trial and there is no obligation to subscribe. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also,

This is the third and final part in our wonderful series on piano student motivation with Samanatha Coates. (Listen to part 1 here or part 2 here if you missed them.) Samantha shares a great quote in this episode: “It is not your job to motivate students. It is your job to create the environment in which they can motivate themselves.” – Edward Deci And Samantha really breaks down what it means to create that environment. Bringing the ideas of mastery and relatedness into everything we do, means we can foster this lifelong musicianship that we all want for our students. She also discuss the importance of autonomy. How, as teachers, we have to allow our students to make decisions so that they can connect with the music they’re learning. This is essential listening for all piano teachers. Make sure you tune in. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why self-determination theory is relevant to piano teachers * The most common reasons why students quit  * How group teaching can help with relatedness * How and why to let students choose their own repertoire * Why the exam express is so destructive for the feeling of mastery * Why finding the right repertoire is the most important thing we can do Links Mentioned * Blitz Books * Building a Piano Community That Students Love with Laura Kahar Today’s Sponsor The jewel in the crown of the Casio piano range is the Celviano Grand Hybrid. The premise behind this instrument was to merge the finest elements of an acoustic piano’s authenticity with the benefits of innovative Casio digital sound technology. A unique collaboration with the esteemed acoustic grand piano manufacturer C. Bechstein, has resulted in a stunning hybrid instrument. Each Grand Hybrid is equipped with a Natural Grand Hammer mechanism, full-length, wooden grand piano keys and an exquisite selection of three world-renowned acoustic grand pianos tones. Casio CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Pianos offer a full range of functions that provide meticulous support for music lessons such as recording functions, Hall Simulator, Headphone Mode, USB and MIDI connections and Line input and output connections. Unlike acoustic instruments, no tuning is required and the keyboard mechanism does not require any adjustment, which can mean significant savings in terms of maintenance costs. For more information click here to see the Celviano in action. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Motivation and practice are the biggest keys to our students’ success at the piano. That’s why I’m so thrilled to welcome back Samantha Coates for part two of our three-part series on student motivation. (Listen to part 1 here if you missed it.) In today’s show, Samantha is talking us through the parents’ role in piano lessons and how we can communicate that role to them. Parent education is a hugely underestimated part of our job as teachers. If we get this stuff right, it makes a massive difference. One of the ways Samantha explains this to parents is using her progress matrix which you can find on her blog here. By laying out the balance of practice and support (with a sense of humour), Samantha makes it very clear how direct this relationship is. No practice + no support = No progress…it really is that simple. I know you’re going to get a heap out of this episode, I certainly did. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why some students quit music * What makes the Suzuki method work * How to handle pushy piano parents * How to explain to parents what their role is in the student’s progress * Why Samantha awards scholarships for good practice * How these awards motivate her students and their parents Links Mentioned * The Progress Matrix * Music in Our Lives Today’s Sponsor The jewel in the crown of the Casio piano range is the Celviano Grand Hybrid. The premise behind this instrument was to merge the finest elements of an acoustic piano’s authenticity with the benefits of innovative Casio digital sound technology. A unique collaboration with the esteemed acoustic grand piano manufacturer C. Bechstein, has resulted in a stunning hybrid instrument. Each Grand Hybrid is equipped with a Natural Grand Hammer mechanism, full-length, wooden grand piano keys and an exquisite selection of three world-renowned acoustic grand pianos tones. Casio CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Pianos offer a full range of functions that provide meticulous support for music lessons such as recording functions, Hall Simulator, Headphone Mode, USB and MIDI connections and Line input and output connections. Unlike acoustic instruments, no tuning is required and the keyboard mechanism does not require any adjustment, which can mean significant savings in terms of maintenance costs. For more information click here to see the Celviano in action. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine.

