Coming of Age: Tips for Teaching Music to Adults

Striking the Right Chord: Elevating Piano Learning through Joyful Parties

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:40:59 GMT

I'm thrilled to share an exciting new aspect of teaching philosophy that not only engages students but also brings the joy of learning to new heights – hosting piano parties as lessons! This concept was introduced to me through a colleague, Scott Matthew out of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He has started offering these "parties" as part of his lessons twice a year now for his students. These unforgettable musical experiences for your students, ranging from four-year-olds to high school prodigies are a perfect balance of learning and fun. Today, I invite you to step into this musical haven and explore the enchanting world of these piano parties.

The Melodic Blend of Fun and Learning

Imagine walking into a space buzzing with energy, laughter, and the sweet melodies of "Seven-up," "Fiddlesticks," and "Musical Adventures." These parties aren't just your ordinary get-togethers; they're vibrant learning experiences carefully designed to cater to different age groups and learning levels. From the youngest novices to the seasoned high school performers, each party should be tailored to ensure optimal engagement and growth.

Party Repertoire that Dances through Learning

These parties are orchestrated around a dynamic playlist featuring an array of engaging activities, seamlessly interwoven with musical concepts.

Here is a glimpse of some of the highlights:

Do-Re-Mi Bingo: This exciting twist on the classic bingo game encourages budding musicians to match notes with their corresponding pitches. It's a harmonious challenge that sharpens their listening skills while they revel in the thrill of the game.
Classical Snap: A game of musical pairs that introduces students to iconic classical compositions. As they match melodies, they unknowingly deepen their understanding of musical styles and patterns.
Symbol Lotto and Symbol Bingo: These interactive games transform musical symbols into intriguing puzzles. As your students hunt for the right symbols, they decode the language of music, fostering a strong foundation for reading sheet music.
Notespeed - Primer: A musical race against the clock! Students compete to identify notes swiftly, enhancing their note recognition speed and accuracy.
Telephone and Tapping: These games encourage collaboration and rhythm exploration. Students tap out intricate rhythms or convey musical phrases through whispers, honing their rhythmic precision and communication skills.
Music Treasure Hunters: An adventurous musical scavenger hunt where students decode clues related to music theory and history, all while unraveling the mysteries of melody and harmony.

The Rhythm of Time and Inclusion

These parties are carefully curated to span 55 minutes, striking a perfect balance between education and entertainment. Regardless of age, students will be guided through a journey of discovery where the boundaries between learning and enjoyment blur into beautiful harmony. The age-appropriate content ensures that every participant gains something meaningful from the experience, enhancing their musical understanding and appreciation. By including these parties in your lessons, you're investing in experiences that shape students into lifelong lovers of music, encompassing both the technical skills and the magic of musical camaraderie.

In a crescendo of excitement, piano parties harmoniously blend the worlds of music and celebration. Through these gatherings, you're not just teaching piano; you're composing memories and kindling a passion that will reverberate through every note played for years to come.

Reach for the Stars: 5 Reasons 5-Star Online Reviews Are Essential for Music Teachers

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:26:12 GMT

Prospective music students crave useful information and firsthand knowledge from others about a music teacher’s qualifications and expertise, which is why online reviews could be a game-changer for your private music lesson business. 5-star Google reviews and rave reviews on social media are a powerful driver of new business since many clients check online reviews before they visit a business or inquire further. Your students can verify your experience, credentials, reliability, and compare what others have to say before they commit to using your services.

Digital town squares, such as Google and social media sites, are the primary forum where potential students and their parents will evaluate your private music lesson services and studio based on feedback from other, like-minded consumers. Young people are the most likely to go online for reviews, saying they trust online reviews more than personal recommendations.

Music teachers who don’t have online reviews are missing an opportunity to grow their business. Acquire and share outstanding online reviews that sing your praises. The importance of Google and social media reviews cannot be understated. Here are 5 reasons to be a glow-getter and score sensational, 5-star online reviews:

1. Credibility - Your music teacher business can build significant trust and credibility from a steady stream of positive reviews on Google and social media platforms. Ratings provide credibility SINCE they describe what you do, how you do it, and the value you bring to your students. Google is the most used and trusted search engine. People will pay attention to reviews on Google and good reviews improve brand trust.

2. Written in the Stars - 5-star ratings are an instantly recognizable symbol that resonates with people of all ages. Stars quickly communicate a message and signal to a potential client the high standard of your music lessons. If you have a 5-star rating, clients are far more likely to consider your services. These star ratings also help track overall customer satisfaction and hone in on what your target audience wants.

3. SEO - Google reviews are beneficial for search engine optimization. Reviews for businesses on Google play a meaningful role in Google’s search algorithm in deciding where your business shows up in relevant Google search results. If Google sees that you have good reviews, your website will be ranked higher in search engine results. Good reviews improve your digital relevance since online reviews are considered to be one of the key factors and gold standards when it comes to deciding which sites appear first. If you are a local business, the more positive reviews you have, the higher you are likely to rank on Google and that can drive more traffic to your site and social media platforms.

4. Rise Above the Noise - Thoughtful and comprehensive testimonials on Google and social media are a powerful way to increase the likelihood that potential students will choose you over other similar businesses. Online reviews are a marketing tool that help people narrow their choices in a world full of infinite possibilities. Music teachers who feature glowing reviews have a competitive advantage because those ratings illustrate your experience and knowledge.

5. Play a Starring Role in Online Reviews - Make it simple for clients to write a 5-star review by sending a personalized note and providing a link to your Google page and social media platforms. Publicize rave reviews, with permission, across your marketing assets (e.g., social media, Facebook, Instagram, your newsletter, and website). Put effort into acquiring them, encourage positive reviews, and thank clients for a good review to show you are grateful for their business. If there is a negative review, respond in a productive manner to demonstrate your willingness to make things right. Encouraging students to review your company is an easy way to expand your brand’s reach. Online reviews make you and your business much more visible. Consider offering an extra 15 minutes to a one-time lesson if they write a review or a 10% discount for a month of lessons.

So how do you get reviews? First off, make sure you have a Google My Business page. It’s totally free and you can set one up here. https://www.google.com/business/ Fill out the pages completely with lots of info about your business. Once your page is complete and published, invite your students or their parents to review you. You can find the link right to your reviews in your Google My Business panel. Make it a habit of inviting feedback every week so your reviews grow organically. Be sure to respond to every review as well!

On Facebook be sure to enable reviews for your page. How? Click settings, privacy, page and tagging, and enable the button “Allow others to view and leave reviews on your page.” That’s it. Invite your students/parents and again respond to all reviews.

Superstar reviews on Google and social media will be music to the ears of prospective students. If you are a private music teacher, embrace online reviews and use them to your advantage. Word of mouth happens online now, and thanks to online reviews, private music teachers can drum up new business in an effective and efficient way.

Simply the Best: 10 Music Teachers to Follow on TikTok

Wed, 24 May 2023 14:57:06 GMT

“ If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
- Ignacio Estrada
Director for grants administration at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

I ncorporating TikTok into the digital classroom can be a game-changer for private music teachers. The popular video-sharing platform has an estimated 1 billion active users worldwide so it’s no surprise music educators are leveraging the platform to reach students and prospective students. The social media app expertly exemplifies Mr. Estrada’s precept of meeting students where they are and tailoring teaching along with lesson plans to embrace and enhance one’s role as educator.

T ikTok is the latest tech tool in a long tradition of teachers using pop culture to connect with students. TikTok enables users to upload short videos, which feature music and filters, effects, links or text. TikTok has been shown to improve student learning through lecture-style presentations, group projects and discussion forums.

