Hold onto your hats – I have a whole lot of goodies for you this month. I’m pretty sure this is one of – if not THE biggest list I’ve ever published!
1
Julie Knerr shared a lovely series of photos by her mother that, in 5 images, display the steps it takes to bring a painting from a sketch to a work of art. Use these images as a synonym for your students taking pieces from just learning to polished performance.
2
Unfortunately, Teach Piano Today has discontinued its Piano Game Club! The page is still live, but you are no longer able to sign up. It was announced in an email directly to current subscribers.
Get other great game resources from:
Music Discoveries
Vibrant Music Teaching
Susan Paradis
Color in My Piano
3
I’ve been catching up on Nadia Bolz-Weber’s podcast (which is not currently active), The Confessional. One episode almost brought me to tears – Meg Lavery, Storyteller, and Teacher.
4
Ashley Danyew outlined 15 of her favorite supplemental collections for elementary piano students.
5
It’s time to give my kitchen towels a spiff up. I’m going to use this technique with Oxi Clean recommended by America’s Test Kitchen and subsequently The Kitchn.
6
With the turnover of the new season this week, amplify your fall time mood with my Autumn playlist on Spotify.
7
Joy Morin came up with a simple and yet brilliant incentive program for her students.
8
The Lazy Genius #228 – 5 Ways to Organize Your Books
Since we moved into our new house, I’ve discovered rather than keeping all my books in one location on a designated bookshelf, I love keeping them in small groups in a location that fits their theme.
For example, I keep books about having a welcoming home on the kitchen windowsill, books on Music Learning Theory next to my desk, books on learning and personal growth in the stairwell going to my studio so my students see them, and so forth.
Of course, it doesn’t help that I don’t actually have a big enough bookcase to keep all of them in one location but even so, I still love the idea of theme areas!
9
Natalie Weber discovered a piece that worked brilliantly as a rote piece for a student who desperately needed it. She shared it along with how she is organizing her rote repertoire both physically (and in Evernote!)
10
Are you interested in learning more about Music Learning Theory? Did you know I have a whole page here on Piano Pantry dedicated to MLT resources? Find a list of recommended books, a series of some of my favorite YouTube videos on the topic, podcast episodes, and more!
One resource I recently added was a podcast from Musicality Now: Mind Before Fingers with Marilyn Lowe. I thought this was one of the best I’ve heard from Marilyn.
11
One of my former students is an avid songwriter. Follower her on Instagram for wonderful monthly songwriting prompts!
12
Speaking of songwriting, our beloved Chrissy Ricker has a beautiful updated new YouTube channel!
13
Thanks to Clinton Pratt for sharing details on the upcoming American Eurhythmics Society Conference.
I’ll be presenting to a local association in Ohio that weekend but it looks like a great low price and students are free!
14
If you’ve been around here awhile, you might remember my Piano Teacher Must-Haves: A Minimalist’s List.
Another teacher has put together their own list! Aren’t they the best types of lists?! Check out Piano Studio Must-Haves from Lassen Piano Studio.
15
A great little instant-read thermometer for only $12!
16
Congratulations to Christopher Goldston on the launch of his new website where he’s self-publishing his own compositions as well as (potentially) some unseen solos from his mother, Margaret Goldston!