Motivating students to practice is a big topic for piano teachers. In fact, it’s probably the biggest one. Tackling this area is no small undertaking, and I’m delighted to welcome Samantha Coates to the podcast to talk us through it. In this three-part series Samantha is unpacking motivation and parent education, and what leads to students that are intrinsically motivated to practice. In this first episode, Samantha discusses overscheduled students and how teachers can educate the parents about practice expectations. She also explains the difference between “if-then” and “now-that” rewards and why this distinction is so important to make. Ultimately, at the end of this series, I hope you will have started to understand how you can move your students into that top green square of the motivation matrix. Let’s get started. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why kids are so overscheduled these days * What we can do with these overscheduled students from the first meeting * The best way to use rewards in our studios * Why we do need some extrinsic motivation * How we can better understand our students’ motivation * The biggest change you can make straight away in your teaching Links Mentioned * The Motivation Matrix * Jelly Bean Practice * Drive by Dan Pink * Episode 18: Everything But the Pieces (Part 1) * Episode 19: Everything But the Pieces (Part 2) Today’s Sponsor The jewel in the crown of the Casio piano range is the Celviano Grand Hybrid. The premise behind this instrument was to merge the finest elements of an acoustic piano’s authenticity with the benefits of innovative Casio digital sound technology. A unique collaboration with the esteemed acoustic grand piano manufacturer C. Bechstein, has resulted in a stunning hybrid instrument. Each Grand Hybrid is equipped with a Natural Grand Hammer mechanism, full-length, wooden grand piano keys and an exquisite selection of three world-renowned acoustic grand pianos tones. Casio CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Pianos offer a full range of functions that provide meticulous support for music lessons such as recording functions, Hall Simulator, Headphone Mode, USB and MIDI connections and Line input and output connections. Unlike acoustic instruments, no tuning is required and the keyboard mechanism does not require any adjustment, which can mean significant savings in terms of maintenance costs. For more information click here to see the Celviano in action. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member.

Where do you stand on the digital versus acoustic issue? Do you encourage your students to get acoustic pianos or are you more open to high quality digitals? While I think good acoustic pianos are fantastic for students to have at home, a lot of the time digital pianos are actually the better option. When parents are purchasing a practice instrument for a beginner, they’re unlikely to want to invest enough to get a really solid acoustic piano.  And a digital piano wins over an old beaten-up acoustic every time. Take a listen to today’s show to hear about what sparked this topic, why I recommend digital pianos to my students, and which ones are my favourites. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Where competitions fit in my piano teaching philosophies * What I would recommend for a student’s practice instrument * The types of pianos and keyboards and how they compare * Why I don’t agree that students need to start at 3 or 4 years old * When and why a digital piano is better than an acoustic Links Mentioned * How to Choose the Best Digital Piano for Your Students * Future of Piano Playing is in Peril article * Roland FP30 * Kawai ES Series * Kawai CA Series Today’s Sponsor The jewel in the crown of the Casio piano range is the Celviano Grand Hybrid. The premise behind this instrument was to merge the finest elements of an acoustic piano’s authenticity with the benefits of innovative Casio digital sound technology. A unique collaboration with the esteemed acoustic grand piano manufacturer C. Bechstein, has resulted in a stunning hybrid instrument. Each Grand Hybrid is equipped with a Natural Grand Hammer mechanism, full-length, wooden grand piano keys and an exquisite selection of three world-renowned acoustic grand pianos tones. Casio CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Pianos offer a full range of functions that provide meticulous support for music lessons such as recording functions, Hall Simulator, Headphone Mode, USB and MIDI connections and Line input and output connections. Unlike acoustic instruments, no tuning is required and the keyboard mechanism does not require any adjustment, which can mean significant savings in terms of maintenance costs. For more information click here to see the Celviano in action. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In!

