The All-in-One Approach Method and Workshop with Dr. Helen Marlais Last week, I had the very fortunate opportunity to attend a workshop by Dr. Helen Marlais—the author / composer of the All-in-One Approach to Succeeding at the Piano® series. Dr. Marlais provided a tour of the first 4 mini-levels in the series by guiding participants
teaching methods
Bend Backwards To Teach Piano
Being Flexible and Thinking on Your Feet are Keys to Being a Good Piano Teacher As a piano teacher, having a curriculum you believe in is important to your teaching. Equally important is being able to see outside the box of that curriculum and think of a plan B when something might not be coming
First 3 Months Of Piano Lessons – A Teachers Guide
This article is for teachers of young beginners on piano who need lesson plan ideas. General thoughts included here work especially well for the first 3 months of study, which is when a routine and familiarity is established with the instrument. For young beginners, piano study is a great way to begin music lessons, and
How We Help in Motivating Beginner Piano Students
As a group of experienced music teachers who provide private lessons for beginners, we fully understand the art of motivating beginner piano students. Keeping young learners excited and consistent on the piano requires intentional strategies, positive reinforcement, and creative routines that match each child’s personality. This approach helps build habits that stick—and produce musical progress.
The Power of Music Theory Private Lessons
Music theory often gets a bad reputation for being dry or overly technical—but when taught well, it becomes a powerful tool that helps young musicians thrive. Through music theory private lessons, students gain the knowledge to understand what they’re playing, why it works, and how to express themselves more freely. As experienced music teachers who
“Just Be Kind”: The Golden Rule of Piano Teaching
I once had a student—let’s call him Sam—who reminded me why we teach. Sam was shy, didn’t like to speak much, and rarely made eye contact. During our first lesson, I noticed something: the way his fingers gently hovered over the keys, unsure but hopeful. I realized then that my job had nothing to do
Teaching Piano Students How to Improvise
This article is for piano teachers looking for ways to introduce improvisation into their students’ lessons and make the experience fun and successful. This week, I was very fortunate to be able to attend a program on the “Art of Improvisation” conducted by Jeffrey Chappell—a true expert on the subject. As a piano teacher who
The Best Method Books for Beginners: How We Use Them in Lessons
When new students start lessons, one of the first questions we get from parents is: “What book will my child use?” And it’s a great question! Choosing the right method book is essential—it gives students a clear path to follow while allowing room to explore and be creative. As private teachers who specialize in beginner
What Are Piano Method Books?
Piano Method Books By Age, When And Why To Use Them This is for the parent of a beginning student who’s just starting piano. Many students have no idea where to start when it comes to finding a book to help them learn how to play piano. Fortunately, there are many books written on the
Three Essential Reminders for Teaching Music Lessons Better
Whether you’re instructing piano, voice, or guitar, these reminders for teaching music lessons help you focus on clarity, engagement, and student-centered growth. They’re simple, research-anytime principles that support both effective teaching and joyful learning. Reminder 1: Offer Clear, Achievable Goals Lessons should frame clear objectives—“play this phrase smoothly,” or “sing this line in pitch.” Setting