F or several showstopper, standout music teachers the educational use of TikTok has become seamlessly integrated into their pedagogy. The following music teachers on TikTok use the app to exceptional effect, hitting all the right notes while striking the perfect chord. These Top 10 TikTok Music Teachers Who Entertain & Educate have created dynamic, dazzling videos:

J ohn Wines - https://www.tiktok.com/@oldgreyguitarist

Melody Jenkins - https://www.tiktok.com/@thechromaticmusicteacher

Taryn Timmer - https://www.tiktok.com/@thatweirdchoirteacher

Bryson Tarbet - https://www.tiktok.com/@thatmusicteacher

Katie Ross - https://www.tiktok.com/@hellomissmusicteacher

Adria Gainer-Smith - https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavemusicteacher17

Jack Woodman - https://www.tiktok.com/@jackwoodman

Colin Sury - https://www.tiktok.com/@cjsmusiclessons

Myles Finn - https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmrfinn

Risha Allen - https://www.tiktok.com/@rishdishfish

W hile every music teacher on TikTok has their own unique style and aesthetic, there are universal qualities from which private music teachers can draw lessons. A few common denominators among those music instructors who excel on TikTok include the following:

A bility to connect, interact and bond with students in an authentic way enhances lesson plans and builds a connected digital classroom community.
A llow equal access to music since the app is free and the appetite to learn is enormous. Thanks to social media, there are few geographic or financial barriers to learning. These TikTok teachers make everyone feel like they belong.
P assion for what they are teaching. You can’t fake enthusiasm and these music teacher TikTokers embody their love for music and teaching in spades. They share their educational content as a service to their students by arming them with vital knowledge that they believe is important for personal and professional growth.
A ssignments using remote learning tools provide additional outlets for students to showcase their work, collaborate and improve their skills. Assignments reinforce what students learn in the classroom so they can develop their music capabilities faster and more effectively.
B ite-sized lessons deliver easy to digest instructions. The concept of micro-learning by its nature offers more digestible lessons for students, thereby laying the groundwork for better competency and a higher likelihood of success.
C apitalize on what’s trending (which constantly changes on the app) to then incorporate it into music instructions and garner greater visibility. Understanding popular trends and memes are essential elements in ensuring your content stands out from the crowd.
E ncourage independent learning. These TikTokers provide pupils with links to content through videos and infographics giving fresh, supplemental material and enrichment to help students further develop their knowledge and abilities.
M aking music education fun is a core reason these TikTok music teachers are at the top of their game. Studies show students retain and learn more when the lesson plans and instructions are enjoyable and entertaining.

T ikTok continues to be a noteworthy resource for private music teachers to engage with students and provide valuable music lessons. It is clear TikTok has taken the world by storm and its educational mission is proving to be an effective tool for teachers and students alike. Both teaching and learning on TikTok fosters an all-inclusive, expansive sense of accomplishment, awareness and music appreciation.

TikTok Tricks for Private Music Teachers

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 16:36:52 GMT

Lights, Camera, Action! Music educators around the globe may want to incorporate the highly popular social media platform TikTok into their lesson plans. The whole system of communication in private music education has evolved. Visibility and reachability has exponentially increased with new technologies, especially TikTok, which is a video-sharing platform that has an estimated 1 billion active users worldwide.

In the age of social media, music education can be accessible to all, and TikTok is a free platform downloadable by anyone with a smartphone. Private music teachers can take their businesses to new heights and new audiences. TikTok empowers teachers to meet students where they are, and then engage them in deeper learning through bite-sized lessons.

Clips are created using music and can be enhanced by a range of tools such as filters, branded stickers, animation, tutorials, links, and special effects. TikTok presents information in unique ways and can suit different learning styles. Teachers design videos up to 60 seconds around challenges, trivia, hashtags, and musical performances.

The app is an active learning tool that private music teachers find beneficial in building their brands and acquiring new students. Your students are more likely to engage with your content when it’s provided in their favorite form of entertainment. (Nearly half of the U.S. TikTok users are below the age of 30, and over half of those users are teenagers.)

Music educators use the online learning platform to teach lessons, explain concepts, create projects for individuals or groups, collaborate with influencers, and network with other professionals.

You can feature content on:

1) Technical exercise challenges - keep them succinct and fun

2) Creative warm up ideas

3) Exciting speed drills

4) Scale and arpeggio challenges - invite others to post theirs too

5) Ear training exercises

6) Rhythmic drills

7) Repertoire - play an excerpt and ask them to ID it in the comments

8) Improvisation on a theme

9) TikTok makes it easy to record, edit, share, optimize, and organize your original videos.

TikTok can also be used to add calls-to-action/contact info, share valuable tips/tricks/hacks, run ads, use TikTok’s algorithm to your advantage, capitalize on trends and TikTok challenges, leverage TikTok’s content publishing features, and use hashtags to put your business in the spotlight.

Be sure to craft genuine, high-quality educational and fun entertaining videos. Let your personality shine through. Show your passion with a purpose: There should be a reason for every video you post. Authenticity and consistency are essential when using the platform. TikTok’s algorithm favors engaging content that feels human, helpful, and informative. The platform can aid you in building strong relationships with your audience and increasing the chances of them turning into students.

One of the most important strategies for private music teachers is to pay close attention to the usage behavior of your audience. What time of day are they using the app? Which days of the week do they use TikTok the most? What type of content (i.e., music videos, lessons, instructional tutorials) elicits an uptick in comments? In the beginning, what matters most is creating momentum but over time, reviewing your traffic and engagement allows you to strategically decide what, when, and how often to post.

TikTok is the future of learning because it fosters connections, uses microlearning rather than long-duration courses, and serves as a classroom extension with the whole world in your hands.

Our next blog will show you some real-life examples of great music teacher TikTok posts and why they work so well!

DISCLAIMER: Regardless of the social media platform, there will always be privacy and security risks. Privacy settings can be placed on TikTok accounts to ensure children do not come across mature content. Teachers posting any student or group lessons on TikTok must seek parents’ permission to post videos of their children. When using TikTok as an educational tool, make sure pupils are aware of TikTok’s privacy settings, as well as safety and consent when using the platform for creating and watching content. Teachers should confirm that their teenage students have the approval of parents or guardians to use TikTok. Children under the age of 13 are prohibited from using this platform.

As Easy As ABC: How Private Music Teachers Can Save Music Education

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 14:36:35 GMT

Private music teachers are determined to turn up the volume when it comes to increasing accessibility and availability to music education. Traditional music education programs are either losing funding or music programs are frequently on the chopping block in public schools. But this problem is solvable. If we think more deeply about the profession we proudly call music education, we see the ways in which private music teachers can seamlessly bridge the gap and save music education.

The research is clear that students of all ages and ability levels can benefit from music education. Music education has been closely associated with enhanced language skills, increased cognitive ability, a boost in creative thinking, and strengthened problem-solving skills.

Private music teachers know the value of music education, and private lessons provide students with focused one-on-one time. Having a private lessons teacher to help answer specific questions or teach concepts students want to study is invaluable. With private lessons, there’s increased flexibility and personalization.

COVID-19 created more opportunities for the use of technology in the course of private music education. It is important to encourage students to embrace the constant evolution of culture and technology. Technology paves the way for private music educators to focus on the topics that underlie the hardware and software in use today so students can learn to work with a wide range of programs, sequencing, recording and notation software, music mixing, computer-assisted learning, and synthesis.

The music business is undergoing seismic technological and economic shifts. Private music educators should teach students to think not only as artists, but as entrepreneurs. The current times offer unprecedented potential for musicians to thrive as entrepreneurs. Private music educators can equip students to be high-level performers while also arming them with the entrepreneurial tools and business acumen they need to succeed in an evolving music business landscape.

Variety is the spice of life, and diversifying a student’s appreciation for and understanding of different music genres is beneficial. Private music educators should continue to explore various ways of teaching a broad range of music genres, recognizing a blend of traditional and non-traditional pedagogies that engage learners. Encouraging students to learn different kinds of music styles can help aspiring musicians expand their horizons. Please don't alienate students by rejecting any style of music as illegitimate. Use original, modern, and varied genres of music rather than the outdated material often presented in method books.

In a prior blog post, I wrote about how adults are one of the fastest-growing demographics of music students. Private music teachers can help save music education by embracing every age and ability level of their students. Adults are increasingly embracing musicianship late in life and they are making music education a priority.

There are many ways for your students to take what they learn in private lessons and share it with their community through music making events. This will further their music education by creating an open, inclusive, and diverse culture of “us” that treats music as a language to facilitate and foster a deeper sense of community. Talented music students are often able to take advantage of performance opportunities in the larger community. Performance represents an essential part of a student’s musical growth. Community engagement and performance fills an important role in your student’s music education.

Music education can not just survive but thrive with the help of private music teachers.

Should You Travel To Teach?

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 19:00:08 GMT

In this day and age, there are many teaching options for your Private Music Studio. Whether it’s seeing students in your home, a studio setting, or virtually, there are many pros and cons to each scenario. Knowing the benefits and roadblocks beforehand can help you navigate pricing and scheduling, and even which environment is best for you and your students.

Let’s explore the option of traveling to students’ homes to teach. While private instructors can typically charge more money for this convenience, it doesn’t come without considering a few different factors. If you do your prep work correctly, it can be a great way to run your business.

Benefits: As I previously stated, people will typically pay more money for you to come to them. It’s a big time saver on their part, and if they have multiple children’s schedules to manage, they don’t have to worry about things like childcare and dinnertime. A perk to traveling to piano students’ homes, is that the lesson happens on the same instrument they practice on, which can ease confusion when they’re practicing. Plus, you're saving the parents' (who both work) time and money.

Pricing: When quoting prices for lessons where you’re traveling, ALWAYS consider travel time, gas and insurance and you need charge for it. If some of your lessons are more than 30 minutes away, you may want to charge even more. A good rule of thumb is to not charge for travel time that is less than 15 minutes, but once you start to go over, charge a portion of your lesson rate. Also, take cancellations into account. Think about having a 24-hour cancellation policy. There’s nothing worse than driving all the way to a student’s home and discovering they forgot to cancel.

