In this episode, Samantha Coates discusses teaching by rote. Topics discussed include the definition of rote teaching, the common criticisms it receives, its relationship to teaching by ear, the overlap between learning music and language acquisition, what makes a great rote piece, how her BlitzBooks series integrates rote teaching with reading teaching, and strategies for teaching rote pieces effectively. Samantha's rote pieces are available at BlitzBooks Rote Repertoire, and all listeners can receive 20% off anything at the site with the coupon code BEN20. She has also written several blog p ..read more

Misha Stefanuk speaks about teaching students to play convincingly in a variety of styles, his jazz piano exercise books, and his bestselling easy piano arrangements. In the episode, Misha takes us through some of the exercises from his book “Jazz Piano Lessons.” You can access sheet music for the exercises he discusses here. You can see more of his publications on his Sheet Music Plus and Mel Bay pages ..read more

Orli Shaham speaks about her Bach Yard series, as well as her experiences teaching at the Juilliard School.   Back to List of Episodes ..read more

Becki Laurent speaks about her work at JoyTunes and the educational value of the Piano Maestro app. She also offers tips for teachers to maximize their use of Piano Maestro in their studios ..read more

Deborah How speaks about the ins and outs of running a music business and a private studio, touching on topics such as student retention and student acquisition.   Back to List of Episodes ..read more

Clinton Pratt, owner of Piano Sensei, speaks about stress-free studio management. Topics discussed include the benefits of flat fee billing, invoices, group lessons, advertising, student acquisition, and student retention. Clinton offers many resources to help teachers manage their studios, available here ..read more

Artina McCain discusses the overlap of being a concert pianist and a piano teacher. Topics discussed include demonstrating for students, selecting repertoire as a means of self-expression, Artina's African American Folk Songs Collection, physical wellness and muscle activation techniques, working with college students, and how to build a performance career while working as a teacher ..read more

John Patrick Murphy, Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma, discusses the four stages of the Orff Schulwerk process of teaching music and their application in the context of piano lessons: imitation, exploration, labeling, and creation. Topics addressed include play, movement and vocal activities, experiencing concepts before labeling, the pedagogical value of incorporating percussion instruments into piano lessons, games, rote teaching, and group lessons ..read more

Janna Williamson offers advice and guidance for teaching intermediate students. In the first part of the interview, she discusses big-picture topics such as defining intermediate, why intermediate students are sometimes ignored, and what makes a great teacher of intermediate students. In the second part, she addresses several specific topics as they apply to intermediate students, such as encouraging creativity, repertoire, theory and musical analysis, technique, practice stamina, and creating performance opportunities. Many of the resources mentioned in the interview can be found here ..read more

Edna Golandsky, founder of the Golandsky Institute, gives a deep dive into piano technique through the lens of the Taubman approach. Topics discussed include the use of the forearm, playing quietly, rotation, in and out motion, the problem with telling students to relax, and tone production ..read more