It’s my absolute pleasure to have one of my Inner Circle members on the podcast today. Janna Carlson is not only a fantastic piano teacher, she’s also launching a business to help other teachers with their piano studio website. Since switching to group teaching, Janna has seen first-hand the power of an effective site. Her piano studio website keeps enquiries coming in on auto-pilot – so she can focus on improving her teaching. Janna’s on the show today to give us some insight on what makes for a great site. We cover everything from images to contact forms to formatting. All the things you need to improve (or develop) your own piano studio website. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * What professional development has done for Janna * How her teaching studio has transformed over the last two years * Why she is adding another branch to her business * How she has moved from a “music teacher” to an “entrepreneur” * Why Janna wants to help teachers with their websites * What images can do for your studio website * The best way to write on your website * Why you need a contact form and contact buttons * How to get feedback from parents on your website * What to do if you don’t have a website * How to update an old website Links Mentioned * Studio Rocket Web Design Today’s Sponsor The jewel in the crown of the Casio piano range is the Celviano Grand Hybrid. The premise behind this instrument was to merge the finest elements of an acoustic piano’s authenticity with the benefits of innovative Casio digital sound technology. A unique collaboration with the esteemed acoustic grand piano manufacturer C. Bechstein, has resulted in a stunning hybrid instrument. Each Grand Hybrid is equipped with a Natural Grand Hammer mechanism, full-length, wooden grand piano keys and an exquisite selection of three world-renowned acoustic grand pianos tones. Casio CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Pianos offer a full range of functions that provide meticulous support for music lessons such as recording functions, Hall Simulator, Headphone Mode, USB and MIDI connections and Line input and output connections. Unlike acoustic instruments, no tuning is required and the keyboard mechanism does not require any adjustment, which can mean significant savings in terms of maintenance costs. For more information click here to see the Celviano in action. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page.

Having built a successful music studio, Peter Wang wasn’t done. Now, he and his colleagues are trying to make their mark on the music exam world with Con Brio exams. They’ve set about addressing some of the common concerns teachers have with traditional exam systems. Con Brio exams can be applied for at any time, from anywhere in the world. Their online system makes this easy and flexible for teachers. Con Brio exams also have a vast selection of pieces to choose from. They are passionate about every student loving their exam repertoire – not just playing it to get the grade. Take a listen to learn more about these interesting and innovative exams. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why Peter and his colleagues decided to create their own exam system * What they want to improve on from the traditional exam boards * The structure of Con Brio exams * Why they chose to use a video recording instead of live exams * How they tackle the authenticity issue * How they plan to make their examiners are consistent * Why they have not included a technical requirement Links Mentioned * Con Brio Exams Today’s Sponsor The jewel in the crown of the Casio piano range is the Celviano Grand Hybrid. The premise behind this instrument was to merge the finest elements of an acoustic piano’s authenticity with the benefits of innovative Casio digital sound technology. A unique collaboration with the esteemed acoustic grand piano manufacturer C. Bechstein, has resulted in a stunning hybrid instrument. Each Grand Hybrid is equipped with a Natural Grand Hammer mechanism, full-length, wooden grand piano keys and an exquisite selection of three world-renowned acoustic grand pianos tones. Casio CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Pianos offer a full range of functions that provide meticulous support for music lessons such as recording functions, Hall Simulator, Headphone Mode, USB and MIDI connections and Line input and output connections. Unlike acoustic instruments, no tuning is required and the keyboard mechanism does not require any adjustment, which can mean significant savings in terms of maintenance costs. For more information click here to see the Celviano in action. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or