Location: It will save you time and money to map out your travel schedule according to your location. Perhaps schedule all of your students in one town on one day. And remember, some towns can be pretty large, so map out the exact locations. You will want to travel to each student in order of distance. Your map should never look like a pinball machine! How far you want to travel is up to you, but always remember time is money.

Supplies: Keeping all of your supplies organized and replenished will not only save you from headaches but will also keep your lessons running smoothly. I recommend having either a small rolling suitcase or portable file container that’s easy to transport to lessons. At the beginning of each week, check your inventory and make sure you have everything you need. If one of your supplies needs to be replaced during the week, take note and don’t delay! Always carry items like staff paper, pencils, books, flashcards, extra strings, repair tools, or anything else you might need during the lesson.

Environment: When teaching lessons in students’ homes, the biggest challenge is the home environment. Insist on having a quiet, clutter and distraction-free space for your lessons. Many teachers like to stop in and meet students in their homes. This is the perfect time to ask to see their lesson space. If you see things aren’t quite adequate, make a few kind suggestions to make things more productive. Also, make it very clear that while parents are welcomed to watch, younger siblings are often distracting and should be kept occupied during the lesson. You May even wish to have a separate 'Travel Policy' sheet.

What can go wrong? While there is always a margin for error, lessons in a student’s home should run smoothly if you do the proper prep work. Make sure you’re prepared will all the supplies you might need (plus a few extras). And speak with your students or their parents to make sure your expectations for the lesson environment are clear. Otherwise, enjoy your students’ smiling faces each time you arrive at their door!

Coming of Age: Tips for Teaching Music to Adults

mimibutler411@gmail.com (Mimi Butler) — Thu, 13 May 2021 20:11:02 GMT

Adults are one of the fastest-growing demographics of music students, and they have their own learning styles, life experiences, capabilities, goals, and interests that shoul d be absorbed into their music education. Teaching an adult learner can be highly enjoyable and deeply enriching but there is a unique pedagogy in teaching adults versus children. What adjustments do you need to make in your approach to teaching adults as opposed to children?

Music is one of the most effective ways to learn a new skill and hone an artistic talent. It is important to start with attainable practice and performance goals, and don’t be afraid to adjust them as you go along. All methodologies should be flexible and individualized for adult learners. Adults have a different style of assimilating new knowledge, and music is not a one-size-fits-all art.

Knowing how to develop a curriculum appropriate to the adult learner will make lessons more effective, interesting, and successful for both the student and the teacher. In fact, building a foundation of formality while maintaining transparency can set both the adult learner and their teacher on a path towards boundless achievement. With adults, it is advisable to set boundaries from the beginning. For example, be clear and consistent about what the adult student should call you. While adults tend to want to have more input than a child about what they’re being taught and the pace of their learning, as the professional music teacher, you are in the best position to assess ability and create a realistic lesson plan for the adult learner.

You will want to share your love of music with students of all ages and experience levels, and they are relying on your wisdom and expertise to help guide them. Teachers are in the best position to encourage continuous music education and learning. Adult learners may also wish to share more with you in between lessons, such as musical videos or recordings and themselves playing.

Many adults have a musical past that can help inform their teachers about why they want to learn music now. Some adults feared learning a musical instrument because of a negative childhood experience that was embarrassing or discouraging. Is it a situation where they were told by adults then that they would not succeed? Other adult students perhaps never got the chance to play music as a child due to their family’s financial constraints or because music was under-appreciated at home. Recognize an adult’s experience with music as a starting point to help them achieve their goals. Once you understand your adult student’s musical past, that can help you build appropriate lesson plans and make them feel safe and supported in the present.

Adult students can understand complex technical concepts, and they are more apt to pick up on the patterns and form of the music, which makes for a more meaningful, high-quality teaching experience. Adult students have been exposed to more life experiences and different forms of music, so they have a diverse and richer repertoire of musical styles to draw from, which is especially enjoyable for the teacher. They can usually understand music theory better in a shorter period of time and may even have better muscle control compared to children. This will of course depend on their age. Therefore, it is important that technical skills be introduced earlier to them. Older adults often need more reminders.

Practice makes perfect, but unlike children who may not have a choice about studying or practicing music, if adults don’t make consistent progress, they may quit. Are they the kind of person who expects goals quickly and are they impatient? Consider how you can tailor your lessons to include an adult learners’ time constraints and how their schedules might impact the practice and study of music. While adult learners have longer attention spans than children to work on honing their craft, their schedules are busier. They juggle work, errands, volunteering, and time with family and friends so their practice and lesson schedules may be inconsistent, which takes more patience on your end. Weekly lessons and daily practice may be more erratic with them, which is why as long as the student is being reasonable, you should be, too.

Adult learners who never studied music may need guidance in understanding the importance of regular practice, and how to practice effectively. Chances are, adult students have been out of school for awhile, and they may need help learning how to flex their music practicing muscles!

Adults may challenge their music instructors in ways children do not, requiring a more comprehensive explanation of concepts during each lesson and will need logical clarification. Music instructors teaching adults need to know how hard to push them, how to answer their questions, and how to get them to the next level. Adult learners tend to struggle with a level of self-consciousness that young students don’t necessarily possess to the same degree.

Adults may be more disciplined at setting goals than children, and in turn, are more motivated and driven to succeed. Since they’re paying for lessons themselves, the level of dedication is often higher, increasing the likelihood that they will attain or exceed their own expectations and benchmarks. However, don’t forget to enforce your payment and lessons policies with adult students.

There is no shortcut to success in teaching music to adult learners. Perseverance, effort, patience, and commitment are needed by both the teacher and the student to maximize success and satisfaction. During the learning process, it is normal for adult students to face obstacles, some of which are described above. Don’t forget they often need more compliments with follow-ups !!

10 Tips To Make Virtual Lessons FUN!

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 22:52:26 GMT

Whether you teach a class of 30 students or private lessons, teaching virtually has been a challenge for all educators. Presenting information in a way students will understand that truly helps them learn has been the driving force behind lesson plans.

We all know that learning is so much more than absorbing information, especially for kids. What about building relationships with our students? What about the emotional connection you get from playing music together? What about the fun?

I’ve never met a kid that wants to stick with anything if it isn’t fun. And virtual lessons can be fun, too! Here are 10 ways to keep your students excited and engaged during your virtual lessons. Some are for younger students, some for older and some for all ages!

Play Games – Don’t just play any game, try and incorporate the piece your student is working on. For example, play freeze dance. You can play the song your student is learning, and they can dance along. Not only will they be having fun, but hearing the music played correctly will help their performance.
Crack Some Jokes – Why did the girl sit on the ladder to sing? She wanted to hit the high notes! Start each lesson off with a musical joke, and your students will be having fun right from the start.
Keep Them Moving – No one wants to sit still for an entire hour, so encourage some movement. Rhythm is a great way to do this! Clap, jump, hop, and even shimmy your way to mastering those fun beats. For older students, have them do exercises with you. Standing jumping jacks, stretches and even neck and hand exercises.
Whiteboard Feature – Did you know Zoom has a whiteboard? When you use the Share Screen option, you can select the whiteboard for live drawing. This is super helpful when explaining tricky subjects and keeping visual learners engaged.
Share Screens – Sharing your screen takes the lesson to a whole new level. You can create charts and graphics before the lesson to share with your students. And we know how much kids love YouTube! Find a great video of the piece they’re working on and watch it together.
Send Gifts – Just because you’re not together in person doesn’t mean you can’t drop a treat in the mail (kids LOVE mail)! Every once in a while, send a card, their favorite candy, or a themed book that your student would enjoy. It helps build that personal connection. You may even want to drop off (and leave outside) to their home a cookie with a note.
Online Rewards – There are a ton of virtual prizes that are readily available online. Virtual stickers, digital reward tags, eBooks, and coupons are a great way to show students instantly they’re doing a great job.
Virtual Backgrounds – Keep your students guessing with fun virtual backgrounds. Where will my teacher be this week? You can visit them from the beach, the desert, or even outer space!
Get Flashy – Never underestimate the fun of good old-fashioned flash cards. They can reinforce note names, rhythm, musical terms, and lots of other things! You can use any cards you have in your studio and hold them up to the camera or find digital versions online.
Talk It Out – Now, more than ever, it’s important to have everyday conversations with your students. Ask them how school is going or what extracurricular activities they’re involved in. Take notes, and ask follow up questions during your next lesson. Don’t forget to share a story or two about yourself!

Even if you’re not seeing students in-person, there are plenty of ways to keep lessons engaging and fun. When a student feels you’re putting in the extra effort to get to know them and make virtual instruction enjoyable, they’ll be more likely to put in the effort on their end, too. You’ll see better practicing during the week and a positive attitude during lessons!

