Happy February!
For years, I ran an incentive program in my studio that was fairly low-key but available to anyone who wanted to participate. I used the Music Money resources from TCW Resources and kept a stash of different level/priced prizes available for students to cash in at any time.
I once heard Julie Knerr, co-author of the Piano Safari method, make the case that adults get paid to do a job and enjoy the fruits of that work — so why not give kids the opportunity to experience rewards for their efforts, too? I thought that was a valid argument, so I was happy to provide an incentive program.
I shared more about my approach in these two posts: Implementing Incentives: The Struggle Is Was Real and A Simple Incentive Program and Prize Box Items Students Love.
Following COVID, I realized I was burned out on offering any kind of structured incentive program (and to be completely honest, I wasn’t convinced it made that much of a difference for my students), so I pivoted away. That said, I’ve always kept a small tub with a handful of prizes that I pull out occasionally during group classes. I also use it with my littles, who are motivated by simple mini-incentive charts.
This is something I completely feel out with each student and let them lead. I don’t push it or even broadly encourage it. In fact, I usually only introduce sticker charts when I sense a student might benefit from a little extra motivation to play more at home — and then I ask if they’d enjoy trying one.
This age is all about repetition at the piano, so I keep it simple: every time they play a song, they can add a sticker. They can take as long as they want to fill a chart. I find those who are excited about it will do it well for maybe a semester, and then it fizzles out, but that’s OK. A lot in life is seasonal, right? So I don’t feel myself feel frustrated if it doesn’t motivate them for months or years on end. It’s just a little something we can use for the time we need.
You can find these sticker charts, along with other favorites, on Amy Recommends: Favorites for Living Piano Teacher Life under the Assignments & Practice section.
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Some real-life talk from Wendy Stevens over at ComposeCreate.com on The Truth About the Creative Process.
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We’re approaching the time of year when many of us start considering what our studio offerings and fees will look like for next school year. As she does best, Joy Morin has given us a really in-depth look at Why Piano Teachers Should Charge a Flat Monthly Fee for Lessons (And How to Calculate It) over on ColorinMyPiano.com
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We enjoyed a couple of musicy-themed movies these past few weeks.
First up is Song Sung Blue with Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman. It tells the real-life story of Mike and Clare, the creatives behind Lightning and Thunder, an 80s and 90s Neil Diamond tribute band.
Second is Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson and Forest Whitaker, which tells the story of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. It’s been out since 2021, so we’re definitely late to the party, but it’s worth watching.
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If you have a lending library of music-themed children’s books, or you enjoy having them around for kids or grandkids, Natalie has shared another good find: My First Orchestra Book, published by Naxos.
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Let me help you continue your rabbit hole of music-themed children’s books by highlighting several posts on the topic right here on Piano Pantry. 🙂
Build a Lending Library of Music-Themed Children’s Books
Listening Playlists to Accompany Music-Themed Children’s Books
Music-Themed Comic Books for Your Studio Lending Library
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A little cooking test on the best way to cook bacon in the oven from The Pioneer Woman.
I actually cook my bacon this way already (on a parchment-lined sheet pan in the oven), although sometimes, if I’m feeling antsy, I’ll just throw it on the stovetop. I always regret it, though, because it makes such a mess (even with splatter screens). I find it takes longer than suggested in the post – a good 20 minutes, but definitely keep an eye on it at the 15-minute mark.
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I started asking the last two guests on the podcast to share an item that they think would be fun to add to my next Friday Finds posts.
Joy Morin, in our Teacher Talk episode #175, mentioned a gift she had gotten for her husband, who is a foodie like me. It’s a reusable beeswax bread bag! So cool!
In episode #177, Australian teacher Donna Hinkley mentioned her Cricut Maker 4.
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I’ve been enjoying a new podcast from Eric Bluestine, author of the ever-popular book The Ways Children Learn Music. It’s called Helping Children Audiate Music.
It’s the kind of podcast you want to listen to from oldest to newest – at least for now.
While I’ve enjoyed his whole Audiation Series thus far, the one episode that I starred as a favorite is Episode #6 – The Concepts of “Same” and “Different” in Music Learning Theory
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Check out my newly-organized binder for my Note Progressions Practice Sets for Note Rush!
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Last month, the pedagogy world lost Marvin Blickenstaff. I caught part of the webinar tribute that The Francis Clark Center hosted, but had to sign off early.
I even more especially enjoyed Ashley Danyew’s podcast episode tribute to him, Beauty, Artistry, and Intention (a Tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff), published not long after.
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Joy Morin and I both recently shared our onboarding process for students on our blogs. I hope you can find a bit of inspiration from two similar and yet somewhat different processes.
How I Onboard New Piano Students (My Six-Step Process) – ColorinMyPiano.com
How I Handle New Student Inquiries & Onboarding – PianoPantry.com
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I learned a new term this month: digital anonymized. I saw it when watching The Investigation of Lucy Letby.
In the documentary, there were scenes where AI was used to help make the identities of those on video anonymous. You could tell that something about the video felt different, and as soon as I googled it, it made sense.
Do you have any good finds from this past month to share? LMK in the comments!
4 Responses
Paul and I saw Song Sung Blue in the theater not long ago. It was really good — with sad parts, but still really good!
Thanks as always for the links to my blog posts, and for all of your Friday Finds, Amy!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Love reading your Friday Finds!
As a tag in from your movies mentioned, I haven’t seen either of those however we did attend a Broadway showing of “A Beautiful Noise” and really enjoyed it. If not familiar with it is based on the life and music of Neil Diamond. He was very involved with the making of it so it is authentic.
Oh cool! I haven’t heard of that one. I will keep a lookout for opportunities to see it. You will definitely enjoy Song Sung Blue then as well! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!