Kevin Olson is a natural composer. He started composing at a very young age and creativity seemed inevitable to him. Now, he wants to encourage that in the next generation. Apart from inspiring our students with wonderful motivating repertoire, Kevin also has some fantastic words of wisdom when it comes to including creativity in our lessons. By taking it a little bit at a time – we can find more time for creativity. Our students don’t have to be producing complete, fully-notated compositions. Start with including improvisation and drawing from the pieces your students are playing. Then you can see where it goes from there. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * How Kevin started composing at age 5 * The place of composition competitions in Kevin’s studio * Why external motivation is important for teen music students * What we can do to foster students’ creativity * How to integrate creativity with everything else you have to cover * The music Kevin is most excited about right now * How he goes about composing a concerto * Where he starts a new composition Links Mentioned * Kevin Olson Music Club * My Kind of Music * Kevin Olson on FJH Today’s Sponsor The jewel in the crown of the Casio piano range is the Celviano Grand Hybrid. The premise behind this instrument was to merge the finest elements of an acoustic piano’s authenticity with the benefits of innovative Casio digital sound technology. A unique collaboration with the esteemed acoustic grand piano manufacturer C. Bechstein, has resulted in a stunning hybrid instrument. Each Grand Hybrid is equipped with a Natural Grand Hammer mechanism, full-length, wooden grand piano keys and an exquisite selection of three world-renowned acoustic grand pianos tones. Casio CELVIANO Grand Hybrid Pianos offer a full range of functions that provide meticulous support for music lessons such as recording functions, Hall Simulator, Headphone Mode, USB and MIDI connections and Line input and output connections. Unlike acoustic instruments, no tuning is required and the keyboard mechanism does not require any adjustment, which can mean significant savings in terms of maintenance costs. For more information click here to see the Celviano in action. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show,

Have you ever thought about bringing rock bands into your teaching studio? Many teachers would be interested in this kind of ensemble playing experience, and the positive introduction it provides to music. But few would think of bringing this to preschool students. Getting preschoolers into rock bands might sound like something that would need a team of music prodigies, but the way Dave’s doing it means any kid can get involved. Any child really can be part of a band at 4 years old, given the right approach. Learn how Dave Simon’s preschool rock bands work in this episode. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why Dave decided to start his school of rock * How a movie helped him expand his business * How and why he hired his first teachers * Why Dave started writing his own curriculum * Dave’s refined & thorough process for hiring teachers * How KidzRock started and who it’s for * How Dave designed the music for student success * The impact this program has had on student retention Links Mentioned * KidzRock * Dave Simon’s blog * Dave Simon’s studio Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live. Are you thinking about bringing rock bands to your studio? What do you like about Dave Simon’s approach? Is there anything you would differently? Have you ever thought about bringing rock bands into your teaching studio? Many teachers would be interested in this kind of ensemble playing experience, and the positive introduction it provides to music. But few would think of bringing this to preschool students. Getting preschoolers into rock bands might sound like something that would need a team of music prodigies, but the way Dave’s doing it means any kid can get involved. Any child really can be part of a band at 4 years old, given the right approach.

2017 has been an amazing year and I’ve so enjoyed sharing piano teaching ideas and inspiration with you on the podcast. We’ve covered everything from lead sheets to best business practices, and the feedback from all of you has been fantastic. Take a moment with me to look back over this year, and sneak a look forward to what’s coming up in 2018 on today’s show. I’ll also share with you a bit about my team, and some of what goes into running this site. Here’s to an even more awesome year next year! Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why you shouldn’t be doing everything in your business yourself * How I hire out tasks for my business * Some of the key members of my team and what they do * The most popular episodes of this year * What’s coming up for the podcast in 2018 * Webinars and training planned for early next year * Where you can catch me in person at conferences Links Mentioned * Monthly themes * Episode 77 on Leadsheets * Episode 89 on Piano Teaching and Arranging * Episode 93 on Nurturing and Retaining Students * Episode 81 with 3 Steps to Teaching Any Piano Piece Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live. What season topics would you like to see covered? If one or two of the ones I mentioned should be top priority – let me know in the comments. I’d love your input on this. 2017 has been an amazing year and I’ve so enjoyed sharing piano teaching...