5 Online Resources for Private Music Teachers

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:56:13 GMT

The world has gone virtual, and that includes music teachers. With so many programs to choose from, making this shift from in-person instruction to virtual can be overwhelming. But some options can make your life easier.

We all know about communicating on Zoom and online payment software like PayPal. Those are the basics! We're talking about other online tools. Private music studio teachers of today need studio management or simple transposing assistance. Most of all, these tools need to be quick and painless to learn. After all, we want to spend our time playing and teaching, not toiling over our computers!

In my latest book, Your Next-Gen Private Music Studio , some of my most trusted colleagues have shared with me the favorites that they use daily for virtual teaching. Here are some picks from the top of their list:

1. GarageBand – It gives you a full music studio, including an extensive sound library. You can record, add tracks, and saves files in GarageBand (it’s free!). This is useful for teachers in so many ways. You can play past files for students to hear the difference in their playing level from former years, which can help determine what to focus on in the future.

With GarageBand, you can...

• Add unlimited tracks

• Record, edit and save files

• Create separate files for each student to record their tracks

2. Finale – It’s music notation software that has become an industry standard. Make your scores look beautiful and share them with others! Teachers can use Finale to write exercises and takes excerpts from various method books, making it easy to customize music for their students.

With Finale, you can...

• Transpose

• Format

• Enlarge music for students with impaired vision

• Print, format PDF files, and email to students

• Create a MIDI file as background accompaniment

3. SmartMusic – This is a repertoire library of exercises and music education tools to help your students learn more effectively. Create your own library so students can browse and play along with it. It only costs $40 per year and $5 per student for access. SmartMusic has an online student practice log and monitors their time. Plus, all of the files can be played back.

With SmartMusic, you can...

• Access a teacher’s sheet music library remotely

• View online practice log

• Monitor time right on the site

• Played files on repeat

4. Audacity – No Mac? No problem! Audacity is an audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac, Linux, and other operating systems. Teachers like to upload a tune to Audacity to control tempo for the student’s needs. It gives you a remarkable ability to customize music for both private lessons and performance.

With Audacity, you can…

• Record live audio

• Import, edit and combine sound files

• Convert samples

• Plug-in friendly

5. MyMusicStaff – It’s everything you need to manage your Private Music Studio business. Automate everything to save you hours of time and never miss anything. Have peace of mind that your business is running smoothly, so all you have to do is teach.

With MyMusicStaff, you can…

• Manage your website

• Organize student contact information

• Scheduling

• Invoicing

Learning new software for your Private Music Studio doesn’t have to be complicated. You may love these tools so much; you’ll have a hard time remembering how you taught without them. Another bonus, since kids are so advanced in technology, they’ll be extra engaged!

Zoom Teaching Tips

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:15:50 GMT

It's going pretty well on Zoom - most problems are on the students' end if they have spotty Wi-Fi. Here are some ways I've found to help parents stay comfortable with the format:

1. I space students at least 20 minutes apart, so if there are connectivity issues the students still get the full-length lesson.

2. If there's an instrument problem (especially with young students), they can bring the cello to my house. I'll work on it outdoors and the student and parent can wait in the car while we chat with their windows down. I IMMEDIATELY put my shoes in the "contagion containment zone" for disinfection later, then go back in and put my clothes in the wash and jump into the shower.

3. I e-mail the parents regularly to let them know what we're working on, what kind of progress to expect, and how to help their student when they get "stuck."

4. Students and parents know that they can e-mail or text me between lessons if they need help. This is extra-useful for the ones who are in online intensives and need coaching in music theory.

5. I'm in contact with their school and youth orchestra directors to make certain that we're all on track.

Yes, this is all extra, unpaid work, but we can't put a price on helping our students when the world has gone pear-shaped.

Janet Paderewski Lattanzi, TX

How iPhones Have Revolutionized Private Music Lessons

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 18:16:52 GMT

Cell phones have likely been the bane of all teachers’ existence since their inception. Kids sneaking them into class and causing a distraction adds a level of difficulty to managing a classroom that didn’t exist years ago.

Not to mention the distraction they cause when you’re supposed to be doing something focused like practicing your instrument. Let me just check Facebook for a second…

But are they really all bad? The ability to look up information and take videos of your students while you’re teaching can be a great asset. Am I actually suggesting that a cell phone could be a GREAT tool to use during a lesson? YES!

1. Metronome Apps: Who needs an old-fashioned wind-up pendulum metronome? They were never perfectly accurate anyway. There are so many great metronome apps with a ton of helpful features. Programable rhythms, customizable screens, syncing, volume control, subdivisions, and polyrhythms are just some of the bells and whistles these apps have. Some are even geared towards specific instruments.

2. Video: Does a student keep using poor hand position? Record them in action so they can watch it back for easier and faster correction. This can be a real gamechanger when students are preparing for recitals and auditions. It’s impossible to have complete self-awareness when playing, and watching yourself on video can help correct everything from body position to even tempo.

3. YouTube: Want to hear a professional play the piece your student is working on? You can probably find 10 within minutes. This can be helpful when choosing new repertoire and getting kids excited about pieces they’re currently playing. If a student is having trouble capturing the feel of a song, hearing several different performances can help tremendously with interpretation.

4. Amazon: Teachers have a lot going on, so it’s easy to forget things. Does your student need a new book? Rather than forgetting week after week, you can order it within seconds on Amazon and cross one task off your list. Is one of your students just dying to play a piano arrangement from the latest movie? Do a quick scroll and see if it’s available.

5. Internet: What year did Mozart die? Where was Bach born? What are the requirements for auditioning for college? Is a musical term escaping your memory? Do a Google search during the lesson and you’ll have all the answers you need. Years ago, teachers would have rows of books lined up in their studios so they could look up information when a student had a question. It was always an issue for traveling teachers since it’s impossible to carry all those reference books to each lesson. Now, everything you need is in the palm of your hand.

Just think about all of the bulky equipment a simple iPhone has replaced. You no longer need a metronome, video camera, computer, television, or endless volumes of books. Since all these tools are at your fingertips, you’re much more likely to use them. Embrace your phone and you’ll find it’s one of the most essential tools you can use in teaching.

The Essential Pages For Your Private Music Studio Website

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 15:49:29 GMT

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A website is an essential part of any business owner’s toolkit. Especially private music teachers! Even if you don’t have a full-fledged studio, there’s still plenty of content to put on your website. Not to mention, it can be a great way to get new students.

Websites don’t have to be fancy (although if you want to get fancy, by all means do!). For private music teachers, they should give visitors a sense of who you are, what kind of music you teach, and let prospective students know what to expect when they study with you. It also gives you the opportunity to expand your studio through a store or blog. Here are the essential pages and a few extras.

1. Home – A home page is a visitor’s first impression of you, so it needs to be both professional and likeable. Include a top-quality photo of yourself, what instrument(s) you teach, and style of music. Contact info (phone number and email address) should be easily visible, preferably at the top of the page. Some welcome text that explains your teaching philosophy and what students can expect when they study with you is a nice personal touch. Towards the bottom of the page, a few glowing reviews from parents/students reinforces how great you are!

2. About Me – This page is another great opportunity to show a professional photo of yourself. Either choose a different headshot than your “home” page, an action shot of you teaching, or nicely posing with your instrument. Include a well-written bio that showcases your education, credentials, and a few fun tidbits to make it more personal. This is another page where it’s very appropriate to share some reviews from parents/students.

3. Store – A one-stop shop makes things convenient for both you and your students. Provide links to books they’ll need, instruments and accessories, music stands…etc. Sign up to be an Amazon affiliate and make a few extra dollars when students buy. You can even sell your own studio swag!

4. Gallery – This is a great page to show off your students’ work and give people a feel for the community you’ve created. Post videos and photos of lessons, exercises, or examples of your teaching techniques. A gallery is the perfect place to commemorate recitals! Current students will enjoy reliving that special day, and prospective students can see what kinds of performances they can look forward to. Just be sure to get parent permission before posting any photos or videos of minors online.

5. Blog – We can’t say enough great things about blogs. Do people really read them? Yes! A blog is the perfect platform to educate students and parents about music history, genres, techniques, instruments, address FAQs, and other good practices. It also establishes YOU as an authority in music education.

6. FAQ – This page can save you from answering the same questions over and over. Lay out all the questions you get repeatedly and answer them in straightforward detail. Address taking lessons, procedures, payment/billing, practicing, recitals, performance anxiety, and anything else that comes up often.

7. Links – Provide links to more resources your students might find helpful. It can range from local music shops to books you’d recommend. Also, it’s not a bad idea to let whatever websites you’ve linked to know about it. If they link back to you, it’s great for your SEO.

8. Contact – This is an obvious one. A proper contact page makes reaching out easy. Whether someone is ready to sign up for lessons, or merely has a question, make yourself easy to contact.

Don’t underestimate the power of a professional website for your private music studio. With so many options today, the cost can be minimal. Creating it should be fun, and the rewards will be great!

5 Ideas For Your Private Music Studio Newsletter

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 18:33:34 GMT

Keeping parents and students excited about their music studies is crucial to their success. Sharing useful information and making them feel like they are a part of something special is not only exciting, but keeps everyone motivated. More practice, enthusiasm during lessons, and a better-informed community will greatly improve your private music studio business.

You may be thinking that you don’t have time to create a newsletter or it may be too difficult to figure out. Programs like Constant Contact and Mailchimp make it very easy. Worried about what content you’d share? Well, that’s easy, too.

Current News – Is your spring recital coming up soon? New books are in! We’re now giving scented stickers for each technique exercise completed! Whatever the new developments are, let your community know. It doesn’t matter if the news is big or small. Remind students to keep practicing those Hanon exercises and earn their stickers or get them excited to receive new books next week.

Featured Student – Students of all ages are always doing amazing things and it makes them feel great to be acknowledged. If a student worked hard to perfect a particular run in their piece, take a quick video of their performance during your lesson and share it. Was one of your students accepted into All State Choir or perform at a local event or religious institution? Let your community know! It doesn’t even have to be related to music. If one of your students make the National Honors Society, share away!

Featured Composer – Did you know Beethoven was terrible at math? Can you believe Mozart wrote his first opera at age 11? There are so many fun facts about composers of every genre. Sharing trivia may even encourage your students to try and learn a new kind of music.

Practice Tips – It’s easy for practicing to get boring and everyone has the tendency to fall back on the same methods they’re used to. Shake things up a bit! Share an exercise or game to make practice fun and develop new skills. Focus on a new skill in each newsletter.

Blog Post – Nothing is better than exclusive content. Not only does it give you original information to share on social media, but it really gives your newsletter personality. Write a blog and share it in your newsletter! Since you’re the author, the topic, format, and tone of voice is completely up to you. Get creative and inspire your students to do the same.

8 Great Social Media Ideas For Your Private Music Studio

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 15:29:55 GMT

Every business owner knows they should have a thriving social media presence. But

when it comes time to come up with content, a lot of people draw a blank. As a

result, social media feeds end up very sporadic. Posts are scheduled at all different

times (often weeks at a time are missed), and content is all over the place.

Fear not! There are a ton of great content ideas for private music teachers. Just pick

a category, find something interesting to post, then pick a different category the next

day.

Try and commit to at least 3-5 times per week and post around the same time

each day. To make things extra easy, you can also post the same type of content each

day of the week.

1. Student Photos (with permission) – ex: Student of the Week

2. Student Videos (with permission) – practicing and performance

3. Informational Articles about Practicing/Practice techniques

4. Composer History Articles

5. Music Jokes

6. Inspirational Content – ex: American’s Got Talent success stories.

7. Articles about instrument history

8. Fun music facts

Why You Should Always Have 3 Different Ways To Teach Anything

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 15:31:41 GMT

As most adults grow up through learning, we realize how we learn best.

Each individual is different and every person does have a preference. It’s evident in how we study, and lay out large amounts of information that needs to be absorbed. Do you write flashcards? Perhaps record spoken notes into a recorder?

Children are no different. The only thing is, since they’re new to learning, they don’t know how they learn best. That’s up to us teachers to figure out. When relaying a new concept during a lesson, are the student’s eyes glazing over or are they quick and engaged? These cues tell you which approach is working best.

The Visual Learner – Flashcards, drawn pictures, and lots of book examples work best. Explain how to teach notes on a staff to a visual learner. Post its on the books. They can be saved and moved to other pages. Great reminders !!

The Kinesthetic – Learn by doing! Play examples, lots of singing, demonstrating pitches, and clapping rhythms. Explain how to teach notes on a staff and rhythm to a kinesthetic learner.

Reading/Writing Learner – Write plenty of examples, have them draw pictures, and do written exercises. Explain how to teach notes and rhythm to a reading/writing learner.

You’ll find some students fit very snugly into one category, and others need variety. Also, some concepts may work best with visual examples, and others translate best through a written worksheet. Play around and experiment with each student and learn their cues for what is working best.

How Much Should I Teach During The First Music Lesson?

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:36:25 GMT

It’s common for both students and teachers to be excited during the first lesson. Teachers are eager to impart their knowledge and students can’t wait to play an actual song. Quite often, in an attempt to play their first tune as quickly as possible, instructors give kids way too much information and actually end up delaying their playing.

Finding the balance and giving just enough instruction, so students can take their first steps, takes time and experience as a teacher. Wouldn’t it be helpful if there were some guidelines for new private teachers?

Here is a great starting off point for what to cover during your first lesson with new students:

Theory – Explain, in general, the connection between the notes on the page and where they fall on the instrument. Talk about lines and spaces, bar lines, double bar lines, and the starting clef in which your instrument plays.
Notes – Briefly go over the letters that go with the lines and spaces along with a saying to help them remember. Remind them that you’ll go over this often and they don’t have to remember them all at once. Start off with 3 notes that they DO have to remember, like CDE, and teach them how to play those notes in a song that they can read. Also teach them those 3 notes on the staff.
Rhythm – During the first lesson, only teach a count of 4 in each measure. Also stick to quarter notes and half notes. Practice counting and clapping the rhythm to their first song.
How To Practice – It’s very helpful to tell a student how to practice and what you expect . For example: 3 times saying the note names out loud, and 3 times counting the beats out loud. Just saying something like “practice for 10 minutes” isn’t enough guidance.

At the end of the lesson tell the student what a great job they did and ask them if they have any questions.

Music Teachers Suffer From Burnout, Too!

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 16:43:27 GMT

Spending your days with music sounds like a charmed existence. Teaching, playing, listening, spending time with kids…what could be better? Don’t get me wrong, it has been my lifelong career and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But the truth is, music teachers burn out!

Just like in any other career, private teachers need to make an effort to carve out “me” time. It’s actually more difficult, because as a private teacher, there are no set holiday weeks and no summers off. Taking a break has to be a conscious decision and it is an important one. If teachers neglect to take a break, that very thing that you love can begin to cause stress in your life. How exactly can you relax? Here are a few of my favorite ways.

Vacation – Plan a trip somewhere at least twice a year, ideally one in the winter and one in the fall. Book a week at the beach, a long weekend hiking, or a few days of sightseeing in a city you’ve always wanted to visit. Some teachers take off extra time in the summer since students are often away.
Go Lunching – Or, coffee at least once a week.
Spa time – Whether it’s a facial, a massage, or a simple manicure, the hour spent alone doing something for yourself can make a world of difference.
Take a Walk – It’s one of the best stress relievers, it increases serotonin in your brain, and it’s FREE!
Enjoy Some Music – Sit back, relax, and remember the reason you got into music in the first place. Whether it’s a free performance at a coffee shop or tickets to the Met, go watch some good music!

Creative Themes To Make A Memorable Spring Recital

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:34:17 GMT

How many years have you been running a yearly recital? Ten? Twenty or more? Sometimes you need to shake things up a bit. Especially for those kids who have performed in several of your recitals, surprising them with a fun theme is super engaging and just makes them feel special.

When choosing a recital theme you want to be careful. Having everyone show up in clown costumes may be distracting and take away from the serious hard work your students have done. I also recommend recitals not exceed 90 minutes and a snack or some food should always be offered at the end. Ask the parents to be in charge of the after party! Here are some great ideas to give your recital a little something extra, but not too much:

Composers – Have each student pick a favorite composer from their repertoire, and recite a few fun facts about the composer before they play. You can also hang posters of different composers around the room that will be featured. Did you know that J.S. Bach had 20 children? And Mozart starting composing when he was just six years old!

Sing Along – This one works great for guitar recitals (but could work well for many other instruments). Hand out lyric sheets and have the audience sing along with the student as they perform. The audience involvement really brings out the performer’s enthusiasm.

Happy Holidays – Each student can perform a tune from the holiday of their choice. Traditional music from Christmas, Hanukkah, St. Patrick’s Day, there are so many holiday songs to choose from! The room can be decked out in a fun mix of holiday decorations and the performers can even don holiday attire.

Carnival of the Animals – Saint-Saens composed the most fun collection of animal themed tunes. Each student can chose an animal and perform that piece. Audience members can even try to guess the animal! Have the room decorated in an animal theme and serve fun foods like animal crackers, pigs in a blanket, and goldfish during the reception after.

Movies – Teach your students themes from famous movies and decorate the room in a movie theme. Hang shiny stars from the ceiling, roll out a red carpet, and have the students dress to the nines! You can even give out little gold statues for a stellar performance.