Do you ever feel imposter syndrome? This is the feeling of being a “fake”. Feeling like others around you in your profession have more skills, more knowledge or even secrets that you don’t know about. Many new piano teachers, or even ones with years of experience, can feel a bit insecure in their own teaching abilities. Perhaps it’s because they don’t have a piano pedagogy degree, or maybe they’re just comparing themselves to others and it seems like they come up short. I hear some version of imposter syndrome from piano teachers all the time, and I know I’ve felt it myself. More teachers than you realise feel exactly this way. Which is why today I’m going to share with you some ways you can overcome imposter syndrome as a piano teacher. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * What imposter syndrome is and why it matters * Why I’ve felt this way myself too * Why you need to stop comparing yourself to other teachers * Tips for fighting imposter syndrome * How you can feel more confident in your teaching * How my own community can help with this * The importance of having a mentor as a new piano teacher Links Mentioned * Fighting Imposter Syndrome YouTube playlist * Resources page with book recommendations * Sign up for the Piano Pivot Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the “Coupon Code” box:  PIANOPODCAST. Thank you for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, and I’m grateful that you’ve chosen mine. Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons! If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons on the left of the page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes or on my Facebook page. Reviews are extremely helpful when it comes to show’s ranking and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live. Have you experienced imposter syndrome? How did you overcome this feeling? Why did you feel that way in the first place? Do you ever feel imposter syndrome? This is the feeling of being a “fake”. Feeling like others around you in your profession have more skills, more knowledge or even secrets that you don’t know about. Many new piano teachers, or even ones with years of experience,

Do you want to find success in 2018? No matter what that word “success” means to you – you’re going to need to clear the decks first. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by all the amazing stuff out there, you’re not alone. I hear from teachers all the time who find themselves spinning in circles trying to do too much. I’m so excited to tell you how you can beat the dreaded information overload, and find piano studio success in 2018. The challenge I’m running along with Nicola Cantan from Colourful Keys is going to help you do just that. This isn’t just about pedagogy either. It’s a wholistic approach to your piano teaching life. Take a listen to find out what this Piano Pivot is all about and how it can help you. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why teachers are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out * How to beat overwhelm by staying healthy * How you can set goals that give you clarity * Why habits and testing can help you be productive * How the Piano Pivot is structured * The key areas we’re going to look at in this challenge * How to join in with the Piano Pivot and beat the overwhelm Links Mentioned * Piano Pivot Sign-up * 6 Steps to Beating Overwhelm Today’s Sponsor “I am thrilled to be the brand ambassador for these incredible, dynamic, game-changing instruments developed by Casio – the Celviano Grand Hybrid pianos. If a person desires the qualities of a grand piano (or even more than one) but doesn’t own a manor house to place it in, the Celviano Grand Hybrid is your answer.” – Simon Tedeschi The Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid range is the perfect combination of innovation and tradition. Developed in collaboration with C. BECHSTEIN, Casio has introduced a game changer – offering an acoustic grand piano action, response and feel, with the benefits of a digital piano. Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid features at a glance: * Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos. * AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§  Berlin (C. Bechstein) *  Hamburg (Steinway) *  Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300) * Grand Acoustic Sound System *   6 x speakers, 2 amps *    Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field * Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing * Dual headphone capability * Piano duet mode For more details about the Casio Celviano click here. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price you sign up for today is the price you’ll pay as long as you remain a member. Copy this coupon code to use when you see the ...