Original Tunes – During the months leading up to the recital, teach your students about songwriting and guide them through the process. Help them compose a piece that has strong form, themes, and rhythm. When recital time comes around, they’ll be super confident in their creation. Have each student perform their own composition and perhaps even tell the audience about their inspiration.

Dance Off – Allemande, gavotte, gigue, minuet, or waltz! Have students perform different kinds of dances and explain how people would dance to them. Maybe a few brave souls will impress you with some live demonstration in front of the audience.

Disney – There are some really beautiful arrangements of popular Disney themes and getting students to practice them won’t take a whole lot of convincing. Finding room decorations is so easy! You can even ask each student to bring in a toy from his or her favorite movie to display during the performance.

Tour of the World – Have each child choose a country and they can perform a piece from that part of the world. Part of their study can even be to make a flag from that country to display at the recital. Each child can also bring in a dish from the country they’ve been assigned to share at the reception after.

It's Tax Time!

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 16:10:26 GMT

Here’s What You Should Be Writing Off.

Often creative minds get into trouble when they’re not drawn to the business and finance world. Making music and sharing their love is what demands most of their attention, but the real world comes knocking - studio costs, travel expenses, and the dreaded taxes.

If you want to run a successful business (even in a creative industry) you must have your dollars and cents in order. Need some guidance when it comes to tax write-offs for musicians? We’ve got you covered!

Recording Studio Fees: Any costs associated with recording for you or your students.
Music Studio Rental Space: If you rent space to teach lessons.
Online Marketing Expenses: Any costs relating to your website (hosting, domain, design, etc).
Professional Association Membership Fees: SAM, SCI, ASTA, Nafme, MTNA, etc.
Services That Help Take Care of Your Business: quickbooks, CRM software.
Instruments: For you or students.
Repairs: All instrument and studio repairs.
Recital Costs: Location, programs, food, trophies.
Musical Events: Field trip for students, professional development performances.
Continued Training: Lessons, workshops.
Touring Costs: Meals, hotels, shipping equipment, transportation.
Travel: Driving from lesson to lesson.
Books: For you and students.
Studio Supplies: Pencils, paper, batteries, metronomes.
Print materials: Business cards, brochures, flyers.
Business Insurance: Professional liability
Performance clothing: Costumes or formal wear.
Home office: rent, utilities, insurance.

5 Games For Young Students To Keep Lessons FUN!

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:09:28 GMT

Young children can be challenging to teach, not only because of their developing fine motor skills, but also because of notoriously brief attention spans. Fun and interactive lessons are imperative to keeping them engaged and interested. A teacher must always have a big bag of tricks and be ready to change direction at any moment if they want to keep little ones paying attention.

What better way to get a kid’s attention and keep it? GAMES! You may think it takes too much time to put together games, or lugging extra stuff from lesson to lesson is too much. But guess what? These games only require a deck of cards, and some require NOTHING. That’s as low maintenance as it gets, and they payoff with your students is huge. Start off by picking just one game, and try it out this week!

1. Match It! – All you need is a set of cards with music symbols on them (super easy to make yourself with some index cards and a marker). It’s great to start off with numbers (finger numbers), letters in the musical alphabet, and notes of different values. You’ll need two cards for each symbol. Lay the cards face down, and play your standard matching game. When one of you finds a match, you have to describe how that symbol relates to their instrument. The person who finds the most matches wins.

2. Card Race – This game works best on the piano, but it can be adapted for any instrument. You can use the same set of cards as in game #1, but only use the letters of the musical alphabet. The teacher starts on one end of the keyboard and student starts on the other. You draw a card and find that note which is closest to you. Keep drawing cards until one of you makes it to the other end of the piano. Whoever gets there first wins.

3. Name The Note - In simplest terms, the teacher plays a note on the piano and the student has to name it. A more difficult variation of this game is Stump The Teacher. The student sits at the piano while the teacher turns their back. The teacher gets to try and guess the note name the student is playing. They’ll get to trick their teacher, and get a big kick out of it. But they have to remember their note names to know if their teacher is correct.

4. Little Maestros - Designate a symbol for a sound: a circle could denote a clap, or a triangle could be finger snapping. Keep the sounds simple like tapping the table, stomping your foot, clicking their tongue, etc. Choose 4 at a time and create a sequence of symbols that the child can then “read” to make music.

Encourage them to create their own music using these symbols and listen to their masterpieces.

5. Three Pitches – The teacher asks their student to play any three pitches, one after the other. They play the same pitches the student played, but perhaps in a different register. Then it’s the student’s turn. You can change it up in many ways by asking for different dynamics: “Play me really soft ones now,” or “Try three loud ones.” Make sure the your child plays their notes separately and clearly so you can accurately repeat them.

Most importantly, make it fun! Sometimes, all a student needs to hear is the word GAME and they’re automatically interested. Make an effort to never become complacent in your teaching. If you’re feeling bored, your students are, too. Add in something unexpected every once in a while and everyone will be more engaged.

Sources: www.TeachPianoToday.com , www.TakeLessons.com , www.Solfeg.io

Working from Home? Don't Miss These 10 Home Office Musts!

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 02:27:15 GMT

Based on a piece by the Gold Gerstein Group.

Whether you occasionally take work home from the office or run a small business out of your spare room, your home working environment is important. It should not only be functional, but also inspiring. Having a home office space that you love can make all the difference. If you jump out of bed every morning and simply love the space you get to spend all day in, you’ll work that much harder.

Location: Select a location that suits your needs and your working style. Need isolation and quiet? Consider a room in your house that is most separate from the daily hustle and bustle. Need to be close to your little one while they keep themselves entertained in the playroom? Choose a space that is nearby with a good view.
Color Scheme: Colors can affect your mood, so give some thought to the surroundings. Some people feel energized in a bright and cheery environment. Others prefer to concentrate surrounded by cool, calming tones. Find the colors that speak to you and create a vibe that is inspirational.
Let There Be Light: Give yourself a nice view, near a window if possible, and make sure your office has plenty of light. Not only will it help keep you awake when that mid afternoon crash hits, but natural light is best to reduce eyestrain and prevent headaches. 
Stock Up: Make sure you have all the supplies you use on a daily basis and have everything organized and within reach. Who has time to spend a half hour looking for that stapler? Not you.
Declutter: A space that’s free of clutter gives you the freedom to think clearly. No one likes to be surrounded by piles of stuff they don’t need. Not only is it unsightly, but it also increases stress. Go ahead and take the afternoon to declutter. Your mind will feel 10 pounds lighter.
Get Organized: Organize both vertically and horizontally. Don't overlook uses for corners and nooks. Use every space available. Take time to map out the best use of your space and the most organized way to keep your stuff. Give yourself plenty of storage space, including shelves, drawers, and bins. Pinterest is fabulous if you need ideas.
You Have the Power: When placing furniture, don’t cover up all those electrical outlets, you’ll need them. While you’re at it, during your set up, make sure all electronic equipment is close to outlets and easy to access.
Sitting Pretty: If you should splurge on one thing, it’s a great chair. Invest in a good-quality, comfortable, ergonomically correct chair. You'll be spending many hours here, so the added expense is well warranted.
Go Green: It's been shown that plants reduce stress and increase productivity. They naturally filter the air around you allowing clearer thoughts and easier breathing. In addition, plants are an inexpensive way to add charm to a home office.
Get Happy: Decorating your space is the most fun part, so surround yourself with things that make you happy. Family photos, candles, inspiring artwork, an iPod dock, or even your favorite books will make your space feel like “you.”

Who Is The Adult Here?

Fri, 26 Oct 2018 16:54:44 GMT

Teaching adults in the Private Music Studio

Adult music students can take many forms. You may encounter the retiree who is fulfilling a lifelong dream, a stay at home mom whose kids are finally school age and has the time to practice, or a workaholic who needs a creative outlet to burn off steam.

Regardless of their reasons, adults can be a joy to teach. They are intelligent and know how to learn. They can pick up on concepts quickly and will progress at a rapid pace. After many years of working, they’re probably eager to learn something new!

On the other hand, teaching adults can also have its own set of challenges. They can have unrealistically high expectations and may think this is going to be easy. If their son/ daughter can do it, why can’t they? Try to remind them on a regular basis that everything takes time, students need to practice regardless of age, and all the hard work it will be worth it.

Here are 4 common types of adult students:

Adult music teacher as a student: Often times adult musicians who have studied the same instrument their entire lives reach a point where they’d like to try something new. So they pick another instrument that they’ve always had the desire to play and expect it to be easy. After all, they’re already a musician, right? They may feel that they have something to prove in front of their teacher and don’t want to look stupid. Tread carefully with these students and realize that once they see there’s no need for ego, things will run smoothly.
Adult parent that loves to learn with their child: This student wants to learn everything there is to know. They usually have great enthusiasm and want to lead by example. Remind them that regardless of age, there is a learning curve for everyone and frustration is normal. In fact, it’s great if their child sees them frustrated and also have the perseverance to work through it.
The disagreeing adult: This type of student takes patience. Be sure to make it clear that you are listening to their side and reassure them that you know what you’re talking about in a pleasant and encouraging way. It could take some time to build trust. As the teacher, put aside how quickly you feel the student should progress in the beginning, because they may end up moving a bit slower while they’re learning to trust you.
The re-learner: As the years pass, details can get fuzzy. You may have to start over a bit and re-teach certain concepts that your student may be fuzzy on. Reassure them that repetition is perfectly ok.

One of the biggest challenges in teaching adults is that they’re busy! Between work, family, running a household, and social engagements, finding time for practice let alone a lesson can prove to be very difficult. As a teacher, you have to be sympathetic and flexible. Work with them as best you can. As long as they’re giving you a reasonable warning, try your hardest to accommodate odd lesson times and last minute schedule changes.

They can also be picky when it comes to the pieces and style they want to play. Children are much more open to new music because there’s a lot they haven’t heard yet. Most adults already know what they like, and what they don’t.

It’s amazing how much insecurity adults can develop as they age. Your students are no different. Adults, in particular, need emotional reassurance on a regular basis. “Pat their backs” even more than young children.

One way that teaching adults is a whole lot like teaching kids is that they need constant goals and motivation. Talk to them and find out what those are early on. Do they want to join a band? Do they want the accomplishment of performing in a recital? Do they dream of learning a certain piece? Keep things positive and continuously remind them that they can do it!

When is the Best Time of Day to Practice?

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 14:20:56 GMT

Fitting in daily practice can be challenging for any student.

Fitting in daily practice can be challenging for any student. But forcing practice during times that don’t truly work for a student or the family can be detrimental to the success of any musician. Finding the right time of day where the student’s mind and environment are peacefully in sync for practice can be a real game changer.

But two elements have to be taken into consideration: the time of day the student feels most focused, and when it works best for the family. Ideally, the house should be quiet and free from distraction as much as possible. While you can never expect a house with kids will ever be like a library, there are certain times of day where every household is a bit calmer. Let’s break the day own into morning, afternoon, and night so we can examine the pros and cons.

Morning:

PRO: Practicing first thing gets it out of the way early. Then you don’t have to worry about squeezing it in later on. It can also be a therapeutic way to start the day. If your child is an early riser, he/she can practice when they are most focused. The chaos of the day hasn’t started yet in many households.

CON: For some families, morning is too hectic. Between getting dressed, eating breakfast, and remembering everything for school, adding in practice can make it too difficult to leave the house on time. Kids who are grumpy in the morning will be reluctant to practice. Heck, you can barely get them to put on their shoes without whining!

Afternoon:

PRO: Kids that are still in “school mode” will be focused and able to practice easily. Often times there is an hour or two after school before activities start. Getting practice done before dinner checks another item off their to-do list and parents won’t have to hassle about doing it later when their kids may be tired.

CON: Some children need a break after school to unwind. Going from schoolwork right into practice may feel like too much and they need some time to decompress. After they’ve had a snack and some rest, their fresh to dive into homework and practice.

Night:

PRO: All other obligations are complete and students can simply sit down and enjoy playing without thinking about anything else they have to do. A lot of families quiet down at this time so there is less distraction. Not to mention, those night owls get a second wind and are full of energy.

CON: A lot of kids have no more gas left in their tank by the time night rolls around. Younger siblings may have an earlier bedtime and can’t be disturbed by any other noise. Your little musician has mentally checked out as well.

In conclusion: No matter what time you chose, make sure it is a consistent part of your schedule and stick to a steady practice time. Again, take into consideration when your child feels most focused and there is the least amount of distraction in your home. The right mental state and nothing else pulling at their attention can make all the difference!

YOU'LL NEVER BE BROKE AS A MUSICIAN AND / OR TEACHER

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

A lot of people hear the term “musician” and think of a struggling performer who can barely make ends meet. But being a “professional musician” who is well trained and experienced actually has quite a lot of options to make a great living.

In fact, most musicians have so many career choices they don’t stick to just one area. They either do several at a time or their career moves in different directions as they continue to grow musically. If your training and practice is solid, you can create a professional career for yourself just like other vocations. Here is a list of the most popular choices:

1) Performing – Part-time or full-time, musicians play regular gigs as soloists, with a small or large performance group, as a studio musician, or accompanist. Plenty of musicians get regular work performing in wedding bands, house bands, or solo acts in restaurants during dinner hours. You can also look online or reach out to recording studios to get work as a session musician.

2) Music Industry/Business – It’s extremely satisfying to use the knowledge you’ve gained to help other musicians navigate the industry. There is plenty of work managing other artists, working as a producer / engineer, or agent. Not to mention, if your artists do well, the payoff could be huge.

3) Music Therapy – If playing music moves you and you love sharing it with others, why not use it for healing? Work alongside home bound or hospital patients and help lift their spirits and aid in the healing process. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Music therapy can calm anxiety, ease pain, and provide a pleasant diversion during chemotherapy or a hospital stay.”

4) Teaching Music – There are mainly two options when it comes to teaching. You can either teach in public/private schools or in your own studio in any location. The one that appeals to you depends on which fits your lifestyle needs. Public or private school has hours during the school day and provides a steady and predictable income. Owning a private studio allows you to be your own boss and control how much money you make. This route mainly has after school and night hours plus weekends.

5) Music technology/Recording – Wouldn’t it be exciting to be involved in the creation of music recordings? There are many options to work as a producer/recording engineer, a technician for a recording studio, or gear company. In this field, you can either work for yourself as a freelance producer/engineer/tech or be hired as an “in-house” professional.

6) Music Theory – Theory allows you to teach at any level in schools, studios, or Universities. This subject usually works in conjunction with either teaching instrumental or vocal music. You can either step into a position, which already has a program established or find the opportunity to create your own theory program.

7) Music History – There’s nothing more interesting than documenting music as it passes through time as a historian. Most Universities offer music history courses and history is also usually integrated into most music appreciation courses. There are many different levels to teach. Find a particular subject matter you love? You can always write books!

8) Composer/Arranger – As a composer, you can either write your own music or be commissioned by someone else. You can get a licensing contract to sell your own compositions and establish your name in the industry. This area pays quite well.

9) All of the Above – Most find happiness and a solid income doing a combination of several jobs. Find what speaks to you and create a long-lasting career doing what you love.

When And How Much Should My Child Be Practicing?

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 17:01:41 GMT

When And How Much Should My Child Be Practicing?

Parents always want to make sure their child is practicing enough. After all, hard earned money is being spent on lessons that they don’t want to waste.

If their child isn’t spending enough time practicing, wouldn’t it be wise to invest money elsewhere? Another consideration is time - taking the child to lessons, the child’s precious after school time, and the time of the respected teacher spent on your child. If proper practice isn’t being devoted, no one involved will be successful.

But how much is enough? That depends on the age and level of the student. I recommend young students between the ages of 4 and 8 practice for at least 10 to 15 minutes every day. Music students older than 8 years can practice 20 to 30 minutes. High School students can do even longer.

When is the best time? That depends on your family’s schedule and the personality of your child. Some kids are early birds and ready to go as soon as their eyes open in the morning. For that student, practice before school would be wonderful. They’re focused, energetic, and they can rest easy knowing their practice is done for they day. Others are cranky and sluggish in the morning. If getting your child to school on time is a feat in itself, can you imagine trying to add instrumental practice into the mix? Certainly not! This student would be best taking time afterschool every day or perhaps while dinner is being prepared. Just make sure it doesn’t get too late.

Helpful Hints:

• Make practice a regular part of the every day schedule, just like homework.

• Whatever time works for you, make it that same time every day.

•Try not to skip days. Save that for those days when there are out of the ordinary circumstances.

• Perhaps most importantly, just because your child is sitting down for 15 minutes, doesn’t mean they’re practicing well. Make sure they’re practicing the assigned material and using the skills taught during the lesson.

Audition Prep

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 13:59:34 GMT

Audition Prep For Better Success

As students advance in their musical studies, there are many opportunities for auditions. This gives them something else to work towards other than their yearly recital. The audition process builds superior performance skills and has a desired reward if completed successfully which can be really motivating for students.

No matter what level, there is an audition opportunity available. A student is never too young to try, and constant exposure to the process will make it easier each time. Types of auditions include:

District, regional, and state musical groups
Youth/community performing groups
City, district, regional, state, and national performance exams and competitions
College and university auditions
Scholarship auditions
Placement auditions for seating

There are many things you can do as their private teacher to prepare your students. Even the preparation process is a learning experience that will help them learn to prepare on their own once they reach a professional level.