Proper planning for new piano teachers (and more experienced ones) can save time, headaches and money. When you think things out in advance you can avoid falling into the traps that many new piano teachers do. Nicola Cantan is back on the podcast today to share tips on planning for new piano teachers. We cover a lot of ground, from lesson formats to performances to payments, and how you can bring all these things together if you know your big WHY as a teacher. Whether you’re a brand new teacher, or just need a reset button – I think you’ll love this conversation. We share some great insights and examples from our own teaching to make it super practical and relevant to your planning process. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below. Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why you need to plan your studio (even if you’ve been winging it so far!) * How you might be making less money than you could be * Where to look for your “why” or mission statement as a teacher * How you can decide your lesson format, length and location * What you need to consider when making policies * The pitfalls of policies and payments for piano teachers * How to plan a great recital that reflects your teaching style Links Mentioned * Colourful Keys blog * Vibrant Music Teaching * Supercharge Your Piano Studio Organisation with Google Gadgetry Today’s Free Download Today’s Sponsor “I am thrilled to be the brand ambassador for these incredible, dynamic, game-changing instruments developed by Casio – the Celviano Grand Hybrid pianos. If a person desires the qualities of a grand piano (or even more than one) but doesn’t own a manor house to place it in, the Celviano Grand Hybrid is your answer.” – Simon Tedeschi The Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid range is the perfect combination of innovation and tradition. Developed in collaboration with C. BECHSTEIN, Casio has introduced a game changer – offering an acoustic grand piano action, response and feel, with the benefits of a digital piano. Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid features at a glance: * Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos. * AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§  Berlin (C. Bechstein) *  Hamburg (Steinway) *  Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300) * Grand Acoustic Sound System *   6 x speakers, 2 amps *    Arrayed vertically (up/down) for acoustic grand piano soundboard-like experience and sound-field * Record direct to a USB flash drive for sharing and editing * Dual headphone capability * Piano duet mode For more details about the Casio Celviano click here. Get $100 off Annual Inner Circle Membership As a valued podcast listener, you’re eligible for a $100 discount on an annual Inner Circle Membership. This discount lasts for as long as you’re a member and whatever price...

Planning lessons effectively is definitely an art, not a science. There are many things to balance and the actual lesson might look quite different in the end – but with experience it does get easier. Leila Viss is not only a fantastic piano teacher, but she’s also helping to shape future piano teachers at the La Mont Piano Prepatory Program. Through her work there and at her home studio, she has picked up some helpful tips for planning lessons effectively for both groups and individual lessons. Leila shared a great quote in this interview as she spoke about the spiralling of concepts: “You have to make the knowledge ready for the child, rather than waiting for the child to be ready for the knowledge.” – Jerome Bruner …And so many more gems! Whether you’re a newbie teacher or a veteran, you’re definitely going to learn a heap from this episode. Transcript If you’d like to download a PDF transcript of this episode, please click below.   Inner Circle Members: You can access your PDF download now from the Resource Library. Not a member? In this episode, you’ll learn * Why lesson planning is important for piano teachers * How Leila plans for her group lessons * Why you need a mission statement for your teaching * Common mistakes that planning can help us avoid * How to teach students to practice and give them ownership * The why, what and how of planning lessons effectively * Where technology fits into the planning process * How much input students should have in the lesson structure Links Mentioned * 88pianokeys.me * Balancing the Eye and the Ear with Bradley Sowash and Leila Viss * Cult of Pedagogy podcast with Norman Eng * Simon Sinek TEDtalk * Play is more than just fun TEDtalk Today’s Free Download Today’s Sponsor “I am thrilled to be the brand ambassador for these incredible, dynamic, game-changing instruments developed by Casio – the Celviano Grand Hybrid pianos. If a person desires the qualities of a grand piano (or even more than one) but doesn’t own a manor house to place it in, the Celviano Grand Hybrid is your answer.” – Simon Tedeschi The Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid range is the perfect combination of innovation and tradition. Developed in collaboration with C. BECHSTEIN, Casio has introduced a game changer – offering an acoustic grand piano action, response and feel, with the benefits of a digital piano. Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid features at a glance: * Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard developed by C.Bechstein and Casio Made with full-length wooden concert grand piano keys, using the same materials and processes as the C. Bechstein concert grand pianos. * AiR Grand Sound Source (Three 9’ acoustic concert grands to choose from Berlin§  Berlin (C. Bechstein) *  Hamburg (Steinway) *  Vienna (Bosendorfer) * 32 other sounds (23 on GP300) * Grand Acoustic Sound System