Requirements – Every audition has a website or at least some online information with audition requirements. Be sure to take into consideration the types of pieces required, length, and difficulty level. Make sure that every selection you make falls under the requirements. Poor decisions can result in disqualification, even if your student’s skill level is up to par.
Ability – Be sure to find out if your student’s level of ability is in line with the audition. If they’re vastly above the skill level of the audition, they may not be considered because the opportunity may not be suited for them. If the audition is for something that is way beyond their skill level, you’re setting the student up for disappointment and wasting everyone’s time involved.
Personality – This is two fold. First, make sure that the opportunity that the student is auditioning for is something they will really enjoy. Second, choose repertoire for the audition that suits their personality, while also staying within the audition guidelines. After all, our best performances are playing music we love
. Practice History – Does your student drag their feet, or are they prepared every week? Be sure to allot enough practice time for the student to be adequately prepared. Setting unrealistic expectations could likely result in failure, and quite a bit of unnecessary pressure, which is unhealthy for children.
Level Of Musical Difficulty – Again, this point is aligned with ability. There is typically some wiggle room within audition requirements to stay within the excepted repertoire and pieces that are well suited to the student’s ability. As a teacher, you may know that one piece will be more impressive than another, but if it’s too difficult, that will defeat it’s purpose. A well-played piece that is less difficult will always win in the end.

As every performer knows, practicing HOW to perform is just as important as rehearsing your repertoire. The same goes for auditions! Staging a mock audition can work wonders for your students to get rid of jitters that could compromise their performance. Have your student play in front of a few “judges” that will offer them feedback or enroll them in a masterclass where any negative feedback won’t count against them and is just for constructive purposes.

Audition experiences can be exciting for both the student and the teacher. Watching a student you’ve worked with for a long period of time work hard, and achieve their goals can be just as fulfilling for you as it is for them. Guiding students through the audition process is a valuable tool they can carry with them for an entire career and much future success.

5 EASY Ways to Recruit New Students

Thu, 24 May 2018 15:31:19 GMT

Recruit New Students

Wouldn’t it be great to have a full schedule of students? You absolutely can with a little creativity and some easy marketing. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time and most certainly no pushy tactics. You just have to know where to look.

Feel awkward about publicizing your services? No need! In fact, the vast majority of parents would love to know more local, trusted music teachers. Most only hear of one or two through word of mouth. Letting people in your area know more about you and that you are accepting new students often times is all you need. But a little extra thought towards a targeted audience will have your recruiting efforts pay off big time.

1. Identify Your Target: The first question to ask yourself is; what type of students do you want? Do you prefer adults or young children just starting out? Once you know that, you can focus your marketing towards that exact group, but you have to know where to find them. If you’re seeking very young children, see if you can advertise with local preschools or playgroups. If you’d prefer older children, see if you can contact the music teacher at the local elementary schools and let them know you’re open to new students. And if you’d like to spread the word among senior citizens, advertise in church bulletins or see if you can find the organizer of your town’s bingo night.

2. Play Nice With Other Instruments: Make an effort to find other local teachers that teach a different instrument than yours (that way you won’t feel awkward about competition). Very often times, kids play more than one instrument, or siblings of students are seeking to play something different than their brother/sister. Send out some emails or make phone calls introducing yourself and make those connections. You can also offer to organize recitals together, join masterclasses, or even a combined summer camp. Don’t forget to offer them a referral as well.

3. Facebook Networking: The big debate remains regarding which social media platform is best for small businesses. But when it comes to finding local parents, Facebook wins. Search for local mom groups because they’re a fantastic and active resource. Moms are always asking other moms for advice and referrals. If you’re not a mom, and if joining the page may not be appropriate, you can reach out to the moderator of the page and ask them to post an advertisement for you.

4. The Big Bonus: This is an obvious one that teachers often overlook. Let your students and their parents know you’re looking to recruit new students and offer them a bonus for referrals. It can be a free book, a free lesson, or a small gift card to the local music store.

5. Go Camping: During winter and summer vacations, when the kids are off from school, organize a week long camp for a few hours each day. It’s easier than you think! Come up with a welcome song, various activities (these can include music themed craft projects, music and movement, and story time about your favorite composer), and even offer a snack time.

Worried that you’ll have a hard time handling all these students? My book, The Complete Guide To Running A Private Music Studio ( https://www.privatemusicstudio.com/store/The-Complete-Guide-To-Running-A-Private-Music-Studio-p10006... ) is full of helpful resources. Whether it’s ready-to-use forms, checklists, billing, or scheduling, this book takes out all the guesswork. It’s a great stress reliever and a guaranteed way to stay organized!

New Tricks of the Trade

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:14:30 GMT

Teaching music lessons week after week can become mundane for not only the student, but also for the teacher. Luckily, there are some great ideas out there to help keep your business fresh and income profitable. Here are 7 new tricks to consider incorporating into your business that will spark new motivation for you and your students!

1. Create A Contest: Vance Music Studio in Wichita, KS has created a practice contest. Students pledge to their parent(s) to practice six days a week from February 4 - April 14 and an audio device records each session. When the time period ends, the musician receives an award luggage tag with four holes and a ribbon. After receiving four ribbons in one year, the musician gets a plaque and the parent received a two-lesson gift card. Win-win!

2. The Hype About Skype: Teaching Skype lessons are not only profitable, but allows you to work at unusual times in unlimited locations. But there are a few factors to take into consideration. Make sure to charge slightly extra due to the time it takes to set up. Also, Skype can cause a delay in the sound. Therefore, listen to the student play and demonstrate for them but be wary of playing with them.

3. Marketing Mastery: Create a Facebook group and Instagram page. Include photos of your students playing (after you have received written permission from parents), quotes from students and parents, practice ideas, and details of your studio. This makes everyone feel like they’re part of a community and maintains enthusiasm.

4. Two Is Better: Due to tough economic times, I strongly recommend teaching more than one instrument. Just make sure you can demonstrate the instrument properly. You may even choose to take some lessons yourself! An additional perk is that your lessons are tax deductible.

5. Mock Auditions: Before a state, local, or college audition, offer a mock audition master class and charge a nominal fee. This will help students feel more prepared and get rid of some pre-performance jitters.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice: There are a few teachers that I know of that are traveling to their students’ home to assist with daily practice. You would need to charge 70-100% of your normal lesson fee. It takes up a fair amount of your time, so it may be impossible to offer it. Consult your schedule and see if it would be a profitable addition to your services.

7. You’re Never Too Old: Group adult lesson classes are a great idea. I taught an hour class for the cost of a 45-minute lesson per student, but I would not teach the class without a minimum of four musicians. If you travel to teach this class, you will have to charge for a full hour. This is a wonderful opportunity for adults to learn the instrument they’ve always wanted, with a little social bonus.

5 Elements for the Perfect Private Music Studio Website

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 18:21:34 GMT

Attract More Students with A Smarter Site

Want to build a thriving private music studio? A website is an important piece to make your business complete. Just like any other small business, it can help you look professional, keep a better line of communication open with your students, and help gain more students.

Websites don’t have to be intimidating. In fact, keeping it simple is the best way to go. There are a few key elements that are important for most websites, but are particularly helpful for private music studios.

Social Media Icons: Facebook and LinkedIn are the most basic social media platforms everyone should be on. Facebook is very family friendly and allows for plenty of text, photos, and sharing abilities. It’s a great tool to keep students informed and share educational articles. LinkedIn is like your online resume and it should be in tiptop shape, ready to be seen at all times. Make sure the social media icons on your website are easy to find, right at the top of your masthead. No one wants to be searching around for icons that are difficult to spot. You don’t want visitors giving up!
Keywords: Make your website searchable. It’s important to include keywords in your text so you come up first in search engines. Not sure which words to use? Think like a searcher! Use the words you would choose if you were going to search for the same service. Try using the free Google Keywords planner. It will tell you how many monthly seraches keywords have so you can choose the right one for YOUR music studio.
Email Signup: Having the email addresses of your students and other people who visit your site is crucial. Regular emails are a great way to keep your students informed of things they need to know about weekly lessons, recitals, etc. You can also send out a monthly newsletter and include everyone on your list. Feel free to advertise specials and new merchandise. Make the signup easy to find right at the top of your site.
Online Store: Provide a place where students can easily buy the books/supplies you recommend for their lessons. Are they just about finished with their Level 2 book and ready for Level 3? Simply direct them to your site and parents can order exactly what is needed. You can also include books you’ve written, eBooks, PDF outlines, and view recorded lessons.
Great Design: This seems obvious, but a great and well-thought out design can really make a huge difference. Keep your site clean and clutter free. Stick with traditional layouts and be sure to label your navigation bar and other links clearly. Don’t forget a friendly photo of yourself!

Most private music teachers think all they need is a business card. Adding a website is such an easy supplement to your business and there are so many options at many different price points. It could mean the difference between you being the local piano teacher and the premier instructor in your area.